Vanguard Therapy was founded by Nancy Shawki LCSW-C, and was created on the tenets of an eclectic style of therapy utilizing different treatment modalities to assist clients in reaching their optimal level of functioning. 

Nancy believes that people have the capacity to change provided they are afforded the right atmosphere. At Vanguard Therapy, treatment methods are always customized to help meet each client’s or family’s needs. Nancy uses a variety of  therapeutic modalities including eclectic, cognitive-behavioral, client-centered therapy, empathy & unconditional positive regard while providing a nurturing environment, life coaching, solution-focused, family therapy ,couples therapy, and individual therapy. Nancy has been in the field of social work & mental health for over 14 years and has broad range of experience varying from the mental health arena, children & adolescence and the school system, families & couples and individual therapy, domestic violence victims & perpetrators, case management, crisis intervention, and child protective services.

These experiences in the field of social work have provided her with a well-rounded exposure to a variety of social service settings that have prepared her to work well and adapt to any situation in the mental health and field of social work. 

"My goal as a therapist is to provide a healthy, nurturing, and professional atmosphere that allows my clients to feel supported in their journey to wellness. As a therapist, I always feel honored when clients feel comfortable to express their deepest thoughts and private life story and journeys because each one is very sacred and precious. Nancy feels being a counselor and therapist is an honor and privilege to help others heal in their journeys in life. It is a very intimate moment and dynamic in therapy when a client fully trusts me and allows me in their lives by telling me their journey and personal story. As a therapist, I’m excited to depart my clients with knowledgeable information that they can utilize as coping skills or tools to enhance their relationships and lives."

Nancy has been a guest speaker on the podcast, The Visible Man and has been working on raising awareness and advocacy for Men’s Mental Health, a population that has been over looked. She’s been a guest speaker on radio and tv addressing various mental health topics like Men’s Mental Health, Domestic Violence, and other mental health topics.

Nancy also works as a clinical director and supervisor at Vanguard Therapy helping to train future therapists of the field and has taught interns with universities like NYU, George Mason, & Divine University.

When she is away from the office she enjoys spending time with her family  creating memories. During her spare time, she enjoys reading, scrap booking, music, engaging in public speaking events about wellness and mental health, and volunteering in the community. Nancy serves as a volunteer couples group leader helping couples have enriched and happy marriages and volunteers with Give an Hour to help our veterans of the military.

Hi Everyone! I'm Carol,

I'm really excited to be joining Vanguard Therapy!

I have worked in addiction medicine, and crisis assessment and treatment for the last few years and I am looking forward to being back to doing more individual, family, and couples counseling.

I've been married for 40 years and have raised 4 amazing sons.

My therapeutic approach is focused on recovery and finding joy in living. I spent most of my life in Kentucky but decided to move to Virginia to start my new career in therapy, and to be close to the beach and ride rollercoasters. I find joy in all the of those. I'm looking forward to helping others find their joy in recovery.  

I AM SO HAPPY YOU’RE HERE! Navigating difficult emotions on your own can be tough and isolating - something we should never have to do alone. Life really can throw some tough battles our way. At a young age, I was fortunate enough to find those who model vulnerability and healing. Naturally, I knew since I had those people in my life, I had to grow up to become them.

At any age or stage, there is always room for growth. Of course- seeking therapy can be initially difficult. I completely get that! My goal here is to open the door to feel, create resilience, and move forward. I PROMISE YOU IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY! I can assure you working together we will equip you with the tools for you to flourish. 

I am a Resident in Counseling, graduated with my MEd from George Mason University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. My interest areas are emotional trauma, attachment styles/codependency, as well as coping skills and life-transitions. I am well versed in anxiety and panic, depression, and loss. I work with kids, adolescents, and early-to-late teens. I also am fortunate enough to have college-students and young adults under my care as I work in transitionary periods, grief work, as well as young-adult issues. I also work with couples and/or families. Building the proper foundation for you and your partner understand each-other is key to building a life you love.

I currently offer both telehealth therapy as well as in-office sessions to accommodate your schedule. I’m looking forward to meeting with you soon! 

Elizabeth Arrowood began her professional career as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist after receiving a B.S.in Education in 1996 from the University of Kansas. She continued her education with a Masters in Counseling in 2006 from Southwestern College in Santa Fe, NM, completing her internship in a recovery treatment center.

Elizabeth became a Certified Yoga Instructor in 2012 and finds mindfulness meditation and other mind/body healing modalities to be invaluable in her own pursuit of fulfillment and healing, as well as being complementary to her therapy practice. 

Elizabeth’s strengths include her intuition to help clients navigate their therapeutic process, as well as her clinical knowledge and skills to tailor their treatment according to their needs. She blends various approaches, such as Client-centered Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive and Dialectical Behavioral Therapies to meet client goals. She has worked with all populations in a variety of settings including inpatient, outpatient, residential, substance abuse treatment, and crisis stabilization and has helped lead substance abuse and eating disorder groups. Elizabeth’s passion is helping her clients with a holistic approach to find their own inner wisdom to transform their lives.

Elizabeth has a playful, caring spirit and strongly believes that everyone already has what they need inside to create the positive change they desire. When she is not meeting with clients she enjoys spending time with her devoted husband and two wonderful daughters. She loves playing outdoors, dabbling in the arts, and she hopes to swim with dolphins in the wild one day.

“The Universe is not outside of you. Look inside yourself; everything that you want , you already are.”  RUMI

My name is Tiffany Donahue.

I am a Supervisee in Social Work. Throughout my social work career, I have had the opportunity to work with children, adolescents, and, both individually and in group settings. 

My experience has enabled me to work with a variety of problems, including low self-worth, anxiety, and past trauma. I am genuinely interested in the well-being of others and providing support to achieve healthier and happier lives.

As I join the Vanguard family I am looking forward to seeing you so we can explore your therapeutic journey together !  

My name is Crystal McCamley, and I am a  mother of two sons and hold an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Development. 

I formerly worked at an International Law Firm located in Washington D.C. as a Conference Services Coordinator.  I started my former occupation in 2008 and worked there approximately four and a half years. I had the privilege of booking client meetings, ordering business meals, handled billing invoices for meetings, and coordinated Information Technology Services.

I am wife to a Sergeant in the Sheriff's Department, and am proud of the work my husband does to improve the quality of life for everyone he serves. 

I am happy to join the Vanguard Therapy team, as I can see that this is a truly loving environment where growth is a natural part of working here with Nancy.

Shaina Chandler is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Trauma Provider. Shaina earned her graduate degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Shaina focuses on a holistic, strength-based approach and has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. Shaina utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, creative expression, and solution-focused interventions when working with individuals, families, and couples.

As a Certified Clinical Trauma Provider and a Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Provider, Shaina is able to support clients managing difficult past experiences and current grief. Shaina describes a goal of “learning what has happened to a person, and not judging what is wrong with them. My goal is to identify strengths, enhance coping skills, and work towards healing.”

Hi my name is Kayla, 

I am a receptionist and billing specialist at Vanguard Therapy.

I am overjoyed to be able to help clients through their journey with us, and ensure I am doing everything in my power to provide guidance and assistance with a smiling face!

I plan on becoming a therapist one day, and I love knowing that even as a receptionist I could make a difference in someone’s life. 

I am very excited to be a part of the Vanguard team!

I am currently working towards my Bachelors degree in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience at George Mason University.  I am an avid outdoorsman, I love to play guitar and I enjoy spending time with my family and friends!

Wendy CDebaca has experienced the military life from all aspects, as a child, a member, a spouse and parent through her own children’s experiences.

She also worked for the government before beginning her journey to become a therapist. Witnessing and experiencing the toll that working and moving through many life adjustments can take, she entered this field to assist others through experiences. During her program she found that there were many other groups that she was interested in helping and seeks to aid others who are working through issues that present from all areas of life. She whole heartedly believes that with education and support, clients can be assisted in developing skills and techniques that will enable them to feel success and regain control in areas that they have sought to overcome.

While each client requires a tailored approach given their own story, Wendy’s overall arc is naturally toward humanistic, cognitive behavioral therapy and a systems approach. Clients all have strengths in which they will be able to work from and she endeavors to emphasize this in all her interactions.  She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. Wendy earned her M.S. in Clinical Counseling from Bellevue University in Nebraska.

“Meanings are not determined by situations. We determine ourselves by the meanings we ascribe to situations.”- Alfred Adler.

Emily Stone is a Licensed Professional Counselor. 

She earned her graduate degree in Community Counseling and Bachelors in Psychology from Radford University in Radford, Virginia.  Emily focuses on a holistic, strength-based approach and has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults.  She has over 15 years of experience working in the human service field in a variety of settings including day treatment, outpatient counseling, residential, community, and home-based counseling.  She has provided support when dealing with substance abuse, grief/bereavement, life transitions, depression, anxiety, and impulse control.  Emily utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, art therapy, play therapy, and solution-focused interventions when working with individuals, couples, and families. 

As a counselor Emily focuses on empowering her clients, giving them tools to move forward and strengthen their self-awareness and coping skills.  She believes in utilizing counseling as a wellness tool to realign ones goals with their thoughts and intentional living.  Life is not always how we planned and often we do not have the tools or preparation for half of what is thrown at us.  Understanding what is in our control and out of our control is key to finding balance in your life.  She provides a safe and nonjudgmental environment for her clients to process their inner most thoughts, feelings, and struggles and supports them as the leader in their own life.  Being intentional and asking yourself "does this support the life I'm trying to create?" You are worthy of every good thing in your life and stronger than you believe.

"Be enough for yourself first.  The rest of the world can wait" -Emerson T.

Tina Kavarligos graduated from George Mason University with a degree in psychology in 2000, and went on to obtain her Master's Degree from Argosy University before becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has over 20 years of experience working in the human services field in a variety of settings, including psychiatric hospitals, day treatment programs, home-based counseling, outpatient and residential programs. 
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Tina began working with adults, adolescents and families in 1998, and has worked passionately to provide services to them since that time. She has provided services for a range of other populations as well, including people struggling with substance use problems and severe mental illness, and has had a special certification to work with people with traumatic brain injuries. Tina speaks fluent Greek as well.

Tina's Email Quote: To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the genuine appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded! - Emerson -

Hi, I am Lauren Doroski, I earned both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from George Mason University, and am now working towards my license to practice as a LCSW.

I am excited to join the team at Vanguard Therapy !

I have experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families from a variety of backgrounds. I utilize a strengths-based approach with all my clients, and tailors the specific interventions to individual clients’ needs.)

My husband and I have two children and two dogs, and on days off we like to spend time together doing family activities. I also enjoy reading, baking, and going for walks.)

“I’ve found that there is always some beauty left- in nature, sunshine, freedom, in yourself; these can all help you.”))-Anne Frank)

"I believe in the good of everyone and the hope of redemption, that we are not defined by circumstances but with the right help, support, and mentorship, we have an opportunity to change our paths and achieve positive outcomes in our lives."

Ina Sciscoe is a Supervisee in Social Work in the state of Virginia, who has over 10 years of providing therapeutic care and psychoeducation to Service Members and families in the military. She currently serves in the United States Army as a Religious Affairs NCO in addition to working towards her clinical licensing in social work. 

Ina graduated from Florida State University with a MSW in 2018. She offers a nonjudgmental, safe space that will welcome you with compassion and care.

She provides support in the areas of conflict resolution, healthy communication, domestic & sexual violence, crisis, suicide, anxiety, depression, bereavement, moral injury, coping, stress management, military transition & adjustment, LGBTQIA+, and spiritual counseling.

She practices with a holistic model that incorporates multiple approaches, such as strength-based, cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, person-centered, and motivational interviewing.

Ina has a strong sensitivity and deep empathy for individuals, and is committed to support and empower individuals to meet target goals, improve life satisfaction, and function at their highest levels as they navigate their journey of healing, wholeness, resilience, and transformation
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Hello my name is Firas,

I understand that people come to therapy for a wide variety of reasons and those same people have different expectations when it
comes to the therapeutic process and its outcomes, which is great! Where you and I can begin is by me stating my dedication to
offering a completely open and non-judgmental space in therapy which, I hope, puts you at ease.

I am currently working towards earning my M.Ed in clinical mental health counseling from George Mason University. In my experience,

I have worked with children, teens, and adults.

I am well aware that people have the capacity to change and improve, and before
any change can happen, an environment conducive to growth and improvement must first be established and my goal is to start
fostering that environment together.   

In addition, can you let me know how far you have gotten with the paperwork In the email I sent last week. Is it alright if you can get me that paperwork back by July 15th? If not, I can contact someone at the university for some kind of extension. I appreciate all your time and help getting me all set-up and I look forward to working with you!
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