Clinicians

Davene Mathis, LCSW, LICSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Washington, DC. Davene is the owner of Coping Matters, PLLC and brings over 28 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families in New York, Maryland, Washington, DC and Virginia. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University in 1992 and her Master of Social Work degree in 1999 from SUNY Buffalo. Davene’s 28-year career has included work and training with renowned local and national organizations, such as the National Urban League; University of Maryland, College Park; Montgomery County Department of Human Services; Child and Family Services Agency in Washington, DC; the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; as well as DC Public Schools. She has provided clinical supervision, national trainings regarding child abduction, adoption services, child abuse and human exploitation investigative services, as well as evidenced based therapy services and interventions. While Davene’s preference is Cognitive Behavior Therapy, she also utilizes play therapy, sand tray, person-centered therapy, trauma focused care, and mindfulness in her practice with children, teens, adults and families. Davene specializes in anxiety, depression, family conflicts, co-parenting, anger management, bullying, specialized educational instruction, noncompliant behaviors, executive functioning concerns, ADHD, adjustment disorders, and trauma. In addition, Davene provides functional behavioral assessments, behavioral intervention plans, and school and classroom strategies for improved behaviors. She began her own practice in May 2021, after working two years as a provider for the Children’s Clinic of Fredericksburg. Davene believes it is important to provide a safe, judgement-free space for all clients where they can freely communicate and express themselves. Through therapeutic work, she ensures Clients not only learn and understand their presenting concerns and symptoms, but also leave sessions with useful skills and strategies to improve their overall daily functioning. Davene’s goal for everyone she works with, regardless of age, is to safely exit and terminate services when the Client has obtained emotional and behavioral health and stability and is utilizing learned preventative skills independently.