Our Therapists
Reflect Wholeness Therapy is a small outpatient therapy group providing quality care for clients struggling with disordered eating and body image issues. Therapists are competent at treating the many issues that accompany disordered eating and working with clients' loved ones. We excel at coordinating with other treatment team professionals because we believe that this is essential to finding wholeness.
Each Therapist is an independent contractor and makes their own schedules. Please feel free to reach out directly to a therapist or contact Amy Harman to help you find the right fit for your needs.
Amy Harman, LMFT, CEDS-S
Founder & Therapist
-
M.S. in Family & Human Development with emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy from Utah State University (2005)
-
Licensed in VA and UT
-
Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Supervisor
-
Supervisor for Virginia residents in MFT
-
Works with individual adults and adolescents, couples, and families
I work with a broad range of clients, and I have extensive expertise treating women with eating disorders, as well as families and parents through modalities like Family-Based Treatment (FBT). Besides eating disorders, I treat body image issues, addictions, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, confidence problems, and various life transition stages such as adolescence, parenting, and the transition to independence.
I cherish family time, particularly dancing, reading, and enjoying the outdoors. Making s’mores over a campfire with my family is one of my favorite ways to relax and connect.
Q: What is your approach to therapy? A: I believe in a non-judgmental, compassionate approach, focusing on meeting each client where they are in their journey. Each modality brings unique benefits, and I tailor my approach based on individual client needs. I employ a range of modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). My goal is to help clients understand their struggles and foster genuine healing.
Q: What motivates you in your work? A: I’ll never forget the moment when a client thanked me for saving her life. It was early in my career, and I was realizing that working with the eating disorder population was where I belong. Having crossed the bridge into recovery, this woman could see a bright future free of the eating disorder that was taking over her life. I have come to realize that by treating eating disorders I am literally saving lives. And more than that, helping people overcome heartache and destructive behaviors allows them to live a happier, whole life, which is perhaps more important than simply living. I’m also passionate about women’s issues and helping others find more empowerment and confidence truly improves our society and influences future generations for the better.
Q: What is a common myth about therapy that you’d like to debunk? A: As systems theorist Gregory Bateson would say, therapy is about finding “the difference that makes a difference.” Instead of a client passively “getting therapy” (the myth), the therapist helps the client actively implement changes to see which changes actually make a difference for the client. The therapist can share tools and techniques, and then it is up to the client to experiment with those strategies. I believe in working with my clients to come up with homework assignments they will implement between sessions in their search to find “the difference that makes a difference.”
Allison Ober, LPC
Therapist
-
M.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling from George Mason University (2019)
-
M.Ed. in Special Education from Virginia Commonwealth University (2000)
-
Supervisor for Virginia residents in counseling
-
Works with individual adults and adolescents, families
I love working with teens with eating disorders and anxiety. I have a strong background in treating eating disorders and offer Family-Based Therapy (FBT). I also love working with women at various stages of life, especially those facing challenges related to body image, career transitions, relationships, infertility, and parenting. I am also queer and neurodivergent affirming and provide a supportive and inclusive environment for all clients.
In my free time I love to read, go to concerts with my friends, and watch movies with
my husband and two teenagers (comedies and horror are our favorites). My happy
places are the beach, the mountains, and anywhere else where my two dogs are welcome.
Q: What additional expertise do you bring to your therapy practice? A: I have been working with children, teens, and their families for over 25 years. I started my career as a special education teacher working with students who had learning and emotional challenges. This experience provides me with a unique perspective, which is especially appreciated by parents navigating mental health or developmental challenges with their children. I understand the school system, and can help students get the support they need for healing. I now enjoy supporting emotional needs over teaching academics.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who feels overwhelmed when considering therapy? A: It can be overwhelming to try and figure out what to look for in a therapist, especially when you may already be feeling stressed or anxious. Ultimately, you want to find someone who makes you feel heard and understood. However, your therapist should also be skilled in your areas of need and confident in their ability to help you reach your goals. I recommend asking potential new therapists if they offer free consultations. This is a great way to get a sense of whether they might be a good fit for you. Here at RWT, we offer free 15 minute consultations to help you find the right fit.
Q: How do you incorporate mindfulness or self-care into your own routine, and how do you encourage it in your clients? A: The idea of “self-care” can sometimes make people feel like they have to be “doing something”. For me, self-care has evolved into regularly taking the time to assess how I’m feeling, both physically and emotionally. When I’m overwhelmed, self-care might actually look like “doing less” and reassuring myself that needing to rest makes me human. I encourage my clients to start practicing self-care by first developing a strong sense of self compassion. This way, they can meet their own needs (whatever they may be) without feeling guilty.
Haley Kim, Resident in MFT
-
M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brigham Young University (2015)
-
Trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
-
Supervised by Amy Harman, LMFT
-
Fluent in Mandarin Chinese
-
Works with individual adults and children, couples, and families
I help clients navigate challenges like relationship issues, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and trauma. I create a safe environment through empathy, warmth, and curiosity while providing clients with a roadmap for personal and relationship growth. I collaborate with clients to work together as a team. If desired, I am also happy to integrate spirituality and faith into therapy.
It is incredible to see clients come to understand themselves better, process difficult memories, and work through challenges. I also find joy in seeing children and teens who have experienced foster care, adoption, or attachment issues work through painful emotions and discover their own strength.
In my free time, I love gardening and growing herbs for cooking, which is my favorite way to connect with nature and experience peace and calm. I also enjoy spending time with my family in the pool, cooking with my husband, and taking our three children to the library.
Q: What techniques do you use in your therapy sessions? A: In therapy sessions, I often draw on various evidence-based treatment techniques, based on the needs and goals of the clients. I commonly use mindfulness, emotion regulation, and acceptance strategies. I specialized in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family System (IFS). For couples, I use an Emotional Focused Therapy (EFT) framework to enhance connection and resolve conflicts.
Q: If you could recommend one book or resource on mental health to your clients, what would it be and why? A: I highly recommend The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk. This book sheds light on how trauma impacts both the mind and the body. Trauma memories are stored in the body in a way that can result in health issues and emotional dysregulation. The book explains that healing from trauma often involves establishing safe, trusting relationships. Having supportive relationships can help clients feel grounded and regain a sense of control. The book also explained that trauma memories are stored differently from regular memories, which can make them harder to access. An integrated approach to healing, such as EMDR, helps connect the mind and body, allowing a more comprehensive healing process. This book not only educates clients on the effects of trauma but also presents treatment options.
Q: Can you describe a technique or tool you use that clients might not be familiar with but find particularly helpful? A: One of the tools that I like to use in my therapy session is called “Name It to Tame It”, which was originated by Dr. Daniel Siegel. “Name It” means to identify or label your emotions. Naming your emotions can help you regulate them, thus “Taming It”. When emotions feel intense, they can prevent your ability to think clearly. By finding words to describe the emotions, you engage the thinking part of your brain, which can help regulate the emotional part of your brain. This practice is also used in mindfulness and is a useful tool for clients to develop better emotional awareness and regulation.