Meet The Team
Jessica Branham, LCSW + Owner and operator of Balanced Growth Therapy and Consulting
Jessica Branham is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 14 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, families, and high-performing individuals. She holds a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University (2008) and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from James Madison University (2006). She earned her clinical license in 2012.
Jessica’s career began with clinical rotations across New York City before relocating to Virginia Beach, where she spent a decade embedded with Naval Special Warfare. Her work with tactical operators focused on trauma recovery, performance under pressure, and resilience-building. She is trained in a range of trauma-focused therapies, including CBT for trauma, prolonged exposure therapy, cognitive processing therapy, and EMDR.
Currently, Jessica provides instruction to Naval psychiatry residents, guiding the practical application of evidence-based therapeutic techniques. She also holds a certification in sports social work from Tulane University and partners with athletes and organizations to enhance mental performance, leadership, and cognitive resilience.
Whether working with individuals in traditional therapy or in performance coaching settings, Jessica’s mission is to deliver balanced, evidence-based care that empowers clients to thrive in their personal and professional lives.
Alexis Davies-Hackenberg, MSW, + Supervisee in Clinical Social Work + Mental Performance Coach
Alexis Davies-Hackenberg is a Virginia Beach native and holds a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she completed the Advanced Standing program in 2023. She earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Virginia Wesleyan University in 2022.
Her clinical training includes field placements in both hospital and community-based settings, including the Emergency Department at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters. There, she supported individuals experiencing medical and psychological crises and gained experience in trauma assessments, behavioral interventions, and case management for families impacted by domestic violence.
A former collegiate volleyball player, Alexis brings firsthand insight into the mental health needs of athletes. Her own recovery from a season-ending injury inspired her to specialize in working with youth and athletes facing anxiety, depression, injury recovery, and performance challenges. She is also experienced in supporting individuals dealing with grief, divorce, OCD, and PTSD.
Alexis primarily uses cognitive behavioral therapy, and is also trained in trauma-focused CBT, motivational interviewing, and strength-based approaches. Now in her fourth season as an assistant coach with Beach Elite Volleyball Club’s 18s National team, she combines her clinical expertise and athletic experience to empower others both on and off the court.
Sam Kirschenbaum + Mental performance Coach
Sam Kirschenbaum comes to Balanced Growth Therapy + Consulting after a decade of coaching soccer at the collegiate level. He most recently served as the Associate Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Old Dominion University, with prior coaching roles at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, Marist College, and Virginia Wesleyan University. In addition to his work at the collegiate level, Sam has been actively involved in youth soccer for over 15 years, holding director of coaching positions at various youth soccer clubs in New York, Maryland, and Virginia. His extensive experience with coaching high-performing athletes has given him deep insight into the mental demands of competition at all levels.
Sam holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Cortland and a master’s degree in counseling, educational, and school psychology with an emphasis in positive coaching and athletic leadership from the University of Missouri. As a mental performance coach, he integrates sport psychology, leadership development, and mental performance strategies to help athletes build confidence, resilience, and focus. His approach empowers athletes to perform at their best - both inside and outside of their sporting arena.
Ariel Hutcheon, LPC + Military Mental Health Specialist + PhD Candidate
Ariel Hutcheon is a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a strong emphasis on working with military personnel and their families. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by service members, Ariel provides specialized support to individuals navigating the complexities of military life, from deployment stress to reintegration challenges and trauma recovery.
In addition to her clinical work, Ariel is currently ABD (All But Dissertation) in her PhD program, further expanding her expertise in mental health research and therapeutic practices. Her approach is grounded in trauma-informed care and she integrates evidence-based modalities like Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness techniques.
Ariel is passionate about helping individuals build resilience, manage stress, and find a path toward healing and self-discovery.