Andrea Diggs
Licensed Clinical Social Worker · Small Business Owner · Newport News Mom
A Life Built Around Service
Since moving to Newport News in 2015, Andrea has built both her life and her work around service. She is a mother of two — a recent graduate of the College of William & Mary and an NNPS middle schooler — giving her a firsthand understanding of the importance of strong schools, stable neighborhoods, and a city that supports families at every stage.
Clinical & Community Experience
With over 16 years of experience in the mental health field, Andrea has spent her career working directly with individuals and families navigating trauma, economic hardship, and life transitions. She is the owner of Therapeutic Services of Virginia, where she provides outpatient mental health care and oversees services that support individuals, youth, and families at risk of more intensive interventions. In addition to her clinical work, Andrea consults with organizations across Virginia, helping ensure accountability, quality, and compliance in services for individuals with disabilities.
More social workers should have a voice in policy and decision-making — bringing real-world experience into the conversations that shape our communities.
Academic & Policy Background
Andrea is also a PhD student in Social Work, where her academic work focuses on understanding how policy impacts individuals, families, and communities — particularly those who are often overlooked. Her professional background includes experience in state regulation, policy interpretation, and quality improvement, giving her a clear understanding of how systems operate and where they often fall short for everyday people. She has worked closely with schools, service providers, and community organizations, positioning her to bring practical, informed solutions to local government.
Andrea holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology, as well as two Master's degrees — one in Social Work and the other in Public Administration. Her combined clinical and administrative expertise allows her to approach community challenges with both compassion and strategy.
Running Again, Stronger
In her previous campaign, Andrea connected with residents across the Central District, listening closely to their concerns about housing, safety, and economic stability. In that 2024 race for the Central District seat, Diggs finished as the runner-up with roughly 28% of the vote in a five-candidate field — the strongest showing among the challengers (The Virginian-Pilot, VPAP). She is running again with deeper insight, stronger relationships, and a continued commitment to representing the voices of the community.