Northern Virginia Older Adult Counseling

09/26/2025

OAC SPOTLIGHT!

Meet Jennifer Denk, LCSW!

Jennifer is one of our awesome part-time therapists and also the owner of CareWell Counseling, PLLC!

1. How did you get into social work/mental health?
I got into social work because my daughter was adopted and the social worker was so instrumental in my experience. However , I didn’t get my masters until I turned 50 because I wanted to end my working years doing something to help others.

2. A fun fact about yourself:
I used to be a decent sketch artist but don’t have the time anymore

3. A piece of advice for your younger self:
Don’t take yourself too seriously!

Thanks, Jennifer, for all that you do!

09/24/2025

***dePreventionMonth

09/16/2025

Nothing speaks louder than words. Grateful for our amazing clients and their powerful stories

09/10/2025

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day

This day is a reminder that every life matters — including yours. You matter.
Suicidal thoughts can feel overwhelming and isolating, but you are not alone. There is help. There is hope. Talking about it can save a life.
Take a moment today to check in with yourself and those around you. A small conversation can make a big difference.
If you or someone you love is struggling, support is available:
Call or text 988 — free, confidential, 24/7.

You are worthy of support. You are not a burden. You are needed here. We see you and we hear you. For additional resources, check out the International Association for Su***de Prevention website.

Tonight at 8PM, please join us in lighting a candle near the window to show your support for su***de prevention to remember a lost loved one and for the survivors of su***de.

***dePreventionDay

09/08/2025

OAC SPOTLIGHT TIME!

Meet Maria McKain, LCSW, one of our awesome part-time therapists at OAC!

1. How did you get into social work/mental health?
“After a career in business, I was looking for a change where I could make a true difference in people’s lives. I got my MSW in my forties and worked for hospice for 10 years and added OAC about 5 years ago. I love it.”

2. A fun fact about yourself:
“A fun fact about myself is that I was born in India.”

3. A piece of advice for your younger self:
“Learn another language at a young age!”

Thanks for all you do, Maria!

09/01/2025

Today, we are honoring National Recovery Awareness Day. Recovery is a journey and one that we respect and honor for those in recovery.

At OAC, we believe that recovery is possible—and no one has to walk that path alone.
If you or someone you love is struggling, we’re here to support healing and transformation.

Check out our social medias stories throughout the month for clinical resources and helpful information

08/30/2025

Today is International Grief Awareness Day — a time to acknowledge the silent journeys so many carry.

Grief takes many forms, and never follows a timeline. Whether you’re mourning the loss of a loved one, navigating a life transition, or supporting someone who is grieving, your experience matters.

At Northern Virginia Older Adult Counseling, we honor the strength it takes to face grief and the courage it takes to seek support. You’re not alone — healing is possible, and help is here when you’re ready.

If you are located near the following areas, here are resources available to you:

Fairfax, VA-
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/older-adults/golden-gazette/2024-08-resources-to-help-with-grief-and-loss

Loudoun, VA-
https://www.lcps.org/o/vdl/page/social-emotional-and-mental-health-resources

Prince William, VA-
https://virginianavigator.org/program/32528/grief-counseling-support-groups-workshops

💙 If you’re struggling with loss, we’re here to listen.
📞 703-667-0752 | 🌐 https://novaolderadultcounseling.com

Located in Fairfax, VA offering in-office, in-home or Telehealth mental health services and resources

08/19/2025

Hey Workers, has all your back-to-school needs at socialworkers.org, from Tips and Tools to live and on demand trainings. New this year are the updated Practice Standards for School Social Workers. These standards serve as a guide for social work practice in the education system. Topics covered include but are not limited to ethics, intervention and assessment, technology use, school safety, confidentiality and emergency preparedness. Be prepared for the school year by grabbing your copy today. https://www.naswpress.org/product/53600/practice-standards-for-school-social-workers

08/18/2025

Therapy isn’t always easy — it can be challenging, emotional, and even uncomfortable at times. Everyone’s journey looks different. But the growth, healing, and self-awareness on the other side are so worth it. At Northern Virginia Older Adult Counseling , we believe in honesty and transparency and know that for many, therapy can be life changing while for others, it can feel like a barrier. Either way, we are here for you.

08/06/2025

The IFSP partners with the Partnership for People with Disabilities to provide FREE trainings about abuse prevention and healthy relationships for adults with intellectual disabilities. These trainings are part of a program called LEAP (Leadership for Empowerment and Abuse Prevention). The next LEAP webinar takes place in 2 weeks! Please register to attend, and/or share it with someone with you know.

🏖 Summer Vibes, Stronger Ties: Fostering Healthy Relationships and Preventing Abuse

🗓 Tuesday, August 14th
🕙 10 to 11:30 a.m.

📌 We'll talk about:
• Incidence and prevalence of abuse
• Dynamics of abuse
• LEAP Project research findings
• Strategies to prevent abuse
• Responding to abuse

🔗 View the flyer and register here: http://tiny.cc/leap-aug2025

🐚 Presenters: Taylor Thomas-Harris, Nicole Rada, and Renée Soniat

[Image description: A flyer of a beach background with brown graphic illustrations of surfboards, shells, and a frog.]

08/04/2025

Back-to-school season is just around the corner, and it can bring about a mix of emotions, including anxiety, stress, and feelings of being overwhelmed. After spending the summer with your child—perhaps enjoying family vacations and establishing a new routine—the transition back to school can feel daunting. However, there are ways to manage these feelings effectively.

1. **Prepare for Schedule Changes Early**: Gradually adjust to a back-to-school schedule a few weeks prior to the start of school. This will help everyone adapt to the new routine more smoothly.

2. **Talk it Out**: Discuss your child’s feelings about returning to school. Open conversations can help you both understand their concerns and find ways to alleviate them together.

3. **Try to Remain Calm**: Children often mirror their parents’ emotions. If you approach the situation with calmness and excitement, it may help your child feel more positively about going back to school.

4. **Encourage Social Interaction**: Arrange for your child to meet with a familiar friend or classmate before school starts. This can help ease feelings of anxiety on the first day.

5. **Know the Signs of Anxiety**: Be aware of signs that may indicate more serious anxiety, such as changes in appetite, withdrawal from social gatherings, increased irritability, or frequent headaches. Address these issues if they arise.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Use these guidelines to find what works best for your family, your students, and you as a parent.

07/30/2025

Our July OAC Spotlight! Meet Adele!

1. How did you get into social work/mental health?
“I always wanted to do something that would help others and leave a small imprint in this world. I received a Psychology Degree at BU and evolved into my MSW program at the University of Louisville. Social work has allowed me to stay in one profession but switch into various specialties. I have worked in Child Protection, Family Therapy, Medical Social Work, Hospice Social Work and now OAC.”

2. What is a fun fact about yourself?
“I love to travel and have passed through or visited every state in the US. My last trip to Antarctica gave me the chance to say I have been on every continent in our world. Thankfully, I have no desire to visit the Moon.”

3. A piece of advice for your younger self:
“Life is long- pick your profession, your companions and your pleasures carefully. Life is a rollercoaster even with the best of plans, so SMILE a lot, be KIND and have FUN!”

Thank you Adele for all you do for OAC and for your kind and loving spirit!