T.O.C. | The Overwatch Collective
501 (c) (3) Non-Profit and Podcast Funding Therapy Sessions and Supporting Mental Health among First Responders, Military, & Families
EIN: 87-2060176
Virginia Therapists
Samatha Lindtner, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Sam is a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois and Virginia. She received her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago and began her career working full time in schools with no intention of ever becoming a therapist. In 2020, when all her schools went online, Sam took on a few therapy clients as a way to gain more hours toward her license; it was there that she found her true calling.
Sam is married to an active duty sailor and she works full time in the Navy’s suicide prevention program, SAIL. Sam understands and has experienced many of the issues unique to the military community. As a therapist, she is straight forward in her approach and she will stay with you on your journey by creating a safe, non-judgemental space for you to grow closer to your truest self. Sam has specific training in treating anxiety and depression, stress management, and suicide prevention. She is certified in LGBTQIA+ issues and is professionally and personally experienced in religious deconstruction, issues of women’s health, migraines, and perfectionism.
Sam utilizes a customized and holistic approach for each client. She likes to get to know her clients in order to understand which frameworks will be most effective for them. Most commonly, she uses ACT, DBT, CBT, motivational interviewing, and positive psychology. She has been described by former clients as “genuine, decisive, and easy to connect with.”
When she isn’t working, Sam can be found camping, tending to the plants in her greenhouse, or working on one of her many house projects. Her dog, Captain (pictured), loves to meet Sam’s therapy clients and often makes himself known during telehealth sessions.
Diving Bell Therapy PLLC
224-433-7568
sam@divingbelltherapy.com
www.divingbelltherapy.com
Michelle Albert, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Michelle graduated from the University of Utah with a BS in Sociology and minors in Psychology and Criminology. She attended Argosy University in Arlington, Virginia where she earned her MA in Counseling with special focus in forensics and trauma. In 2006, she earned her license as a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider (CSOTP) and in 2007 became licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) inVirginia.
During her career, Michelle has worked in government, institutional, community and private settings. Since 2010, she has worked for Alexandria City Department of Community and Human Services where she currently holds the position of Forensic Services Supervisor. In this position, she also serves as the Outpatient Competency Restoration Coordinator and the Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) Coordinator. Michelle opened a small private practice in 2013 where her focus is on working with first responders, military and their families. This led her to become a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP) in 2020.
Michelle has been a member of multiple associations, including but not limited to: Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA), Virginia Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (VAPRA), CIT International (CITI) and Association for Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP). She has served on the Board of Directors for VAPRA and the Virginia CIT Coalition and has presented at numerous trainings and conferences, including CIT International (2016), Virginia CIT (2018), EMS World (2019, 2020), Northern Virginia Fire & Rescue LeadershipInstitute (2021, 2022, 2023) and has worked as a consultant for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (2018).
Michelle has a personal investment in providing education and support for first responders and is dedicated to creating space for them to learn and laugh while exploring and improving their own health and wellness.
Samantha Getha, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker serving clients across the states of Alaska and Virginia. As an integrative and trauma-informed therapist, I believe that our mental health is part of a holistic system that incorporates our physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being. My focus is on helping you build your strengths, embrace your authentic self, and thrive where you are.
Coming from a military family, I am passionate about serving the military population. I aim to be a support system to those who serve, have served, or who have family that has served. My clinical focus areas include all types of trauma, including combat trauma, anxiety, and depression, but I also help in areas of life transitions, stress, anger, relationship issues, personal growth, and work-life balance. I have specialized training in EMDR and use this modality as a primary intervention for trauma-focused treatment.
In addition to my personal experiences, including bartending on a military installation, I earned my Master's in Social Work degree from the University of Southern California through their Military and Veterans program. My diverse background includes roles as a mental health provider on a military installation, inpatient clinical therapist, hospital social worker, family advocacy outreach manager, and domestic abuse victim advocate. These experiences have helped me to support a wide range of people from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, all stages of life, and diverse sexual and gender identities. I have worked at Eielson AFB and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER). Currently, I offer 1-1 online therapy sessions in my private practice to adults 18+.
Jennifer Schalow, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Jennifer Schalow is a compassionate and seasoned clinician, boasting over a decade of experience in aiding military personnel, first responders, their families, and other individuals affected by trauma. She combines deep empathy with an informed understanding of trauma's far-reaching effects. Her commitment to trauma-informed care is rooted in her personal connections to the military and first responder communities. These connections were enriched by growing up in a law enforcement and military family, being a military spouse, veteran, and currently a mil-mother. This unique perspective has ignited her passion for supporting those who selflessly serve others.
Jennifer's journey into mental health was inspired by her intimate experiences with PTSD and addiction within her familial community. Volunteering with local law enforcement and being closely involved with the military has provided her with vital insights into the distinct challenges these groups face. Her dedication to helping others navigate trauma's complexities led her to attain a license in mental health.
In her practice, Jennifer places a strong emphasis on continuous learning, professional development, and staying abreast of the latest advancements in trauma-informed therapy. She believes in creating a safe, empathetic, and respectful space for clients to freely express themselves and be heard. Her approach is grounded in her core values of empathy, compassion, and respect, fostering an environment conducive to healing, growth, and empowerment.
Jennifer’s expertise extends to various specializations in first-hand trauma including moral injury and complex trauma, but also with a concentration on first responders and military and their families. She continually expands her knowledge through education, volunteer work, and peer collaboration in the area of law enforcement and military treatment. Currently enrolled in a psychology doctoral program, Jennifer is committed to ongoing education to enhance her competencies.
Her therapeutic approach is shaped by cultural humility and the recognition of her clients' diverse backgrounds and experiences. Jennifer values a therapeutic alliance based on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect, integrating her core beliefs to foster safety, authenticity, and trust within the therapeutic relationship. She is enthusiastic about the dynamic field of mental health, especially the integration of holistic approaches and the destigmatization of mental health issues.
Jennifer is particularly thrilled about the expansion of mental health resources catering to diverse and trauma-impacted populations. She creates a warm, welcoming space for clients, emphasizing collaboration to tailor personalized treatment plans. Her excitement extends to witnessing the cultural shift toward recognizing therapy as a strength and an act of self-care.
Her research work, particularly a study on mindfulness-based interventions for trauma-related symptoms in military personnel and first responders, has significantly influenced her practice. The study's positive outcomes have reinforced the value of holistic techniques in trauma therapy, leading Jennifer to integrate these evidence-based interventions into her practice, offering practical tools for emotional regulation, present-moment awareness, and stability.