Our Blog

NEVA BARNO, MS
PROVIDER

Mental Performance

Neva believes we all experience setbacks and challenges that we need to overcome in life, whether that’s in the athletic/performance realm or everyday life. And even if nothing is going “wrong”, there are skills that we may need to learn to optimize our well-being.

“I personally believe that every day I wake up, I should strive to be better. What can I do? What can I learn to be better? How can I invest in myself today? What skills can I put in my tool belt? What do I not know about myself that I need to know to be better?” 

Neva is excited to bring individuals performance from level 5 to 10; she wants to take people to a new level of excellence that they have never experienced before. One of Neva’s many passions with mental performance, is assisting patients in overcoming injuries, in a multitude of ways, including but not limited to: injury rehab, conditioning the mental state while enduring injuries, overcoming injuries to produce optimum performance, and coming back from high-stress injury environments with a clear mind.

TRACY HELLER
PHD + CMPC + BCB | PROVIDER

MENTAL PERFORMANCE SPECIALIST

Dr. Heller specializes in helping individuals optimize their mindset in order to perform at their highest level. She is eager to provide services to individuals and groups that are motivated to move to the next level of success.

From the time that she worked with a sport psychologist as a teenager, Dr. Heller knew that this was the career for her. She is enthusiastic about providing innovative services using cutting edge skills and techniques that are supported by research. The tips and strategies from that she specializes in can help individuals breakthrough performance slumps, gain a sharper edge, and advance past their status quo both on and off the field.

“I started working with a sport psychologist to maximize my potential as an individual and athlete. I believe in leaving it all on the table and giving 100% so I always know that it is my best effort every time, regardless of the outcome. Even in defeat or after a setback, every experience is a chance to grow and develop.”
– Tracy

BRITTANY PRUS

PROGRAM DIRECTOR + REHAB AID

Brittany is a motivated, enthusiastic professional with a passion for people and education. She enjoys getting to know each of our patients, and their goals, in order to assist in their overall progress. Brittany believes that teamwork, innovation and quality are the backbone elements that create an enjoyable experience for our clients, and empowers them with the tools to progress towards a thriving lifestyle. When Brittany is not interacting with our patients, she is either pushing our team to grow and develop, or out in the community connecting with various individuals organizations on behalf of Thrive.

GET TO KNOW BRITTANY OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICE

Brittany has two boxer fur babies she loves spending time with. She loves impacting the younger generation and finds time to volunteer in the community when she can. When Brittany is not at work you can find her at the gym, meal prepping or spending time with loved ones and making memories.

KATIE CASAS

REHAB AID

Katie is graduating from Bryant and Stratton College in June 2020 with a Medical Assistant degree. She will continue her education for Physical Therapy Assistant. Katie has always had a passion for helping others and has a dream of being a PTA.

GET TO KNOW KATIE OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICE

AVERY RODRIGUEZ

REHAB AID

Avery is a recent graduate from Salisbury University and received her Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science, and became a certified Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). She is very excited to continue her education and start at Old Dominion University’s Masters of Science in Athletic Training Program in the summer of 2020. Avery has always enjoyed helping others, and she has the dream of becoming an Athletic Trainer.

GET TO KNOW AVERY OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICE

Avery has 3 other sisters who are her favorite people in the world.

Grew up in Baltimore, MD and is new to the Virginia Beach area.

Avery is a coffee and food connoisseur who is always looking for new, cool places to eat in Virginia Beach.

Favorite foods are Pho, Ramen, and other Asian cuisine.

In her free time she likes to read, go to the beach or hiking, and loves spending time with her family.

KELSEY HILLIAN  

MARKETING ASSISTANT 

Kelsey is a recent graduate from Old Dominion University where she received her Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing. Kelsey is passionate about digital marketing and all things creative. She is excited to work at a company where she can use her marketing skills to help people find the care they need to thrive!

CHANTAL OWEN
CMT + CR + CCA | PROVIDER

PAIN RELIEF, PAIN MANAGEMENT, AND RELAXATION SPECIALIST

Chantal specializes in providing pain relief, pain management and relaxation to individuals seeking to optimize their personal and professional potential, well-being, and quality of life. She has over 8 years of experience working holistically with people challenged with acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain and dysfunctions, hormonal, digestive, and autoimmune disorders.

Through her own life challenges and needs for physical, emotional and mental balance, Chantal has developed a unique set of skills and a keen sense of empathy for people eager to restore, improve and maintain their health and well-being. Her mission is to support her team’s work in providing peace, comfort, connection, meaning, and purpose during time of struggle, as well as physical demand and need for superior athletic performances.

Chantal has learned and mastered effective and non-invasive massage techniques that focus on the medical benefits of soft tissue manipulation, mobilization, alternative pressure and essential oils to provide superior and cumulative customized results.

“As Paulo Coelho said “I bear many scars, but I also carry with me moments that would not have happened if I had not dared to go beyond my limits.” I embrace the belief that, in the pursuit of balance and well-being, there is no such thing that shortcut or easy fix; it requires dependability, discipline, determination and commitment.”
– Chantal

KARYN PEREIRA

BACK END MANAGER

Karyn is an energetic, motivated professional who thrives within a team environment. Her passion for physical therapy is seen daily as she prepares treatment areas, equipment, and materials, along with performing procedures under the supervision of our physical therapists.

She is currently enrolled in a physically therapy assistant program and will graduate in 2018, which will lead her to continuing her passion as a licensed PTA. Working at Thrive has allowed her to focus on her education and gain hands-on experience as she finishes schooling. She also has 20 years worth of customer service experience, and understands the great importance of building and maintaining client relationships.