Lynn Bañez

Lynn is an experienced Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and an Approved Clinical Supervisor in VA. She has experience as a Mental Health Clinical Director; with Clinical Program development, creating and implementation of policies, procedures, and oversight to successfully satisfy regulations for licensure compliance (VA Board of Counseling, DBHDS); a clinical supervisor of Residents in Counseling; and she has extensive experience with individual, group, and family counseling.

Lynn is an impassioned public speaker describing herself as a “fierce Advocate” for the availability of quality mental health services for all people, and she is committed to creating a more nurturing society for all people across differences. “I believe that as a professional mental health provider it is also my job to advocate for and educate consumers of mental health services to help get them the best services for themselves or their loved ones.” Lynn is passionate in her work, including training and mentoring new professionals stating “I had tremendously gifted and committed mentors early in my career. I truly believe that it is vital for our profession for me to provide that same level of commitment, knowledge, and support that I was given and it is my hope that they will do the same when they become the seasoned experts.”

Dr. Bañez, PhD, LPC is a published author and scholar in LGBTQ issues, diversity, and group work. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and has conducted numerous peer-reviewed presentations at local, state, and national conferences. She has also provided numerous presentations to mental health consumers and other professionals in community settings, K-12 school settings, colleges, and universities, etc. Lynn has also held numerous leadership positions at the state, regional and national levels of various professional organizations.

Lynn earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Kent State University in 1997 with specialties in multiculturalism and group work. Currently, Lynn is on the Board of Directors with National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Williamsburg, which is the local chapter of NAMI. She is actively involved in our community serving on the local Trauma Informed Community Network (TICN) and TICN subcommittees: Health and Training Committee, and Education Committee. To relax, Lynn enjoys singing in her parish’s choir, as well as in their acapella choir, Schola Cantorum, and ringing in the Bell choir.