Melisa Atkeson, LCSW

Melisa is the founder of Wise Mind Psychotherapy. She works with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She treats people who have anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, parent-child issues, self-injury, disordered eating behaviors, and relationship difficulties. She has a special interest in people who struggle to regulate emotions. Melisa views therapy as an opportunity for people to learn, gain insight, and practice skills.

Melisa has been helping people solve problems for 30 years: first as a high school math teacher, next in tech sector sales and marketing, and for 15 years as a psychotherapist. Prior to private practice, she worked in foster and adoptive care teaching parenting classes and working with at-risk adolescents. She also worked at a local residential treatment center facilitating adolescent and multifamily therapy groups. She worked in a group practice before founding Wise Mind, where she has assembled an amazing team of therapists.

In addition to a Masters in Clinical Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University, Melisa has degrees in Mathematics and Education from Auburn University. Melisa lives in northern Virginia with her family and a menagerie of animals.

Kerry Jetton, MSW

Kerry enjoys working with children, adolescents, young adults, and their family systems. She treats clients who have anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief, trauma, self-harming behaviors, social and adjustment issues, and family problems. She uses a variety of therapies including CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, Solution Based Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Functional Family systems.

Kerry has experience providing individual, group, and family therapy, as well as conducting assessments for anxiety and depression, suicidality, and Adverse Childhood experiences (ACE).

While getting her Master’s degree in Social Work at George Mason University, Kerry worked as a clinical intern therapist for adolescents with diverse backgrounds, age 12-17, in a 45-day crisis stabilization inpatient facility.

In addition to practicing psychotherapy, Kerry has owned and managed a massage therapy business and has been a licensed massage therapist, certified by the Virginia Board of Nursing, for 16 years. Kerry understands well the innate connection between mind and body, and mental and physical health.

Heather Sauceda, MSW

Heather works with adolescents, their families, and adults in group and individual settings. She specializes in those who have anxiety, depression, trauma, and codependency. She also has a special interest in PTSD and those impacted by another’s addiction/alcoholism. She practices numerous therapy methodologies including Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and Body-Awareness.

Heather understands that each person is unique and she uses this perspective to approach each therapy with individual care and attention. She enjoys using laughter and levity to help clients frame and rebuild their personal story. As She works to reinforce internal resilience while helping people align their actions, values, and desired goals.

Heather holds a Masters in Clinical Social Work as well as an undergraduate degree in Spirituality and Well-Being from George Mason University. As part of her graduate program she worked with groups and individuals at The Women’s Center in Vienna, VA. She has also completed an Integral Coaching program with New Ventures West.

Suzanne Cooper, LCSW

Suzanne works with children, adolescents, adults, and families to support personal growth and recovery from anxiety, depression, trauma, and attachment disruptions. She has a special interest in helping clients foster a sense of self-worth, increase self-compassion, explore identity, strengthen connections with others, heal from trauma, and navigate life transitions.

Viewing the therapeutic relationship as essential to growth and healing, Suzanne seeks to provide a warm, open, affirming, and non-judgmental space for clients. She uses an integrative approach based on each client’s unique needs pulling from psychodynamic, attachment, cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavioral, expressive, and narrative therapies.

Suzanne has provided therapy services in a range of settings including community mental health agencies, foster care, in-home therapy, and an intensive outpatient program.

She holds a Masters in Clinical Social Work from the Catholic University of America and an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia. Prior to pursuing her MSW, Suzanne worked in non-profit management for ten years including leading fundraising and operations teams at the American Red Cross.

Rebecca Ellison, MSW

Rebecca is passionate about helping people across the lifespan overcome barriers that prevent them from living the life they want and deserve. She works with adolescents, adults, and families experiencing issues with anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, executive function, and autism spectrum issues.

Her therapeutic approach is to create a supportive environment where clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, and behavior patterns while learning effective coping skills and strategies to better manage life’s challenges. She has training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Family Systems Therapy and works with clients individually and in groups.

Rebecca holds a Master’s degree in Social Work with a clinical focus from George Mason University, a bachelor’s degree from Thomas Edison State University, and a certificate in Financial Social Work. Rebecca is a Veteran of the U.S. Army, a retired military spouse, and has supported military families for over 25 years. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Eve Sussman, LCSW

Eve specializes in working with adolescents and adults who struggle with self-esteem, depression, anxiety, trauma, complex relationships, life transitions, and perfectionism. She also works with families experiencing relationship ruptures, complex family dynamics, and transitions.

Eve helps people learn about and rewrite narratives that interfere with them having the lives they want. She practices from an integrative and relational approach, allowing for different treatment modalities. Eve is passionate about the power animals can bring to care, so she works alongside her therapy dog, Rory, who participates in her therapy sessions.

Eve has experience working as an in-home family therapist with high risk youth and families, as a clinician in a community mental health center, and in a therapeutic school setting. She is new to the DMV area by way of Massachusetts where she received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Smith College. She is currently independently licensed in Virginia, DC, Massachusetts and Vermont.

Chanel Rodriguez, LPC, PhD

Chanel holds a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Central Florida, an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Georgia State University, and a PhD in Counseling & Counselor Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC).

Chanel is a counselor of color who works predominantly with children, adolescents, and their families. Chanel helps children explore their feelings through play and expressive therapies. She has a particular interest in middle schoolers and the developmental changes they experience. She also has an interest in working with families to help members communicate better and support each other.

In addition to her work as a counselor, Chanel is an assistant professor in the School of Counseling at Marymount University teaching courses in Multicultural Counseling, Children & Adolescents, Ethics, and Diagnosis. She provides services in English & Spanish.

Kendall Barrett, MSW

Kendall has a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Social Work from George Mason University. She is passionate about helping people find joy and contentment in their lives. Kendall enjoys working with children, adolescents, adults, older adults, and their families as they recover from depression, loss, grief, anxiety, and trauma. Kendall works collaboratively to use the therapeutic tools that most meet her clients’ needs.

Kendall has worked with Goodwin House and Goodwin Living at Home helping older adults navigate aging and the choice to live in place. In her previous life, Kendall was the pastry chef and owner of Kendall’s Cakes in Falls Church, Va, where she designed celebration cakes for such luminaries as Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Tony Bennett.

When Kendall is not helping others, she is actively trying to get her parrots, Maine Coon cats, and three dogs to behave.

Ellie Zadeh, MPC

Ellie is a resident in Professional Counseling. She is passionate about working with children, adolescents and their families, supporting them in emotional and behavioral struggles they may be experiencing. Ellie works collaboratively to help clients achieve their potential by creating a safe space where they can develop effective ways of coping and hone their decision-making skills.

Ellie uses an individualized and holistic approach, drawing from different therapeutic orientations that best suit each client’s unique situation.

Ellie particularly enjoys working with children, utilizing play-based therapies such as Child-Centered Play therapy, Child-Parent Relationship therapy, and Theraplay. Play helps children understand their feelings and express themselves using the language they know best. She also works with families to address family-based issues, parenting, and parenting during and after divorce.

Kelly Rankin, LCSW

Kelly holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and is the practice manager at Wise Mind Psychotherapy. She also works as a Substance Abuse Counselor for Fairfax County Public Schools.

Kelly manages billing and communication with clients to make sure they have what they need. She will likely know the answer to any question you have!

In her spare time Kelly is likely to be found on a beach in some distant locale or playing with her grandchildren closer to home.

Eddie

Weighing in at about 6 lbs, Eddie has no real credentials except being incredibly cute and interested in making people feel better. He was found wandering by the side of a road in 2019 when he was about 4 months old. His original owners couldn’t be found so Melisa (obviously) brought him home and gave him a job at Wise Mind where he is thriving! He looks forward to meeting you in person.

Rory

Rory is a 3 year old certified therapy dog and the most loving mini goldendoodle around (we’re not biased or anything!). He is passionate about snuggling with the humans in his life and bringing comfort when people need it. Rory recently joined the Wise Mind family when he moved to the DMV with his owner and bff Eve. Rory is very excited about what’s to come and to meet you all soon!

Rooster

Rooster likes to come to work with Kendall, his favorite person in the whole world. He is exceptional at listening and modeling calm. People feel less anxious just by being in his presence (mirror neurons!!). He is incredibly sweet and welcomes you to Wise Mind.

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