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About Me

I offer secure videoconference counseling to adult individuals and couples located anywhere in Virginia or West Virginia, and in-person counseling at my office in historic Shepherdstown, WV.

Professional image of practice owner Jack Childers leaning against the exterior of his office

Hi, I’m Jack Childers

I am a professional counselor, licensed both by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of West Virginia. I serve clients in an independent full-time private practice with an office in Shepherdstown, WV. I have been in the mental health field since 1990, and in private practice since 2003.

I mainly see adult individuals and couples.

Here is a snapshot of four principles I hold important in counseling:

  • 1

    I put great focus into understanding your thoughts and emotions accurately. This will help you understand them yourself.

  • 2

    I don’t judge. I don’t try not to judge—I just don’t do it period.

  • 3

    I have a “problem-solution” focus. While I work to understand my client’s challenges as deeply as I (and my clients) can, I never lose sight of potential ways out.

  • 4

    I never give up hope.

More About Me

  • Private Practice: Independent private practice physically located in Shepherdstown, WV serving adults and couples who are located in Virginia and West Virginia.

    Private Practice: Independent practice serving adult individuals and couples, downtown Leesburg, VA. January 2010 to March 2020.

    Private Practice: Riverside Counseling, Leesburg, VA. January 2004 to December 2009. Provide counseling services to individuals and couples.

    Private Practice: Cascades Counseling, Sterling, VA. 2/03–12/03. Provided counseling services to individuals, couples and families.

    Loudoun County Mental Health, Leesburg, VA: Forensic Psychology Department. 7/2001–12/2001. Supervisor: Dr. Michael Deem. Provided mental health evaluations and counseling to the county adult detention center.

    Loudoun County Mental Health, Leesburg, VA: Emergency Mental Health Therapist. 2/2000–6/2003. Supervisor: Deborah Snyder. Provided emergency mental health counseling and evaluations and ongoing counseling.

    Northwestern Community Services, Winchester, VA: Crisis Services Therapist. 9/1998–2/2000. Supervisor: Dennis Vaughn. Provided emergency mental health counseling and evaluations and ongoing counseling.

    Northwestern Community Services, Winchester, VA: Substance Abuse Therapist. 9/1997–9/1998. Supervisor: Vickie Kilbourne. Provided individual, family and group counseling to adults and adolescents. Developed and implemented a motivational enhancement therapy group for treatment resistant clients.

    Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Division of Psychiatry, Behavioral Pharmacological Research Unit, Baltimore, MD: Psychometrician II. 1994–1997. Provided psychotherapy to antisocial substance abuse clients. Provided complete DSM-IV diagnostic assessments. Trained research interviewers in psychiatric diagnosing.

    Keypoint, Inc., Baltimore, MD: 1990–1994. Residential counselor for seriously mentally ill clients.

  • Postgraduate work in counseling, 2000 to 2001. Goddard College, Plainfield, VT.

    MA in Clinical Psychology, 1993. Loyola College, Baltimore, MD. Teacher’s assistant for four semesters in Psychodiagnostics II: The Rorschach. Tutored professor-referred graduate and undergraduate students in research methodology.

    BA in English Literature, 1983. Roanoke College, Salem, VA.

  • Surviving a Licensure Complaint: West Virginia Counseling Association, Daniels, WV, November 8, 2024.

    Surviving a Licensure Complaint: Access 304 Conference, Shepherdstown, WV, September 22, 2024.

    Emotional Divorce: Ever Changing River, Sterling, VA, February 12, 2011.

    Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples: Northern Virginia Professional Counselors, Sterling, VA, March 26, 2010.

    Introduction to Motivational Interviewing: Loudoun County Mental Health, Leesburg, VA, June 15, 2004.

    Introduction to Motivational Interviewing: Goddard College, Plainfield, VT, January 2004.

  • Licensed Professional Counselor: Commonwealth of Virginia. License #0701003420. 2002 to present.

    Licensed Professional Counselor: State of West Virginia. License #1686. 2003 to present.

    Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist: Ottawa Couples and Family Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

    National Certified Investigator and Inspector: Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation. 2021 to present.

  • Member, American Counseling Association.

    Member, Northern Virginia Licensed Professional Counselors.

    Member, International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy.

  • Lead Ethics Investigator, West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling, 2021 to present.

    Prelicensure Support Chairperson. 2012 to 2013.

    Membership Chairperson, Northern Virginia Licensed Professional Counselors, 2004 to 2007.

  • NVLPC newsletter. November 2004 to present. Monthly column, “Reflections.” Recent columns: www.counselorsnvlpc.org/html/newsletters.html.

Take That Important Step Today

Contact me to schedule a confidential consultation and embark on your journey towards mental wellness. In times of uncertainty, remember that support is just a call away.

Schedule a Consultation