Pasadena Villa Outpatient – Richmond

Executive Director

Lisa A Castro, MSW, MBA, LCSW, RYT-200, CCTP

Lisa has been working in the field of mental health and substance abuse treatment for 20 years. She is a licensed clinical social worker with a master’s in business administration in healthcare. She is also a RYT-200 Certified Yoga Instructor and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.

Lisa is originally from NYC where she has had the opportunity to work in some of the leading psychiatric treatment centers in the nation. She then moved to Houston, TX where she worked with the community to develop inpatient and outpatient programs that treat chronically mentally ill individuals focusing on helping them gain independence. Lisa moved to Virginia in 2016 where she worked as the director of behavioral health for acute medical surgical hospitals.

Lisa has provided individual, group and family therapies throughout her career where she actively uses yoga, somatic experiencing, and stress management techniques to successfully treat clients with depression, anxiety, attention issues, and trauma.

Lead Therapist

Denise Thomson, MS, LPC

Denise joins Pasadena Villa with 15 years of experience in behavioral health services and has worked in a variety of settings including residential, crisis and outpatient. She has vast experience facilitating individual, family, and group therapy. Denise is a Licensed Professional Counselor, graduating from the University of Alberta in Canada with a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology. With experience in trauma care, eating disorders, crisis, and serious mental illness, she utilizes cognitive-behavioral therapies to facilitate improved well-being.  Denise focuses on client strengths and helps individuals to develop skills to improve their mental health and daily life experiences. Using open collaboration and direct communication with clients and their families, she encourages active participation in treatment. Denise has a life-long passion for learning and continues her professional growth based on the needs of the individuals she works with.

Therapist

Tameka Boone, MS, LPC

Tameka is a Licensed Professional Counselor who received her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University in 2013.  She has experience serving children and adults in services such as intensive in-home, mental health skill-building, crisis, and community stabilization. Tameka is a strong advocate and assists individuals in her care with learning the skills necessary to be successful. She has experience working with individuals who have various behavioral health needs and focuses on providing goal-oriented care.

Resident in Counseling

Essence Mitchell, M.S. LPC-R

Essence is a Resident in Counseling who graduated with a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Longwood University. Essence has experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, and adults who have experienced anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, trauma, abuse, life transitions, and loneliness. Essence uses a person-centered approach by providing clients with a nonjudgmental setting. She focuses on the client’s skills to help them meet their fullest potential. Essence plans to become a fully Licensed Professional Counselor and continue her professional growth by providing evidence-based and trauma-informed care.

Therapist

Rachel Love, MS, LCAS, LCMHC, LSATP, LPC

Rachel is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner who received her Master’s Degree in Substance Abuse and Clinical Counseling from East Carolina University. She has over 10 years of experience providing group therapy in both outpatient and intensive outpatient settings, with a focus on experiential learning and coping skill development. This experience has provided her the opportunity to provide psychotherapy services with treating a variety of substance use disorders, mood/behavioral disorders, and other comorbidities. Rachel is passionate about serving individuals and empowering those who are learning to overcome any issues related to mental health and substance abuse.

Office Coordinator

Sharon Highfill

Sharon is the office coordinator for the Pasadena Villa Outpatient Center in Richmond. She is a native to Richmond Virginia. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Science in Community Health and a minor in Psychology. Sharon continued her education in her 30s to become a Licensed Practical Nurse and worked as a floor nurse for high-risk patients for several years. She has worked at several Behavioral Health facilities in Richmond as well. She brings over 30 years of experience in health services, healthcare office administration, and health care management. She has a passion for mental health and specifically in addictive behavior therapy.