Holly Smith, LPC

State Director

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a diverse background treating mental health and substance abuse disorders in multiple settings. I received my Master's degree in Counselor Education with an emphasis in community and addiction from The College of William & Mary in 2007. I have worked in emergency services and crisis intervention for three different Virginia community services boards before coming to NCG. Since 2010, I have been supervising and managing community-based programs in Southwest Virginia and beyond. During my time with NCG, I have served as a Clinical Supervisor, Site Director, Area Clinical Director, and now State Director. My interests include clinical supervision, program management, and leadership, as well as recruiting and training future human services professionals. My true passion is training and guiding the next generation of counselors to help the growing mental health needs in the communities we serve.

Suchana Shrestha, MA, LPC 

Site Manager

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia with a Master’s degree in Mental Health and Clinical Counseling from Southern Arkansas University. My interest in counseling began during my undergraduate studies in Psychology and Social Work, where I was drawn to understanding how best to support individuals facing mental health challenges. 
I’ve been deeply committed to serving at-risk populations. In my previous roles, I’ve had the opportunity to serve in various capacities, including Outpatient Therapist, Intensive In-Home Therapist, ABA Therapist, and Group Therapist. I primarily utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), incorporating Integrative Therapy techniques as needed to tailor my approach to each individual’s unique needs. 

Fluent in both Hindi and Nepali, I take pride in my ability to connect with a broad range of clients and foster an inclusive, culturally sensitive therapeutic environment. My dedication to expanding access to mental health services aligns with Virginia’s “Right Help, Right Now” initiative, which aims to provide immediate behavioral health support before, during, and after a crisis.

Outside of work, I enjoy reading, meditation, yoga, crocheting, and hiking. These activities help me maintain a healthy balance in life and continue to inspire my work in the mental health field.