Trauma-Informed Therapy in Virginia Beach
Move beyond survival and step into a life of restored peace, purpose, and wholeness.
I offer a compassionate path to healing for teens, adults and famillies through EMDR, somatic therapy, and other evidence-based approaches—helping you find lasting healing from trauma, grief, anxiety and depression, and relationship challenges.
You don’t have to keep holding it together on your own…
The effects of anxiety, depression, and trauma can live on in your body and mind, but with the right support, healing is possible.
At Restore Counseling & Wellness, we specialize in trauma therapy in Virginia Beach that helps you gently explore what’s beneath the surface—at your pace, in a space that feels safe. Together, we’ll work to calm your nervous system, make sense of what you’ve been through, and build a personalized set of tools to help you feel more grounded, empowered, and in control of your life.
We help high-achieving adults heal from trauma, anxiety, grief and relationship wounds using EMDR and somatic therapy.
Healing from trauma takes courage, but you don’t have to do it alone. We’d be honored to walk with you as you move toward clarity, calm, and lasting change.
Healing from Trauma: Empowering Adults, Teens, and Couples to Reclaim Their Lives
You’re Tired, But You Can’t Relax
You can’t remember the last time you woke up feeling truly rested. Before your eyes even open, your mind is already racing—thoughts spinning, heart heavy. It’s like there’s a weight on your chest that you can’t quite name. The idea of enjoying life feels far away when just getting through the day feels like a struggle. Deep down, something doesn’t feel right, and you can’t seem to shake it.
It’s Hard to Focus
Lately, concentrating feels harder than it should. You’ve noticed more slip-ups, more second-guessing, more pressure to get things right. Decisions feel overwhelming, like no answer feels fully safe. You find yourself stuck—frozen between options, overthinking everything. You know you’re capable, but it’s getting harder to feel that way.
Everything Feels Like Too Much
You’ve been more on edge—snapping at people you care about, feeling like your patience is worn thin. You want to show up with warmth, but irritation keeps bubbling over. Sometimes it just feels easier to pull away. You replay conversations in your head, trying to make sense of it all, wondering if it’s them—or if it’s you.
If this sounds familiar, reach out today and book your FREE 20 minute consultation. You can begin the healing process right now.
Trauma Therapy in Virginia Beach for Adults, Teens, Couples & Families
Meet Our Team:
Julie Smead, MA, LPC
Founder & Clinical Director,
Restore Counseling & Wellness
Hi, I'm Julie, and I'm passionate about helping adults, teens, and couples heal from trauma and build lives that feel peaceful, connected, and fulfilling. Whether your pain comes from childhood experiences, difficult relationships, anxiety, or overwhelming life circumstances, you don't have to carry it alone.
I understand how trauma can shape the way you see yourself, relate to others, and move through the world. It can leave you feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve you—even when you know logically that you want something different. My goal is to help you move beyond simply understanding your experiences and toward genuine healing and lasting change.
I believe healing involves more than simply talking through your experiences. Together, we'll work to help your mind and body feel safe again so that lasting change becomes possible. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and trauma-informed, integrating evidence-based therapies with nervous system regulation and somatic techniques. We'll work at a pace that feels right for you as you build resilience, strengthen relationships, and rediscover hope.
Whether you're seeking support as an individual or as a couple, I believe healing is possible. Therapy isn't about becoming someone different—it's about finding freedom from the experiences that have been holding you back so you can become more fully yourself.
Outside of the therapy office, I'm married to my husband of over 20 years and am the proud mom of four amazing kids. You'll often find me at Burn Boot Camp, cheering on my kids at their activities, or enjoying time at the beach. I believe caring for our mental, physical, and relational health all work together to create lasting wellness.
It would be an honor to walk alongside you on your journey toward healing.
Allison Picini, MA, LRIC
Hi, I'm Allison, and I love helping children, teens, and adults discover healing, resilience, and hope. I especially enjoy working with children (ages 8+), adolescents, and BIPOC women, creating a space where clients feel safe to express themselves, build confidence, and navigate life's challenges with support and compassion.
I believe therapy should be a place where you feel genuinely seen, heard, and accepted—a space where you can be yourself, process difficult experiences, and even find moments of laughter along the way. Whether you're navigating the effects of trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, or relationship challenges, I strive to create an environment where healing feels possible.
My approach is collaborative, person-centered, and somatically informed, recognizing that our minds and bodies are deeply connected. Together, we'll work at a pace that feels safe and supportive as we explore your experiences, build resilience, and help you reconnect with the person you were created to be. I draw from depth-oriented, wellness-based, and trauma-informed approaches to tailor therapy to each client's unique needs.
I am a Licensed Resident in Counseling under supervision and have completed specialized training in Narrative-Focused Trauma Care, somatic approaches, and issues specific to adolescents and BIPOC women. I earned my Bachelor's degree in Music Education from James Madison University and my Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, where I am also completing a Master's in Theology & Culture.
Whether you're seeking support for yourself or your child, I would be honored to walk alongside you on your journey toward healing, growth, and lasting hope.
Outside of the therapy room, you'll usually find me cooking, creating art, spending time with my family, or cuddling my dogs.
Therapy tailored to you.
-
Teens
A safe space to be real, feel heard, and start healing
Being a teen is hard—especially when life feels overwhelming. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, grief, trauma, or just big emotions that are tough to handle, you don’t have to go through it alone. Maybe you're struggling with friendships, school or sports pressure, or things at home that feel too heavy to carry. Whatever it is, this is a space where you can talk about it—no judgment, just support.
-
Adults
Life can feel overwhelming—especially when you’ve been carrying pain for a long time. Whether you’re navigating trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, or just feeling stuck, therapy can be a place to breathe, reflect, and begin to heal. I work with adults who are ready to look beneath the surface, reconnect with themselves, and move toward a life that feels more grounded, whole, and true.
-
Couples
Relationships carry so much—love, history, hope, and sometimes, pain. When one or both partners are carrying the weight of trauma, grief, health issues, or mental health struggles, even the strongest relationships can start to feel strained or disconnected. In our work together, I create a safe, supportive space where you can slow down, really hear each other, and begin to reconnect. You don’t have to have all the answers—just a willingness to show up. Healing is possible, even in the hard places.
-
Families
Healthy relationships are the foundation for healing and growth. Whether you’re navigating ongoing conflict, communication struggles, or the impact of trauma and stress, I provide a supportive, compassionate space for families to reconnect and rebuild. Using gentle, evidence-based approaches, we work together to strengthen understanding, heal wounds, and create healthier, more resilient relationships.
Rooted in Science, Guided by Compassion.
EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful therapy that helps people heal from trauma and overwhelming experiences. It works by gently processing painful memories so they no longer feel as intense or stuck. EMDR helps your brain and body move toward lasting relief—without having to relive all the details of the past. Click below to learn more about our EMDR Therapy in Virginia Beach.
Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy helps you listen to the wisdom of your body—because healing isn’t just in your mind. Many trauma, anxiety, and depression symptoms show up as physical tension, headaches, fatigue, or pain. By gently tuning into these sensations, somatic therapy helps release the stress and emotions stuck in your body, creating space for deeper healing, calm, and connection from the inside out. Click Learn more to read about our Somatic therapy in Virginia Beach.
Specialties
We specialize in working with anxiety, depression, grief, and the lasting impact of trauma. Using approaches like Internal Family Systems (IFS) and narrative therapy, we help you understand what’s beneath the surface, ease emotional pain, and reconnect with your strengths. Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or weighed down by loss, we’re here to support your healing and growth. Get help with anxiety and PTSD in Virginia Beach.
Why clients choose Restore
EMDR trained
Trauma-informed
Somatic approaches
Family systems perspective
Insurance accepted
In-person & virtual
Years of experience
What others are saying…