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Informed, Affirming Therapists

At Divergent Path Wellness our team is guided by the values of authenticity (being vulnerable in the service of our personal values), sustainability (caring for ourselves so we can care for our clients), and honoring lived experience (committed to anti-oppression and being humble to the limits of our own experience). Get to know us.

Ames Gersten, a therapist and relationship specialist at Divergent Path Wellness, smiles widely. They wear a white loose-fitting button-down shirt, wire-rimmed glasses, have short light-brown curly hair, a minimalist septum ring and multiple small hoop earring in their ears.

Ames Gersten, MSW

Ames (they/them) is a resident therapist in the Charlottesville office serving clients in both in-person and online sessions. A supervisee in social work, they are supervised by Helen Dempsey-Henofer LCSW.

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Experienced in affirming social work practice with transgender and nonbinary people and Autistic adults, they prioritize diverse human connection in their work, Ames collaborates with clients to create space for authenticity, joy and wellness in their lives and relationships.

 

If you are seeking a therapist to join with you in realizing your vision of an authentic joyful life centered around your unique path to wellness, schedule your free consultation. 

Get to know Ames.

55-minute individual session with Ames: $150

In-network with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

Matthew Christensen, MSW

Matthew (he/him) is a resident therapist serving clients with evening and weekday availability online and in-person in the Charlottesville office. A supervisee in social work, Matthew also offers walk-and-talk sessions. 

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Kink, geek, gamer, queer & neurodivergent welcoming: Matthew combines a passion for affirming individuals exploring their identities in adulthood with a deep commitment to social justice.  

 

If you are seeking a therapist to support you in taking up space in your life with new authenticity, Matthew is ready to walk beside you (sometimes literally) on your path to self-discovery. 

Get to know Matthew.

55-minute individual session with Matthew: $150

In-network with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

Matthew Christensen, a therapist at Divergent Path Wellness, stands outside in front of a fence covered in English Ivy and smiles welcomingly. He has short salt-and-pepper hair and a mustache and beard and wears rectangular wire-rimmed classes and a red polo shirt.
Elease Cook, a therapist at Divergent Path Wellness, stands outside by the columns of a walkway at University of Virginia and smiles. She wears a deep purple fitted tee shirt, a black head wrap and bright blue eye shadow and blue and gold earrings representing her sorority.

Elease Cook, LCSW

Elease (she/her) is a licensed clinical social worker serving clients on evenings and weekends virtually across Virginia.

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With a unique blend of imaginative spark and practical feedback, Elease co-creates new possibilities with Black women and nonbinary people questioning played-out patterns and daring to reimagine their stories. 

 

Whether in Bookish Beauties Book Group for Black women or individual therapy, Elease is ready to empower you in embracing your main-character energy, 

Get to know Elease.

55-minute individual session with Elease: $180

In-network with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

Partnering with Headway to accept Aetna

Hannah Dickey, MSW

Hannah (she/they) is a resident therapist serving clients across Virginia in online sessions. A supervisee in social work, she is supervised by Helen Dempsey-Henofer LCSW.

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Balancing directness with humor and genuine care, Hannah is committed to developing queer clinical competencies both as an advocate and a clinician. They support clients in moving beyond self-acceptance to celebration of queer identity.

 

Their passion for affirming therapy is evident both in individual therapy and as the facilitator of Queering Self-Care, a group for LGBTQ+ young adults. 

Get to know Hannah.

55-minute individual session with Hannah: $150

In-network with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

Hannah Dickey, a therapist at Divergent Path Wellness, stands outside in front of deciduous trees. She has wavy brown hair and wear glasses with thick tortoise-shell rimes. They wear a fitted gray tee and her upper arm is tattooed with various images including a realistic portrait of a lion and botanical designs.
Helen Dempsey-Henofer, founder at Divergent Path Wellness, sits in front of the fireplace in their office. They has shoulder-length wheat-colored hair wear eyeglasses with clear rims and a dark blue fitted tee with the Reading Rainbow logo on the chest. They hold a small container of blue playdough in their hands which they fidget with as they smile as though listening intently.

Helen Dempsey-Henofer
LCSW, ADHD-CCSP

Helen (they/them) is a licensed clinical social worker and the founder of Divergent Path Wellness. Helen provides in-office and walk-and-talk sessions in Charlottesville.

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As a queer AuDHD Atheist and lifelong resident of the Southern U.S. they are acutely aware of the importance of informed, affirming therapy for LGBTQIA+ and Neurodivergent people as well as individuals with a religious or spiritual trauma history. Beyond individual therapy, Helen offers professional development, expanding what it means to offer inclusive mental health services. 

 

Nonconforming humans who are navigating relationship hurdles and mysteries, chronic self-doubt and anxiety discover greater security and clarity while working with Helen. 

Get to know Helen.

55-minute individual session with Helen: $235

In-network with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

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