Psychology practice opens
Published 10:25 pm Wednesday, July 3, 2013
A psychology practice opened in downtown Suffolk this week offering faith-based mental health services to children, adolescents, adults and families.
Opening: Vice Mayor Charles Brown helps Kawanna Ward cut the ribbon on Providence Psychological Services last week. (Tracy Agnew/Suffolk News-Herald)
Kawanna Ward owns and operates Providence Psychological Services. She said the field has been rewarding for her, and hopes to be in Suffolk for a long time.
“I’m excited,” she said. “I look forward to having longevity in Suffolk.”
Ward said she has always wanted to be an advocate for people but “didn’t want to judge” in the role of an attorney. She obtained a master’s degree in social work at Virginia Commonwealth University after receiving her bachelor’s at Norfolk State University.
“It’s a natural fit for me,” she said. “It doesn’t feel like work. It’s very rewarding. Not only my educational training but also my life experiences have prepared me to be passionate about families and children.”
Ward already has begun seeing clients at the office at 129 N. Saratoga St. She accepts major insurance plans and covers issues such as depression, trauma, delinquency, ADHD, couples counseling and more.
She most recently was the state clinical director of mental health for an agency but “realized that lifestyle didn’t work for my family,” she said.
Last year, she began working a few hours a week at another practice to build up her clientele, who have transferred with her to the new practice.
“I am really passionate about children and families, and wanted to have the flexibility to give to my own family,” she said.
Originally from Madison, Va., Ward said Suffolk has been very receptive to her.
“I have gotten a lot of new business,” she said. “I’ve always worked with families from Suffolk. I am aware of the disparities and limitations of resources for families in the Franklin and Suffolk area.”
“Having high-quality mental health services as a resource is such an important part of the overall health of a community,” Suffolk Mayor Linda T. Johnson said in a press release. “It is with great pleasure we welcome Providence Psychological Services to Suffolk and wish them much success.”
The practice’s phone number is 539-5353 and its website is www.providencepsychservices.com.
