Zalina Truitt, Resident in Counseling, enjoys working with children, adolescents, and families as they navigate life’s challenges and build confidence in themselves and their abilities. She believes that every child has unique strengths and that meaningful growth occurs when clients feel supported, understood, and empowered.

Zalina has experience in helping children and adolescents who are struggling with anxiety, self-esteem, motivation, academic challenges, emotional regulation, and life transitions. She enjoys partnering with parents and caregivers to support children both in and outside of counseling sessions.

Zalina is passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where clients feel safe expressing themselves. She takes a warm, supportive, and collaborative approach to counseling and strives to meet each client where they are. She is especially interested in play therapy and creative approaches that allow children to communicate and process their experiences in developmentally appropriate ways. She also employs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-informed counseling, grief and loss counseling, and family-centered approaches.

Zalina received her master’s degree from George Mason University’s Counseling Program and brings experience from multiple internships with Fairfax County Public Schools. She received her bachelor’s degree in film and Theatre from the Tashkent Institute of Art in Uzbekistan, her native country. She has lived in Alexandria for the past 18 years while raising her three children.