Julie Sayre is the current president-Elect of VAMFT. In the past, she served as Northern Virginia Regional VP, then President (2009-2011), and as Residents’ Liaison. Julie graduated from Virginia Tech’s MFT program in 2003, and has since become certified as a traumatologist, pain reprocessing therapist and Warriors-At-Ease teacher of meditation. She was Associate Clinical Director at Virginia Tech’s Northern Virginia Center, and served a year as Acting Clinical Director. Julie held adjunct faculty positions at Virginia Tech and at the University of South Carolina, Beaufort (USCB) where she was also Director of Counseling and Disability Services.  Currently, Julie is in private practice, licensed in Virginia and South Carolina.

Laurie Wilson is the Executive Director for VAMFT. She received a Master’s Degree in MFT from Virginia Tech and retired in 2020 from Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS), Quantico Marine Base as the Deputy Director of Marine and Family Programs. Laurie is a military spouse with over 30 years of experience working with children, couples and families in a variety of settings both in the United States and Germany.  She began her career as a therapist at the Prince William County Community Services Board (CSB) and later was the Child and Adolescent Division Chief at the Prince William County Department of Social Services (DSS).  Laurie is the owner of Marriage and Family Therapy Solutions, LLC. and specializes in helping couples and families find solutions to relationship challenges. 

As a military spouse, she understands military culture, appreciates diversity and utilizes systemic approaches that are non-judgmental and culturally sensitive. Laurie is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor who is dedicated to helping train the next generation of Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists.

Kathryn Rheem, Ed.D., LMFT, [Euro-American, cisgender, heterosexual, she/her] is a Certified EFCT supervisor & therapist, was a Certified Trainer for the International Center of Excellent in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) for 16 years, and served on the Board of Directors of ICEEFT for four years. She has trained hundreds of mental health clinicians in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) nationally and internationally over the last 18 years.

She’s a co-owner of Rheem, Clark & Associates, LLC (an EFCT-based clinical practice in Fairfax, VA), is a senior consultant to the Washington Baltimore Center for EFT and a co-founder of the EFT Café, an online, monthly EFT class. Kathryn teaches and presents EFCT regularly online to audiences in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand and has published 16 articles/chapters on the application of EFCT, including as a co-author on the recently released the An Emotionally Focused Workbook: Healing Heartbreak Session by Session (Routledge, 2023) and co-author of the second edition of Becoming an Emotionally Focused Therapist: The Workbook (Routledge, 2022). Kathryn works extensively with couples where one or both partners have endured trauma and has written and presented on the application of EFCT with trauma numerous times.

In addition to the application of EFCT with trauma, Kathryn has a special passion for working with and teaching the Withdrawer Re-engagement process. For her doctoral dissertation, Kathryn completed the first analysis of Withdrawer Re-engagement, and she enjoys teaching clinicians how to come alongside and work with Withdrawers. She is licensed in Virginia, Maryland, and California. Kathryn was voted a Top Couples Therapist in Washington, D.C. by the Washingtonian magazine in its most recent poll, December 2012.You can contact Kathryn at kathryn@rheemclark.com

Dr. Towanda Jackson is a native of Washington DC. Who crafted her career from a commitment to child advocacy, strengthen families and build healthy communities. Throughout her career she has supported individuals, couples and families from diverse civilians, active duty and veteran’s communities. 

Dr. Jackson is a Psychoanalyst, with over 25 years of experience that includes program management and workforce development. She is also a subject matter expert in aspects of the criminal justice, and education systems, and U.S. Armed Forces communities that supports individuals and families. 

Dr. Jackson is a trauma informed therapist trained in Anger Management, Family Violence Prevention, Emotional Focused Therapy, Gottman and Prepared Enrichment Couples Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Conflict Resolution and Parent and Child Intervention. She is also a life-long learner, having earned a Doctorate of Social Work from the University of Southern California, Masters of Social Work from Howard University and Masters of School Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Jenna Pagano, LMFT (she/her/hers), dedicates her clinical practice to cultivating attachment, security, and safety in relationships through Emotion Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). As a supervisor in her Richmond, VA, group practice, Jenna imparts a systemic perspective to emerging therapists. Her vision for VAMFT aligns with preserving systemic therapy's core values while fostering intentional adaptations to enhance its future impact and efficacy. 

Kathleen Smith is serving as the VAMFT student member. She is originally from Newport News, Virginia and is a returning Hokie who studied at Virginia Tech for her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development. Later, Kathleen received her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Appalachian State University. Currently, she is looking forward to studying adaptations for clinical interventions of Emotionally Focused therapy for LGBTQ+ couples. In 2018, Kathleen presented at the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) conference in San Diego with Dr. Kristen Benson on The Discourse Surrounding Trans-identities in North Carolina in the Wake of House Bill 2 (‘The Bathroom Bill’). Kathleen was also a 2018 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant recipient for providing mental health and substance abuse prevention services to underserved populations in rural regions. She is also excited to be working under Dr. Jody Russon on an NIH-funded grant for development of family-based youth suicide prevention strategies for LGBTQ+ youth. Lastly, Kathleen has experience working with clients in community mental health clinics, school-based, in-home, residential treatment, and private practice settings.

Cleophus Harris (CJ) received a Master’s of Arts Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University.  He earned both a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of San Diego.  After several years working in education, he recognized that a student’s emotional and mental well-being was often impacted by the family dynamics.  CJ is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in working with individuals, couples, and families who are dealing with depression, anxiety, interpersonal conflicts, anger management, past or present trauma, drug and alcohol abuse. CJ works with men to help them develop a better understanding of themselves and a better understanding of their roles as fathers and partners.

Dr. Laquana Young received her DMFT from Nova Southeastern University in Davie, FL. Dr. Young currently employed with The Regional Crisis Stabilization Center through The Hampton Newport News Community Services Board and Riverside Mental Health and Recovery Center. IN both roles Dr. Young uses her expertise to work with individuals suffering from severe mental health conditions and, often times, dual diagnoses with substance use disorders. Within both healthcare facility settings, Dr. Young takes a team-based approach to patient care, collaborating with other health professionals to guide patients as they manage their conditions and improve their emotional well-being.

Dr. Young pursued being a Marriage and Family Therapist to help build families hemostasis in primarily low SES areas.  Dr. Young specializes in building hope and expectancy by use of Solution Focused Brief Therapy techniques. Dr. Young is also pursuing certification as a Registered Play Therapist to eventually combine Play Therapy techniques and Solution Focused Brief Therapy techniques across all ages and populations.