 | SITEMAP | CONTACT US | FAQs Call 703-657-8103
| ||
|
| |||
 |
Restore Your Family's Well-Being |
In Step Clinicians
For nearly 15 years, our dynamic team of experienced psychologists, clinical social workers, and professional counselors has been guiding children and their families towards coping more effectively with life stressors.
Cathi Cohen, LCSW, CGP—In Step Director
Cathi Cohen, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Group Psychotherapist, has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in a clinical setting since 1984. Early in her career as a social worker, Cathi recognized the power of treating relationship problems through group therapy. It was this interest and expertise that led her to create the Stepping Stones Social Skills Group Therapy Program in 1990. The success of this program led to the formation in 1995 of In Step, a comprehensive mental health practice. Cathi is the author of Raise Your Child's Social IQ: Stepping Stones to People Skills for Kids, and has become a leading expert in the field of social skills training with children. She has since then completed two more books, Stepping Stones to Building Friendships: A Guide for Camp Counselors, and Outnumbered, Not Outsmarted: An A to Z Guide for Working with Kids and Teens in Groups. In addition to writing numerous articles and conducting regular workshops for parents, educators, and mental health professionals, Cathi has appeared on radio and television programs about the mental health needs of children and their families. Cathi graduated summa from Tufts University before receiving her M.S. degree from Columbia University School of Social Work.Melinda S. Ashton, J.D., LCSW
Melinda earned her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and her Master's degree in social work from Catholic University. She has over 20 years of clinical experience treating adults and adolescents who have mood disorders and issues with self-esteem. In addition, Melinda provides counseling for couples and families to resolve conflict, improve communication and relationships, and develop parenting skills. With expertise in special education, Melinda works with parents to understand the special education process and become effective advocates for their child's unique educational needs.Robert E. Axelrod, LCSW
Robert E. Axelrod, a licensed clinical social worker, earned his Bachelors degree in Psychology from The American University in Washington DC, and his Masters in Social Work from Tulane University. He has been with Fairfax County for twenty nine years working with youth and families. Initially with Juvenile Court and then at Northwest Center for Community Mental Health, Bob has spent the last eleven years with Fairfax County Public Schools as a school social worker in local elementary and middle schools. Bob has extensive experience with children, adolescents, couples and families in a variety of settings and modalities. He is well versed with clients who have substance abuse issues. He is interested in the process of group dynamics as they affect individuals within a larger group, including families. Bob is certified to supervise clinicians in earning their clinical license in the State of Virginia.Despina Boudouvas-Mannos, LCSW
Despina received her B.A. in psychology from The George Washington University and received her M.S.W. from the University of Chicago. Upon earning her Master's degree, Despina completed an intensive two year post-graduate fellowship at the Yale Child Study Center in New Haven, Connecticut. There, she conducted extensive psychiatric assessments, designed and implemented treatment plans, and provided outpatient therapy to a diverse population. Despina has worked in both inpatient and outpatient mental health settings. She specializes in treating children, adolescents, young adults, and their families challenged with issues related to anxiety, depression, behavioral/attentional difficulties, low self-esteem, social difficulties, eating disorders, self-injurious behaviors, and childhood struggles associated with divorce. Additionally, having worked in a local school system, Despina has extensive knowledge and experience in helping families navigate the special education process. Despina is fluent in Greek.Erica J. Craig, LCSW, RDT
Erica J. Craig, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Drama Therapist, earned her B.A. in Theatre from the University of Arizona and her Master's of Social Work from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. Erica has extensive experience working with children and adolescents with special needs, such as emotional disturbance, cognitive limitations, learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. She has also worked with children, adolescents and adults in both inpatient and outpatient mental health settings, as well as in schools. As a drama therapist, Erica uses both talk therapy and drama/theatre techniques to help clients achieve therapeutic goals, such as overcoming anxiety, depression, trauma, and social/relationship difficulties. She is experienced in individual, group, and family counseling, and is available to work with all age groups.Rachel Cherian, LCSW
Rachel received her M.S. degree in social work from Columbia University in New York. Prior to returning to graduate school, Rachel worked as a preschool teacher for eight years. She offers sixteen years of experience working with children and families. Rachel is knowledgeable in multicultural issues of assimilation and acculturation. She is experienced in individual, group, and family counseling, and enjoys working with all age groups. Her specialized skills include working on behavioral issues of children, substance abuse, and infertility. In addition to working at In Step, Rachel is a school social worker with Fairfax County Public Schools.Elissa Arling Dolina, Psy.D.
Elissa earned her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the George Washington University in 2003. She has provided treatment to children and adolescents struggling with self-esteem, self-confidence, depression, anxiety and identity issues in a variety of settings. She also conducts psychological evaluations to provide diagnostic, treatment and educational recommendations. Elissa's clinical work has taken her from the Howard University Counseling Center to the D.C. Superior Courts and Fairfax County Courts. Most recently, Elissa has co-founded a childhood obesity treatment program with a fitness, nutrition, and behavioral modification component. The goals of the program are to give children and adolescents the knowledge and skills needed to lose weight and the tools required to tackle the social and emotional challenges associated with obesity.Jennifer Glacel, LCSW, RPT
Jennifer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist. She earned her B.A. from the College of William and Mary and her MSW from Virginia Commonwealth University. Since earning her MSW, Jennifer has focused on working with children and adolescents and their families in the foster care system, centering on issues of grief, depression, trauma, and attachment. At In Step, Jennifer enjoys working with individuals, families, and groups to help kids improve their ability to face challenges. In addition to her work at In Step, Jennifer works as a therapist at an adolescent crisis center, and with children and families in both the foster care and adoption process.Betsy Goodwin, LCSW
Betsy earned her B.A. in Psychology from George Mason University and her MSW from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has been working with children and families for more than twelve years in a variety of settings. Betsy worked as a substance abuse prevention specialist and school social worker with Loudoun County Public Schools for six years where she did individual and group counseling on issues of self- esteem, anger management, and social skills. She has extensive experience working with children and teens with substance abuse problems or who have a parent with an addiction. Betsy has a special interest in working with preschool and early childhood-age children.Mitchell Harrow, Ph.D.
Mitch received his doctorate in school psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University and completed the clinical psychology retraining program at George Washington University. He has been in private practice since 1990 offering a variety of therapeutic modalities with children, adolescents, and adults. Mitch is recently retired from his psychologist position at a local school system's high school co-facility for emotionally disabled students.Margie Lang-Garnhart, LCSW
Margie received her B.S. from Fordham University and her MSW from Hunter College School of Social Work in New York City. In the 14 years since earning her master's degree, Margie has provided a wide range of services to youth, families, and children in a variety of settings. Margie has a special interest in working with youth and parents around issues such as childhood behavior, family relational skills, parenting tools, attachment, and social skills.Ron Lieberman, LCSW
Ron received his master's degree in psychology from Goddard College and his MSW from Catholic University. With more than 20 years' experience working with children and their parents, Ron also works with individuals and couples, with a special emphasis on groups. In addition to his private practice at In Step, Ron works as a clinician with adolescents and their families in an educational center for emotionally disabled students.Beverly Morrison, LCSW
Beverly Morrison is a licensed clinical social worker and In Step's Group Therapy Coordinator. She received her master's degree from Catholic University in Washington DC. Beverly has worked with In Step since 2000 and she has evaluated and helped hundreds of children, parents, couples and families cope with a variety of issues including depression, stress and anxiety, relationship problems, and social communication delays. Beverly has a special fondness for working with children and teens in group therapy. In addition to Stepping Stones groups, Beverly also leads several groups for children and teens with Asperger's Syndrome. In addition to being a seasoned professional, Beverly is a kind and empathic therapist who understands how her clients make sense of the world.Bette J. Schmidt, LCSW, BCD
Bette J. Schmidt, a licensed clinical social worker and board-certified diplomate in clinical social work, earned her Bachelor’s degree at Carlow University in Pittsburgh , PA and her Master’s in Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University . Her work experience includes home-based services, neurological research with NIH, DC human services, court assessments, and behavior/anger management. She has extensive experience in providing individual, group and family services for middle-school students with behavior issues and/or court involvement. Working from a cognitive-behavioral perspective and a strengths-based model, Bette brings an understanding approach to her work with elementary and middle school-aged children, especially those with high-functioning autism-spectrum diagnoses. She has successfully helped students with school refusal issues, psychosomatic symptoms, sleep disorders, withdrawal and other social and performance anxiety indicators. She has experience in IDEA law and special-education eligibility processes, and is available for consultation and representation in special-education evaluations with the schools. Parenting-style development and refinement are additional services she offers.James A. Sebben, Ed.D., LPC, LMFT
Jim completed his graduate studies at Boston University, specializing in child and adolescent treatment as well as family therapy. He is retired from Fairfax County Public Schools where he worked as a special education principal in a variety of programs that serve children and adolescents with emotional disabilities. He has been in private practice since 1986 and has been at In Step since 1996. He continues to work with children, adolescents, and families, and also runs social skills groups for adolescents and young adults.Mary Shuffleton, LPC, MA
Mary received her undergraduate degree at the University of Massachusetts and her master's in counseling psychology and school counseling at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. While in Spokane, Mary spent several years working with children and families experiencing trauma or loss, as well as providing therapeutic support to children and families in the foster care and adoption process. She also worked as a therapist in a partnership program with a school system, providing therapy to children and families in the school setting. At In Step, Mary enjoys working with individual children and adolescents, families, and groups. In addition to her work at In Step, Mary provides group therapy at an inpatient child and adolescent program in Fredericksburg, VA.Laura Wilding, Psy.D.
Laura earned her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the Wright State University School of Professional Psychology. She completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in child development at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC and is licensed in both Virginia and the District. Laura sees children, adolescents, and adults for individual, group, and family therapies. She has a special interest in working with children who are experiencing depression and anxiety as well as those living with medical diagnoses. She enjoys working with the preschool population and their parents and also conducts psychological evaluations and classroom observations.Sharon Watson, LPC, LMFT, LSATP
Sharon received her M.A. in counseling psychology from Loyola University and an M.A. in psychological services from Marymount University. She is licensed in Virginia as a professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, and substance abuse treatment practitioner, and is a nationally certified counselor. Sharon has been a therapist with In Step for 10 years leading parent groups in our Stepping Stones Program and intensive social skills groups for children with Asperger's, as well as providing individual, family, and group therapy. In addition, Sharon has worked in public mental health in a partial hospitalization program and in adult outpatient services for 13 years. Sharon's special areas of interest include: cognitive-behavioral interventions for parents/children, parenting skills, self-injurious behavior, substance abuse/recovery, adult AD/HD, and she also provides trainings on topics such as organizational skills and parenting skills.Albert Whetstone, Psy.D.
Dr. Bert Whetstone, licensed clinical psychologist (VA) (MD) (NH) and certified school psychologist (NH), has been working with children, families, and schools for 37 years. He holds a M.A. in Experimental Psychology from Wesleyan University and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Utah. He began his career in New Hampshire, designing youth programs for students who had difficulty integrating in local school systems. Through child evaluations and special education work, he became known as a child, family, school, and community advocate.Dr. Whetstone began private practice in 1981, and continues to serve as therapist, teacher, evaluator, and consultant to families and schools in the United States and internationally. He is a frequent workshop speaker, having delivered more than 350 keynote and in-service presentations in the last 30 years. His book How to get Togetherness: Improving AD/HD and Oppositional Relationships in Families and Classrooms draws together communication, environmental, behavioral, and medical strategies developed with parents, children, teachers, and coaches.
Dr. Whetstone is known particularly for his 360º Model of Child / Family / School / Community Assessment that he has introduced to many audiences, ranging from the Dartmouth Medical School’s Hood Center, to the Academy of Science in Beijing, China. In 2007, he also co-founded the non-profit Excell Foundation (www.excellfoundation.org) to teach leadership and team-development skills to young adults in developing countries.
"We have had a very positive experience with In Step. Both counselors were very responsive and respectful of our concerns. We would highly recommend them to anyone."
Contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.
|
| Copyright © 2009-2010 In Step, PC. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy |