“Here’s what I would love for people to know — treat therapy as part of your self-care journey,” says Arlette Simmons, a licensed professional counselor supervisor. “It’s not an issue for some people to be in therapy their entire lives. You have a PCP (private care provider) your entire life, right?”
With multiple counseling distinctions and specialties under her belt, Simmons recognizes the deep need for community care with the essential field of mental health. As head of Clinical Services, LLC in Newport News, her work with patients experiencing mental health challenges was built upon a framework of intentionality.
“This was an idea that came to me around 2014,” Simmons says. At that point, having worked in mental health for 15 years, she saw an opportunity for “things to do a little bit differently.”
On September 11, 2019, Clinical Services, LLC was born. Simmons watched that year’s September 11 tributes on television with her family, who is from New York. “Unfortunately, when [9/11] occurred, my brother was trapped in Manhattan for a while,” she remembers. “My mom was also working in Manhattan and thankfully her job was not that far from the bridge, so she was able to walk over. We have a lot of memories attached to that.” Since that anniversary in 2019, the vision of Clinical Services, LLC became clearer. “What better day to make this official?”
Simmons began building her team alongside Dr. Carolyn Latham-Shifflett, who now serves as clinical director. The group has generally encompassed a team of about seven people throughout its existence. The practice also provides a supervisory program for counselors in training.
The office offers individual, couples and family therapies, encompassing many topics on which people often seek therapeutic perspectives. Initially based in Hampton, the business eventually made the move to Newport News. Providers offer care Monday through Saturday, with both in-person and virtual appointments available.
“I’ve created a very safe space for kids at our location,” Simmons says. The Newport News space features the safety of in-office bathrooms and vibrant, comfy treatment areas intended specifically for young clients.
Clinical Services staffs several certified sex offender treatment providers, which requires another completed residency through state boards of psychology. Simmons says that this type of treatment can assist both children facing that trauma and the offenders themselves, which she recognizes can be a difficult subject to discuss.
“The truth of the matter is, in order for that population to not offend anymore, they need our help. It’s a way of keeping everyone safe,” Simmons says. “We have people to provide them the help they need to get them reacclimated so they don’t make the same mistakes over and over again. And we can hopefully stop the cycle.”
To ensure safety for all populations the office serves, Simmons says: “We offer both [counseling for children and offenders] in person and virtual, but they are scheduled separately, so the two different demographics would never interact. Also, all children must have adult supervision during their face-to-face/onsite visits as well.”
This year’s plans include an incoming Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to help employees with their own wellness. New groups encompass yoga and sound bath healing methodologies, including free opportunities. The office aims to address post-natal fatherhood, an underserved group as families welcome new little ones.
The goal is to serve each aspect of the community. Simmons also has plans to create and run programs not dependent upon insurance coverage. Counselors are multi-state licensed, with multiple therapists seeing clients across Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Ohio, New Jersey and Maryland. Patients and providers can maintain their working relationships across state lines or during travel.
“For me, it centers on small differences, not even the big ones,” Simmons says, regarding her favorite aspect of her work. She credits her husband, DeShawn, as the supportive partner and management team member who reinforced her dream.
“I believe if you think of therapy as a way of life, it makes it so much more beneficial for you,” Simmons says. “I think people consider therapy a one-time fix. I don’t think that’s accurate. I think everyone’s person is there for them — we just have to help you to find your person.”
TO THE POINT:
Virginia Commonwealth Realty
Address: 708B Thimble Shoals Blvd., Newport News, VA 23606
Contact: Neal Rosenbaum, owner
Phone: 757-873-2111
Fax: 757-873-2167
Email: NealRosenbaum@gmail.com
Website: virginiacommonwealthrealty.com
Blog: virginiacommonwealthrealty.com/my-blog
