Our Clinicians
Wendy Youngsmith, LMFT
Education and Experience I received my Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology from St. Olaf College in 2003. In 2011, I earned my Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University. I came to the world of therapy after trying on a few careers, including teaching, advertising and journalism. The common thread for me was always a passion for peoples' stories about themselves and the world, and how this influences their growth, behavior and relationships. I find inspiration in books, music and movement, and enjoy helping others find healing through their individual passions and strengths. In the last decade, I have been fortunate to serve teens/transition age youth and their families in a variety of settings (school based, foster/adoption, substance abuse, psychosis, inpatient and outpatient). I've sat with high achievers struggling with perfectionism, and worked through depression where brushing teeth in the morning was a success. I work with families, teens, and adults. I work to help clients improve their life satisfaction. Whether that’s addressing depression or anxiety, working toward health in relationships, healing family of origin wounds, addressing trauma or a life transition, my aim is to guide clients toward a better understanding of themselves and what they want. With couples, I help them change the negative patterns that they have fallen into, to guide them to a healthy, secure relationship. I have been trained in the first step of Emotionally Focused Therapy and pull from that frequently. It is my aim to help clients understand both themselves, and their relationships more fully. I've journeyed with clients through intense trauma, and shared their joys as they learn to integrate their stories and own their strengths. It's important to me to meet people where they are, to listen, help them define their own goals, and grow their unique strengths. I use a variety of tools, including CBT, Narrative Therapy, humanistic/client focused, and family systems to cater to individual needs. I have a deep respect for the phases of our lives that bring significant transition, recognizing that these can bring enormous challenge, and also the opportunity for deep and lasting growth. -CA LMFT#121278 -CO LMFT#0001859 |
Olivia Marks, LPC
Education and Experience I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Creighton University in 2014. In 2019 I completed my Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from University of Nebraska Omaha. I have worked in a university counseling center helping students address life changes, identity development, trauma, anxiety, depression, and relational issues. I have extensive experience with youth and families through residential, outpatient, and in-home settings ranging from mild to intensive severity of needs. For the last two years I worked in a community mental health setting with youth and families who have been impacted by complex trauma. I have received specialized training in mindfulness, trauma informed yoga interventions, trauma treatment, polyvagal theory, play therapy, somatic interventions, LGBTQ inclusive care, and EMDR. My passion is working with youth, adults, and families impacted by complex, generational, and acute trauma. I believe that trauma can present itself in myriad of distressing symptoms including but not limited to outbursts, isolation, dissociation, difficulty in relationships, anxiety and fear, and loss of self. I use a whole-person, client-focused approach to work with clients to regain a sense of self and autonomy in the healing process. I begin by creating a safe environment and identifying the areas that bring the most suffering or conflict. My foundational theories include attachment theory, Trauma Systems Therapy, and existential. I use a variety of evidence-based practices including EMDR, ego-states, CBT, mindfulness, and body-based interventions. -CO LPC#0017458 |
Carmen Wolf, LMFT, Owner
In 2015 I opened Atlantic Family and Adolescent Therapy with a goal of helping the Virginia Beach community. This goal continues to grow and we now have a fantastic group of clinicians in Virginia and Colorado dedicated to the same ideas and principles the business was founded on. Education and Experience I received my Bachelors of Art in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Rutgers University in 2008. In 2012, I earned my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University. For the last five years my professional experience includes working with adolescents, families, individuals, couples, and foster youth in a variety of settings. Also, I have extensive experience with dual diagnosis adults that include a variety of diagnostic criteria including Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Substance Abuse. This has included an assortment of clients including self-referrals and mandated individuals. As an added note I was a military spouse for 10 years. I understand how difficult the military lifestyle is and I have also worked with teens and children who needed various support pertaining to deployments, moves, etc. I am still an aviation spouse and that gives me a unique perspective as well. Finally, I am a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in the state of Colorado, license #0001824 and Virginia, license #0717001347. |