Candice Ratledge
Therapy is a space for curiosity, growth, and sometiems a little humor along the way. With over 20 years of experience in mental health, I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, and Intenal Family Systems (IFS) to create a personalized approach that meets each person where they are. I value the healing connection we have with nature and believe that feeling safe, understood, and genuinely seen can create the foundation for meaningful changes. Together, we can explore the impact of past experiences, make sense of the patterns that shape your life, and reconnect with what feels most authentic to you. My goal is to help you feel more grounded, whole, and able to live your life in a way that feels truly your own.
First session
Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin creating a foundation of trust and safety. We'll talk about what brings you to therapy, what you’re experiencing right now, and what you hope to gain from our work together. I'll also share a little about my approach and how I work so you can get a sense of what therapy may look like. There is no expectation for you to have everything figured out or know exactly where to begin. We'll move at a pace that feels comfortable for you, with plenty of room for questions, curiosity , and even some humor. My goal is for you to leave feeling heard, respected and hopeful about the possibility of meaningful change.
Strengths
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to create a place where people feel safe enough to be honest, vulnerable, and fully themselves. I listen deeply and hold space for whatever someone brings into the room, while also recognizing when gentle challenge can support meaningful growth. I approach those moments with compassion, curiosity, and respect, never judgment. Building trust is at the heart of my work, and I strive to create a therapuetic relationship where clients feel both supported and empowered.
Ideal clients
I work with adults who are navigating life transitions, stress, anxiety, depression, or simply feeling stuck and unsure of what comes next. My ideal clients are curious about themselves and open to exploring the experiences, patterns, and beliefs that may be shaping their lives. I especially enjoy working with people who want to better understand their own unique strengths and abilities to grow and change.
Origin story
My path into the helping profession was deeply inspired by my mom. A single mother, nurse, and now nurse educator, she has always embodied compassion, resilience, and a deep commitment to helping others. As the daughter of a farmer and seamstress from the foothills of Tennessee, she learned the value of hard work, humility, and caring for her community. Watching her dedicate her life to serving others showed me the profound impact one person can have through compassion and connection. Her altruism planted the seeds for my own desire to help people feel supported, understood, and empowered. The values she modeled for me continue to guide me as a therapist and have ultimatley led me to where I am today.
Ongoing work together
As we continue working together, our sessions will be collaborative and tailored to you, your goals, and what you need in each season of your life. We'll explore patterns, emotions, relationships, and past experiences that may be influencing how you move through the world, while also focussing on the strengths and resources you already have within you. Depending on your needs, we may use CBT, Mindfulness, Internal Family Systems and other integrative approaches to help you develop greater self-awareness, manage stress and difficult emotions, and create meaningful change. I'll offer support and compassion while also gently challenging you when it may help you move beyond old patterns or perspectives. Therapy isn't about changing who you are, it's about developing a deeper understanding of yourself, reconnecting with your strengths, and discovering new ways of responding to life. My hope is that, over time, you feel more grounded, confident, authentic, and able to navigate life with greater flexibility and self-trust.
Treatment methods
Strength-Based
I operate using a strengths-based, integrative therapy method combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness and Internal Family Systems (IFS). This method shifts the therapeutic focus from "fixing deficits" to cultivating a person's inherent internal resources and reslience. By blending these modalities, the approach treats psychological distress not as a fundamental flaw, but as an opportunity to harmonize differents parts of ourselves.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
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Licensed in
- VirginiaLicense 0904007659