With offices in Washington, DC, Rockville, MD, and Clifton, VA, Our therapists use a results-oriented approach designed to meet your unique needs. They are dedicated to empathetic, empowerment-based support.
Our therapists are deeply committed to a trauma-informed approach for treatment. As such, they promote anti-racism, belief in the survivors of sexual assault, and other anti-discriminatory beliefs.
Many also participate in trainings on brain-based therapies, couples therapy, body-based approaches, and more. Because Viva trainings and supervisions are either free or heavily subsidized, our therapists are able to place heavy emphasis on continued learning.
Every Viva therapist is fully licensed in their jurisdiction (DC, VA, MD, DE, CT, CA, NC, USVI) and is in good standing with their professional boards.
Clinical Supervisor
Elizabeth Galasso
Elizabeth uses a mindful, strengths-based, family systems based approach to support adolescents, adults, families and groups. She specializes in substance use and the intersection of mental health and addictions. She implements EMDR to support her clients as well. Liz is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) of DC, as well, is licensed to practice in Virginia and Delaware. Liz is the supervisor of the clinical program and is at the Senior Supervisory rate. She has been practicing as a clinical social worker for over 20 years.
Viva Clinicians
Hannah Braune Friedman
Hannah is an experienced trauma-informed therapist with over a decade of diverse experiences in the US and Israel. Her work experience includes, a domestic violence shelter, a rape crisis center, a mental health clinic, schools, and private settings. As such, she cherishes the opportunity to help her clients reduce anxiety, depression and many other normal symptoms coming out of trauma with implementation of mindfulness, EMDR, and Brainspotting. Hannah is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) of DC, as well as a LCSW-C in MD and LCSW in CT. Hannah is at the Experienced Independent level.
LPC, LCPC, NCC
Teayra Gray
Teayra uses her engaged person-centered approach, as well as Brainspotting, EMDR and Mindfulness, to help adolescents and adults experiencing a variety of trauma and emotional distress. Teayra has experience working with addiction, depression, anxiety, race-based trauma, women’s issues, as well as grief and loss. Teayra is a Licensed Professional Counselor in DC, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in MD and a National Certified Counselor. Teayra is at the Experienced Independent level.
Sheryl Walden
Sheryl uses a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach, as well as Brainspotting, to address issues of attachment and relationships, grief and loss, anxiety and depression. Sheryl has experience working with adults, families, couples, young adults, and children. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) of DC, as well as a LCSW-C in MD, and LCSW in CA. Sheryl is at the supervisory rate, and has been practicing as a clinical social worker for 30 years.
Sonja Favaloro
Sonja is passionate about helping clients find their own forms of resiliency and strength and develop self-compassion. She uses mindfulness techniques, somatic awareness, and cognitive-behavioral approaches to help adult clients address issues of anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and trauma. Sonja also offers Internal Family Systems therapy and Transpersonal approaches, which help clients connect to various parts of themselves and explore their values and purpose. Sonja is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) in Washington, DC and MD. Sonja is at the Graduate level.
Kristen Moyer
Kristen incorporates mindfulness, behavioral and strengths-based approaches to help clients with PTSD, relationship concerns, anxiety and depression. She is an EMDR Certified Therapist and utilizes dialectical-behavioral therapy. With a mindful and person-centered approach, she helps clients identify their strengths and learn skills to enhance wellbeing. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Maryland, a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor in D.C., and a Licensed Professional Counselor in U.S. Virgin Islands. Kristen is at the Independent level.
Jess Stern
Jess offers compassionate and affirming counseling services to her clients while partnering with them in their healing. Incorporating EMDR, dialectical-behavioral therapy, among other modalities, she meets clients where they are at and tailors therapy to their unique goals. With a trauma-informed lens, she is committed to providing a safe and and supportive space where clients can become the best version of themselves. She is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Jess bills at the Independent level.
Faith Ferber
Faith takes a strengths-based, affirming, and trauma-informed approach. She applies CBT, somatic approaches, and solution-focused therapy in her care for clients. She recognizes that oppression, discrimination, or violence of any kind can have a widespread impact on the well-being of individuals, partners, families, and the larger community. Faith is a Licensed Master Social Worker in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. Faith bills at the Independent level.
Aurena Green
Aurena uses mindfulness, person-centered, and yogic approaches to treat different forms of trauma in her clients. She’s trained in brain and body based modalities, including Brainspotting and EMDR, that create a safe environment for her clients to heal and explore. Aurena is a Licensed Resident in Counseling in Virginia (#0704014477), and a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor in DC. Aurena is at the Graduate level.
Lauren Boone
Lauren practices on the frameworks of intersectionality and cognitive-behavioral therapy to help clients understand their patterns, address family conflict and cope with depression, anxiety and grief. With a mindful, strength-based and trauma-informed approach, she is also certified in EMDR. As a licensed minister, she is able to incorporate spirituality into treatment. She is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker in Washington, D.C. Lauren bills at the Independent level.
Rebeca Carvajal
Rebeca implements a trauma-informed, mindfulness, Brainspotting and art-based approaches to treating different forms of trauma, in adolescents and adults. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Washington D.C, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina and a National Board Certified Art Therapist. Rebeca is at the Independent level.
LICSW
Regina Tosca
Regina uses techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, and much more, to treat issues such as grief, anxiety, and trauma. She has extensive experience working with chronic and terminal illness in a hospital setting. Regina is passionate about working with companion animal bereavement. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) of DC and at the Independent level. Regina is a contract clinician with Viva and sets her own rate.
LICSW
Stacey Thompson
Stacey utilizes techniques from body-oriented psychotherapies, mindfulness and brain-based therapies. She specializes in supporting individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, major life transitions, and those working to recover from traumatic experiences. Stacey is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) of DC and at the Independent level. Stacey is a contract clinician with Viva and sets her own rate.
LICSW
Megan Munzert
Megan uses mindfulness and experiential techniques along with Brainspotting. She specializes in PTSD, depression, relationship issues, and anxiety. Megan is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) of DC and at the Independent level. Megan is a contract clinician with Viva and sets her own rate.
Expert Clinician
LICSW
Dr. Julie Lopez
Founder/Strategist
Dr. Julie is the founder of The Viva Center. She is an award-winning clinician and entrepreneur. Her book Live Empowered illuminates why implicit memory work (working with the deep unconscious) is necessary to experience lasting and substantive change and improvement in wellbeing. She is a professional speaker and is sought after by the media for her expertise in trauma work.
Dr. Julie offers short-term Intensives for interested clients which incorporate brain and body based approaches like EMDR, Brainspotting and somatically based interweaves. She is the creator of the Trauma Informed clinical practice certification course and delights in empowering others to move towards a life free from suffering.
