About Us
Moving Forward, PLC was created by our founder Michele Cole, Ph.D, LCSW in 2007. She began her own practice prompted by wanting to find a flexible schedule while raising her daughters. Having gone through a divorce herself; Dr. Cole is very knowledgeable by both training and personal experience what separation and divorce is like. Her area of focus for her dissertation was children and emerging young adults of divorce, and she currently has submitted research and articles in this area for publication. Also, she has been interviewed for radio and you can hear her speak on what she sees as the best way to go about navigating a divorce successfully with children. Dr. Cole has a passion for helping others, and has spent many years working to create a practice with like-minded therapists. Each therapist that consults for Moving Forward, PLC has been thoroughly vetted and holds the highest levels of integrity, education, and training. She feels confident that any therapist you choose to work with at our practice will give you what you need to move forward in your life. Our combined experience of over 50+ years works to help people engage in the therapeutic process to make changes in their lives that are significant and lasting.
Michele Cole, Ph.D., LCSW
DIRECTOR/PSYCHOTHERAPIST
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Dr. Cole is the founder of Moving Forward, PLC, a private practice in Old Town, Alexandria in 2007. Moving Forward, PLC is a private practice that has a consulting team of therapists to help meet all the needs of every client who walks in the door. The team has over 50+ years of experience collectively. The mission is to work to help the family system heal and function at its best as the team works collaboratively.
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Ali Meyer, LCSW
LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER,
GROUP COORDINATOR,
BOARD APPROVED CLINICAL SUPERVISOR FOR THE VIRGINIA BOARD OF SOCIAL WORK
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Ali Meyer, LCSW, LICSW, LCSW-C, is a licensed clinical social worker who is certified in Virginia, The District of Columbia, and Maryland. She earned her Bachelor Degree in Child Development and Family Studies at Ohio University and her Master of Social Work Degree at Loyola University, Chicago, IL. Ali has been providing individual, and group psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and young adults for the past twenty years in a school that specializes in learning differences. Her previous clinical experience includes working with foster families and people in need of drug and alcohol treatment. Ali is a patient, understanding individual who cares about each client and sets goals to help them live a more comfortable, happier life.Ali has worked extensively with children, teens, and young adults struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, learning differences, social challenges, divorce, and gender identity. She also has experience helping people manage life transitions, knowing this can be a long and difficult process. The treatment modalities that Ali frequently uses are: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, solution focused therapy, play therapy, and mindfulness. Ali works in a kind and meaningful way to collaboratively find a treatment approach that will help each client and their family.
Rachel Jenkins, LCSW
LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
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Rachel is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Virginia and a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Provider (CCATP). She earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from Rutgers University in NJ.Rachel enjoys working with adolescent and adult clients. She specializes in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and trauma. She also has experience working with individuals going through major life transitions, individuals living with brain injuries, and the military and veteran community.
Rachel is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT200) and Relax and Renew® certified for Restorative Yoga. She believes in a mind-body approach to wellness, and is passionate about combining psychotherapy and mindfulness techniques to help individuals heal, grow, and achieve their goals.
Rachel uses a variety of treatment approaches in her clinical practice to include: Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Aimee M.K. Chase, MA, MA, LPC, NCC
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR,
LICENSED CLINICAL SUPERVISOR FOR THE VIRGINIA COUNSELING ASSOCIATION
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Aimee is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the Commonwealth of Virginia and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). She is also a Licensed Clinical Supervisor for the Virginia Counseling Association. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Sewanee: The University of the South in Sewanee, TN. She earned her dual master’s in Legal & Forensic Psychology and Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marymount University in Arlington, VA. She has experience in working with adolescents, adults, and families in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She has facilitated process, psychoeducation, and task-based groups focused on a variety of topics such as: emotional cartography, radical acceptance, defense mechanisms, communication skills, cognitive distortions, self-compassion, coping skills, grief, healthy boundaries, and many more. Aimee enjoys working with clients of all ages who are coping with anxiety, ADHD, depression, low self-esteem, complex grief, addiction, life transitions, co-dependency, identity and existential issues. Her approach is holistic and person-focused in nature, with influences from attachment theory, existentialism, and cognitive-behavioral theory. She believes it is essential to consider clients’ individual social and cultural contexts, past and present experiences, early attachment relationships, and individual goals as a part of the therapeutic process. Aimee is an empathetic clinician who is passionate about helping her clients achieve their goals by walking alongside them as they explore, heal, and grow.
Mary Cole, LCSW
LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
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Mary is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. She earned her Master of Social Work from the Catholic University of America. Mary earned her Bachelor of Arts in both Psychology and Communications, with a minor in Gender & Womens Studies, from the University of Denver. While attending the University of Denver, she played Division 1 lacrosse.Throughout Mary’s clinical experience she has worked with adolescents, emerging young adults and adults struggling with a variety of challenges, such as generalised anxiety, sports anxiety, social anxiety, depression, ADHD, ASD, difficult family dynamics, victims of domestic violence, trauma and PTSD. Mary has facilitated groups for adolescents and adults struggling with generalized anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and social skills.
Mary has knowledge of a variety of treatment modalities, in particular her practice includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Systems Theory, strengths-based psychotherapy, solution-focused and mindfulness-based approaches. She is trained in trauma informed care, Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), providing care to the LGBTQ+ community, flash Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EDMR). Mary is dedicated to working with clients from a nonjudgmental stance and bringing meaningful change towards more balanced, healthier, and happier lives.
Kayla Eding, LMSW
LICENSED MASTER SOCIAL WORKER
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Kayla is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in Virginia. She completed her Bachelors of Social Work degree at Hope College in Michigan and earned her Masters of Social Work degree from Western Michigan University. Kayla completed her field training with the Family Outreach Center in Grand Rapids Michigan, where she served as a Trauma-Focused Therapist intern, for adolescents. She is currently a Social Work Resident, working towards her independent clinical license alongside Dr. Michele Cole, LCSW. Previously, Kayla has conducted group therapy for adolescents, helping clients create and develop coping skills for managing their anxiety, as well as forming meaningful and healthy relationships with peers. In addition to this, Kayla engaged in individual therapy with adolescents, aiming to treat and manage concerning behavior related to trauma, anxiety, and depression. She has also attended numerous training sessions on Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT).Kayla enjoys working with adolescent clients, as well as student-athletes of all ages. She specializes in Trauma-Informed, therapeutic interventions, as well as Play Therapy, and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). Kayla is passionate about working with clients in a person-centered manner, where they may comfortably develop skills pertaining to self-regulation, coping, and healthy processing, all while doing so in a safe and welcoming therapeutic environment.
Lisa Layman, LCSW
LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
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I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker licensed in Virginia. I have worked in the mental health field for over 30 years in a wide variety of community, inpatient, outpatient and private practice settings. I have worked with all ages across the life span from elementary aged children to the geriatric population. My undergraduate degree is from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and my Masters degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. I live in Alexandria, VA, love nature, live with my family and three dogs who make me laugh everyday.
Sonia Gupta, MA, LRC
LICENSED RESIDENT IN COUNSELING
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Sonia is a Licensed Resident in Counseling in the State of Virginia with a Master’s of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has worked in a diverse array of settings with primarily children, teens, and families. Additionally, she is a certified fitness and nutrition coach specializing in guiding individuals to feel their best and gain confidence. Her experiences have given her plenty of insight to strengthen her holistic, person-centered view of individuals and their lives.Prior to Moving Forward PLC, Sonia has worked in the private practice setting providing treatment to children, teens, young adults, and families. She has run groups for various age groups from elementary school to young adults. Additionally, Sonia has worked as an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapist for children on the autism spectrum, a Montessori co-teacher for toddlers, and a children’s cooking instructor. She has gotten to see individuals & family systems of diverse backgrounds across several different settings, and always considers how one’s environment, culture, and lifestyle affects their mindset and behaviors. She has experience working with individuals with anxiety, ADHD, depression, grief, body image issues, trauma, family and couple conflict, and social issues.
Sonia works through a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) lens with a strong focus on guiding individuals in creating healthy and affirming narratives for themselves. Sonia believes in empowering clients to take charge of their lives, and believes that being vulnerable and open to working on mental health is one of the strongest things a person can do. She loves celebrating her clients wins, big and small, and connecting with them through empathy, creativity, humor, and hands-on modalities. She sees the therapeutic relationship as collaborative and confidence building!
Lauren Fuller, LMSW
LICENSED MASTER SOCIAL WORKER
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Lauren is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in Virginia. She completed her Bachelor of Psychology and Sociology degree, as well as her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Pittsburgh. She completed field work at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital in the inpatient hospital setting, working with both adolescents and adults. Lauren also gained experience working with children and adolescents on emotional regulation, mental health, and substance use in elementary and high school settings throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area. Lauren is currently a Social Work Resident working towards independent clinical licensure under the supervision of Dr. Michele Cole, LCSW.
Prior to transitioning to Moving Forward PLC, Lauren worked in child welfare and has experience utilizing a family-systems approach. Lauren enjoys working with clients of all ages to address challenges such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief, life transitions, intimate partner violence, emotional regulation, and self-esteem. She uses a variety of treatment approaches in her therapeutic practice to include: Play Therapy, Mindfulness, Strengths-based, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-informed, and person-centered care. Lauren is also passionate about working with the LGBTQIA+ community and providing all clients with a safe space. Lauren takes a holistic approach and meets clients wherever they are in their journey, offering empathetic and unwavering support to achieve their personal goals.
Nicole Wiederholt, MA, LPC
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
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Nicole is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and has extensive experience working with families, adolescents, and young men. Nicole graduated from East Tennessee State University with her Bachelor’s Degree, and earned her Master’s at Marymount University. She has worked in settings ranging from hospitals to outpatient, and has experience in individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. Nicole uses a person-centered approach and enjoys working with patients on self-efficacy and self-worth. Nicole believes it is important to look at each person as a whole, which includes their family, environment, systems, and relationships. Nicole has experience using Motivational Interviewing, DBT, CBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, and working with families with substance use disorders using the Invitation to Change approach. In her free time, she’s often found walking her dog, reading, or learning to paint. She looks forward to meeting you where you’re at and exploring your potential.
Leeann Veatch, BA, MA
RESIDENT INTERN IN COUNSELING
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Leeann Veatch, Resident Intern in Counseling in the state of Virginia earned her Bachelor’s Degree From Washington and Lee University. She also holds a Masters in Organizational Management, and is currently pursuing a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Divine Mercy University. Central to Leeann’s approach is to create a therapeutic environment based on safety, trust, and empathy, and to leverage each individual’s personal strengths to facilitate growth and well-being across all aspects of life using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Existential approaches. Leeann is also certified in eye- movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) for treatment of trauma. She will be assisting with groups and individual therapy during her internship with Moving Forward, PLC. She believes strongly in being a forever student of the world and in her spare time enjoys spending time with family/friends, reading and listening to books, gardening, baking, and walking her two dogs.
Jaime Holtzman, MA, NCC
LICENSED RESIDENT IN COUNSELING
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Jaime is a Licensed Resident in Counseling in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). She earned her master’s degree in counseling from Marymount University in Arlington, VA, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Spanish from Ursinus College in Pennsylvania. Jaime is also a Licensed Professional School Counselor and has over fifteen years of experience working in the school setting with children, adolescents, adults, and families.
Jaime has worked with individuals and counseling groups on issues such as anxiety, ADHD, grief, family and life changes, emotional regulation, social skills, conflict, and parenting. She believes that counseling offers individuals a safe place to process past and present challenges, while also developing skills needed to manage these challenges independently.
Person-centered by nature, Jaime establishes a trusting and comfortable environment that allows individuals to self-actualize by giving them opportunities to reflect on how they will grow through counseling. She believes that each person’s journey through counseling is unique, and therefore utilizes an eclectic theoretical approach tailored to individual needs. Jaime draws from multiple counseling approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Strengths-Based Therapy, Play Therapy, and mindfulness. Jaime is an empathetic, perceptive, and compassionate clinician who enjoys working with clients of all ages.
Francis Parra
OFFICE MANAGER
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Francis holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Finance from George Mason University. After working in the public accounting industry for over 7 years, she found that her true passion was helping others and giving back to the community. At the peak of the pandemic, she decided to stay home with her fun, loving, and energetic boys — she is thrilled to come back into the workforce where she can utilize her knowledge and skills again.
Francis was a PTA board member at Stratford Landing Elementary — where she served as the VP of Community Events. She thoroughly enjoyed engaging with the community, leading school events, overseeing the student enrichment program, and forming parent equity groups.
She is excited to be a part of the Moving Forward team where she has the opportunity to connect with an amazing group of professionals who are making a difference in the lives of so many individuals.