Tykesia Hathorne, LPC

Clinical Director of the Old Town Alexandria Office, Therapist

Gender: Female | Office Location: Old Town, Telehealth

States Licensed In: Virginia, Washington, DC, Maryland, Louisiana

Languages: English | Services Offered: Therapy | Credentials: LPC | Age Group: Ages 7+

About Me

I have been working in the mental health field for over 10 years, with experience in substance use treatment, trauma care, geriatric support, partial hospitalization, and community-based programs. I work with children ages 7+, teens, adults, older adults, and families and have collaborated with child welfare organizations, CASA, and local school systems throughout my career.

I also bring more than 20 years of military experience to my work, including deployment to Afghanistan, humanitarian missions, and disaster-relief efforts. Those experiences taught me the importance of resilience, empathy, staying grounded in difficult moments, navigating complex situations, and understanding people from different backgrounds—qualities I bring directly into my work with clients.

My Approach to Therapy

My approach is versatile, client-centered, and individualized to your needs. I believe there is no single approach that works for everyone, so I draw from evidence-based techniques based on what you are experiencing and what may be most helpful to you.

My experience includes approaches such as CBT, DBT, EMDR, Brainspotting, Cue-Centered Therapy for children and adolescents ages 7+, MBCT, Person-Centered Therapy, REBT, Gestalt, Jungian, and strengths-based approaches. I also have experience working with trauma, PTSD, ADHD, autism, OCD, grief, substance use, behavioral concerns, and more complex mental health needs.

Most importantly, I want therapy to reflect your story rather than someone else’s expectations for what your story should look like. As I often tell clients, there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong answer—it is your answer that you create for your story.

What to Expect When Working With Me

Many of my clients come to therapy wanting to talk about current and past experiences that are connected to their journey or story. You may be trying to make sense of trauma, grief, family experiences, changes in your mental health, challenges at school or home, or patterns that are making everyday life more difficult.

During our first appointment, we’ll talk about what you can expect from me and what we can expect from each other. I view your treatment plan almost like my report card—it helps us determine whether I’m meeting your expectations and whether the work we’re doing is helping you move toward your goals.

Areas of Specialty

My experience includes trauma and PTSD, military and veteran concerns, substance use, ADHD, autism, behavioral concerns, bipolar disorder, OCD, grief, geriatric concerns, LGBTQIA+ concerns, family and adoption-related concerns, eating disorders, phobias, ODD, self-harm and suicidal ideation, schizophrenia-related concerns, gambling, and Alzheimer’s and other later-life concerns.

Because my background spans multiple treatment settings and populations, I’m comfortable working with clients whose needs may not fit neatly into one category.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you specialize in trauma and PTSD?

Yes. Trauma has been an important part of both my clinical work and professional experience. I use several trauma-focused approaches, including EMDR, Brainspotting, and Cue-Centered Therapy, along with other evidence-based techniques depending on the client’s needs. My military and disaster-relief experiences have also shaped my ability to remain calm and grounded while helping people navigate difficult circumstances.

Do you work with children and adolescents?

Yes. I work with clients ages 7 and older and have experience collaborating with child welfare organizations, CASA, and local school systems. I work with concerns including ADHD, autism, behavioral challenges, ODD, trauma, grief, family concerns, and other emotional or behavioral difficulties.

Do you have experience working with military members and veterans?

Yes. I have more than 20 years of military experience, and those experiences have influenced how I approach counseling. They strengthened my ability to remain calm under pressure, navigate complex crises, and provide culturally sensitive care.

What if I’m nervous about starting therapy?

I tailor therapy to where you are when you begin. My goal is to provide a supportive environment focused on your individual growth and healing rather than expecting you to approach therapy in a particular way.

How do I know if you’re the right therapist for me?

I believe therapy should include listening without judgment, respecting your autonomy, and using evidence-based approaches to help you reach your goals. It’s also important to me to understand where you are rather than assuming I already know what you need.

A Warm Invitation to Begin

You don’t have to have your story figured out before beginning therapy. We can start with what you know, what you’ve experienced, and what you would like to be different.

I look forward to hearing your journey and story.

Tykesia provides in-person appointments at our Old Town Alexandria, as well as telehealth services for clients who prefer to meet virtually.