About Our Practice
In-Person & Online Therapy in Virginia Beach & Chesapeake
Lisa Duez, LCSW, founded Turning Point Counseling & Consulting in 2016. Built on the foundation of trauma-informed care, Lisa created Turning Point to provide quality therapy in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, while fostering a supportive and thriving environment for therapists.
With over 20 years of leadership experience in both private and public mental health programs, Lisa recognizes that safety, trustworthiness, empowerment, collaboration, and self-determination are essential to delivering effective mental health services. Learn more about Lisa Duez here.
Our Mission
At Turning Point, our mission is twofold: to meet the mental health needs of our community through compassionate, trauma-informed care, and to support therapists as a teaching practice where they can grow, learn, and thrive. We believe that when therapists feel supported and empowered, they are better equipped to provide the highest quality care to their clients.
A Trauma-Informed Practice
We understand the profound impact of trauma and are committed to meeting clients where they are, focusing on what they feel is most important for their healing and growth. Our team specializes in trauma-focused therapy and partners with organizations like The Headstrong Project, VALEAP, United Way’s Thrive program, and the Sentara PACE Program to extend our community reach.
Supporting Therapists to Thrive
Turning Point is more than a counseling practice, we’re also a teaching practice. We are dedicated to supporting therapists at every stage of their careers by offering clinical supervision, consultation, and opportunities to grow professionally. Our leadership emphasizes collaboration and learning, fostering an environment where therapists can thrive both personally and professionally. By creating a culture rooted in trust and mutual support, we ensure that our team has the tools and resources to succeed.
Growth and Community Impact
Since its founding, Turning Point has grown exponentially. In May 2019, the practice expanded with two additional therapists in Virginia Beach, followed by five more in March of 2020. The following year we opened a second location in Chesapeake, further broadening our community reach. Our team continues to expand, united by the shared goal of providing accessible, high-quality mental health care to those who need it most. Learn more about joining our team here.
Looking Ahead
At Turning Point Counseling and Consulting, we are committed to fostering resilience and healing for both our clients and our team. By integrating trauma-informed principles into every aspect of our work, we strive to be a source of hope, empowerment, and growth for the community we serve and the therapists we support.
Turning Point FAQs
General
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Yes, we accept a variety of insurance plans. Please contact us to verify if your specific plan is covered. Read more about insurance and fees here.
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We have an online scheduling system. You can request an appointment, and it will be confirmed on the next business day. You can also call our office at 757-347-8840 or send an inquiry via our contact form.
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Some therapists do have evening and weekend sessions available. The best way to schedule a weekend or evening session is to call our office at 757-347-8840 to inquire about availability.
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The initial appointment usually includes an assessment, establishing therapy goals and, if time permits, starting to develop a treatment plan. This appointment is also for you to get comfortable and see if the therapist is the right 'fit' for you. We will review the consent form, and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have.
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Several of our therapists are trained, and/or certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). And all of our therapists have training in traditional “talk therapy modalities” including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy, and several others.
We also have several therapists trained in sand tray therapy and art therapy.
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It's essential to get comfortable with your therapist before you launch into your relationship, and it’s important to find someone you think you’ll work well with.
Some factors you might consider are:
Gender: Do you think you’d feel more comfortable with a man or a woman?
Age: Do you want to work with someone older, younger, or around your age?
Religion: Does it matter to you if the therapist has a particular religious affiliation?
Style: Do you want a therapist that plays a more active role in sessions, or one who may not challenge you as much?
All of our therapists have bios so you can look for someone who resonates with you before scheduling your first appointment. Remember, therapy is a gradual process and it takes time to warm up to your provider.
During your appointment, notice how you feel when you are in the room with your new therapist. Do you feel heard when you speak? Ask questions about how the therapist defines their practice. Do they have a specialty?
The most important factor is your comfort. If you find that the therapist is not a good fit, you can request a change. One thing that all therapists have in common is the belief in and respect for your process in therapy.
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Turning Point Counseling & Consulting is available to assist established clients with disability forms and related paperwork. Our role is to provide a professional opinion within the scope of our expertise and knowledge of your care.
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We do not generally provide ESA (Emotional Support Animal) letters. However, we may assist established clients with support letters for certified service animals when appropriate. Our role is to offer a professional opinion grounded in our expertise and knowledge of your care.
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We provide therapy in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and online via teletherapy. For office locations and directions, click here.
Teletherapy
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We do! We use Doxyme and also offer teletherapy through our therapy notes portal.
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We always recommend that you check with your individual policy. Most insurance companies are currently paying for teletherapy but you’ll want to confirm. We can assist you with verifying your benefits if you need help.
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There have been a few studies done on Online Therapy. In 2019, the American Journal of Managed Care published a research study about online therapy. In this study, 86.7% of psychiatry patients stated that they would recommend online counseling to family or friends.
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Call our office or request an appointment online. You'll then be able to fill out all the initial intake paperwork and sign the consent documents virtually.
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Yes, it is possible. Under normal conditions, online couples counseling is used for continuity of care when one or both partners are traveling. But it can be done entirely online when necessary. We recommend couples use a computer or tablet so you can sit next to each other during the session. This makes it easier to facilitate communication and connection exercises.
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The platforms we use offer end-to-end encryption and are secure. Confidentiality, however, is dependent upon where you conduct the session on your end. We encourage clients to go to a room where they can have privacy, and remind others not to disturb them during the session.
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The tools are intuitive and easy to use. Our platform can be accessed via a web browser. The download on mobile or desktop provides for screen sharing and generally a much smoother experience.
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Technology doesn't always work. If we ever have issues with a video session that can't be addressed after repeated attempts, we will call you to reschedule.