Despina received her B.A. in psychology from The George Washington University and received her Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Chicago. Upon earning her Master's Degree, Despina was invited to complete an intensive two year Post-Graduate Clinical Social Work Fellowship at The Yale Child Study Center in New Haven, CT. There, she performed extensive psychiatric assessments, designed and implemented treatment plans, and provided weekly counseling to a diverse population of children, adolescents, and families. As a component of the fellowship, Despina also headed a School-Based Health Clinic wherein she provided mental health services to students and their parents while simultaneously collaborating closely with school administration in order to more effectively meet the individual needs of students. Despina specializes in working with children of all ages and their families in confronting a multitude of issues including trauma, anxiety, depression, behavioral and attentional difficulties, low self-esteem, eating disorders, self-injurious behaviors, and childhood struggles associated with divorce.

Carolyn earned her B.A. in psychology from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine and her M.S.W. from The Smith College School for Social Work in Northampton, Massachusetts.  Carolyn participated in a post-M.S.W. fellowship at the Yale Psychiatric Institute, where she worked with adults in acute inpatient and outpatient mental health settings.  Her professional background also includes providing individual, group, and family therapies to emotionally disabled youth and their families.  Carolyn is knowledgeable about working with schools to address the needs of students with emotional difficulties.  She also has broad experience in working with adolescents engaged in high-risk behaviors, such as substance abuse, sexual promiscuity, self-injurious behavior, and other types of rule-breaking activity. In addition to her work at In Step, Carolyn is a school social worker with the Fairfax County Public Schools.

Josh received his undergraduate degree in Social Work from the University of Missouri and his MSSW from the University of Texas.  He then completed his advanced clinical training in Austin, TX before relocating to the DC/VA area.  Josh has extensive experience working with children and adults in individual, relationship and group therapies.  His experience includes working with kids who struggle making and keeping friends, reaching their potential in school and who have more severe emotional and behavioral challenges.  He works with people of all ages who are dealing with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, identity, work and relationship issues as well as those who simply desire to make profound changes in their lives.  Josh has published several articles on group therapy in local Austin publication and he also enjoys providing therapeutic workshops and presentations on a variety of topics. 

Rachel received her Master of Science Degree in Social Work from Columbia University in New York. Prior to returning to School for her Master's degree, 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.

David is a licensed clinical psychologist and a current member of the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. He received a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of North Carolina-Chapel HIll, and his primary area of expertise is the assessment and diagnosis of psychological conditions in both adults and children. He has a wide range of specialties, including psychological testing for ADHD, depression, intelligence, learning disabilities, special education, and other behavioral difficulties. In addition, Dr. Cranford is the founder of Acumen Behavioral Consulting, Inc., and he has served as an administrator, director, and consultant to various agencies focused on promoting positive life skills and organizational excellence.

Megan earned a BA in psychology from James Madison University and her MAEd with a focus in school counseling from Virginia Polytechnic and State University. She has postgraduate training in short-term change oriented psychotherapy. Megan has extensive experience providing substance abuse/recovery counseling to adolescents and adults. She enjoys counseling people of all ages in individual, group, and family therapy settings. In addition to her work at In Step, Megan is a school counselor with Loudoun County Public Schools.

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.

Sharon received her MA from Loyola University in Counseling Psychology and a MA 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 eight years leading parent groups in our Stepping Stones Program as well as providing individual, family, and group therapy. Sharon's special areas of interest include: self-injurious behavior, substance abuse/recovery, Adult AD/HD, and her group, "INSIGHTS, A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach to Making Changes in Your Life." 

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 as well as psychological testing/assessment. In addition to his involvement with In Step, Mitch is the psychologist at a local school system's high school co-facility for emotionally disabled students.

Margaux earned her undergraduate degree in Family & Child Development from Virginia Tech, and went on to receive her MSSW degree from the University of Texas-Austin. She has extensive clinical experience providing individual, group, and family therapy to children, adolescents, and families. Margaux has also worked in a variety of settings, including a domestic violence center, homeless shelters, outpatient mental health clinics, and in public schools. Margauxs areas of interest include working with survivors of trauma, childhood depression, anxiety, relational issues, and family therapy. She has a passion for working with youth and adolescents -- helping to remove emotional and behavioral barriers to academic and social success. In addition to her work at both the Instep Fairfax and Sterling locations, Margaux works as a school-based mental health therapist for Arlington County.

Ron received his Master's degree in Psychology from Goddard College and his Master's degree in Social Work from Catholic University. With more than 20 years' experience working with children and their parents, Ron has utilized a variety of treatment modalities -- individual, couples, family and 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 received her Master's of Social Work from Catholic University. Beverly has extensive experience working with children and adolescents in group therapy. She has a unique interest in developing social relationships amongst  children diagnosed with Asperger's, PDD and Autism. In addition to leading many social skills groups for children and adolescents, Beverly also conducts family, individual, and couples therapy at In Step. 

Adele Sebben received her Master of Arts degree from Duquesne University and is a doctoral candidate at George Mason University. She is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and a Licensed Professional Counselor. Mrs.Sebben is a recently retired school psychologist where she did extensive work with chronically disruptive children, working with children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorders and with diagnosing and planning for children with learning problems.

Jim is a graduate of the University of Southern California and Boston University and is retired from Fairfax County Public Schools where he was the principal of a Special Education Center. He is licensed both as a Professional Counselor and as a Marriage and Family Therapist. In addition to running groups for middle- and high school-aged adolescents, he sees individuals and families in therapy. His areas of interest are working with adoptees and their families, as well as children with ADHD and their families. Jim is also a consultant to parents in the area of Special Education Services and to schools in developing Individualized Educational Plans for children with special education needs. In addition, he holds an adjunct positon in the Graduate Department for Counseling Education at George Mason University.

Mary received her undergraduate degree at the University of Massachusetts and her Masters 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.

Laura earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the Wright State University School of Professional Psychology. She completed a 2-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. In addition to her work at In Step, Laura works at a pediatric rehabilitation hospital in Washington, DC.