History
SERVING THE COUNSELING PROFESSION IN HAMPTON ROADS FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS: The History of HRCA
The Hampton Roads Counselors Association (HRCA) is the largest of the 15 chapters of the Virginia Counselors Association (VCA). HRCA is comprised of professional counselors in a variety of settings ranging from public schools to private practice. Since 1950, HRCA has provided counselors in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, and Chesapeake with opportunities for professional growth, networking, and idea sharing.
MEMBER SERVICES
Here are the top 5 services to members:
- Professional development and skill building opportunities
- The quarterly newsletter, Highlights and Insights , shared via the HRCA website www.hamptonroadscounselors.org/ and eblast.
- Annual recognition of members for outstanding contributions to the field of counseling.
- News updates about pertinent legislation at the state and national levels.
- Representation on statewide committees, such as licensure, certification, and the VCA Executive Board.
Why Stay with HRCA?
Here are the top 3 reasons to become and/or stay a member of HRCA:
- Participate in relevant quarterly professional development opportunities.
- Address professional issues and topics while working toward the common goal of promoting professional counseling throughout the community.
- Take part in expanding public awareness and advocacy programs through the community service projects adopted by HRCA.
Our Board
Elizabeth O. Hunter – President
Elizabeth O. Hunter holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision, is a Nationally Certified Counselor, board-approved clinical supervisor, and Licensed Professional Counselor in the Commonwealth of Virginia. She also holds the Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Provider (CCATP) Credential.
Currently, Dr. Hunter provides clinical supervision services to community mental health counseling residents and counselors in training within the non-profit sector and across the Hampton Roads community.
Dr. Hunter has been teaching in CACREP-accredited Community Mental Health Counseling programs since 2018 at the master’s and doctoral levels. Currently, Dr. Hunter is a contributing faculty member within the Walden University Community Mental Health Counseling program.
Dr. Hunter’s current research interests include vicarious trauma prevention, intervention, recovery, and education. Other research interests include neuro-diversity and wellness-based and trauma-informed clinical supervision. She has published in professional journals, and presented at community and state conferences and workshops.
Charnetta R. Waters
President Elect
Charnetta R. Waters is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Youth Mental
Health Specialist, and Supervisee in Registered Play Therapy. While her current
service areas are primarily across the Hampton Roads community, she has
professionally trained, mentored, and received advanced education in the field of
mental health in Richmond, Va. Charnetta holds a Master’s Degree in the Art of
Clinical Mental Health Counseling where she received from South University-Glen
Allen and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2016. She completed her undergrad
work at North Carolina Central University in 2009, obtaining a Bachelor of Science
Degree in Human Sciences with a concentration in Child Development and Family
Relations. Ms. Waters is the owner and lead therapist of Heart-Led Counseling,
Consulting, and Community Services in Newport News, VA., where she specializes
in working with children, youth, and adolescents. Her experiences include but are
not limited to working program management and development, group therapy,
individual therapy, community mental health, training and professional
development for QMHPs, community event coordination, and youth mentorship.
Ms. Waters has participated in multiple speaking engagements in the community,
spreading the importance of “caring for society’s youngest citizens”. It is her
philosophy that in order to get ahead of the mental health crisis, it is imperative to
address the needs of future generations to come.
Her passions are advocating and breaking the stigma of mental health in African
American communities and rebuilding those communities less served. She prides
herself on being authentic, relatable, and “just a young Black girl from Ballentine
in Norfolk, VA trying to make a difference. It is her goal to give back to the
community and bring new, fresh ideas to the Hampton Roads Counseling
Association that will benefit the Hampton Roads community at large.
Jacqueline Butler
Past President
Since January 2006, Jacqueline D. Butler has been the owner and CEO of Visions of Tomorrow, Inc. She holds a Ph.D. in Advanced Studies in Human Behaviors from Capella University, a Master of Divinity from Samuel Proctor School of Divinity, a Master of Social Work from Norfolk State University, and a Master of Science in Addiction Studies from Capella University.
Jacqueline is dedicated to the social work and counseling fields. She was chosen as the president of the Hampton Roads Counselor Association in 2021. She has supplied expert testimony in cases involving child maltreatment and parental reunification. Chaplain for the Chesapeake and Virginia Beach Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Jacqueline has presented workshops on substance abuse and parenthood, church leadership, and effective parenting in the Hampton Roads region.
Jacqueline is a Portsmouth, Virginia, native. She is the wife of Paul Butler. Her children include Anthony D. Hoskins, Elnora Salone, and daughter-in-law April Hoskins. Grandchildren including Megan, Amber, Michael, and Anthony Jr. Jacqueline will tell you that becoming a woman of God who tries to use her gifts to serve God’s people is her most outstanding achievement, despite her long history of devotion, success, and life-changing impact.
Ashley Laws
Secretary
Ashley Laws is licensed in Virginia, North Carolina, and California. She completed her Masters in Counseling at Regent University and is currently a doctoral student in Counseling Education and Supervision program at University of the Cumberlands. She is a member of the American Counseling Association and American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Ashley specializes in working with adults and adolescents struggling with anxiety, depression, mood issues, grief, self esteem and life transitions in the therapy space. Ashley focuses her research surrounding social justice issues and looks forward to furthering the role of counselors in all areas.
Anaiz Rodriguez
Secretary-Elect
Anaiz Rodriguez, a dedicated professional with a Master’s in Education specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the College of William and Mary, is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As an active member of the Virginia Counselor’s Association, she brings her passion and expertise to the HRCA as their Secretary-Elect.
Specializing in women’s issues, acculturation, and post-traumatic growth, Anaiz, a Spanish-speaking first-generation Cuban American, is a compassionate counselor at the group practice Coastal Virginia Counseling in Virginia Beach. Her approach is rooted in strengths-based, empowerment-focused techniques, fostering holistic wellness. Anaiz, a Registered Yoga Teacher, seamlessly integrates the mind-body connection and spirituality into her counseling, creating a comprehensive approach to well-being.
With a background in victim services, Anaiz advocates for culturally competent evidence-based practices and strives for platform accessibility and inclusivity, breaking down barriers in the therapy room. Her Instagram platform, @noturabuelitastherapist, champions diversity, social justice, and demystifying the counseling process.
Anaiz extends her impact as a registered provider for Todo Por Mi Familia, connecting reunified families affected by the Zero Tolerance policy at the U.S. border with mental health treatment through the SENECA Family of Agencies. This initiative, supported by the U.S. Health and Human Services Administration’s General Council, showcases her commitment to advocacy and support.
With experience in victim services, Anaiz has worked with survivors of sexual assault, human trafficking, and domestic violence across crisis centers, police departments, and residential programs on the East Coast, offering services in both English and Spanish. In her practice, Anaiz has served survivors of violence, first-generation immigrant communities, and women through a client-centered, trauma-informed approach, providing culturally-competent evidence-based practices.
Eager to share her wealth of experience, Anaiz aspires to provide culturally competent supervision for fellow bilingual, bicultural counselors. In response to the mental health crisis in Virginia, Anaiz is actively involved in VHCF Boost Virginia, contributing to the Boost 200 initiative designed to address the increasing demand for counseling services in the state.
Anaiz Rodriguez hopes to stand as a beacon of compassion, advocacy, and cultural competence, making a lasting impact in the mental health field and beyond.”
Elizabeth (Beth) Hunter
Treasurer
Beth Hunter, M.A., LPC holds a Masters Degree in Counseling from Regent University. She has worked in private practice and built a counseling /discipleship program in her church. She is also a published author with a 12-week Bible study: Forgive & Live, which is used across the nation. Beth Hunter counsels adults, couples and adolescents. Beth specializes in treatment for trauma as well as depression, anxiety and marital issues.
Casey Voss
Student Representative
Casey Voss is an undergraduate psychology student in her final semester at Old Dominion University. Currently, Casey Voss is completing an internship with Charnetta Waters at Heart-Led Counseling and Consulting in Newport News. She has also gained previous experience working in the mental health field under a QMHP, as well as working at a private school. Casey plans to further her education and experience in the mental health field while providing positive, lasting impacts in the community.
Committees
(a) Advocacy. The Advocacy Committee shall disseminate information among members and focus public attention on legislation which would in any way affect guidance, counseling, mental health, or human resource activities in the Southeastern Tidewater area. As appropriate, the Advocacy Relations Committee shall formulate resolutions and propose them to the membership for approval.
(b) Archives. The Archives Committee shall be responsible for collecting information to be assembled in a scrapbook to be submitted at the state and or national level. It may also be assigned responsibility for tasks related to the process of recording and maintaining documents of historical value to the Chapter.
(c) Awards. The HRCA Awards Committee shall determine the recipients of the Chapter Awards: “HRCA Counselor of the Year,” “HRCA Chapter Member of the Year,” “HRCA Humanitarian & Caring Person of the Year” and “HRCA Career Service Award.” This committee shall also submit the HRCA Chapter recipients to VCA for the ‘VCA Counselor of the Year,” “VCA Humanitarian & Caring Person of the Year,” “William H. Van Hoose Career Service Award” as well as submitting for the “VCA Chapter of the Year (Large & Small}.” These awards are not necessarily made annually. This committee is responsible for the submission of materials on behalf of our members for awards at state and national levels. The Awards Committee shall be chaired by the Immediate-Past President.
(d) Communications. The Communications Committee shall coordinate the publicity efforts of the Chapter, using the various means available (email, internet, webpage, local newspapers, etc.) to get the word out and keep the membership informed. The Secretary-Elect shall chair the Communications Committee.
(e) Ethics. The committee on Ethics shall be charged with responsibility of promoting ethical professional behavior among members by providing members with the ACA Code of Ethics, reporting to the members the results of pertinent court rulings, and conducting educational programs as needed.
(f) Hospitality. The Hospitality Committee provides social amenities for the general membership meetings including the sign-in for members and the checking off of reservation lists. They are also responsible for sending acknowledgments to our members who are ill or who have other unfortunate circumstances such as bereavement.
(g) Membership. The Membership Committee shall be responsible for the membership work of the Chapter and for the coordination of membership activities of the Chapter. The Membership Committee shall be chaired by the Treasurer-Elect.
(h) Multi-Cultural. The Multi-Cultural Committee promotes understanding of multi-cultural issues pertaining to the counseling profession through varied efforts such as news articles, programs, etc.
(i) Newsletter. The Newsletter Committee compiles and disseminates the newsletter four times during the year to HRCA membership and retains additional copies for submission to competitions at the state and or national level.
(j) Professional Development. Professional Development Committee promotes programs and activities designed to enhance the professional expertise and knowledge of the counseling profession among our membership.
(k) Programs. The Program Committee shall make all arrangements for the Chapter meetings. This responsibility shall include procuring suitable facilities and arrangements and appropriations for the professional aspect of the meetings. The Programs Committee shall be chaired by the President-Elect.
(l) Scholarship. The Scholarship Committee shall advertise, solicit and adjudicate scholarship applications from individuals in graduate programs, to award an annual scholarship in an amount to be approved by the board.