CLINICAL and Activity VOLUNTEERS
“The Women’s Initiative is an extraordinary place to volunteer. They offer a supportive environment, as well as excellent supervision and learning opportunities. I may be giving my time, but they give me so much more.”
PRO BONO Therapists
KATIE ALLEN, LPC
Katie Allen (she/her) is a licensed professional counselor originally from Charlottesville with a BA from The College of William & Mary and MA from Boston University School of Medicine. After four post-grad years in Pittsburgh, PA, working in community mental health, she returned home to Charlottesville, pivoting to private practice. Since the summer of 2021, she has worked remotely as the clinical director for a Texas-based startup, Rhithm, which promotes student and teacher well-being, and is looking forward to resuming clinical work on a part-time basis. In her work, Katie utilizes a combination of DBT, CBT, and other strengths-based approaches. In her free time, Katie can be found spending time with her husband, 1 year old son, and her horse, Faie. She has long-term goals of incorporating equine-assisted therapy into her work.
Rachael LeMasters, LMSW
Rachael LeMasters (she/her) graduated from Columbia University with a Master of Social Work degree and received a certificate in family systems theory from the Tavistock and Portman Trust. She has experience working with diverse populations, such as families with complex needs, children with special education needs, and refugees. Rachael utilizes a strengths perspective and works to build an empathic connection with each client. Additionally, she is particularly interested in thinking about how systems and relationships interact with individual goals and needs.
Kris Shafer, MA
Kris (she/her) is passionate about woman empowerment and equity as well as honoring each person's unique perspective and background. She uses a person-centered and trauma informed approach to create connection with and safety for clients. She received her master's degree in counseling from Messiah University and bachelor's in psychology from the University of Virginia. Prior to a career in counseling, Kris served in the military for 21 years.
Racheal Smetana, PsyD
Racheal (she/her) is a licensed clinical psychologist. She received her PsyD in clinical psychology from Adler University and completed her pre-doctoral internship at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, then relocated to Charlottesville to complete her postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology at the University of Virginia. Racheal has worked with clients across the lifespan, and is particularly interested in providing trauma-informed care. As a therapist, she practices from a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) orientation, with a person-centered and strengths-based approach. She also incorporates acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) interventions and mindfulness into her sessions. Racheal is trained in trauma therapy modalities to include trauma-focused CBT and cognitive processing therapy (CPT). In her free time, she volunteers with local nonprofit organizations, is an avid runner, and enjoys spending time with her dog.
Maren Ward, LCSW
Maren (she/her) has worked in the counseling field for over 20 years, spending the past 15 years focusing on crisis counseling and assessments. At The Women’s Initiative, Maren works to create a therapeutic connection between herself and the client that allows for a safe exploration of the client's challenges as well as current and past relationships while accessing and processing emotions to allow for relief, healing, insight and growth.
ACTIVITY & Clinical Training VOLUNTEERS
Terry Coffey, Artist and Art curator
Terry is a calligrapher and painter from Charlottesville, Virginia, having earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Florida. Terry took on the study of calligraphy in the 1980’s, combining the practice with watercolor, gilding in karat gold and other techniques. She is a member of the Washington Calligraphers Guild and has also been an instructor in the art of calligraphy at Piedmont Virginia Community College as well as privately. Over the years, she has taught calligraphy both privately and at Piedmont Virginia Community College. In recent years, she has expanded into the study and practice of oil painting and watercolor with the goal of connecting with the viewer through a dramatic sense of light and its interplay with color. Through a career as a therapist and social worker, in addition to being an artist, Terry volunteered for a time as a pro bono therapist with TWI. As the pull to art took on greater proportions that volunteerism morphed into her current role with TWI as curator of primarily women’s art that graces the halls of the agency rotating each quarter. Terry maintains a studio at home and in downtown Charlottesville. Phone: 434-293-6583; e-mail: terrycoffey@embarqmail.com website: www.terrycoffey.com