Our Staff

The ARROW Project prides itself on being an institution of continuous learning and growth in the field of counseling.  We are pleased to present our current staff of student clinicians, who come to us from a variety of institutions and with a wide array of clinical interests.

Sharon Leukert

Resident in Counseling

Sharon completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas. Her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy comes from the COAMFTE-accredited program at Northcentral University, now a part of National University. Sharon continues to seek training and opportunities for growth in the most evidence-based treatments for individuals, couples, families, and children. She is board-certified in telemental health and has completed 27 hours of training in Narrative Therapy. Sharon is happily married to her husband of 33 years, Karl. They have three young adult children. In her free time, Sharon enjoys moments with music, growing her own herbs to use in her vegetarian cooking, and visiting Virginia’s natural wonders and historic places.


Melissa Blinn

Resident in Counseling

Melissa is a passionate advocate for individual holistic well-being and family health. She graduated from EMU with an M.A. in Counseling in 2007. For more than 20 years, she has been a dedicated employee of People Places, a nonprofit foster care, adoption, and family services agency in the Shenandoah Valley and Central VA. Melissa has worked directly with children and families, as well as behind the scenes, with a constant desire to help others. She holds a person-centered and family-centered approach as the heart of her work, with a belief in the resiliency that lies within each of us and the healing nature of healthy attachments and relationships. She utilizes mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy when working with symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and depression. When providing counseling to children, Melissa feels that incorporating parents/guardians is essential. Melissa enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, cooking (and eating) really good food, and reading.

Lois Curry-Catanese, LPC

Walden University, PhD Program

Lois has been a licensed professional counselor in Virginia since 2005, after completing her dual Master’s in CMHC and School Counseling from Eastern Mennonite University in 2001.  Her area of clinical expertise is in depression, anxiety, trauma- and stress-related disorders; she specializes in post-infidelity stress disorder in women.  She is a part of AADA due to her interest in women’s midlife health issues, and is also affiliated with the ACA.  She has one son, Justin, who is a math professor at SUNY-Albany, NY.  When she is not busy doing research and working on her dissertation, she loves to travel and relax at home with her chocolate lab, Masala.  Her future goal it to teach at a college level, and to write a book.

Alex Jones

Resident in Counseling

Alex is a Resident in Counseling, and also working towards becoming a Registered Play Therapist.  He went to Radford University after working for a few years in an intensive wrap-around crisis stabilization program with a CSB called KPACT, which he worked with all throughout his schooling. This helped him develop a deep passion for working with children and families and emphasized the importance of joining with people where they are, while helping them seek to better their lives. When he is not working, you will usually find him covered in grease as he works to keep his older cars on the road so he can take his dogs on new adventures!

Anna Cahill

Resident in Counseling

Anna Cahill is a dedicated and talented Resident in Counseling, working towards becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider (CSOTP). Anna earned her B.S. from EMU in 2021, and her M.A. in Counseling from EMU in 2023. Her clinical work is grounded in an integrative person-centered therapeutic approach, incorporating attachment theory, a strengths-based perspective, and techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Anna believes in the power of healthy connections and recognizing one’s strengths. She strives to provide a safe and welcoming environment for healing. In her free time, she enjoys reading fantasy novels, crocheting, and spending time with her two cats. Anna is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and can conduct the Assessment of Sexual Behavior Problems in Children (ASBPC) as well as psychosexual evaluations.

Kayla Papotnik

Marymount University, CMHC Program

Kayla received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Bridgewater College in 2021. She is passionate about helping others by meeting them where they are with empathy, curiosity, and open-mindedness. She wants her clients to feel safe and works to build a trusting and collaborative relationship. When she is not working or in class, you can find her reading, writing, and spending time with her husband and child.

Lauren Wimer

Concord University, MSW Program

Lauren graduated from EMU with her Bachelor of Social Work degree, and spent 10 years in the field before returning to school this year to obtain her Master of Social Work degree from Concord University. She is committed to providing clients with an empathic and non-judgmental environment. Her passion is helping individuals work through challenges and empowering them to achieve their full potential. Outside of work, she enjoys being in nature, spending time with family and friends, and cooking. She is very excited to work with ARROW!

Rebecca Taylor

Boise State University, MSW Program

Rebecca (she/her/hers) holds a BA and MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University, and is earning her MSW from Boise State University Online. Formerly, she taught creative writing in community and academic settings, championed emerging writers while co-producing the Charlottesville Reading Series, and ran a client-centered small business. Rebecca is a thoughtful, inclusive facilitator who values close listening and storytelling to generate curiosity and understanding about ourselves and others. She enjoys solitude balanced with meaningful time with her community, her family, and her pups.

Cole Seward

Virginia Commonwealth University, MSW Program

As a current case manager for James Madison University, Cole has provided support for young adults and families navigating difficult situations. He joined VCU’s MSW program in order to better serve his home in the Shenandoah Valley, and hopes to pursue a career in community health. Cole firmly believes that every person is unique, and practices with thoughtfulness, patience, and nonjudgment. Outside of work, you might find him with his dog, Zuko, who would give you a big hug if he had the chance!

Dolan Nethercutt

Eastern Mennonite University, CMHC Program

Dolan graduated from Bridgewater College in 2023 with a degree in Psychology. Most of his clinical experience has been with children and families, helping them set and work towards goals to improve overall family well-being. HIs approach to therapy is to provide a nonjudgmental and supportive environment that fosters genuine relationships with his clients. He is incredibly excited to work with ARROW!

Emma Hines

James Madison University, CMHC Program

Emma received her BA in Psychology from Sweet Briar College, and took a detour into transcribing for D/deaf students before finding her place at JMU’s graduate school. She chose counseling for her love of people, and is excited to work with the Staunton community. Outside of the therapy room (and classes, and work!) she enjoys all kinds of crafting and hiking, spending time with her fiancé, and has been known to dabble in website design from time to time.

Jasmine Alexander

George Mason University, MSW Program

Jasmine (she/her/hers) received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Shenandoah University in 2017. When working with clients, her goal is to help them feel seen, heard, and empowered. She works from a nonjudgmental and empathic approach, meeting clients where they are. She is committed to helping clients reach their therapeutic goals, and is a firm believer in advocacy. In her free time, you can find her reading legal thrillers and classic novels, making memories with her friends and family, and napping with her chubby tuxedo cat.

Margaret DeGarmo

Virginia Commonwealth University, MSW Program

Margaret graduated from James Madison University with her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Family Studies. She fell in love with the Shenandoah Valley and decided to stay permanently after graduating from JMU; her favorite thing about the valley is that there are mountains in the distance wherever she looks! Outside of work and school, she enjoys hiking, caring for her plants, and spending time with her fiancé and their two Basset hounds.

Nikki Van Pelt

University of Central Florida, MSW Program

Nikki received her BS in Human Services from Old Dominion University, with a double minor of Psychology and Child Rights. She has worked in the medical field in some capacity since graduating high school, and has always been a strong advocate for her clients. When she began working at a pediatric clinic, she began to realize her passion for social work, and is working with ARROW to further her goal to be an advocate for families. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children, reading, and learning new things.

Rachel Tessier

Virginia Commonwealth University, MSW Program

Rachel completed her BA in Psychology at the University of Virginia. Post-grad, she stayed in Charlottesville and pursued a career in case management, in-home counseling, and nonprofit work. Most recently, she has worked to provide coaching for at-risk families. She is passionate about the empowering role of psychoeducation, combined with a strengths-based approach to counseling. She speaks Spanish and loves to serve the Latino community. In her free time, she is often found bicycling and spending time with family.

Steph Lam

Walden University, MSW Program

Steph received her Bachelor’s in Social Work from James Madison University. She has worked in various settings with many different populations since graduating, and hopes to pursue a career in clinical therapy services. She has a passion for assisting individuals in overcoming their challenges, addressing their trauma, and achieving their goals through interventions that align with their needs. Her hobbies include hiking, reading, baking, and adventuring with friends. She is very excited to work with the ARROW team!

Abby Shirkey

Eastern Mennonite University, CMHC Program

Abby (they/them) received a B.A. in Anthropology from James Madison University many years ago. Working at Western State Hospital in Staunton, combined with ah lifetime passion for understanding others and listening to their stories, drew Abby to the counseling profession. Most important to Abby is creating a safe, nonjudgmental, and accepting space in which a collaborative and growth-oriented relationship can be formed. Abby works from an integrative approach, drawing particularly from experiential, existential, psychodynamic, and humanist modalities. They are an advocate for the Neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ communities. When not at work or in class, Abby loves to spend time snuggling their 6 cats, watching their favorite online streamers, and performing in local theatre and film productions.

Alissa Marion

Liberty University, CMHC Program

Alissa graduated from Mary Baldwin University in 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She is currently a student at Liberty University getting her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Alissa’s clinical experience has mostly been with young adults struggling with anxious and depressive symptoms. Her passion is to empower clients by helping them recognize their self-worth in a nonjudgmental and empathetic environment. Outside of the professional environment, Alissa enjoys immersing herself in books about fantasy, mystery, or sci-fi. She also enjoys staying in touch with nature with her two dogs, Kiba and Yogi, and baking sweet treats for her friends and family.

Christie Wojciechowski

Eastern Mennonite University, CMHC Program

Christie (she/her/hers) received her B.S. in Psychology from James Madison University. She stayed in the area after falling in love with the Shenandoah Valley, where she joined EMU’s Counseling program. While in the early stages of her clinical experience, she is deeply committed to advocacy and providing her clients with a compassionate, supportive and empowering space. Her focus is providing clients with the tools and support they need to heal from trauma, and take meaningful steps toward their goals. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, baking, and hiking with her dog, Winnie.

Clarissa Frederick

Eastern Mennonite University, CMHC Program

Clarissa Frederick is in her final year at Eastern Mennonite University to complete her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has a person-centered approach and believes that a strong therapeutic relationship is vital to the counseling process. She graduated from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana in 2015. After several years in the education and social work field, she returned to school to further her education in the counseling field. She moved from Northwest Indiana to Staunton, and is happy to be a part of the community. During her personal time, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and dog Kinder. She also enjoys thrifting, gardening, and reading. She is looking forward to being a part of the ARROW Project community.

Diondre Watkins

James Madison University, CMHC Program

Diondre graduated from Virginia Tech with a dual B.S. in Criminology and Psychology. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at James Madison University. He has had experience fostering connections with high school students through his substitute teaching job, as well as college-age persons through his work at JMU. He hopes to continue to assist these populations at a personal level with his work as a counselor. Outside of work, Diondre enjoys reading, listening to music, going on walks, and playing video games.

Jo Discus

Eastern Mennonite University, CMHC Program

Jo (she/they/any) is a Master of Arts in Counseling student at Eastern Mennonite University. She graduated from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee in 2020 with a degree in psychological science. Since then, Jo has collected work experience in psychiatric and social work settings across various populations from rural Tennessee to Northern Virginia. Jo believes that each client isa wonderfully unique, vastly complex, and inherently valuable individual. Jo values helping individuals and communities by meeting people where they are, justly and nonjudgmentally.

Nisa Khaldun

James Madison University, Doctoral Psychology

Nisa received a B.A. in Psychology from Appalachian State University, and an M.A. in Psychology with a concentration in Developmental Psychology from Los Angeles Pacific University. Nisa has clinical experience working with both adolescents and adults, and approaches therapy with empathic and person-centered techniques, striving to meet clients where they are. Nisa enjoys working with clients to help them overcome challenges, build confidence, and achieve their goals. Nisa enjoys reading, writing, cooking, yoga, and running.

Allie Hurt

Mary Baldwin University, Undergraduate

Allie is an intern at ARROW. She is receiving her undergraduate degree at Mary Baldwin University. In May 2025 she will receive her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys playing softball, crafting, hanging out with friends, and playing with her dog Tess and pig Daisy.

Bryan Ramirez

James Madison University, Doctoral Psychology

Bryan is a doctoral student in JMU’s Clinical and School Psychology program. He received an M.A. in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Denver, where his training and focus blended sport psychology, clinical counseling, and performance enhancement. He is passionate about the intersection of performance and mental health/well-being. He served as an athletics mental health counselor and mental performance consultant for Old Dominion University before joining JMU. Bryan takes a process-based approach, which means he seeks to understand each individual’s uniqueness and tailor services to meet their unique needs. Bryan enjoys sports, music, a good sci-fi book, and exploring Harrisonburg coffee shops.

Maria Martinez

James Madison University, Doctoral Psychology

Maria earned a B.A. in Psychology from St. Mary’s University, and a M.S. in Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy from Our Lady of the Lake University. She is excited to join the ARROW team as part of her clinical training in the Combined-Integrated Clinical and School Psychology Psy.D. program at James Madison University. Maria is excited to begin working with the Staunton community and is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive space for healing. In her free time, she enjoys reading with a warm cozy cup of coffee.