Meet the Therapists
Kandace Andrews, MA, LCMHC, RPT (Owner)
I am excited you are here and exploring your counseling options for your child! It can be overwhelming for the whole family when a child is going through a difficult time, so I work with the child individually as well as provide parenting support throughout the process. That’s where the name “Village Counseling” comes from; I want to be a part of your village!
My education includes a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wake Forest University and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from UNC Charlotte with a graduate certificate in play therapy. I currently have almost 4 years of post-graduate experience providing outpatient counseling services for children and teens experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, and attachment related concerns due to foster care, kinship care, or adoption.
I work with children and adolescents, ages 3-17, while utilizing a variety of methods that match the child’s developmental age. I have a graduate certificate in play therapy from UNC Charlotte and am a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). Play therapy is considered a developmentally appropriate approach for working with children under the age of 10 while allowing the child to communicate through play. When working with older children, I utilize activities, books, and talk therapy. I believe in meeting a child where they are at and building on their strengths to empower them to develop self-confidence and coping skills to navigate the difficult experiences in their lives. I also have completed the Training for Adoption Competency (TAC) through the Center for Adoption Support and Education (CASE) to be recognized as a nationally certified Adoption Competent Counselor. I have also completed level one of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), a therapy approach designed specifically to work with children who have been in foster care or adopted. In addition, I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a trauma focused therapy.
Karola Richardson, MA, LCMHCA, NCC
When parenting a child, sometimes it can feel like you are at your "wits end," and you are not sure what next steps to take in order to best help your child. Therapy can be a great way to assist your family to grow and flourish, and I would love to speak with you to see if I am the right fit to help you and your child reach your goals!
I primarily work with children and adolescents ages 3-17 who have experienced trauma, attachment disruption, adjustment concerns, and anxiety and depression. Though I am grounded in the child-centered play therapy perspective, I take an integrative approach in that I will work with you to figure out what type of counseling approach is most conducive to the changes you are wanting to see. I believe that healthy attachments are critical for positive behavioral and cognitive transformation and view the parent/child relationship as an important catalyst for these changes. To best facilitate a healthy attachment, I think it is vital to include parents in the therapy process and will therefore provide support and teach you skills to help you to communicate effectively, manage behaviors, and ultimately cherish your relationship with your child.
I graduated with my bachelor's in theatre for youth from College of Charleston in 2016 and obtained my master's in clinical mental health counseling with a concentration in play therapy from UNC Charlotte in 2021. Through my graduate program and clinical experiences, I received training in child-parent relationship training and child-centered play therapy, and I am actively working towards becoming a Registered Play Therapist. I have over two years of clinical experience working with children and adolescents through my internships at a private practice and over ten years of experience working with children outside of a clinical setting.
I have a special interest in working with foster and adoptive families and plan on becoming a nationally certified adoption counselor.
I am a child at heart, and I enjoy watching cartoons (especially Disney), playing video games, spending time with my dog and two cats, and (re)reading Harry Potter. I am LGBTQ+ friendly and enjoy working with members of that population.