Dr. Petrina Yemane, LPC, Ph.D
Trauma & EMDR Therapist
Gender: Female | Office Location: Vienna, Telehealth | States Licensed In: Virginia, Maryland
Languages: English | Services Offered: Therapy | Credentials: LPC | Age Group: Ages 3+
About Me
I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Maryland with 25 years of experience in mental health. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from The City University of New York and my PhD in Advanced Human Behaviors, where I studied resilience processing.
I believe our emotional health is just as important as our mental health. My approach is rooted in Positive Psychology and holistic wellness, with an emphasis on bringing greater balance to the mind, body, emotions, and spirit. I work with children ages 5+, adults, college students, parents, couples, and families, with a particular focus on trauma and PTSD, managing difficult emotions, and building self-esteem.
My Approach to Therapy
I believe you should feel comfortable speaking with your therapist and at ease sharing your life. My approach is strengths-based, collaborative, and centered on understanding you as a whole person—not simply the challenges that brought you to therapy.
I draw from Positive Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), EMDR, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Multicultural Counseling, Solution-Focused Therapy, Play Therapy, and Art Therapy. My goal is to use the approaches that best support your needs while helping you recognize your strengths, build resilience, and move toward greater emotional and mental wellness.
What to Expect When Working With Me
Sometimes life can be heavy. Sometimes life can be confusing. Sometimes we simply want to speak with someone who will support us without judgment and truly listen to hear us. It is important to me that the people who come into my office feel seen and heard, recognize how valuable they are, and feel motivated in their purpose.
Your first appointment is an opportunity for us to begin getting to know each other. Above all, you should expect to feel respected and cared about.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do you work with?
I work with children beginning at age 5, adults, college students, parents, married couples, and families. My work focuses on promoting emotional, mental, and spiritual health while helping people navigate a variety of life challenges.
Do you specialize in trauma and PTSD?
Yes. Trauma and PTSD are important areas of my work, and I am trained in EMDR therapy. I help clients process difficult experiences while also recognizing their strengths, building resilience, and developing healthier ways to manage emotions and move forward.
What is your approach to therapy?
My work is strengths-based and rooted in Positive Psychology. Depending on your individual needs, I may incorporate CBT, ACT, EFT, EMDR, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Multicultural Counseling, Solution-Focused Therapy, Play Therapy, or Art Therapy. I also discovered the resilience process in my research which helps me to understand and empower my clients to become more resilient. I believe therapy works best when the therapist and client work together rather than following the same approach with everyone.
What if I’m nervous about starting therapy?
That’s understandable. Clients have described me as a “personal cheerleader.” As your therapist, I want to support you and believe in you while helping you recognize your own ability to grow. You don’t need to have everything figured out before we begin.
How do I know if you’re the right therapist for me?
Finding the right therapist is personal, and communication is important. I encourage you to tell me what has or hasn’t worked for you in therapy before and what you need from our work together. The more I understand you, the better we can work together to make therapy meaningful and productive.
A Little More About Me
Outside of my work, I have been married for 27 years and have two young adult sons. I enjoy photography, dancing, swimming, movies, and spending time with my family. I have also lived abroad while working as an aid worker and consultant to orphanages and children’s programs, experiences that have contributed to my appreciation for culture, resilience, and the many different ways people experience the world.
Dr. Yemane provides in-person appointments at our Vienna office, as well as telehealth services for clients who prefer to meet virtually.