Our Team

Dr. Saunders, a marriage therapist with years of expertise, earned his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision and teaches Human Sexuality at Regent University in the School of Psychology and Counseling. He has worked with couples from diverse populations, including African American, Latino, Caucasian, Asian, African, Middle Eastern, and Caribbean Islanders. Working with couples in conflict and crisis in a manner that supports and affirms the couple and each individual as they strive to repair their relationship and re-ignite the passion and intimacy they desire is the lens through which therapy is viewed. Dr. Saunders worked internationally for 15 years, living in Venezuela and working with families in crisis.  Dr. Saunders, along with his wife Dr. Linda P Saunders, have founded Wellspring of Hope Intensives, a marriage-intensive center on 100 acres in the Blue Ridge mountains.  They have hosted couples from all walks of life and nations.

This experience and his academic training as a marriage therapist and mental health counselor have prepared him to integrate Spirituality and faith into the counseling sessions. This integration brings evidence-based practices and Faith together, affirming the couple or individual in their faith while bringing them to a place of healing and hope. Dr. Saunders is uniquely equipped to integrate Christian counseling with evidence-based practices as he is professionally trained academically and experientially. He employs a conflict resolution and restoration couples counseling model integrated with evidence-based hope-focused therapy. ​ Every person, individually and as a couple, will have struggles at times. Having someone who can help guide you through these times in a manner that regards and affirms the struggles is extremely beneficial. Dr. Saunders will compassionately walk with you through the current struggle that you are in and help you use new skills that will bring hope and healing.

Dr. Saunders enjoys working internationally with program development as well as delivering marriage counseling. His current work is in India, Vietnam, and South America.  Dr. Saunders is also active in multiple counseling associations, sitting on the board of the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors and the Governing Council of the American Counseling Association.

Schedule with Dr. Saunders today!

Scott is a licensed resident in counseling who has earned a MA in Human Services Counseling in Addiction in Recovery and a M.Ed. in School Counseling from Liberty University. Scott started his counseling degree as License Professional Counseling student and this gave him the opportunity to have a counseling background studying all three curriculums. Scott has worked as a Substance Abuse counselor treating patients who suffer from opioid addiction and other SUDs. Scott has worked with school-age children as a board approved Mental Health professional. Scott also is an effective outpatient counselor for adults and children who have been diagnosed with some form of mental health disorder.

Scott offers over 30 years of counseling experience with a faith-base foundation and has earned a Master’s degree in Christian Counseling Psychology for client’s who desire a faith-based approach to counseling services. Scott uses an eclectic approach when counseling and is all about making sure the client’s needs are met in the therapeutic process. Scott is a doctoral student at Liberty University and is currently earning his Ed.D in Community Care in Counseling with an emphasis on Marriage and Family. Scott’s philosophy in counseling is that nobody has to stay in a stuck place mentally if they are willing to take the steps to mental wellness.

For the last 20 years, Dave has worked at a local Behavioral Health agency as a Family Therapist, working with teens and their families. He has been trained in MST (Multisystemic Therapy), which is a therapy designed to assist parents in managing the behavior of their teens. Dave is licensed by the state of Virginia as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Dave is now shifting his focus to grief work, an interest that he has had over the years. Dave co-facilitated a Grief Share group at his church for 10 years. This gave him the privilege of witnessing the grief stories of many people while providing them with support and encouragement. The death of his wife a few years ago prompted him to pursue a deeper study of grief resulting in certification as a Grief Counselor.
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What’s your grief story? Everyone has one. Each is unique. Has there been a recent death which has overwhelmed you? Are you struggling with a death from the past that continues to nag at you? Is there a pending death that frightens you? Have you experienced a death that you haven’t talked about? It has been said that the only cure for grief is to grieve. Dave welcomes the opportunity to walk with you on your grief journey.

Amber provides counseling in both group and individual settings. Her focus is on clients recovering from substance use disorder and trauma. Amber also works with clients striving to overcome depression and anxiety. Amber embraces a collaborative approach, and she works closely with her clients to reach their goals in counseling. Amber uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients gain insights into their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Amber is also fluent in Mandarin and can provide services in Mandarin.

【關於我】(about me)

謝謝你/妳鼓起勇氣願意踏入這趟旅程。我是Amber諮商心理師。歡迎來到諮商的小天地
我期待在了解你/妳的人生故事並陪伴找到你的最大潛能。

【語言】(Language)

中文/英文

【聯繫我】(Contact info)

郵件：amber.wang@wellspringofhopellc.com
電話/短信：+1 (434)-329-5555

【現職】(current position)
Wellspring of Hope心裡治療所

【經歷】(experiences)
美國維吉尼亞醫院 實習心理師
房角石心理治療所 實習心理師
高地浸信會 心裡治療所分部 實習心裡師

【諮商領域】(specialty)
文化衝擊適應議題
自我成長與探索
人際關係議題
情緒困擾與管理
憂鬱與焦慮症狀
酗酒吸毒濫用治療
家庭關係

I believe that one of the most important aspects of the counseling process, is to create an emotionally safe environment for my clients to explore some of the challenges they are experiencing in their lives. I believe that the counselor, client relationship is cultivated through safety and trust, and is sacred. As a Christian, I can incorporate a faith-based approach to counseling. However, sensitivity and respect for all cultures and belief systems is of primary importance to me. I have experience in working with individuals, married couples and couples that are seeking premarital counseling. My therapeutic approach is rooted in person-centered therapy (PCT) and Cognitive-Behavorial therapy (CBT). These modes of therapy focus on client advocacy, intra-personal awareness and thought patterns that trigger patterns of behavior.

I believe that one of the primary challenges that clients face, is personal incongruence. Incongruence is the disparity between one’s core values and their behavior. The dichotomy that this creates can lead to unhealthy distortions in one’s thought life and undermine an individuals ability to foster and maintain healthy relationships. This can lead to struggles with anxiety, depression, etc. My goal is to enhance the client’s self-awareness, work with the client to restructure thought patterns that are inconsistent with a client’s core values as the client learns to self-advocate for their mental health and overall well-being. I am excited and honored to take this journey with you!

Kelsey is a Marriage and Family Therapist Resident counselor, graduated with her MA in Marriage Couple Family Counseling from Liberty University in May 2023, and is supervised by Mark A Saunders Sr, Ph.D., LMFT. Kelsey has 4+ years of experience working with families, young children, adolescents, and individual adults from a wide variety of backgrounds in the community and home settings.

As a solution-focused marriage and family therapist resident, Kelsey strives to empower all clients through building upon and celebrating their unique strengths and helping them find real solutions to their concerns by drawing upon the tools and abilities they already have. Kelsey incorporates elements of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) in her couples’ work and is enthusiastic about helping parents and children repair and strengthen their attachment bonds.

A Virginia native, Kelsey earned her B.A. in 2018 from Southern Virginia University, with a Major in Psychology and a double Minor in Art and Family & Child Development. She enjoys incorporating visual art media and music, as appropriate, when working with a variety of clients. Some of Kelsey’s favorite leisure activities include making collages and watercolors, listening to counseling and psychology podcasts, and baking for friends and family.

Elizabeth is a resident counselor who uses a Cognitive Behavioral Therapeutic approach, with spiritual integration to help clients reach their therapeutic goals. As a counselor, Elizabeth serves as a second set of eyes for the client, coming alongside the client as they identify the problem and set goals for their therapeutic journey. Elizabeth embraces the importance of creating a safe place so each client feels comfortable sharing deep hurts. Elizabeth has worked with clients of various ages, backgrounds, and cultures and enjoys specializing in anxiety and depression with a focus on meeting every condemning thought with compassion. Elizabeth’s desire is to help clients experience healing and growth. Elizabeth holds a Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling in 2018 from Liberty University as well as a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2020 from Liberty University. Elizabeth is also fluent in Arabic and can provide services in Arabic.