Goldie Oakes, LPC

Goldie Oakes, LPC, helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, grief, or the fallout from trauma and abuse. She writes plainly and listens closely to what matters most to each person. Her aim is to help people regain motivation, handle strong emotions, and improve everyday functioning. Goldie has worked in the mental health field since 2006 and brings 19 years of experience to her practice. She uses a mix of approaches, drawing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot unhelpful thinking, Motivational Interviewing to strengthen commitment to change, and Client-Centered methods that keep the person and their goals central. She also includes mindfulness and relaxation practices when they fit with a person's values. In sessions she often assigns practical exercises to support change between meetings. That can mean journaling, specific CBT tools, or short mindfulness practices to try in daily life. She may suggest reading or reflection that aligns with a client’s spiritual perspective when that is part of their goals. Her work covers a wide range of concerns including depression, addictions, relationship and family issues, parenting strain, career stress, compassion fatigue, and related areas like abandonment, adoption and foster care, and caregiver stress. She focuses on helping people improve communication, manage anger, and rebuild self-esteem. Goldie practices in Virginia as a Licensed Professional Counselor. She aims to partner with each person so they can move toward greater peace and purpose in daily life.

How Goldie’s approaches work for online sessions

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and reflecting what matters most to the person. The therapist helps people set their own goals and builds the pace around those priorities. This approach is useful when someone needs a steady, empathic presence while sorting through difficult emotions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact. It teaches clear skills for spotting unhelpful thinking and trying new behaviors. CBT is often chosen for anxiety, depression, anger, and problems with motivation. Motivational Interviewing helps people find their own reasons to change. It uses questions and reflection to strengthen commitment and reduce mixed feelings about change. This can be helpful for addictions, lifestyle shifts, and getting back on track with goals. Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the process. The therapist will work collaboratively to decide which methods fit the client’s needs, goals, and preferences. Sessions can adapt over time as priorities shift and progress is made. Confirm current session options before booking, as specific formats are set by the practice. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and support continuity after a move or during a schedule change.