Meet the Quarternote Counseling Clinical Staff

Please read below for an introduction to our highly skilled therapists.

• Gillian Clissold, LPC
• Margarita Johnson, LPC
• Jessica Nolan, LPC
• Meredith McGinn, M.Ed., Resident in Counseling
• Rachael Mindas-Dombowski, MA, R-DMT, Resident in Counseling
• Wendy Freeman Rood, M.Ed., Resident in Counseling

Gillian Clissold, LPC

Gillian Clissold, LPC (License # 0701006150) is the owner and clinical director of Quarternote Counseling LLC. She provides services in English and Spanish on-line and in-person for teenagers and adults experiencing trauma symptoms, dissociation (including Dissociative Identity Disorder), anxiety, depression, addiction, attention challenges, and mental health symptoms related to gender identity and sexual orientation. She is certified in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Gillian has completed advanced (“Level 3”) training in Internal Family Systems, and has received extensive additional training regarding trauma and dissociation from renowned experts Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk, Dr. Frank Anderson, Kris Santamaria, Farnsworth Lobenstine, Bruce Hersey, and Dolores Mosquera.

In addition to supervising and facilitating training of Quarternote Counseling therapists, Gillian also provides training, consultation and supervision services to outside therapists regarding both general therapy matters and treatment techniques for trauma and dissociation, including Dissociative Identity Disorder. Please CLICK HERE for more information on these services.

Due to her clinical and business responsibilities, Gillian has a limited caseload and prioritizes those clients with Dissociative Disorders. Gillian has a strong social justice agenda and is particularly committed to serving immigrants and individuals who have experienced incarceration. She is familiar with a wide range of cultures in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean due to her previous career in International Relations (PhD from London School of Economics and 10 years as a professor at Georgetown University). Gillian provides a warm supportive atmosphere for therapy and sees her role as helping clients access their own internal healing resources. Gillian competed in the equestrian sport of “Eventing” at the advanced national championship level and remains an avid horsewoman.

Please click here to view Ms.Clissold’s Virginia Board of Counseling license information.

Margarita Johnson, LPC

Ms. Johnson is a Licensed Professional Counselor, licensed in both Virginia and Texas, (VA License # 0701010036 and TX License #83962.) She provides services to clients ages 16 to adult in both English and Russian via telehealth. A native of Ukraine, she attended a rigorous multi-year post graduate program at the Moscow Gestalt Institute and practiced for several years as a psychotherapist overseas, focusing in Clinical Gestalt Therapy, Body Focused Therapy, and Crisis and Trauma Counseling.

Ms. Johnson  is  a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), is certified in the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and is also certified Gestalt therapist. In addition to her role as a therapist at Quarternote Counseling, she serves as Quarternote Counseling’s Assistant Clinical Director for Trainings. She approaches counseling from a trauma informed and holistic perspective, and is constantly continuing her education.

Please click here to view Ms. Johnson’s Virginia Board of Counseling license information.

Jessica Nolan, LPC

Jessica (Jessie) Nolan (License #0701011791) is a Licensed Professional Counselor and works with preteens, teens, and adults. She also provides couples counseling. She specializes in depression, anxiety, trauma (including complex trauma and relational trauma), dissociation, and personality disorders. She approaches each individual as a unique person capable of growth and healing.

Jessie received a Master of Education degree in Counseling and Development from George Mason University and has received training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She integrates that training with psychodynamic approaches, mindfulness practices, and LGBTQ+ affirming care. In addition, she uses principles and techniques from Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, as appropriate.

Prior to becoming a therapist, Jessie taught and mentored people from diverse backgrounds. She lived and traveled in Asia for two years and speaks Japanese. Her style is strengths-based and collaborative, and she welcomes individuals from diverse and intersectional backgrounds.

Jessie offers sessions both in-person and online.

Please click here to view Ms. Nolan’s Virginia Board of Counseling license information.

Meredith McGinn, M.Ed., Resident in Counseling   

Meredith McGinn (License # 0704013989) is a licensed Resident in Counseling who focuses on guiding individuals on a journey toward self-empowerment. She believes that with the right tools, individuals are able to gain the skills and confidence that will help to enhance the quality of their lives. She has had experience working with people from diverse racial, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Meredith specializes in treating depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, as well as substance use disorders.

Using a humanistic approach, Meredith collaborates with the client on their goals for treatment. Ms. McGinn integrates evidence-based theories and interventions into sessions such as: Psychodynamic theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, Motivational Interviewing, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Internal Family Systems (IFS).

Meredith received a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from George Mason University, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Minor in Studio Art from Eastern Connecticut State University. Additionally, Meredith has received supplemental training on LGBTQ+ Awareness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Trauma Informed Care. Meredith has had experience working as a behavioral therapist, a crisis listener, an art therapy intern as well as a teacher. She works with adolescents and adults.

Meredith is currently available for online telehealth services only.

Please click here to view Ms. McGinn’s Virginia Board of Counseling license information.

Rachael Mindas-Dombowski, MA, R-DMT, Resident in Counseling

Rachael Mindas-Dombowski (License # 0704014020) is a Resident in Counseling, and a Registered Dance/Movement therapist who works with children, teens, and adults. She specializes in depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, and substance use. Rachael has experience working with individuals with an array of physical, cognitive and intellectual needs.

Rachael received a Master of Education degree in Dance/ Movement Therapy and Counseling from Drexel University. She believes the therapeutic process is about self-discovery, and practices from a person-centered approach with strength, and solution-based focuses. Rachael holds a multicultural framework that recognizes and honors each part of the client’s identity.

Rachael has experience in providing individual and group therapy, in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings. Rachael prides herself on creating genuine experiences for the individuals she has the opportunity to work with, as she believes therapeutic connection is at the core of dance/movement therapy and counseling.

Rachael offers sessions both in-person and online.

Please click here  to view Mrs. Mindas-Dombowski’s Virginia Board of Counseling license information.

Wendy Freeman Rood, M.Ed., Resident in Counseling

Wendy Freeman Rood (License # 0704014667) is a Resident in Counseling and a Nationally Certified Counselor. She believes that people have what they need within them to become who they want to be. Her
goal is to build a collaborative therapeutic relationship with each client that empowers them to work through their problems and move forward in a meaningful way.

Wendy uses a person-centered, strengths-based approach that also draws from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and existential theory. She has worked with people experiencing domestic violence, PTSD, emotional abuse, mood disorders, substance abuse, and anxiety.

Wendy received a Master of Education degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the College of William and Mary. She also has a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from Vassar College, and a Master of Fine Arts in Stage Management from the University of California San Diego.

Wendy works with adults and is available for sessions either in-person or online.

Please click here  to view Ms. Rood’s Virginia Board of Counseling license information.