Gwen D. La Belle, LPC-MHSP-temp, NCC
Provisionally Licensed Counselor
Nationally Certified Counselor
Licensure Track: LPC-MHSP, Clinically Supervised by: Valarie L. Harris, LPC-MHSP-S, NCC (License #2412)
“We are hard-wired for meaningful connection and belonging to grow through mutual vulnerability, responsiveness, and empowerment. Therapy is a collaborative and transformative process through which we share our stories and make meaning of our experiences to better understand ourselves.”
Specialties:
Issues Related to Military Life and Culture | Military Trauma and Moral Injury | Grief and Loss | Substance Abuse and Addiction | LGBTQ+ Community | Codependency | Relationship Issues | Parenting Issues | School-Related Issues | Identity Development | Self-Esteem | Perfectionism | Anxiety Disorders | Depression | Trauma-Informed Care | Narrative Therapy | Relational-Cultural Therapy | Solution-Focused Counseling | Family Systems Therapy |
Services Offered:
Individual Counseling | Adolescent Counseling | Children’s Counseling | Couples Counseling | Family Counseling | Telehealth Counseling | Group Counseling |
Primary Populations:
Adults with Trauma, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Adjustments, Addiction, Grief, Depression, Anxiety, or Relationship Issues | College Students and Student Veterans with Adjustment Issues, Anxiety, or Stress | Military Couples and Families with Adjustment, Relationship, or Parenting Issues | Children and Adolescents with ADHD, Austism Spectrum Adjustments, Anxiety, Self-Esteem, or General Adjustment Issues |
Prior Experience:
Trauma & Therapy Center of TN., PLLC | Master’s Level Student Intern
William & Mary School of Education | Social Justice and Diversity Graduate Research Fellow | Positioning Undergraduate Mentors as Facilitators of Social-Emotional Well-Being Among Marginalized Youth
U.S. Army | Soldier and Family Readiness Group | Multiple Roles
Columbus State University | Academic Center for Tutoring | Writing Consultant & French Teacher
Advanced Training:
Certificate of Law in Military and Veterans Health, Policy, and Advocacy (William & Mary Law School)
Certificate in Addiction Treatment in Military and Veteran Culture (NAADAC)
Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD
Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1
Adaptive Disclosure for Military Trauma, Loss, and Moral Injury
Brainspotting Phase 1
Brainspotting Phase 2
Brainspotting for Military, Veterans, & First Responders
- Moral Injury
- Grief & Loss
Level 1 Trauma-Informed Hypnosis
Level 2 Trauma-Informed Hypnosis
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
Upcoming Trainings:
Brainspotting (with Children & Adolescents)
Professional Memberships & Advocacy Groups:
(ACA) American Counseling Association
Military and Government Counseling Association
Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development
Related Research & Presentations:
Microaggressions in the Counseling Environment | Collaborative Diversity Research Presentation | Theory and Practice of Multicultural Counseling
Traumatic Brain Injury: A Multidimensional Perspective of Contextualized Care | Research Review | Assessment and Treatment of Trauma-Related Disorders
Application of the Polyvagal Theory in Counseling Practice | Collaborative Research Presentation and Demonstration | Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
Biography:
If you're looking for a therapist who is attentive, compassionate, authentic, and insightful, Gwen may be a good fit for you! She graduated from Columbus State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Language and Culture (she’s fluent in French). Gwen recently completed her Master’s of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Military and Veterans Counseling from William & Mary School of Education. Gwen grew up in a large military family and she’s a military spouse of 17 years to a combat veteran, as well as a mother of three children. Much of her desire to become a counselor developed through her career in education with military-connected students, many who required additional academic, emotional, and psychosocial support through frequent transitions and challenges associated with military service. Gwen is eager to help individuals navigate life's challenges while increasing their self-awareness and self-efficacy through (re)connecting with themselves and their loved ones. What she enjoys most about being a counselor is empowering individuals to evaluate, confront, and overcome obstacles, as well as engage in opportunities that promote growth in healing through meaningful connection. Fun Facts: Gwen’s happy place is the beach with her family. She’s an avid reader, loves to dance (in spite of having no rhythm), and enjoys using laughter to process “all of life’s absurdities”. She’s an INFJ on the Myers Briggs, “The Advocate” or “The Insightful Visionary”. She comes in at a 3 on the Enneagram as “The Achiever”, and her tritype is 126, “The Supporter”.