Justine is accepting new clients with substance abuse issues. She accepts Self-Pay, Aetna Better Health, Sentara Health Plan, and Anthem Healthkeepers Plus.
Justine Evirs
MA, CPRS, CSAC-A, CSAC Supervisee
Hi, I’m Justine.
I was born and raised in the DC/PG County area and never in a million years did I think I would be a counselor specializing in Substance Use Disorders today. I take pride in the fact that I am the first person in my family to graduate from college and pursue a career in mental health and I owe that journey to my decision to join the miitary at the age of 17 and all of the people who have supported me along the way. With a background in Education and my love for individualized care I love to meet you where you are at today and simplify the therapeutic process for you.
“Deciding to start therapy is the most courageous thing you can do for yourself. It takes a lot of guts to be vulnerable and ask for help and come to realize that you can’t do this on your own. I want to thank you for taking the time to learn about me to determine if I am the right counselor for you.”
I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and believe that people can change when they begin to be honest with themselves and feel the emotions that come along with that reality. My job is to provide you with a judgement free space for you to take off the masks you have been wearing to survive in our broken world. If you read that today and find relief in that opportunity then I am the right counselor for you.
I am committed to social justice, equal and inclusive treatment for all!
Background
Justine is a U.S. Navy Veteran and 20 year military spouse. Justine is a published author, counselor, and entrepreneur. She has held multiple roles over the last 20 years within the military community ranging from, admissions counselor within the higher education system to the Founder and CEO of The Paradigm Switch that merged with Columbia University in 2021. Justine changed careers and entered into the Substance Abuse and Mental Health field starting out at a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist in Virginia Fairfax County’s Co-Occuring Disorder long term treatment center, Crossroads. There she was inspired by the clinical team’s work and care for the clients and decided to go back to school to study addiction counseling. Justine started her counseling career at The Farley Center in Williamsburg, Virginia in January 2023 and served as the active duty male counselor for one year. After her time at The Farley Center, Justine joined the team at Evolution House in Williamsburg, Virginia - an outpatient treatment center with housing specializing in substance abuse treatment within the Medicaid population.
Justine is enrolled in graduate school at Walden University working toward her second master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She works part-time at Therapy Owls and part-time at Faith Recovery. Her long-term goals are to be licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) specializing in trauma and addiction recovery. She plans to continue on in her educational journey to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience so she can contribute to research, academia, and policy work for trauma, mental illness, and addiction recovery. Justine also serves on the Board of Directors at Vocal Virginia which is the only state-wide mental health organization in Virginia that is 100% staffed and governed by individuals living with mental health challenges.
In her free time, Justine enjoys spending time with her 3 children, Crossfit, Yoga, Meditation, writing, reading, and spending time in nature with the people she loves the most.
Specializations (Ages 13+):
● Substance Abuse Disorders
● Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
● Trauma Responses
● Relapse Prevention
● Co-Dependency/Loss of Identity
● Emotional Regulation
● Neuroscience of Addiction
● Effective Communication
● Spirituality
● 12 Step Communities
● Stress Management
● Adjustment & Life Transitions
Credentials & Training
Education
Walden University, Present
Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Northern Virginia Community College Substance Abuse Counseling Certificate, 2022
DBHS Peer Support Specialist Training, 2022
Stanford Univeristy Graduate School of Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate, 2017
Ashford Univerisity, 2010
Masters of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology
Ashford University, 2007
Bachelors of Arts in Organizational Management