Our Team
Marie Norton, LPC, NCC, M.Ed., MFA
Counselor and Co-Director
Come as you are to counseling. There is nothing you have to do, or be, in order to feel better. You don't have to know what troubles you or even have words for it. You just have to know there's something you'd like to be different. We'll figure it out together and maybe have some fun and laugh a little along the way.
Marie tailors her approach to each client’s unique needs. Her therapeutic style is a blend of strength-based, psychodynamic, mind-body, and mindfulness approaches. She welcomes adults of all identities and orientations. She works with clients to master trauma, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, weight management concerns, relationship challenges and the ups and down of normal, everyday life.
Marie has been a Virginia resident since 2003. She holds a Master's of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The College of William & Mary. In addition to being a Licensed Professional Counselor, she is certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors.
Specialties: Trauma, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, weight management concerns, relationship challenges, motivation, creativity, the ups & down of everyday life.
Marie offers free 20-minute, introductory meetings by phone or video call.
Marie is accepting new clients in Virginia.
50 Minute Session: $140
Molly Hurt, MEd, NCC
Resident in Counseling
I support individuals who tend to be hard on themselves and struggle with worry or self-doubt to gain more satisfaction in life. My goal is to help clients develop the skills and understanding in order to find fulfillment in all areas of life. I view myself as a thought partner, offering an honest, collaborative space where we can explore what matters to you and what is getting in your way toward greater wellness. My approach is to help you discover a meaningful life, according to your own unique values and needs, and support you to create healthy relationships, with yourself and others.
I believe true healing involves addressing past experiences, uncovering core beliefs and meaning, and developing effective coping strategies and mindset shifts for moving forward. My aim is to strengthen the innate wisdom and resilience you already possess, and to increase your self-trust as you navigate the ups and downs of life.
I have availability for in-person appointments in Charlottesville, VA and I offer virtual sessions for clients throughout Virginia. In our work together, I focus on creating a shame-free path toward sustained change. I am here to help you navigate the challenges ahead and move toward a life of purpose. My approach is practical, genuine, and non-judgmental. Therapy can be hard, but it can also include laughter, new insights, and hope. I love what I do.
50 Minute Session: $115
Practicing under the supervision of Michelle O'Brien, LPC.
Meg Gallear-Ouimet (she/her)
Pre-Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is just show up. Prioritizing yourself, your relationships, and your needs is one of the greatest gifts we can give. When you show up at therapy, you take your first steps towards growth and healing and you won’t be on the journey alone.
Meg Gallear-Ouimet is a compassionate and attentive pre-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) and Enneagram coach based in Richmond, VA, dedicated to supporting clients in achieving meaningful and lasting growth. Trained in the Narrative Enneagram, Meg uses the Enneagram as a powerful tool for self awareness and understanding how your unique experiences and motivations shape the way you see the world.
Meg specializes in working with couples, families, and children navigating relational dynamics and personal challenges. Whether you’re hoping to repair and address areas of struggle, increase connection, or build healthy communication patterns within relationship dynamics, Meg can help you have the conversation. As a queer therapist, she also provides expertise on queer issues and sexuality, creating a safe and affirming place for clients to explore their identities, the nuances of queer relationships, and heal from painful experiences.
Specialities: Relationships, families, LGBTQIA+ topics, Enneagram, faith & spirituality, children, anxiety, communication, sexuality
Practicing under the supervision of Michelle O’Brien, LPC
Brian Fitzsimmons
Physical Activity Specialist
Hi! I’m Brian Fitzsimmons and I love physical activity. I say physical activity instead of “fitness” because this idea of “being fit” is fraught with weight-normative language that makes us feel that we need to conform to a certain societal standard and look a certain way. When I engage in physical activity, particularly lifting heavy things, I feel better. Lifting heavy things makes me feel less anxious and depressed. Running, for me… does not. And that’s ok! Everyone has different ways of engaging with exercise that works for them and makes them feel better, both mentally and physically.
I have been doing personal training for over 5 years now because I truly want to help other people find what physical activity makes them feel good. The link between physical activity and improved mental and physical health outcomes is a very strong one. I struggled with depression and anxiety for many years and when I started to engage in physical activity regularly, I felt better. Exercise, for me, was a great way to develop habits that supported and improved my mental health. I firmly believe, and research repeatedly shows, that movement is medicine for the body and the mind, regardless of weight loss.
My approach to fitness is purely based on the individual. In training with me, we will explore all areas of physical activity to find a way to move that makes your brain and body feel good. We’ll focus on how exercise makes us feel and how we can build upon that in our daily lives. Being able to help clients feel better about themselves, feel more at home in their bodies and be able to do the things they want to do is what gets me up in the morning, as cheesy as that sounds. So come train with me! I do online personal training sessions in 30-minute and 45-minute and hour long increments as well as hour long in-home training sessions for clients in the DMV area.
In-home clients in the DMV.
30 Minute Session: $50
60 Minute Session: $90
In-home 60 Minute Session: $135
Brian is a game changer for me. I've been working with him for five years now, and I'm in the best shape of my life, both in terms of my physical health and my mental health. We focus on getting stronger, fitter and better, in every good sense of those words. Working with Brian has changed my whole approach to health for the better.
-- Christi P., Silver Spring
Leah Gallear-Ouimet (she/they)
Physical Activity Specialist
Leah is a Trauma-Informed Weight Lifting Practitioner, NASM and a Certified Personal Trainer. Leah takes a movement-centered approach to healing trauma in our bodies and encourages people to stay curious about the sensations, thoughts, and memories that come up as they move and lift.
They want to rethink what going to the gym can look and feel like. Instead of it being a space that causes shame, harm, and judgment, what if it could be the safest, most playful space you bring your whole self to?
Leah will meet you where you’re at in your fitness journey. You don’t have to know where you’re headed to start. You can be nervous, struggling with even finding the motivation to begin, struggling to love and appreciate your body as it is. Come as you are. We’ll talk about what feels good and what doesn’t and begin to see how movement can bring healing and empowerment.
Leah finds weightlifting and moving their body to be one of the best parts of their day and they are excited to help you discover the joy and release in it too.
Chris Herrera
Undergraduate Psychology Intern
Hello! My name is Chris Herrera, and I am a junior at Virginia Commonwealth University currently studying for a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. With the end goal of earning a Master’s in Psychology and becoming a clinical psychologist, I hope to provide research-based therapy, personal growth techniques, and emotional support to those searching for it. I believe strongly in the visceral influence of therapy and mental health wellness, which have impacted me immensely, and I am dedicated to facilitating these for others throughout my career.
Mya Williams
Undergraduate Psychology Intern
My name is Mya Williams, I am a junior at North Carolina State University. Currently pursuing my Bachelor's degree in psychology, my ultimate goal is to obtain my Doctorate in Adolescent Psychology, a field that holds a special place in my heart. I have always had a passion for working with children and adolescents. This passion has sparked my commitment to understanding the psychological development of young minds and implementing early intervention strategies.
Michelle O’Brien, LPC NCC
Founder, Director, Counselor & Coach
Therapy isn't always easy but it can be clarifying, energizing, and something you look forward to. Finding a therapist who is a great match for you is key. My style is warm, informal, frank, and friendly. I use creativity, humor, attentiveness, and psycho-education to cultivate a healing environment. Together we'll discover unmet needs you didn't realize you had that may be keeping you from your goals.
Over-eating, Motivation, Anxiety, and Body Image Issues are my specialties. I'm passionate about working with clients that are ready to develop shame-free, long term health strategies.
For those seeking recovery from a Narcissist or emotionally abusive relationship, you will find a safe, supportive space to heal and learn new tools.
I am a Board Certified Licensed Professional Counselor, Coach, and a Mind-Body Specialist who has been helping clients improve their quality of life for over 20 years. Prior to my work as a psychotherapist, I worked as a personal trainer, group exercise instructor, health coach and fitness consultant. My approach merges these fields as I take a strengths-based and solution-focused approach to addressing anxiety, relationship challenges, and behavior change. With an existential lens, I utilize attachment theory and mind-body techniques to change dysfunctional patterns.
Before founding Virginia Health Counseling in Richmond, Virginia, I was fortunate to have worked as a Wellness Counselor at D.C. Health Psychology, the National Center for Weight and Wellness, and District One Therapy in Washington, D.C. My research interest is on the identification of weight bias in a therapeutic setting, its effects, and interventions to help remedy these effects. I present locally and nationally on this topic and am passionate about community involvement and changing the culture around fitness and weight management.
Specialties: Anxiety, managing anger, trauma, life transitions, decision-making, body image, health behavior change, self confidence, mindfulness, weight management, relationships.
Licensed in Washington, DC and Virginia.