Our Professionals

Partner

Lavinia Hailey Garbee, M.Ed.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor

Lavinia H Garbee has been in private practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2000.  She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from University of Richmond (1987) and a Master’s Degree from Lynchburg College (1990).  Over the last 30+ years, Lavinia has gained extensive experience in working with children, teens, adults, and families.  As co-owner of Wishing You Well Counseling Center, she enjoys working with all age groups.  She also is pleased to have had the opportunity to share her skills by providing licensure supervision to several counselors. 

While her experience and talents are varied, she is particularly passionate about her work with individuals with ADHD, children on the autism spectrum, “lippy” teenagers, and families who are seeking graceful divorce solutions.  Trained as a Collaborative Divorce Coach and Child Specialist, she practiced as part of the Virginia Collaborative Professionals of Lynchburg.  Lavinia is a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, has certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and training in Adoption Competency and Attachment.  She has served on the Bedford County Multidisciplinary Team since 2019 and works with children who have experienced trauma as well as individuals who are victims of crime.  In 2023 Lavinia became a Certified Co-Parenting Specialist.

Despite a busy schedule at work, Lavinia is very invested in her family and community.  A Lynchburg native, and the youngest of five children, she utilizes many of her own experiences and stories in her work as a counselor.  Lavinia and her husband of over 35 years live on a small farm with many four-legged critters.  They are the proud parents of two adult children, as well as several “bonus children” who have come to share their lives.  In 2005, Lavinia was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.  Rather than responding with fear, she has worked hard to raise awareness and promote self-care.  “Attitude is everything,” says Lavinia.  She strives to make this part of every aspect of her life.  In her spare time, Lavinia enjoys time with family, cooking, traveling, gardening, fitness and engaging in new challenges and adventures.    

Partner

Susan L. Muhoro, M.Ed.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor

Susan Muhoro is co-owner of Wishing You Well Counseling Center.  She graduated from Liberty Baptist College in 1985 with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and minors in sociology and youth ministries.  In 1997 she received her Master’s degree in counseling from Lynchburg College.  Susan became a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2004.  She has over 20 years of experience in the mental health field.  Susan became a Collaborative Divorce Coach/Child Specialist in 2009 to assist families with being able to divorce gracefully and to ensure children are protected through the process.  She partners with the Bedford Child Advocacy Center and provides services to children assessed through the Center.  In addition, she is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which assists her in being able to provide an environment where these children can heal from their traumatic experiences.  In 2019 Susan became a Registered Play Therapist - Supervisor. This certification broadens her therapeutic interventions and has opened the door for her to provide services to children of all ages with various needs.  In 2020 she completed training through C.A.S.E. to become an adoption competent therapist.  Susan completed training in 2007 and 2022 through the Mary D. Ainsworth Attachment Clinic, learning how to identify attachment patterns between caretakers/parents and children.  She volunteers with Give An Hour which is a non-profit that provides mental health services to military and their families. In 2023 Susan became a Certified Co-Parenting Specialist.

Susan’s areas of interest are trauma, to include victims of crimes, parenting, blended families, childhood disorders, military families, attachment issues in relationships and parenting. 

Susan was born and raised in rural Pennsylvania and moved to Virginia after attending Liberty.  She is one of 6 children and has a sister who is mentally and physically challenged.  Susan has been married for over 36 years and has 2 adult children.  She enjoys family time, outdoor activities, reading, and is a die-hard Steelers fan.  GO STEELERS!

Susan is committed to promoting cultural diversity in both her personal and professional life.  Her approach to treatment is reality based.  She believes life offers choices.  Frost penned, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference.”  Sometimes we travel the easier path thinking it will be less painful, but by taking the path less traveled, although it may be more difficult, we find purpose, peace, and strength. This in turn makes us stronger and prepares us for the remainder of our journey.

Ashley Bryant, M.A., M.Ed., LMHP-R

Licensed Mental Health Professional Resident  

Ashley Bryant currently is a part-time resident working at Wishing You Well Counseling Center. Ashley has been working in the mental health field since 2002. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Lynchburg College (2006), a Master’s Degree from Liberty University in Community Counseling (2013), and a Master’s of Education (School Counseling) from Lynchburg College (2016). Over the last 20+ years, Ashley has gained extensive experience in working with children, teens, adults, and families.

She has experience in the field working in various settings, including residential treatment, mental health supports, intensive in-home services, therapeutic day treatment, crisis stabilization, outpatient counseling services, school-based services, and foster care support services to include parent coaching. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys time with family, friends, traveling, camping, shopping, reading, being active, movies, playing games, skiing, hiking, engaging in new challenges and adventures and is a proud WAHOO fan!!! Ashley is also the proud parent of three young children that keep her busy outside of the counseling realm.

Ashley is passionate about helping others and doing so by meeting them where they are with unconditional positive regard, acceptance, and no judgement. In her office the hope is that each person will feel at peace, safe, and comfortable enough to explore and unpack so that progress can be made and goals can be accomplished.

Jaynie L. Manwarren, M.A.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Jaynie began her career in mental health as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, working with both adults and children for eighteen years.  She then earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Old Dominion University with a major in Human Services Counseling and a minor in Psychology.  While at ODU, she earned the faculty-appointed Outstanding Student Award 2007.  After earning a Master of Arts in professional counseling at Liberty University, she has worked as an Intensive In-Home Counselor, a Qualified Mental Health Professional, and as an Outpatient Mental Health Counselor.  In February 2010, Jaynie became a Licensed Professional Counselor.  She is certified in EMDR and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.

Jaynie works with adults and especially enjoys treating anxiety disorders and phobias, spiritual issues, issues associated with autistic spectrum, and couples counseling.  Jaynie uses a strength-based approach in treatment and looks at adversity as an opportunity for growth.  She enjoys spending time with family and friends, serving at her church, being active, playing board games, movies and traveling.

One of Jaynie’s most meaningful life verses is found in Jeremiah 29:11. “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”  Over time, the impact of life experiences can at times leave us feeling discouraged, confused, alone, and sometimes without hope.  With each client, Jaynie is mindful that this person has an incredible worth and a terrific design on his or her life.

Courtney Ellison, M.A.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Clinical Telemental Health Provider

Courtney Ellison earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology in 2008 from Old Dominion University and a Master’s of Arts in Professional Counseling in 2012.  She received her License in Professional Counseling in 2017 and has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families through Wishing You Well Counseling Center.  The 2020 pandemic led her seeking training in telehealth services resulting in her becoming a Clinical Telemental Health Provider in 2022. 

Courtney works mainly with adolescents and adults.  She enjoys helping clients working through difficult life changes, depression, anxiety, impulse control, coping skills, and spiritual issues.  She approaches every client with unconditional positive regard and acceptance, striving to make her office a peaceful place where clients feel safe and comfortable enough to explore their struggles, the possible causes, and explore ways the client can retake control of their situation.  She utilizes a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness, and yoga in therapy.  She also believes in the power of arts and crafts as a healthy outlet for all ages and regularly encourages her clients to explore such avenues regardless of perceptions of talent.

Courtney has enjoyed dance as a student, performer, and choreographer.  She has been an avid reader and writer since she learned how and participates in National Novel Writing Month every year.    She also enjoys crochet as another way to be creative and relax.  She enjoys playing video games and tabletop role playing games with her husband and friends.

Wendy Kilgore M.Ed.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Wendy Kilgore earned her Bachelor’s of Art in Psychology from Radford University in 1994 and her Master’s of Education in Counselor Education from the University of North Florida in 1999.  She originally became licensed in Florida as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and later became licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia in 2014.  She has supervised multiple individuals with their internships and practicums and supervised one individual with her residency leading to licensure. 

Wendy began her career working with individuals with disabilities and mental health issues in various positions to include case management, support staff at a group home, intensive in-home counseling, in home support and therapeutic day treatment.   She prefers to utilize a strengths-based approach where an individual’s strengths are recognized and built upon.  Wendy enjoys helping individuals explore different perspectives and ideas as well as teaching coping skills, interpersonal skills, growth mindset and mindfulness.  She takes the approach of meeting individuals where they are, then moving at the pace of the individual based on their needs.  Her areas of interest include trauma, childhood disorders, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, mood disorders and daily life stressors.  Wendy has experience working with all age groups.  She utilizes games, art, journaling and play in sessions as well as traditional talk therapy. 

Wendy is certified in trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy, is trained in adoption competency through C.A.S.E., completed ATTACh training and is trained in applied behavior analysis.  Additionally, she has attended multiple play therapy trainings.   In 2023 she completed trainings for High Fidelity Wrap Around Services and Nurturing Parenting® Program Facilitator Training. 

Wendy was born and raised in Southwest Virginia and is the youngest of two children.  She has been married for over 28 years and has two adult sons.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family.  She loves cats of which she has two. 

Kimberly Epperson

Shirley Spinner