In December 2009, National Counseling Group donated $300 to the Girls Track Team at Highland Springs High School, located in Richmond, Virginia. NCG was also featured in the 2010 Summer Edition of their school newsletter.
Pictured from right to left: Trendell Clark (NCG), Randy Wilson (NCG), Michael Wright (Principal of Highland Springs), Debbie Sikes (NCG), Coach Gregory Ford (Girls Track Coach at Highland Springs)
Nationally Recognized Community-Based Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling Group Hosting Open Houses in the Tidewater Region in the month of September.
The National Counseling Group, Inc., a leader in the provision of quality mental health and substance abuse treatment for over 17 years, is inviting our friends and colleagues to join us for fellowship, food, and door prizes. The Open Houses listed below will be great opportunities for professionals and community members to learn more about NCG’s philosophy and best practices used by some of the most well-trained and respected clinicians in the region to treat children, adults and families.
THE NATIONAL COUNSELING GROUP TO HOST OPEN HOUSE IN NEWPORT NEWS ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
During the month of August, National Counseling Group has been honored to present regional trainings conducted by clinicial psychologist, Dr. Stanton Samenow. Dr. Samenow is one of NCG's most valued professional associates, who has made a number of contributions to understanding the criminal mind and personality. He is the author of the landmark book "Inside the Criminal Mind".
Dr. Samenow presented his thoughts on why children develop criminal minds and how counselors and parents can help break the cycle. He covered errors in thinking, tactics used by clients, and effective ways to respond and assist in corrective thinking.
On August 11, 2010, Dr. Samenow presented his materials to NCG staff and community professionals in Roanoke, Virginia (Southwest Region). Click on the images below to view photos from this event.
On August 18, 2010, Dr. Samenow presented his materials to NCG staff and community professionals in Richmond, Virginia (Central Region). Click on the images below to view photos from this event.
On August 20, 2010, Dr. Samenow presented his materials to NCG staff and community professionals in Dumfries, Virginia (Northern Region). Click on the images below to view photos from this event.
Look for updates on NCG's Tidewater Region Dr. Stanton Samenow Training in the upcoming months.
National Counseling Group's Thomas W. Minnick, Trevor Schrotz, and Jonathan May attended a reception honoring Texas Governor, Rick Perry in Richmond, Virginia.
On August 16, 2010, the special guest accompaning Governor Perry was Governor Robert McDonnell, Governor of Virginia.
This event was hosted by Thomas W. Minnick.
Pictured: Trevor Schrotz and Governor Perry; Jonathan May and Governor Perry
On Saturday, August 7, 2010, National Counseling Group's Petersburg Office Site Director, Ashley Kemnitz attended Delegate Dance's fundraiser event.
There were many prestigious individuals present, such as Delegate Rosalyn Dance of the 63rd District, Delegate Joseph Morrissey of the 74th District, Delegate Robert Brink of Arlington, Delegate Roslyn Tyler of the 75th District, Mayor Annie Mickens, Vice Mayor Horace Webb, Dr. Keith Miller, the President of Virginia State University, and Honorable Dama Ric
Pictured: Delegate Rosalyn Dance and Ashley Kemnitz, Petersburg Office Site Director.
On July 3, 2010, Brenda Ridley-Garris, NCG Virginia Beach Clinical Supervisor, participated in a "Pre-Parade" breakfast for Delegate Lionell Spruill before the City of Chesapeake Annual Fourth of July Parade.
This was a National Counseling Group hosted event.
Interview with Alani Franis, Kelly Athey, and Kim Stanley, Vice President of Operations at COX Roanoke
From National Counseling Group Roanoke Office, Alani Francis, Community-Based Counselor, and Kelly Athey, Foster Parent Trainer and Case Manager, appeared on COX Connections, a news station exclusively broadcasted in Roanoke, Virginia. Alani and Kelly discussed community-based and therapuetic foster care services and opportunities in the June 2010.
Frank Valentine, NCG Fredericksburg Site Director, will be conducting two workshops on Teen Self-Esteem for the Tree of Life Teen Summit on Saturday June 5, 2010.
The event is sponsored by the Fredericksburg Boys and Girls Club. For more information please visit their website www.bgcgw.org
On June 4, 2010, National Counseling Group hosted an Open House at our Manassas Office.
The site leaders-Regional Director, Stephanie Ney, Site Director, Marie Thomas- and Manassas staff were introduced and got to know many local referral sources and community professionals.
Click on the images below to view the event photos.
Of those who attended, special guests included Virginia State Senator, Charles Colgan, Vice Mayor of Manassas City, Andrew Harrover, Manassas City Councilman, Johnathan Way, and Delegate, Miller Jackson.
On Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 from 2pm-3:30pm, Patrick Slifka, NCG's Director of Training, will present to the Community Services Board, District 19, a private training to the agency Social Workers called Brief Strategic Family Therapy.
Director of Training for National Counseling Group, Patrick Slifka, presented to Goodwill Industries of Virginia on the topic of Motivational Interviewing. He presented at the GI headquarters in Richmond on Friday, May 28th, 2010 from 9am-12pm.
On May 14, 2010, National Counseling Group hosted an Open House at our Winchester Office.
The site leaders- Regional Director, Stephanie Ney, Site Director, Paul Scardino- and Winchester staff were introduced and got to know many local referral sources and community professionals. Click on the image below to view photos from the event. Special thank you to Mr. Roy Young!
Working with Substance Abuse in a Culturally Diverse Family
J. Patrick Slifka, LCSW, CAC
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM May 13, 2010
CACVA Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Conference
Roanoke College
Learning Objectives
Participants completing this workshop will be able to:
Understand and discuss the association between substance use and child abuse/neglect
Define what constitutes a “problem” with substances – regardless of culture
Describe typical and atypical dynamics of substance use in family systems
Provide a rationale for cultural awareness, sensitivity and competence in work with substance use disorders
Explain behavioral characteristics and communication patterns across cultures
Cite strategies for identification, assessment and intervention of substance use within a culturally diverse family system
Why Are So Many Youth Cutting Themselves?
On May 10, Cumberland CSA Office and National Counseling Group are supporting a training event to help professionals and parents understand the growing number of youth who cut or otherwise harm themselves. Patrick Slifka, LCSW, CAC, and training specialist for National Counseling Group will be talking about the reasons involved, discussing how to assist these youth, and answering the questions of those who attend. Patrick has worked with these youth and has shared his experiences in trainings in other areas of Virginia.
It has been noted, particularly by local guidance counselors, that more and more youth seem to be cutting or injuring themselves, but adults often don’t realize this behavior is occurring. Many try to hide this behavior or only share it with their best friends. When it is discovered, often the youth is quite involved in the process. It can also be a copied behavior or a shared experience between friends. Mr. Slifka explains the signs, symptoms, and some of the rational youth use when involved in self harm or cutting behaviors.
The session for professionals who work with youth will be held at the Cartersville Rescue Squad Building, 1667 Cartersville Road, Cartersville, (between Rt. 60 and Cartersville) beginning at 1:30. This free event should be very helpful to any who are involved in schools, mental health professionals, social workers, clergy, and juvenile justice. Even if you have not met or worked with someone with this issue, the information is pertinent in today’s society.
A second session for parents and relatives of children who self harm, or others who are interested in learning more about helping youth, will be held the same day at 6 PM at the Luther P. Jackson Center at Cumberland High School.
To register for either session, please call Alice Metts, 804-492-3561, and leave your name and the number of people attending with you. Please share this information with others who might be interested or concerned.
National Counseling Group is partnering with Dr. Houston's church and community through the Garden of Hope on their counseling initiative and community development projects. We attended their fundraiser event and were a Gold Level sponsor in April 2010.
National Counseling Group's Thomas W. Minnick, Jonathan May and Randy Wilson attended a reception honoring Congressman Eric Cantor, U.S. House Republican Whip on May 3, 2010 in Richmond, Virginia.
Also the special guest in attendance was Dr. Condoleezza Rice, the Former Secretary of State.
Pictured: Jonathan May, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Randy Wilson, and Congressman Eric Cantor
On April 23, 2010, National Counseling Group hosted an Open House at our Front Royal Office.
The site leaders- Regional Director, Stephanie Ney, Site Director, Carol Lucking- and Front Royal staff were introduced and got to know many local referral sources and community professionals.
Click on the images below to view the event photos.
NCG Team Warrenton chose "Go Green" as their motivational theme in April 2010.
Throughout the month, they have continued to bring in "recycled" clothing and have collected at least four heaping piles of clothes. The collection will be donated to the Warrenton Thrift Store/Community Clothes bank on behalf of National Counseling Group. On April 26, Team Warrenton cleaned up the NCG adopted highway located off of Blackwell Road in the heart of beautiful Fauquier County. They picked up 10 large bags of trash.
Prince William Regional Counselors Association - Spring 2010
National Counseling Group participated in and donated $500 to the Fairfax Partnership on Youth "Bridging the Gap Conference" in April 2010. NCG has participated in previous years as well, and George Young, Director of NOVA Outpatient Services, participated again this year in the conference.
Business Development Specialist, Randy Wilson, is a member of the Advisory Council for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Senior Connections under The Capitol Area Agency on Aging. Randy was featured in their 1st quarter 2010 newsletter.
Seeing up close the magnitude of the devastation caused by the earthquake…
A bed sheet tent is where Henry and his family are now sleeping. Henry described his life after the earthquake.
NCG Fredericksburg staff counselor, Darius Coulibaly, recently visited Haiti to help with earthquake recovery efforts. Darius has made huge efforts to give himself locally to the Fredericksburg community and internationally to those in need in Haiti. He is raising funds to collect items to forward to those in need. Darius also manages an international non-profit organization called "Empowering the Poor" that helps indigent populations globally. You can contact Darius at darius.coulibaly@nationalcounselinggroup.com.
Lauren Daley, Home Based Counselor for National Counseling Group at our Manassas office received a scholarship and recognition at Virginia School Counselors Association for the top Graduate Student 2010 for National Captial Region Virginia Tech's Counselor Education Program. Congratulations, Lauren!!!
National Counseling Group's Eastern Shore office Site Director, John Konkel, will be providing a presentation to the Eastern Shore Rural Health Systems group at their Quarterly Clinicians Meeting on April 15th, 2010, discussing NCGs services.
The meeting will be attended by 30 to 40 physicians who work in the ES community health care system.
On Wednesday, Thursday, April 1st, 2010, Randy Wilson and Jeanne Slifka from NCG attended the Richmond Chamber of Commerce meeting at which they listended to a talk given by Senior Economic Advisor for Gov. McDonnell Bob Sledd.
Pictured are Jeanie Slifka, Randy Wilson, Senior Economic Advisor for Governor McDonnell: Bob Sledd, President of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce: Kim Scheeler, and Chamber Employee: Tim Grimes.
Holly Duggan, NCG's Regional Director of the Tidewater Region, has recently donated $250 to the Newport News Healthy Families Organization to show National Counseling Group's enduring support of the organization.
Holly is also a member of the Community Advisory Board of the Newport News Healthy Families Intiatives and participates on the Blue Ribbon Committee to coordinate events for Child Abuse/Neglect Prevention month in April.
Community Awareness Event
On Saturday, March 20th from 11 am- 3 pm at Martinsville Liberty Fair Mall, Martinsville Site Director, Bobbie Jo Seamster, and Clinical Supervisor, Sarah Hamblen, attended the "Community Awareness" event to showcase NCG to the community and discuss with other businesses the services which we offer at NCG. This event was sponsored by the Starting Place and Project Connect-Mental Health coalition for Health and Wellness. The event was a huge success! At the NCG booth, an Easter bunny was given away to individuals who signed up for the door prize. The big prize, an Easter bunny and candy, were given to a child who won the drawing.
National Counseling Group's Randy Wilson, Business Development Specialist, and Ashley Kemnitz, NCG Petersburg Site Director, and Jim Rankin, NCG Harrisonburg and Staunton Site Director, attended Congressman Eric Cantor's Campaign Breakfast on Friday, March 5th, 2010 in Richmond, VA.
Also in attendance were Secertary of Education Gerard Robinson, the Deputy Secertary of Administration Charles James, Director of the Daily Planet Dianne Reynolds-Cane, Owens & Minor Consultant Angela Wilkes, and McGuire Woods Partners George Martin and Jackie Stone.
Speakers included Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling.
Pictured are Randy Wilson, Eric Cantor, and Ashley Kemnitz.
National Counseling Group's Director of Training, Patrick Slifka, will be presenting at the VCA Counselor of the Year event in Manassas, VA on March 2nd, 2010.
He will be discussing Compassion Fatigue how professonal counselors deal with the experience.
Come join us in celebrating the counseling profession and in recognizing counselors in the community.
LOCATION:
Backyard Grill
7421 Sudley Road
Manassas, VA 20109
703-365-0932
National Counseling Group staff Patrick Slifka, James Rankin, and Melinda Baker-Morris were featured in the Advocate, Winter 2010 edition, a publication of the Virginia Juvenile Justice Association.
Director of Training for National Counseling Group, Patrick Slifka, will be facilitating a Motivational Interviewing training on February 19, 2010 from 9-4pm at the Lawrenceville Correctional Center.
Polar Plunge!
On February 6th, 2010, thousands braved the chilly Atlantic Ocean wearing nothing but swimsuits and zany costumes - all for a good cause - including National Counseling Group's Virginia Beach Office Clinical Supervisor, Denielle Warner, and Community Based Counselor, Kristi Robinson. Proceeds from Saturday's Polar Plunge benefit Special Olympics Virginia. Since 1993, more than 26,000 plungers have raised more than $4.7 million for Special Olympics Virginia. Both Kristi and Denielle pledged to raise $200 for the Special Olympics.
National Counseling Group's Virginia Beach office is having a clothing drive to aid the victims of the disaster in Haiti in January 2009.
Please send any clothing that you would like to donate to the Haitian relief efforts to our office located at 4099 Foxwood Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 before February 12th, 2010 care of Karen Matthews, Site Director. Thank you for your support!
On January 21st, 2010, Melinda Baker-Morris, along with a few members of the local human service agencies in Front Royal and the surrounding Shenandoah Valley community, were on the radio to talk about foster care as well as the many services that are offered by National Counseling Group.
In January 2010, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) held their annual breakfast in Richmond, VA, as a part of Small Business Day in the capitol. Staff and leaders from National Counseling Group were in attendance.
Pictured from left to right: Katie Weaks (NCG), Randy Wilson (NCG), Paul Lawrence (NCG),
Reverend Joe Ellison, Sam Gray (NCG), and Antoine Green
(Photo Credit): Photo by TR Cook of Cook's Photo Art Studio, Vienna, Virginia
Click here to view Press Release…
NCG Team Warrenton chose "Go Green" as their motivational theme in April 2010.
