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For Mental Health

Substance Use

Supporting children, adolescents, adults and their family members.
Supporting children, adolescents, adults and their family members.
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Our Program
Meet the Team

Our Program

About the Program

The Up Center provides services to children, adolescents, adults and their family members whose challenges may include strained social or family relationships, chronic relapse, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), poor self-care, legal consequences, increased psychiatric symptoms, and physical health illness. We offer a range of evidence-based therapies to ensure that treatment is specific to the needs of the client. Our clinicians are specifically trained to facilitate clients through the stages of change along with integrating a support system to create a positive path to improved well-being.
We offer support for children, adolescents, adults, couples, parents and families regardless of whether you are affected directly or indirectly, including:
  • Individual, family and group therapy
  • Screenings
  • Evaluation/Assessment
  • Case Management
Additional resources include:

Peer Recovery Services

Peer Recovery Services is community-based support led by a certified Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS). Services include coaching, assistance, and connections to resources for individuals with substance use or mental health challenges.
We offer one-on-one communication whenever needed, connections to community resources and events to aid recovery, modeling effective coping skills to manage challenges and ease everyday triggers, group support to build a social network for recovery, and developing and implementing a personal recovery plan.

New Visions Program

The New Visions program helps youth under age 18 and their families who are impacted by substance use to envision a life of wellness and recovery. This program is designed to help youth better engage in their community to build skills and strategies to change or avoid high risk behaviors. The New Visions program is now available to residents across Hampton Roads with or without insurance.

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
Teresa Stafford (she/her) serves as the Outpatient Program Coordinator. She is passionate about supporting our team in providing evidence-based, trauma-informed services, reducing barriers for both clients and staff, and finding ways to improve our programs and processes. In her career she has worked with individuals, groups, and systems on initiatives that support finding and addressing root causes of community challenges. Teresa has a Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in Community Empowerment and Program Development, a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology.

Tranise Matthews, MA

Intake Coordinator
Tranise (she/her) serves as the Intake Coordinator for Outpatient Mental Health, Substance Use, Group, and Peer Recovery Services programs. 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 recently completed her 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.

Arielle Shipp, PMH-C, Resident in Counseling

OUTPATIENT CLINICIAN
Arielle (she/her) is a Resident in Counseling working towards her Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure. 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 Services. Arielle is certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) and 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 with a focus on trauma, Perinatal Mental Health and Mood Disorders, and 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 a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider (CSOTP), holding state licenses in both Virginia and North Carolina. 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, 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 or North Carolina.

Christopher Brydge, RPRS

Peer Recovery Specialist

Chris joined The Up Center in 2021 after spending 14 years in the public school system and as an adjunct professor at William & Mary. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University. Chris has a passion for recovery and is looking 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.

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. 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.

Lauren Lock, MA, Resident in Counseling

New Visions Clinician AND 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 also working on becoming certified in the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA). 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 two 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. Currently, Lauren works with teens in the New Visions program and is excited to serve them as the program continues to grow. Lauren sees clients in person at the Ghent office and over telehealth. 
 

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, MSW, Supervisee in Social Work

Outpatient Clinician and Group Facilitator
Hunter (he/him) is a Supervisee in Social Work, working towards his Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensure. He 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 Ghent and Suffolk offices, as well as via telehealth. Mr. Staylor utilizes various therapy techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Approach, and Solution Focused Therapy to address treatment goals with clients. He specializes in substance use recovery, anger management, and co-parenting education and is working towards becoming trained in EMDR Therapy and Trauma-Focused CBT. When not at work, Hunter enjoys playing soccer and engaging in glass lamp work art.

Renee Spence, RPRS

Peer Recovery Specialist
Renee is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist in the Substance Use Program. She has over 20 years of human service experience and has been a volunteer working with low-income inner-city youth for over 10 years. Renee is an advocate, and is passionate about helping others and giving back to her community.

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 a native of Hampton Roads and is dedicated to helping and giving back to her community.

Kayla Spradley, M/A

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

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”.

Contact Us

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Phone: (757) 965-8623 
Email: sudservices@theupcenter.org

Location: 222 W 19th St, Norfolk, VA 23517

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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.

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580 E. Main Street, Suite 400

Norfolk, Virginia 23510

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