The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center provides high quality, time sensitive mental health services to post-9/11 veterans and their families, regardless of the veteran’s role while in uniform, discharge status, or combat experience. Services are also available for active-duty service members and their families.
We offer confidential, client-centered therapy for a variety of short-to-medium term mental health issues including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, adjustment issues, anger, grief and loss, family issues, transition challenges, relationship problems, and children’s behavioral problems. Our care is centered on quality interventions that work and current best practices available based on research.
In 2016, philanthropist Steven A. Cohen recognized the need for high quality, accessible mental health care for our nation’s service men and women and their loved ones. In that year, he made a long-term commitment to provide that care by establishing the Cohen Veterans Network (CVN); a national network of Cohen Clinics dedicated to ensuring veterans and their families receive the support they need to lead fulfilling and productive lives.
In 2019, CVN partnered with The Up Center, South Hampton Roads’ largest and oldest human services agency, to establish the country’s 12th Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic, located in Virginia Beach, VA. For 140 years, The Up Center has offered programs and services that change people’s lives. Today, those services include comprehensive, integrated behavioral health services for children and families. Now, by joining forces, The Up Center and CVN are on a mission to provide Virginia’s large veteran, active-duty, and family member population with compassionate and effective care to help heal the invisible wounds of war.
—Kyle White, Army Veteran
The highly-skilled clinicians at the Cohen Clinic treat a variety of behavioral health challenges, including:
We focus on meeting your needs and improving your quality of life through brief case management and resource connection.
We prioritize serving post-9/11 veterans, which we define as any person who has served in the United States Armed Services (including the National Guard and Reserves) after September 11, 2001, regardless of role while in uniform, discharge status or combat experience. We define family members as parents, siblings, spouses or partners, children, caretakers and others. Although we make a priority of serving post- 9/11 veterans whose period of service included Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and/or Operation New Dawn, we assess all veterans based on their specific needs and our ability to serve the veteran well.
Active-duty service members are eligible for mental health counseling services. A TRICARE referral is needed.
We strive to ensure the shortest possible wait time between first contact and first appointment. If you are in crisis, our clinic will make a first appointment available on the same day you contact us. If you are in crisis, please call the Cohen Clinic at The Up Center at 757-965-8686, the National Veterans Crisis Hotline: (800) 273-8255, or the National Women Veterans Hotline: (855) 829-6636.
We provide short and medium term outpatient mental health care support.
April earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Norfolk State University and her undergraduate degree from Virginia Wesleyan University. Military experiences are the fabric of her family. Her father proudly served 30 years in the Navy and her two brothers-in-law are currently serving in the Marines and Army, respectively. April and her extended family have called the Hampton Roads community home for over 25 years.
Amy began working in DC and Maryland within the mental health and substance abuse fields in addition to working with various populations previously. She finds it rewarding to work with adults or young adults navigating various traumas such as substance abuse and domestic violence.
Julie Bologna serves as a Resident in Counseling and CVN Fellow at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center. She started as an intern at the Cohen Clinic and has since taken on the dual position. She holds a Master of Education, Mental Health Counseling degree with a concentration in Military and Veterans through The College of William and Mary.
Edica Gonzalez serves as a Clinician at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Argosy University and earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University. She has gained her experience interning at The Up Center in Outpatient Counseling, co-facilitating for the Batterers Intervention group, assisting with the Social Skill-Building group and the Women’s Assertiveness group. She began her journey with the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center as a part-time Receptionist/Intake Coordinator and transitioned into a Case Manager role prior to her residency towards her LCSW credential. Other background work includes crisis counseling for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, trauma-related stress and working with couples which continues to be a growing passion of hers.
Her appreciation for the military stems from being the daughter of a Marine, the spouse to a Navy corpsman for 16 years and a very proud mother of an Airmen. The military holds a special a place in her heart and working at the Cohen Clinic at The Up Center gives her the opportunity to give back to those who have sacrificed so much for our country.
Edica is a mother to four beautiful children, two dogs and one bearded dragon. In her down time she enjoys cooking, trying new foods, shopping and traveling. Her favorite quote is by Jimmy Dean – “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination”.
Originally from Colorado, Korrissa attended Purdue University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Brain and Behavioral Sciences and a minor in Naval Science. After graduating she served as a Naval Officer as both a Surface Warfare Officer and Public Affairs Officer.
Sharon Lockaby is a clinician at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center. A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from James Madison University. She also holds a Master’s degree and Educational Specialist degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from James Madison University. Throughout her career, she has provided counseling to the military community through the college, inpatient, and outpatient counseling settings.
As the daughter of a Retired Navy Chief and wife of a Navy veteran, she has been inspired to serve all military populations including active duty military, veterans, spouses/partners, couples, and children. With many generations of family ties to the military, Sharon admires the bravery and deep commitment to service these individuals have to their family, each other, their service, and their country. Working with the military has and always will be a passion of Sharon’s.
Stephanie Makani is a Resident in Counseling at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center. A National Certified Counselor, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience from the University of St. Thomas. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. Stephanie previously completed an internship at Eden Counseling and worked in outpatient services, psychological testing, and group counseling.
When not at the clinic, Stephanie and her family share a love of traveling, hiking, golfing, working out and eating.
Peggy Morris is a licensed clinician at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at the Up Center. Peggy completed her B.S. in Psychology and M.S. in Counseling and Psychology at Troy State University at Dothan. In addition to being Licensed Professional Counselor, Peggy has CSAC certification in the state of Virginia and has been a practicing EMDR clinician since 2011. Prior to working for the Cohen clinic, Peggy worked at Arlington County Community Services Board and Virginia Beach Community Services Board in Adult Outpatient Services.
With over 24 years of experience providing outpatient clinical services to adults with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, Peggy utilizes CBT, DBT, EFT, CPT, and EMDR to provide trauma informed care. She grew up in a Navy family, and like most military families, has lived in many locations; the last 8 years in Virginia Beach. Peggy has a long affiliation with the military community being the daughter of a Navy Chief, an Army wife, and proud mother of 2 adult sons who served in the Navy and the Marine Corps.
Peggy is honored to be a part of the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic team and considers it a privilege to utilize her clinical skills and expertise to give back to service members, veterans, and their families. Peggy enjoys trying new restaurants with family and friends, walking the beach with her grandchildren, being outdoors, and reading.
Tondra Pearson is an Administrative Coordinator at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center. She is responsible for the coordination of clients, schedules, as well as various front desk tasks, including documentation, billing and insurance coordination.
Her favorite motto is: “Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.”
Born in Mississippi, Michelle became a Virginia resident after completing her final enlistment in the US Navy. She served in the Navy for eight years as an electrician onboard two submarine support ships and rotation on shore duty in Charleston SC.
Robert Rubinow is a clinician at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center. He holds an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Sciences from Malone University in Canton, Ohio and a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Pastoral Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, Ohio.
Robert is experienced in treating a wide range of mental health concerns such as trauma, sexual addiction, men’s issues, depression, and anxiety. He specializes in marriage and couples counseling.
Though not a veteran himself, Robert comes from a military family. His father is a veteran of the U.S. Army and several of his children are currently serving in the United States Navy. For over twenty years, Robert has treated active-duty military personnel, reservists, and veterans in his private clinical practice in his home state of Ohio, as well as Virginia.
Prior to joining the Cohen Military Family Clinic, Robert was a clinician supporting the Navy and Marine Corps community at Fleet and Family Support Center. He is honored to serve the mental health needs and challenges of our members and their families.
Among some of Robert’s favorite quotes is this gem: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” – J. R. R. Tolkien
As a prescriber, Anne Marie enjoys working at the Cohen Clinic at The Up Center because she knows of the quality of care all of her patients will receive if they continue in therapy with our highly-trained staff who are passionate about their work and motivated to go above and beyond for our patients.
Donna Shannon is the Data Manager at the Stephen A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center. She oversees data collection, data compliance, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and provides reports and analysis for Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and Process Improvement (PI).
As the wife of a retired Marine Corps Infantry Officer, she was an active member of the Marine Corps Key Volunteer Network which handles emergencies and provides support and communication between families and deployed units. Understanding the sacrifices our military service members and their families endure, working at the Military Family Clinic is another opportunity for her to continue to give back to those who served and continue to serve.
The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center
828 Healthy Way, Suite 105, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Phone: 757-965-8686
Email: cohenclinic@theupcenter.org
The Military Family Clinic is conveniently located in Virginia Beach, near S Independence Blvd and S Plaza Trail.
Free Parking is available onsite. Transportation and childcare are available upon request.
Monday: 8:30am to 6:00pm
Tuesday: 8:30am to 6:00pm
Wednesday: 8:30am to 7:00pm
Thursday: 8:30am to 7:00pm
Friday: 8:30am to 1:00pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
We are committed to partnering with children, families, and communities to improve lives and outcomes through prevention, intervention, and support services.
150 Boush Street, Ste. 500,
Norfolk, Virginia 23510
757.354.3819
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