Nikissia Craig

Clients of mine experience a warm, open, and friendly therapeutic relationship. Each person is so unique, with strengths, skills, and talents that we build on during sessions. Whether my clients have lost themselves, never really knew who they were, or if they are dealing with a sudden life change, we can find a way to do more than just survive the “speed bumps” of life. No issue is too small or heavy to address with me. As a therapist, I hope that my clients refuse to settle for less than a whole life. I value client feedback. If something’s not working, we can go back to the drawing board, but making life changes often requires patience, commitment to yourself, and action. We can tackle the wounds of yesterday and the fears of tomorrow. I offer my support and tools to help clients succeed. I typically use, cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, and person-centered approaches to treatment.

I grew up in a military family and spent most of my childhood living overseas and in the southeast. I was inspired by the experiences of meeting and connecting with people from various backgrounds and cultures during my childhood. This turned into a passion for people that grew into a desire to help others. My professional goals of supporting individuals on their journeys, strengthening families and contributing to the community, has motivated me to serve various programs throughout Hampton Roads in the areas of mental health, foster care/adoption, case management, community outreach and education, substance abuse, homelessness, and domestic violence. I have an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Journalism and a graduate degree in Clinical Social Work from Norfolk State University.

I completed clinical internships at Virginia Beach Psychiatric Center and the Virginia Beach Department of Human Services in the Mental Health Substance Abuse Department. For years I provided community-based mental health services throughout Hampton Roads. I also served women and children at Samaritan House and For Kids, Inc shelters. I have worked in various roles with UMFS in the areas of adoption and foster care and assisted with piloting an adoption program, Extreme Recruitment, throughout Eastern Virginia. I enjoy using my specialties as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and Adoption Competent Therapist to work with survivors of past painful experiences and families hoping to increase their connections with each other.