Meet Our RPS AdministrationTeam
Welcome to our Administration & Office Support Page. We have grown over the years and invite you to meet all our RPS staff. Click the links below to meet our Medical and Behavioral Therapy teams.
Dr. Portia Rawles, CEO, Author, Speaker, Professor
Meet Rawles & Associaties CEO Dr. Portia Rawles
Dr. Portia Rawles is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the CEO/Founder of Rawles Psychological Services (RPS) a behavioral health practice with a team of certified therapists (Meet Our Team).
Dr. Rawles received her bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and doctorate from Regent University. Currently, Dr. Rawles works in the capacity of a clinician, professor, and consultant. Dr. Rawles presently serves as an online faculty for Saybrook University's Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program. Saybrook University is located in Oakland, CA.
Prior to this, Dr.Rawles served for 4 years as Assistant Professor at South University in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s program and Psychology department. Dr. Rawles also previously served for five years as an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program at Regent University.
Prior to becoming a Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Rawles served 13 years with Norfolk Fire and Rescue. She retired as a Captain, being the first African- American woman to reach this rank.
CEO Dr. Portia Rawles
Practice Director Ms. Cynthia "Cathy" Clay, M.A., NCC, LPC
Meet RPS Practice Director Ms. Cynthia "Cathy" Clay, M.A., NCC, LPC
Cynthia (Cathy) Clay is the Practice Director and a Licensed Professional Counselor. Cynthia conducts individual and group therapy with youth and adults. She also serves as the Practice Director for Rawles Psychological Services. Cynthia has obtained her certification as a National Certified Counselor (NCC), which is the national licensing credential for the counseling profession
Cynthia received her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from South University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, a CACREP accredited program. She received her bachelor’s degree from Arcadia University. During her time at Arcadia University, Cynthia lived and studied abroad in Sicily, completing her thesis on the immigration challenges facing the nation of Italy and the EU, with an emphasis on unaccompanied minors. This experienced inspired Cynthia’s interest and passion for serving and advocating for vulnerable communities and individuals impacted by trauma. It also provided Cynthia with a global, multicultural perspective, which continues to inform her work as a counselor.
Cynthia is passionate about helping youth and young adults heal from various traumas and life challenges. Out of this passion, Cynthia founded the Next Generation Youth Empowerment Group for young men and women ages 7-17. Also, Cynthia served from 2014-2017 as a Court Advocate Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer for Virginia Beach.
Currently, Cynthia is pursuing her Ph.D. in Transformative Social Change to further her understanding of capacity building, advocacy, and social justice and its relevancy to helping vulnerable communities.
Before pursuing a Master’s degree in counseling, Cynthia worked many years in corporate America for one of the major insurance companies in the United States. This experience provided Cynthia with the leadership and management skills that she continues to utilize in her counseling career and advocacy work.
Contact Me
Ms. Cathy Clay, MA, NCC, LPC
Dr. Sharon Gardner, EdD - Practitioner
Meet Dr. Sharon Gardner, EdD - Practitioner & Educational Consultant
Dr. Gardner is the Educational Consultant with Rawles Psychological Services. Ms. Gardner has nearly 40 years of experience in teaching students with disabilities and the provision of instructional and compliance support governing special education services. Ms. Gardner earned her doctorate degree in special education from Regent University.
Ms. Gardner has held a variety of positions in the special education departments of both Norfolk and Virginia Beach City Public school systems including Teacher of the Emotionally Disabled, Itinerant Teacher of the Emotionally Disabled/Student(s) with Autism, Building Program Specialist, Instructional Teacher Specialist, and Special Education Coordinator.
Dr. Sharon Gardner, EdD
Jora Odom - Office Manager
Meet Jora Odom - Office Manager
Jora Odom is the Office Manager at Rawles Psychological Services. With a Master’s Degree in Education with a focus on Counseling and Guidance from the University of North Carolina Greensboro, Jora leads and supports Rawles with the knowledge of over 30 years of experience in mental health, higher education, and now office management.
Jora assists in the development and implementation of office policies and procedures and manages and oversees the administrative staff, therapists, and clinical teams. Her primary focus is to ensure that the office operates smoothly and efficiently.
Jora Odom
Avon Green - Receptionist
Meet Avon Green - Receptionist
Avon provides administrative support to our therapists and clinical team. She is one of the first points of contact you will speak with when you call or visit Rawles Psychological Services.
Avon has over 10 years of front office experience. She has worked in many mental health settings as well as a Direct Support Professional in a group home and as a Patient Care Assistant.
Avon is from Baltimore, Md. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends in her free time.
Avon Green - Receptionist
Jackie Reyes - Bilingual Receptionist
Meet Jackie Reyes - Bilingual Receptionist
Jackie Reyes serves as our bilingual Receptionist and works with our medication management team. With 20 Years of professional experience, she has worked in many mental health offices and has the heart and passion to help people.
Jackie is a native of Newark NJ. When she is not working, Jackie enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
Jackie Reyes - Receptionist