About

Meet our team!

Christy Vaughn, LPC

I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science from Bluefield College and a Masters of Arts degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor in the Commonwealth of Virginia. My experience includes working with individuals and families in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I utilize several different methods to incorporate treatment for children, adolescents, and adults. I work in a warm and non-judgmental atmosphere with individuals suffering from trauma, grief, depression, anxiety, and adjustment issues.

I have enjoyed living in North Roanoke for the past 30 years. I’m married and have four wonderful sons, two amazing daughters-in-law, and four adorable granddaughters and two adventurous grandsons. I also have three cats and two dogs. My Tinker Creek location is not a coincidence. I love the water and am a beach girl at heart.

Mark Martin, LPC, RPTS

Hello, my name is Mark Martin, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10 years of experience working with children (ages 3 and up), adolescents and families in a variety of settings. I specialize in working with anxiety, anger, autism, depression, grief/loss, ADD, ADHD, ODD, and LGBT issues. I am also a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. I do utilize play therapy techniques in sessions (especially with the younger ones). I take a person center approach by active listening to clients and their needs and encouraging them to make the changes they desire. I also use a strengths based approach as well because everyone has strengths that can be built upon to make the changes that you want in life. I love being able to watch the growth and changes my clients make while succeeding.

In my spare time, I like to spend time with my partner, grilling out, cooking, antique shopping, reading, writing and going on cruises when I can.

Kim Garland, LPC

I obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from James Madison University and a Masters of Education in Counseling from Old Dominion University. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Virginia and have been working in the outpatient setting since 2016. I also have experience working in the hospital setting and in Crisis Stabilization Services. I specialize in working with adolescents, Mood Disorders (Depression, Anxiety, Anger), Parenting Issues and Family Services. I have extensive experience with completing assessments and diagnosing. I have a passion for helping each client become the best version of themselves. My goal is to walk beside each client and provide them with the support that they need to walk through the path that they are currently on.

I have lived in the Roanoke area my entire life and have two wonderful children. I am excited to start a new chapter in my life at Tinker Creek and look forward to all the individuals I will be able to meet.

Nora Tate, LPC

Do you ever feel "stuck" in a pattern that inevitably leads to not getting what you want in life? Do the messages you carry from the past keep getting in your way? Are you holding onto resentments and negative feelings that prevent you from moving forward? Are you confused about how to make important decisions? If any of these things are a current struggle for you, then let's talk!

I earned a B.S. in Psychology (2003) and an M.S.Ed. in Counseling (2005) from Old Dominion University. I have been a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2008 and a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider since 2009. I have worked extensively in community mental health and in private practice.

I have training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) used for the treatment of trauma and PTSD, along with training in Gottman Method Couples Counseling to address marital and relationship issues. I utilize Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to address a variety of issues such as depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Additionally, I have a special interest in spiritual issues and men’s issues. I enjoy working with adults, couples, and groups. I also find great satisfaction in partnering with family members / friends who have a loved one who suffers from mental illness to help them cope.

I would love the opportunity to walk the journey with you. Please reach out to Tinker Creek Creative Counseling and let’s discuss how we can help you reach your goals.

Cyndi Richards, LCSW

In choosing a mental health professional, you want to ensure that the person has the training and experience to assist you with getting the results you desire. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and I have 20 years of experience in the behavioral healthcare field. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science from Bluefield University and a Master of Social Work degree from Radford University. I work closely with children, tweens, teens, adults, families, and couples with a broad range of crises, mental health and stressful life situations. My clinical experience includes individual and group therapy in community health clinics and inpatient psychiatric units. I utilize a variety of approaches to therapy and take a collaborative, person-centered, strength-based approach to treatment. I believe in providing goal- directed treatment by working with you to develop goals that are specifically tailored to what you what to achieve are established. Treatment is then planned with your specific goals in mind and progress is made toward the goal in a time-sensitive manner.

My areas of specialty include: depression, anxiety, grief and loss, mood instability, anger/aggressive behaviors, oppositional adjustment issues, family conflict, school/social issues, end of life issues, and life transitions. Therapeutic approaches utilized during treatment include: Eye Movement Desentization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused, Strength-Based, Gestalt, Person-Centered, Attachment-based, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, Expressive Arts, Play, and Trauma Focused. I believe in providing a positive and supportive environment where you can feel accepted, empowered and experience the personal growth you desire. I will provide a non-judgmental environment and will treat you with dignity, and respect.

I am a lifelong resident of Roanoke. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, pets, and friends, reading, cooking, baking, shopping, and watching DIY home improvement shows.

Sarah Etheridge, MSW

HI!!! I am Sarah Ethridge. I am a Licensed Clinical Social worker supervisee here to support and guide adults in their healing journey. Specializing in trauma, depression, and anxiety, I will provide support, encouragement, understanding and compassion throughout the healing process. Utilizing client centered and trauma informed care, you can expect to be present in all decisions regarding your therapeutic process. Working together to reach goals considered and agreed on by you. I will utilize therapeutic modalities and processes that best assist you as the client. Therapeutic modalities include Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CPT), Art therapy, Motivational interviewing, solution-focused and a variety of other evidence-based therapeutic interventions that fit your journey to wellness.

I served in the military for 8 years. I graduated from Radford University School of Social Work with my MSW in 2021. I have previously provided community mental health to adults. I interned in the Mental Health Clinic at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salem, VA.

I have 3 amazing children, an aged puppy dog and 2 cats. We enjoy each other’s company playing board games, exploring the outdoors, being silly and taking trips together. I enjoy DIY projects and crafts. Halloween is my favorite time of the year.