Poythress Mitchell , LPC

Poythress Mitchell is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Virginia with 27 years of experience in the mental health field. She has worked in a variety of settings including residential programs, case management, outpatient services, in-home care, and addictions treatment, gaining broad experience with diverse clinical situations.

Her approach to therapy combines practical experience, clinical knowledge, and clear guidance to help individuals move toward healing and greater well-being. She aims to empower clients to make positive changes, offering a compassionate, direct, and non-judgmental presence that many find welcoming and supportive.

Poythress provides services for individuals and families that include evaluation of mental stressors and substance use concerns, identification of issues and goal setting, instruction in coping strategies for stress management, development and implementation of treatment plans, and ongoing guidance and support. Her specialty areas include stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, self-esteem, depression, LGBT concerns, relationships, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting, career issues, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. She also focuses on adoption and foster care, aging and geriatric issues, blended family dynamics, caregiver stress, and veteran and armed forces issues.

Her professional training includes a Master of Arts (MA) from Norfolk State University. She holds certification as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC), Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC), and Human Service Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP), and has completed training in Contemporary Theory in Couple and Family Systems.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Poythress draws on client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in her work. Client-centered therapy emphasizes active listening and collaboration, helping clients explore their values and build on personal strengths to address issues like self-esteem and relationship concerns. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can be especially effective for anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems. DBT teaches practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and reducing harmful behaviors, which can be helpful for issues such as anger, emotional dysregulation, and certain trauma-related patterns.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and is done collaboratively. Poythress and each client work together to determine which methods best match the client’s goals, needs, and preferences, and she adjusts strategies as progress unfolds to support meaningful change.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to engage with licensed professionals and therapists, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity of care when life is unpredictable, and access support from familiar surroundings, while still receiving evidence-informed therapeutic techniques tailored to individual concerns.