Substance Use
Our Program
About the Program
- Individual, family and group therapy
- Screenings
- Evaluation/Assessment
- Case Management
Peer Recovery Services
New Visions Program
Meet the Team
Rebecca Ellis, LCSW
substance USE PROGRAM MANAGER
Rebecca (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Rebecca holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Roanoke College and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Norfolk State University. She has been with The Up Center since 2018 and worked in our Therapeutic Foster Care Program before transitioning fulltime to our Substance Use Program Manager role in 2023. She is currently pursing certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a research-based treatment proven effective in addressing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Additionally, she has completed Level 1 training in The Gottman Method for couples counseling, which focuses on building and maintaining strong relationships through empathy, understanding, and communication skills. She specializes in working with survivors of trauma, particularly foster and adopted youth, as well as adults struggling with substance use or realtionship issues. Her personal experience as a foster mother informs her professional practice, allowing her to provide sensitive and informed support to clients and their parents who may be struggling with attachment or behavioral concerns. Rebecca sees clients on a limited basis at our Norfolk location. Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys quality time with her loved ones, relaxing at the beach, and exploring new destinations near and far. With a deep commitment to her community, Rebecca is dedicated to providing hope, healing, and growth opportunities to those who seek her help.
Heather Harris, BA, QMHP-A/C, CSAC Supervisee
New Visions Program Supervisor AND CLINICIAN
Heather is an Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA) clinician and the supervisor of the New Visions program at The Up Center. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Saint Leo University and is pursuing her Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC). For the past 13 years, Heather has provided direct care services to children, adolescents, adults, and families. She has provided services to adults in a substance use treatment inpatient facility and she specializes in working with at-risk youth. Heather is passionate about growing the New Visions program and helping youth and their families seek freedom from substance use.
Teresa Stafford, MSW
Outpatient Program Coordinator
Renee Spence, RPRD, FPRS
CLinical Intake Coordinator
Renee (she/her) serves as the Clinical Intake Coordinator for Outpatient Department. She is a Registered Peer Recovery Specialist and Forensic Peer Recovery Specialist. She is a graduate of the Department of Mental Health and Developmental Services and the Virginia Commonwealfth University Leadership Academy. She is also a certified WRAP, APPR, and REVIVE facilitator. With over 20 years of experience in human services and more than 14 years volunteering with low-income inner-city youth, Renee is committed to fostering community connections, creating valuable resources, and promoting self-advocacy among our community members.
Lauren Lock, MA, Resident in Counseling
outpatient CLINICIAN
Lauren Lock is Resident in Counseling working towards becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and pursuing a certification as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC). She is certified in the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA) and has been trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). She is a native Hampton Roads resident who has a deep passion for serving her community. She earned both her B.S. in Psychology and M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Over the last three years, Lauren has worked in the Substance Use community, where she has worked with individuals of all different ages who have struggled with a wide range of addictions.
Kayla Spradley, MA
NEW VISIONS COMMUNITY-BASED CLINICIAN
Kayla (she/her) is a New Visions Community-Based Clinician at The Up Center. She obtained both her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from Norfolk State University. She is pursuing a certification as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC). She is also working on becoming certified in the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA). By taking the concepts, knowledge and tools she has learned through educational and vocational experience, she acts with a purpose and spreads awareness to those in need. Kayla is passionate about implementing approaches that assist adolescents in improving their knowledge and decision-making around substance use.
Megan Bader, MSW, QMHP A/C
NEW VISIONS COMMUNITY-BASED CLINICIAN and group facilitator
Megan (she/her) serves as a New Visions Community-Based Clinician at The Up Center. She holds both a QMHP A/C certifications. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree from Christopher Newport University in Social Work and a Master’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Clinical Social Work. Her passion for Social Work started with her longing to help individuals. She found this profession through her undergarduate experience and jumped in with two feet. She believes that Social Work is more than just providing services to clients, it is seeing an individual for who they truly and and saying, “I see you and you are worth it”.
Cindy Kimmons, RPRS
PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST
Cindy (she/her) is a Registered Peer Recovery Specialist and Forensic Peer Support Trainer. She has been peering for over 3 years and is currently our Family Support Partner, supporting out New Visions Program. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Old Dominion University with a certificate in Addictions and Prevention. Cindy is passionate about sharing her experiences with others to bring about hope through Peer Recovery Services and likes to refer to herself as a ‘broker of hope”. Cindy is also a professional dog trainer and has volunteered her talents at the VBSPCA to increase the likelihood that a dog will be adopted.
Christopher Brydge, RPRS
PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST and group facilitator
Chris (he/him) joined The Up Center in February of 2021 after spending 14 years in the public school system and as an adjunct music professor at William & Mary. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University. Chris is a registered peer recovery specialist as well as a certified DBHDS peer recovery specialist trainer. Chris also hold certifications in WRAP, Smart Recovery, APPR, Forensic Peer Recovery, Medicated Assisted Recovery and Revive. Chris has a passion for recovery and looks forward to sharing his experience, strength and hope to all who come through Peer Recovery Services. He is also an accomplished jazz bassist and performs throughout Virginia and the east coast.
Sterling Tucker, RPRS
Peer recovery specialist
Sterling (she/her) joined The Up Center as a Peer Recovery Specialist in August 2024. She strives to help others through her lived experience with recovery in mental health and substance use disorders. Sterling strongly believes that everyone has a chance at recovery. In her free time, she enjoys all things music and spending time with her family and friends.
Arielle Shipp, LPC, PMH-C
Outpatient clinician
Arielle (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Virginia. She is certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) trained. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Virginia and her Master’s Degree in Urban Education Community Counseling from Norfolk State University. Arielle worked in Community Based Services for over 10 years including Mental Health Skill Building and Intensive In-Home Services prior to Outpatient Therapy Services. Arielle is currently working on completing her certification in Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). She provides counseling services to individuals and families using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with a focus on trauma, Perinatal Mental Health and Mood Disorders, and Women’s health. She sees clients in person in our Suffolk office as well as via telehealth. Arielle enjoys being outdoors, arts and crafts, and spending quality time with family.
Ashlee Collister, LCSW, CSOTP
Outpatient clinician
Ashlee (she/her) serves as an outpatient clinician at The Up Center and is Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider (CSOTP) in Virginia. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of New England and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Old Dominion University. She provides counseling services to adults, children, and families. She specializes in working with children, trauma, substance use disorders, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and youth with sexualized behaviors. Ashlee strives to help the individual process their traumas and believes that no one person is defined by their trauma. She currently sees clients in person in our Ghent and Portsmouth locations as well as via telehealth for clients living in Virginia.
Dorothea Smith, MSW, Supervisee in Social Work
Outpatient clinician
Dorothea Smith (she/her) is a native to Portsmouth, VA but currently lives in Suffolk, VA where she provides outpatient services out of our Suffolk office. She is a 2013 graduate of Norfolk State University and 2011 graduate of Old Dominion University. She has over 10 years of experience working with and providing person centered services to individuals in the community. She is currently working to expand how she helps others by pursuing her Licensure in clinical social work. As an Outpatient Clinician, Ms. Smith is here to provide clinical counseling services to help you embark on a journey of self-awareness, growth, and goal attainment. Dorothea has received training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, and is trained in the American Society of Medicine Addiction criteria doing subatnce use focused assessments. Outside of work, Dorothea loves spending time with family, singing and pursuing a fascination with genealogy and tracing family connections.
Heather Arnett, EDS, LPC, LSATP, CSAC
Outpatient clinician
Heather (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner, and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. Heather graduated from Old Dominion University with a Master’s Degree in School Counseling (1994) and Educational Specialist degree in Mental Health Counseling (2015). After an 18 year career as a school counselor, Heather became an LPC to expand her clinical mental health services to adults, children, and families. She specializes in substance use recovery, trauma, grief, depression, anxiety, and Autism Spectrum Disorder, and is a Navy veteran, Navy wife, and Navy mom. Heather also supervises residents working towards their LPC and sees clients via telehealth only.
Hunter Staylor, LCSW
Intake Coordinator outpatient clinician and group facilitator
Hunter (he/him) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Norfolk State University. Mr. Staylor serves as an outpatient clinician for mental health and substance use services. Hunter provides individual and group counseling services to individuals, couples, and families of all ages and backgrounds in person in our Norfolk and Portsmouth offices, as well as via telehealth. Mr. Staylor utilizes various therapy techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Approach, TF-CBT, EMDR, and Solution Focused Therapy to address treatment goals with clients. He specializes in substance use recovery, anger management, trauma, and co-parenting education. When not at work, Hunter enjoys playing soccer, engaging in glass lamp work art, and hanging out with his family.
Sharon Reams, LCSW
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH SERVICES and Outpatient Clinician
Sharon (she/her) is the Director of Youth Services at The Up Center. She oversees the Foster Care & Adoptions program as well as the Team Up youth mentoring program. She has been with The Up Center since 2005. In addition to her role as director, she currently sees Outpatient clients on a limited basis both in person in the Ghent office and via telehealth. She is trained in EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy and TFCBT (traume based cognitive behavioral therapy). She is a native of Hampton Roads and is dedicated to helping and giving back to her community.
Tranise Matthews, MA
Group Facilitator
Tranise (she/her) serves as a group facilitator in our Mental Health and Substance Use Program. She joined The Up Center initially in 2019, first as an undergraduate intern and later in 2020 in her current position. Tranise has a BA in Sociology from Norfolk State University and a Masters in Criminal Justice. She appreciates the great opportunity to touch the lives of individuals within the community and connecting clients with services to help them live their best lives.
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Our Mission
We are committed to partnering with children, families, and communities to improve lives and outcomes through prevention, intervention, and support services.
