Meet Our Team

Richie Donlavage, LCMHC (NC), LMHC (WA), RPT, NCC

Husband, Dad x3, Video Gamer

My work is dedicated to helping people create change in their life. I began my mental health career in 2010 working with adults and children experiencing acute mental health crises. A year later, I went on to work with and for military service members and their families who were experiencing mental health crises. I quickly learned the importance and the positive impact a person can have on an individual's story of mental health recovery. I enjoy helping people build resiliency so they can be better equipped to handle life's stressors.

One way I knew I could help people in a greater capacity was to become a licensed counselor. I graduated from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia in 2015. Since then, I have worked in many different settings as a counselor. I provided outpatient services in community mental health, serving many different populations through all age ranges. I felt drawn to return to working with the military and found an opportunity to help support military children in schools. While working in the school setting, I wanted to become better equipped to help the children I was working with so I decided to pursue becoming a Registered Play Therapist. I enrolled at Antioch University in Seattle, Washington to obtain a certificate in play therapy.

As a father of 3 young children, I have seen firsthand how the language of the child is play. I have also seen how chaotic, messy, exhausting, and fulfilling parenting can be for many of us. I strive to provide services and therapy that leads to open, honest, and healthy relationships. I feel privileged to help families grow together and to promote healing and understanding within the family. As a non-directive play therapist, I strive to provide children with the environment to grow. I incorporate several other play therapy modalities to best fit the needs of the individual child and family.

I believe each client whether they are an adult, teenager, or child has the potential to build from their inner strengths to create a life they are proud of and consider worth living. We do not exist alone but within the relationships we hold dear. My goal is to help anyone I serve to gain confidence, see themselves for who they truly are, overcome, manage, breathe, and heal. I am honored to hold these vulnerable spaces with my clients and enjoy watching them make great changes in their lives.