My name is Stella, and I am dedicated to providing quality, individualized care to all those who come to me for help. I earned my master’s degree in social work from George Mason University in 2023, and my bachelor’s degree in International Politics from Westminster College in 2012. I am passionate about social work at every level of society and believe that structural change is necessary for the betterment of all. I am proud to be part of the ANMH team working to put those beliefs into practice, and believe now more than ever that compassionate care, anti-racism, and equity are crucially important to the field of social work and to society.

I have been with ANMH since its inception, first as a social work intern, and now as the Clinical Coordinator and staff therapist. In my role as Clinical Coordinator I have the pleasure of training and educating our clinical interns on various therapy modalities, ethical practice and behavior, and many other important topics. I also coordinate ANMH’s participation in community events, connect new clients with our clinical interns, and serve as a resource for clients who need to be referred for higher levels of care, medication, or other services.

One-size-fits-all may work for socks, but it doesn’t work for therapy! Each of us are unique people that deserve individualized care, which is why my work is integrative—meaning that instead of using just one type of therapy, I use multiple types to meet the unique needs of my clients. Because of this, I frequently utilize aspects of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Art Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Internal Family Systems Therapy in my work with my clients. My work is predominantly with queer young adults, providing a safe, loving, and accepting space where they are given the unconditional support they need to explore their experiences and challenges.

Healing can be hard, and it takes time, but you are not alone in this journey!

Joyce is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia and has been practicing for over 20 years. She has a Masters in Social Work from Catholic University and is certified as a supervisor mentoring social workers to get licensure and Master’s level interns. She works with adults of all ages who are dealing with grief and loss, life transitions, relationship issues, depression and anxiety and health related concerns. She also has extensive experience working with children and teens addressing grief, loss and health issues. Joyce believes that an authentic therapeutic relationship based on collaboration and trust is crucial to change. She uses CBT, DBT, ACT, along with other therapeutic tools, to help her clients overcome life’s challenges. Joyce has experience as a hospice social worker and has helped individuals and families facing end of life issues. Joyce has been the Director of Clinical Services at ANMH since its inception and is passionate about mental health advocacy and access to services. When appropriate, Joyce incorporates spirituality and mindfulness in her practice to help her clients achieve well-being.

Hi, I’m Erika, a psychotherapist licensed in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Georgia.

My work focuses on providing evidence based mental health care to adolescents, young adults, and military connected individuals. I earned my Master of Social Work from Salisbury University and hold a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Maryland. My approach is trauma informed, client centered, and strengths-based. I believe you are the expert in your own life, and therapy works best when we collaborate and move at a pace that feels right for you.

With me, you can expect sessions to be supportive and down-to-earth. Therapy is a collaborative process, and meaningful change takes effort from both of us. You show up willing to engage, and I’ll support you with guidance, tools, and accountability as we work toward the goals that matter most to you. We’ll talk, reflect, and build skills when helpful without pressure or judgment. I also bring experience working within military culture and with military connected families, and through living in multiple states and countries, I understand how transitions and changing environments can shape mental health. I draw from ACT, CBT, and DBT, adapting each session to what feels most useful for you. I aim to create a space that feels safe, affirming, and real, where you can show up as you are.

I’m honored to support ACTNow for Mental Health’s mission to reduce stigma and expand access to mental health care for historically underserved communities. I look forward to supporting you as you build the life and the version of yourself you want to grow into.

My name is Nicole, and I am dedicated to providing accessible mental health care to young adults and those who might otherwise face barriers to receiving services. I earned my master’s degree in clinical social work from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2021. For three years, I worked with youth and families involved in the foster care system, and I now serve as a senior therapist with the City of Alexandria’s coordinated specialty services program, supporting individuals who have recently experienced their first episode of psychosis. I specialize in working with anxiety, trauma, childhood abuse, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. I believe that healing begins with a safe, supportive therapeutic relationship, and I incorporate a range of evidence-based interventions, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and somatic practices. 

My approach is person-centered, recognizing that every individual’s journey is unique and requires tailored care. My goal is to foster a warm, empathetic environment where individuals can explore their challenges and experiences. I volunteer with ANMH because I am passionate about reducing barriers to mental health care and making services more accessible. Life can be difficult, but getting support shouldn’t be. I’m so glad you’re here!

Kenyanna is originally from Raleigh, North Carolina and relocated to Northern Virginia in 2021. She earned her bachelors degree in Psychology in December 2023 from Liberty University and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work at George Mason University. In January 2025, Kenyanna became a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) in Virginia and serves as a Behavioral Health Specialist with Arlington County. As an African American woman and member of the LGBTQ+ community, Kenyanna brings both lived experience and professional dedication to her work. She has a heartfelt passion for advocating for marginalized groups and is committed to creating inclusive spaces where all individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered. Through her role at ANMH, Kenyanna aspires to continue helping people navigate their mental well-being with compassion and care.

Celia “CT” Taylor (they/them) is a MSW Candidate at George Mason University and a first year social work intern. They are committed to expanding compassionate, evidence-based mental health care for marginalized communities. With a background in psychology, special education, and criminal justice, they bring over a decade of experience supporting youth and adults in schools, the community, and correctional settings.

CT currently works as a special education teacher in Washington, DC, providing academic, social-emotional, and case management support. In 2015, they co-founded a Queer Student Union that continues to thrive, reflecting their dedication to advocacy, inclusive spaces, and identity-affirming practices. Prior to practicing as an intern with ANMH, CT worked as a mental health case manager in a detention center, conducting suicide risk-assessments, attending rounds with the Psychiatry team, and supporting individuals preparing for re-entry.

In clinical practice, CT uses multiple therapeutic modalities, such as Narrative Therapy, DBT, CBT, ACT, and Motivational Interviewing to create safe, empowering spaces where clients feel seen and supported. They are passionate about advancing accessible mental health care through programs like ANMH.

My name is Shawn, and I am passionate about creating a supportive and collaborative environment where individuals feel heard, understood, and comfortable exploring the challenges they are experiencing in life. I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology. Through my clinical training I have worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds who have experienced concerns pertaining to anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship conflicts, and other mental health challenges. In addition, I have experience aiding individuals who face barriers to accessing consistent mental health care navigate the systems that have created inequality, in order to help them receive the care they need.

When working with my clients, I strive to create an environment that is empathetic, nonjudgmental, and demonstrates my genuine desire to help client be successful in achieving their goals. My therapeutic approach puts an emphasis on being person-centered and culturally responsive by recognizing that each individual brings their own unique experiences and values into therapy. I believe that understanding that the client is the expert of their life and practicing humility without assumptions leads to a strong therapeutic relationship, which provides the foundation for meaningful change.

I am especially interested in helping individuals better understand themselves, develop healthier ways of coping, strengthen their relationships, and build skills they can bring with them into their day to day life. My goal is for clients to feel that therapy is a space where they can be themselves and work through difficult experiences at their own pace, moving toward a life that feels more authentic, meaningful, and fulfilling.

Rather than approaching therapy as a one-size-fits-all process, I believe treatment should be individualized and collaborative. Because of this, I incorporate evidence-based approaches depending on each individual’s needs including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), Mindfulness, Psychoeducation, Supportive counseling, Psychodynamic Therapy, and the Medical and Recovery model in tandem to provide the most individualistic service possible.