Obsidian Counseling and Wellness Center, LLC

08/24/2026

We’re excited to officially welcome Jadon Nava to our team as a Resident in Counseling! He'll be under the supervision of Natasha Beckum, Ed.D., LPC. He is accepting adolescent and young adult clients ages 14+ for anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, life transitions, relationship challenges, and stress management.

📍 Norfolk, VA | In-person & Telehealth�
💳 Medicaid, commercial insurance & self-pay
Referrals are welcome! Please share with anyone who may be a good fit.

Schedule directly with Jadon here: [email protected]
https://www.obsidiancounselingandwellness.com/meet-our-team

08/14/2026

Come See Us at the 3rd Annual Black Business Brunch Expo!

We’re excited to be out in the community this Saturday!

Obsidian Counseling and Wellness Center will have a vendor table at the 3rd Annual Black Business Brunch Expo at the Richard A. Tucker Memorial Library.

📅 Saturday, August 15
⏰ 12:00–3:00 PM
📍 2350 Berkley Ave. Ext., Norfolk, VA

If you’re attending, stop by our table and say hello! We’d love to meet you, share more about our practice and services, and connect with other members of our community.

And if you know someone who may be looking for counseling services, send them our way—we’d be happy to connect and provide information about our services and how to get started.

Come support Black-owned businesses, enjoy the expo, and connect with us! We hope to see you there!

07/07/2026

📚✨ You're Invited to The After Session: Unpack & Read Collective! ✨📚

Have you ever finished a book and wished you had someone to process it with?

That's exactly why we created The After Session: Unpack & Read Collective—a therapeutic book club where we don't just read...we reflect, grow, and connect.

This month, we'll be discussing "We Over Me: The Counterintuitive Approach to Getting Everything You Want from Your Relationship" by Khadeen & Devale Ellis, a thought-provoking book that explores communication, partnership, vulnerability, and what it really takes to build healthy relationships.

Together, we'll unpack topics such as:
💬 Healthy communication
❤️ Trust and emotional intimacy
🌱 Personal growth within relationships
🧠 Relationship patterns and self-awareness
🤝 Practical strategies for creating stronger, healthier connections

Whether you're single, dating, married, or simply interested in learning more about relationships, you're welcome to join the conversation!

🗓 Date:Saturday, July 18
⏰ Time: 11:30 AM – 12:30PM/1:00 PM
💻 Location: Virtual via Google Meet (Scan the QR Code)

This is a judgment-free space to learn, reflect, and connect with others through meaningful conversation.

Bring your book, your favorite drink, and an open mind—we'll take care of the conversation. 📖☕

07/06/2026

Now Accepting New Clients!

We're excited to introduce Brena Northern, our newest Clinical Mental Health Counseling Practicum Student at Obsidian Counseling & Wellness Center.

Brena provides a warm, supportive, and person-centered environment where clients can feel heard, valued, and empowered. She enjoys working with individuals from all backgrounds who are navigating life's challenges and are seeking personal growth, resilience, and healing.

✨ ALL sessions with Brena are offered FREE (pro bono) under the clinical supervision of Dr. Natasha Beckum, LPC.

Appointments are available:
🖤 In-office in Norfolk, VA
💻 Virtual throughout Virginia

If you've been considering therapy but cost has been a barrier, this is a wonderful opportunity to receive quality counseling services at no cost.

📞 757-995-1833
📧 [email protected]

🌐 You can also learn more about Brena and her approach to therapy by viewing her Psychology Today profile:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/brena-lynette-northern-norfolk-va/1782618

Healing begins with a single step—and we're here to walk alongside you. 💚

Brena Lynette Northern, Pre-Licensed Professional, Norfolk, VA, 23502, (757) 402-5562, I am a pre-licensed counselor who utilizes a Person-Centered approach to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered. I am committed to working with ind...

07/06/2026

✨ Meet New Team Members at Obsidian Counseling & Wellness Center! ✨

We're excited to welcome the newest members of our team! Since joining us in May 2026, our interns and practicum students have already begun making a meaningful impact by providing compassionate, client-centered care under clinical supervision.

Whether you're seeking support for trauma, anxiety, depression, relationships, life transitions, or personal growth, our team is here to meet you where you are and walk alongside you on your healing journey.

Please join us in welcoming:
🖤 Nigel Ribeiro, MFT Intern
🖤 Lynnora Sumblin, Doctoral MFT Intern
🖤 Brena Northern, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Practicum Student

🌿 We're also pleased to offer FREE (pro bono) therapy sessions with our interns and practicum students. These sessions are provided under clinical supervision and are a great opportunity for individuals, couples, and families who may be experiencing financial barriers to receiving counseling.

If you—or someone you know—could benefit from therapy, we'd love to help. Please contact us to learn more or to schedule an appointment.

📍Serving clients throughout Virginia
💻 In-person & Telehealth appointments available

We are grateful to have these talented clinicians-in-training as part of the Obsidian family and look forward to the positive impact they'll continue to make in our community.

06/22/2026

🌟 NOW ENROLLING: Summer Social Skills & Life Skills Groups for Youth Ages 10–15! 🌟

Help your child build confidence, friendships, and essential life skills this summer!

Obsidian Counseling and Wellness Center is excited to offer separate Boys and Girls Social Skills & Life Skills Groups designed to help youth develop the tools they need to succeed socially, emotionally, academically, and personally.

✨ Topics Include:
✅ Interpersonal Skills
✅ Communication skills
✅ Emotion regulation & Anger Management
✅ Confidence building
✅ Hygiene and self-care
✅ Study and organization skills
✅ Career exploration
✅ College and future planning

Our groups are interactive, engaging, and designed to help youth learn practical skills while connecting with peers in a supportive environment.

👥 Ages: 10–15
📍 Small Group Format
📅 Summer 2026
💳 Medicaid MCOs, Commercial Insurance, and Self-Pay Accepted

This group is ideal for youth who may struggle with social skills, peer relationships, emotional regulation, self-confidence, organization, or frustration management.

📞 Space is limited! Contact us today to learn more or register.

Obsidian Counseling and Wellness Center
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.obsidiancounselingandwellness.com

06/10/2026

05/27/2026

We’re excited to welcome Obsidian’s new MFT Intern from Liberty University! 🎉

He is currently accepting new clients with immediate availability and has a special interest in working with couples and families. Whether you’re navigating communication challenges, relationship stress, parenting concerns, or family transitions, he is here to provide compassionate support in a welcoming environment.

Sessions are available at pro bono or low-cost rates to help make care more accessible to our community.

His Psychology Today profile is attached for more information and scheduling details. We look forward to supporting you and your family! 🖤

05/26/2026

Mental Health Awareness Month 💚

Culturally Relevant Ways to Heal 🌱

Healing isn’t one-size-fits-all—and research shows that culturally aligned coping strategies can make a real difference.

For many African Americans, effective coping may include:
✨ Spirituality and faith practices (when supportive, not avoidant)
✨ Strong social and community connections
✨ Cultural identity, storytelling, and shared experiences
✨ Therapy that acknowledges racial trauma and lived experiences

Research highlights:
• Positive religious/spiritual coping and social support are linked to better mental health outcomes
• Self-esteem, meaning-making, and community connection support active coping and resilience

💡 Not all coping is helpful:
Avoidance, emotional suppression, or “pushing through” without support can increase long-term distress.

Healing doesn’t mean doing it alone—it means doing it in ways that actually fit your life and your identity.

05/22/2026

Mental Health Awareness Month 💚

Cultural Strength vs. Cultural Pressure 🧠

Strength is a powerful part of many African American communities—but sometimes it comes at a cost.

Messages like:
“Be strong.”
“Handle it on your own.”
“Don’t air your business.”

…can lead to:
• Delayed help-seeking
• Emotional suppression
• Increased reliance on avoidant coping

Research shows African American women often rely on spirituality, self-reliance, and community support, but may also face barriers like stigma and limited access to care

At the same time, African American men may cope with race-based stress through adaptive and maladaptive strategies depending on support systems and environment

💬 The goal isn’t to lose cultural strength—it’s to expand it:
Strength can also look like asking for help, setting boundaries, and processing your experiences.