For Mental Health
Substance Use
Supporting children, adolescents, adults and their family members.
Supporting children, adolescents, adults and their family members.
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.
Richelle Burney
Substance Use Program Manager
Richelle is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW/Virginia), Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC/Virginia) and a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC/National). She obtained both her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Masters in Social Work from Norfolk State University. Richelle has been providing clinical therapy and other direct care services for the last 10 years with children, adolescents, adults and families. For the last 5 years Richelle has specialized in Substance Use Treatment as a result of the overwhelming need that she saw in the community. As a result, during her tenure at Community Solutions she was instrumental in opening the Hampton Roads first level 3.1 inpatient facility. During this time she served as the clinical and program director while supervising clinicians and peer recovery specialists. Most recently Richelle was drawn to The Up Center to start a Substance Use program to ensure outpatient services were accessible to under and uninsured individuals in her community.
Heather Harris, BA, QMHP-A/C
New Visions Program Supervisor
Heather is an 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. For the past 10 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.
Lynette Johnson, MSW, Supervisee in Social Work
New Visions Clinician
Lynette has her Master’s in Social Work as well as a Supervisee in Social Work. She obtained both her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and Master’s in Social Work from Norfolk State University. For the past 10 years, Lynette has provided direct care services for adults and families. During the last five years, Lynette has been providing clinical therapy for children, adolescents and families. She has engaged in over 32 hours of evidenced-based Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA) training and will be completing her certification to enhance her clinical skills. Lynette is an A-CRA Clinician with our newest program, New Visions.
Adrienne Smith, MA, Resident in Counseling
New Visions Clinician
Adrienne N. Smith is a Substance Use Clinician with the New Visions program at The Up Center. She obtained her Bachelor of Science from Howard University in Child and Adolescent Development and her Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. Adrienne has three years of experience in community-based counseling, outpatient therapy and crisis stabilization. She is a second-year resident of counseling with the Virginia Board of Counseling and is also working on her certification as an A-CRA Clinician.
Christopher Brydge
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.
Renee Spence
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.
Contact Us
Phone: (757) 965-8623
Email: sudservices@theupcenter.org
Location: 222 W 19th St, Norfolk, VA 23517
