Circle Connection

Integrative Mental Health Care

Circle Connection offers person-centered psychotherapy for individuals and promotes mental wellness for

underrepresented communities in the Richmond area. We stand for health equity, ethical and trauma-informed care and believe that we can find healing through meaningful connection.

Circle Connection was created to offer a solution to the mental turmoil experienced from

the COVID-19 pandemic. We saw an opportunity, in what felt like an impossible situation, to bring people together from across the globe to support one another. As medical trauma, unethical medical care, and negligence impacted many lives, we noted the increased development of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and addiction.

Circle Connection is committed to contributing research, advocating for ethical patient

care through speaking and training events, and offering free or no cost treatment for patients with

Sickle Cell Disease.

Our vision is that Circle Connection will be a safe haven for people feeling mistreated by

the medical system – a place where they can seek understanding, advocacy and healing. We aim to be at the forefront of the medical paradigm shift that will help shape the way we provide medical care in the future.

Rachel walls, LCSW

I am a 2011 graduate of Tulane University’s School of Social Work with a certification in Disaster Mental Health. I obtained my clinical license in 2015 and have been an EMDR practitioner since 2022.

As the founder of Circle Connection, I have an expertise in treating medical trauma, grief and post-traumatic stress related to events surrounding dis-ease, medical care or medical emergencies. My approach is tailored specifically for each client. I may incorporate nutrition, mind-body medicine, neuropsychology,

neurobiology and movement into my treatment.

discover more about me and my practice here:

Dan arnold, msw

I am a license eligible social worker who graduated from VCU in 1998 with a Masters in Social Work in the clinical program. I have experience working with clients with many different issues and I have worked in a variety of settings from state and federal agencies, prisons, and private agencies. Being a military veteran and retired federal law enforcement officer, I feel I have a good understanding of veterans and first responders’ issues. My life path has been a voyage of discovery and I look forward to helping others find their own path in this world. I strive to create a non-judgmental space for clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I appreciate the complexity and uniqueness of everyone and believe that each individual is the expert of their own thoughts, feelings, experiences, and problems. I utilize a humanistic and collaborative approach to support individuals with overcoming barriers that come between them and the life they want to live.

Interested in therapy with dan?

nakeyia williams

Hello, my name is Nakeyia Williams. I am currently and MSW graduate at VUU in the Advanced Standing Program.

I obtained my Bachelors Degree of Social Work with a minor in Psychology in 2018 from Virginia Commonwealth University. After working in the social work field for a few years, I decided to continue my education as a MSW student and set a goal to be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I am always engaging with challenging myself in academics and continual learning such as policies and procedures in social work. I enjoy connecting with each client with intuitive, engaging, conversant and caring engagement. I ensure to make each and every client feel cared for and provide the assistance they require. I also demonstrate enthusiasm and a willingness to sacrifice time for others with a strong grasp of the principles that I believe a helping person would warrant.

Interested in therapy with Nakeyia?

• Medical Trauma
• Chronic Dis-ease
• Simple & Complex PTSD
• Military & First Responders
• Postpartum Mental Health

• EMDR Therapy for Individuals
• Psychotherapy for Couples
• Psychotherapy for people living with Sickle Cell Disease
• Clinical Supervision
• Healing Circles
• Nutrition for Mental Health programs

Initial Intake & Evaluation: $135

Individual: $125

Couples: $145

Group: $40

Supervision: $100

For any person living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), there will be a sliding scale fee at a low cost. For those with SCD receiving Medicaid, my services will be offered to you for free for a limited number of sessions per month.

For more information on my work with SCD, including research, speaking events, and authorship, please follow the link below:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelwallslcsw/

Programs

Nutrition for Mental Health

Mood Follows Food

• 4 Week Introduction Course
• Learn how to manage mental health symptoms using natural methods (food, supplements, sleep, movement & mindfulness)
  

Clinical Supervision

I am an experienced Psychotherapist and a board certified Clinical Supervisor in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I love mentoring social workers pursuing their clinical license.

I received my Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from Tulane University with a concentration in Disaster Mental Health. I have extensive experience working with chronic medical conditions to include Traumatic Brain Injury, HIV, and Sickle Cell Disease. I love using EMDR and mindfulness based approaches to treat PTSD, depression, anxiety, etc.

My supervision style mirrors my therapy style. I am laid back, flexible, focused on you and undeniably supportive.

No Surprises Act Overview

The No Surprises Act, which is part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, is designed to protect clients from receiving unexpected medical bills. The Good Faith Estimate provision of the No Surprises Act is designed to give clients an estimate of how much they’ll be charged for the healthcare services they’ll be receiving, prior to their appointment.

The No Surprises Act contained in Division BB of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021 took a federal approach to the problem of surprise medical billing. Most parts of the act went into effect on Jan. 1, 2022.

The main provisions of the No Surprises Act include:

• Protect patients from surprise medical bills due to gaps in coverage for services provided for emergencies and by out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, including by air ambulances.
  
• Hold patients liable only for their in-network cost-sharing amount but give providers and insurers the opportunity to negotiate reimbursement.
  
• Allow providers and insurers to access an independent dispute resolution process in the event disputes arise around reimbursement.
  
• Require providers and health plans to help patients access health care cost information.
  

Requirements for providers

As of January 1, 2022, this legislation applies to all healthcare providers and facilities operating under the scope of a state-issued license or certification. Providers are required to share a specific consent document in addition to a Good Faith Billing Estimate, prior to beginning care.

State-licensed or certified healthcare providers are required to provide a Good Faith Estimate of charges to every new and continuing client who’s either uninsured or isn’t planning to submit a claim to their insurance for the services they’re seeking.

Disclosures

• Nutrition for Mental Health
  
• I am a Certified Integrative Mental Health Practitioner. This means that I use nutrition and mind-body medicine as complementary approaches to addressing the root causes of mental dis-ease. I am not a nutritionist; therefore, I will not provide any medical diagnosis nor a tailored nutritional regime for any of my clients. There is extensive research that describes how our mood follows our food. I offer education during psychotherapy sessions and I follow evidence-based nutritional programs designed specifically for mental health.
  
• EMDRIA Member
• I am an EMDR practitioner pursuing full certification through the EMDR International Association.
  
• American Society of Hematology (ASH) Faculty Member
• VCU School of Medicine contributing researcher and speaker addressing ongoing mental health concerns for people living with Sickle Cell Disease.
• National Association of Social Work (NASW) member since 2015.