10 Culturally Responsive Mental Health Providers in Maryland You Should Know

10 Culturally Responsive Mental health Providers in Maryland
Better African American Mental Health

By Dr. Chioma Anah

Breaking the Stigma of Mental Illness

As we wind down Mental Health Awareness Month this May, I would be remiss if I did not post about the importance of people of color, particularly African Americans, seeking culturally responsive therapists when in need of mental health care, and ending the stigma associated with mental illness.

Efforts to understand the mental health of African Americans and many people of color requires complex, yet nuanced perspectives. On one hand, significant attention has been directed to examining the stigma associated with mental illness around the African American communities and communities of color; that is, the idea that there is shame around mental illness, leading to a culture of silence and/or praying the illness away. On the other hand, many researchers (Sue, 2015; Smith, Hung, & Franklin, 2011; Sue, 2010; Smith, Allen, & Danley, 2007) have found that there is a direct correlation between racial trauma, both historical and present daily microaggressions, that cause significant anxiety and stress that can manifest into mental illness. African Americans, especially, encounter a myriad of economic, academic, social, and racial barriers, which can expose them to traumatic experiences. In addition, young African Americans who are exposed to traumatic events are more likely to exhibit maladaptive behaviors, and may not have the necessary coping skills and tools to overcome traumatic events, without professional assistance. All these perspectives are important and have to be examined, and the mental health needs of those with mental illness has to be of primary concern in the African American community.

A 2016 Huffpost article by Senior Wellness Editor, Lindsay Holmes, highlighted the staggering statistics of the disparities surrounding mental health care among people of color: 20% of African Americans are more likely to experience mental health issues, however, only 2.3% of those people in desperate need of assistance seek therapy; 40% of Native Americans between the ages of 15-24 die by suicide; 10.3% of every 100,000 Hispanic men died by suicide, a number which has been consistent since 1999; and the list goes on.

We, as a nation, have to do better; we must acknowledge the importance of mental health care, and compassionately address the needs of those who seek assistance. In an effort to encourage mental health care, and provide some information and resources; PerceptA Therapeutic has compiled a 2018 List of 10 Mental Health Providers in Maryland whose work includes a focus on African American issues, racial identity issues, and cultural issues in therapy. Provider specialties, insurance information and payment options, location and contact information have also been included.

Your mental health matters, embrace getting the assistance you need.

Mental Health Providers in Maryland:

1. Dr. Linda D. Washington, PhD, LCPC, NCC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Specialties: Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Divorce, Spirituality, Trauma & PTSD
Types of Services Provided: Individuals, couples therapy
Insurance: Accepts Most Insurance
Method of Payment: Cash/Check
Location: Pikesville, MD 21208
Phone: 410-484-8560

2. Dr. La Toya Bianca Smith, MS, EdS, PhD
Licensed Psychologist
Specialties: Racial Identity, Relationship Issues, Career Counseling, gay/lesbian issues, Veterans
Types of Services Provided: Individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy
Insurance: BlueCross & BlueShield, CareFirst, Johns Hopkins (EHP and USFHP), Magellan Behavior Health
Method of Payment: Cash/Check/Credit Card/PayPal/Health Savings Account
Location: Towson, MD 21204
Phone: 410-469-6946

3. Dr. Chioma Anah, ATR, LCPC-S, NCC, ACS
Registered Art Therapist, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Board Approved LCPC Supervisor
Specialties: Anger Management, Anxiety, Relationship Issues, Resiliency /Racial Identity & Oppression
Types of Services Provided: Individuals, family, couples, Supervision
Insurance: Out of Network, Private Pay-Sliding Scale payment options
Method of Payment: Cash/Check
Location: Towson, MD 21204
Email: perceptatherapeutic.anah@gmail.com
Phone: 443-992-1796

4. Dr. Rosemary Cook, PhD, LCSW-C
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Specialties: Depression, Trauma & PTSD, Anxiety
Types of Services Provided: Individuals, family therapy, couples therapy
Insurance: BlueCross & Blue Shield, Johns Hopkins Health, Magellan Behavioral Health, Medicaid
Method of Payment: Cash/Check/Credit Card/PayPal
Location: Towson, MD 21204
Phone: 410-346-2035

5. Lisa S. Hanks, LCPC, LCADC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Alcohol & Drug Counselor
Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Anger Management, Addictions, Substance Abuse
Types of Services Provided: Individual therapy, couples therapy, group.
Insurance: Medicaid, Out of Network
Method of Payment: Cash/Check/Credit Card/Savings Account
Location: Towson, MD 21204
Phone: 443-380-2587

6. Dr. LaShaunna Lipscomb, PhD, LCPC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Specialties: Depression, Trauma & PTSD, Family Conflict
Types of Services Provided: Individuals, family, couples therapy
Insurance: AMERIGROUP, Beech Street, BlueCross & BlueShield, Medicaid, TRICARE
Method of Payment: Cash/Credit Card/ACH Bank transfer/PayPal
Location: Baltimore, MD 21218
Email: JourneytoWellness.Baltimore@gmail.com
Phone: 518-633-4236

7. Jocelyn Malone, LCSW-C
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Specialties: Depression, Anxiety, Relationship Issues, Racial Identity Issues
Types Of Services Provided: Individual therapy, family & couples therapy for teens and adults
Insurance: Medical Assistance (MA); and Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Location: Pikesville, MD
Email: jsmtherapeutic@gmail.com
Phone: 410-239-5737

8. Joyce L. Ashford, LCPC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Specialties: Spirituality, Dual Diagnosis, Trauma & PTSD
Types Of Services Provided: Individual therapy, group therapy
Insurance: Private Pay –Sliding Scale payment options available
Method of Payment: Cash/Check/Credit Card/Health Savings Account
Location: Baltimore, MD 21217
Phone: 410-346-5351

9. Lakeshia Gilbert, LCPC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Specialties: Divorce, Anxiety, Relationship Issues, Women’s Issues
Types of Services Provided: Individual s, family therapy, couples therapy
Insurance: Out of Network
Method of Payment: Cash/Check/Credit Card
Location: Perry Hall, MD 21128
Phone: 410-449-7411

10. Shonda Conyers, MSW, LCSW-C
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Coping Skills
Types of Services Provided: Individuals, family therapy, couples therapy.
Insurance: Most Insurance
Method of Payment: Cash/Check/Credit Card/Health Savings Account/PayPal
Location: Pikesville, MD 21208
Phone: 410-981-9963

References

Smith, W. A., Allen, W. A., & Danley, L. (2007). Assume the position…you fit the description: Psychosocial experiences and racial battle fatigue among African American male college students. American Behavioral Scientists, 51, 551-578.

Smith, C., & Carlson, B. (1997). Stress, coping and resilience in children and youth. Social Service Review, 71(2) 231-256.

Smith, W. A., Hung, M., & Franklin, J. D. (2011). Racial battle fatigue and the miseducation of Black men: Racial microaggressions, societal problems, and environmental stress. The Journal of Negro Education, 80(1), 63-82.

Sue, D. W. (2015). Race talk and the conspiracy of silence: Understanding and facilitating difficult dialogues on race. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Sue, D. W. (2010). Microaggressions in everyday life: race, gender and sexual orientation. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

10 Culturally Responsive Mental Health Providers in Maryland-2018

List compiled by PerceptA Therapeutic Training Center, LLC (2018)
Article by Dr. Chioma Anah
5/31/18

Recognizing 7 Women Professional Counselors of Color in Maryland

Women Professional Counselors of Color in Maryland

April is Counseling Awareness Month, and a time to celebrate and shine a spotlight on professional counselors, the critical work they do, and the many ways they serve their clients, schools, communities, and other private and public institutions. In the spirit of Counseling Awareness Month 2018, we are recognizing seven women professional counselors of color working in the Maryland area. Thank you for being such great advocates for marginalized clients, diverse students, disenfranchised communities, and other Professional Counselors of Color!

Donna Shannon, Ph.D., LCPC

Dr. Donna Shannon has provided mental health services to adults and adolescents in the greater Baltimore, Maryland area since 2006. She holds a doctorate degree in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University Maryland. Her research, which has been published in the American Psychological Association Journal of Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, explored the moderating effects of spirituality on exposure to violence in urban adolescents. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and an Approved Licensed Clinical Professional Supervisor. Currently, Dr. Shannon is the Wellness Facilitator for the new Adullum Community Healthcare Center in Baltimore. Additionally, she is an online instructor for the Graduate School of Religion and Religious Studies, Fordham University, New York.
Dr. Shannon enjoys speaking to community groups and organizations on topics such as “bouncing back” from traumatic events, building personal resilience, and mindfulness based cognition. She has traveled to Malawi and Ghana to provide consultation and wellness training to mental health practitioners. Dr. Shannon believes each of us can create a sense of inner peace by learning to “be” in the present moment, experience gratitude, and view all life events as opportunities for growth.

Chioma Anah, Ed.D., ATR, LCPC-S, NCC, ACS


Dr. Chioma Anah holds a Doctorate of Education in Counseling Psychology, is a Registered Art Therapist (ATR), a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC- Maryland), an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), a Board Approved Supervisor in the state of Maryland, and the Founder & CEO of PerceptA Therapeutic & Training Center, LLC located in Towson, Maryland. She has over 15-years experience in the clinical field working with at-risk adolescents, adults, and families of all races and cultural background. As a registered art therapist, she uses art with clients as part of a healing approach and intervention to treat cultural & racial oppression. Dr. Anah is an Adjunct Faculty at Argosy University, Northern Virginia, and works closely with doctoral students in the dissertation phase of their studies. Her research interests are in multicultural issues in counseling, social justice advocacy, racial microaggressions, psychology of racism, art & creativity as tools for healing, and resiliency and coping interventions for race-related stress and trauma. She has presented in many national and regional conferences, including workshops at the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) Conference. Dr. Anah also trains and supervises counselors on working to identify and utilize more effective interventions to address issues in multicultural/diverse counseling. Dr. Anah is an avid reader, writer, and loves to create art. She is also a proud alumna of the Johns Hopkins University School of Education. Email: drchiomaanah@gmail.com

Danielle LaSure-Bryant, Ed.D., LCPC, NCC, ACS


Dr. Danielle LaSure-Bryant is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) by the Maryland Licensing board. She received her Masters’ degree in Agency and Community Counseling from Xavier University (OH) and her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Cincinnati. Prior to relocating to Maryland, she was fully licensed as a Clinical Counselor in the state of Ohio where she also maintained a private practice. Currently, Dr. LaSure-Bryant works as a Clinical Manager for Maryland Health Alliance, Inc. Her clinical duties at MHA include (but not limited to) supervising provisionally licensed counselors, overseeing administrative tasks, and managing a small caseload. Before moving to MHA, Dr. LaSure-Bryant was the Director of Clinical Education for the Pastoral Counseling department at Loyola University in Maryland for 14 years. Outside of her clinical activities, Dr. LaSure-Bryant takes time for community involvement by serving as the Executive Secretary for the Board of Directors for Family Services, Inc. In addition, she was appointed to serve on the Clifton T. Perkins Center Advisory Board where she currently functions as the board Chairperson. Personally speaking, Dr. LaSure-Bryant has been married for 29 years, has 2 adult children and is an avid runner. Email: drdaniellelb@gmail.com

Deidra A. Sorrell, Ed.D., LPC, NCC, ACS


Dr. Deidra A. Sorrell is a licensed professional counselor, licensed clinical supervisor, and certified school psychologist. She is the founder of Synergy Wellness Therapeutic Services where she provides individual counseling to children, adolescents and adults in the Charles County, Maryland area. As a veteran school psychologist, Dr. Sorrell served 18 years as a school psychologist with DC Public Schools before committing to full time private practice.
Given her research interests in workplace bullying, Dr. Sorrell provides interactive workshops on the Ethical Implications of Workplace Bullying to mental health professionals through the CE-YOU professional development corporation. Dr. Sorrell’s research interests on racism and diversity led her to write children’s books on diversity including “The Germ: How to Talk to Children about Racism and Diversity”, which is for sale on Amazon.com. Dr. Sorrell is also the host of “On Purpose Radio” through Elifemedia.net, which is a monthly internet radio show highlighting various issues that impact the mental health of African Americans. As a wife and mother of two, Dr. Sorrell is committed to the mental health and wellness of children and families starting in her home and beyond. Email: Deidra.Sorrell@gmail.com

Kizzy Pittrell, Ed.D., LCPC, ACS, AADS

Dr. Kizzy Pittrell is a counseling psychologist in the state of Maryland. She is owner and operator of Ross Counseling LLC and treats adolescents and adults with various emotional disorders. Dr. Pittrell also is an adjunct professor at the Community College of Baltimore County. She has been a clinician for 15 years working in various programs including residential treatment programs, head start, corrections, and outpatient mental health programs. In the last 7 years, Dr. Pittrell has worked with the Department of Juvenile Services supervising addiction counselors and providing forensic assessments for adjudicated youth. Dr. Pittrell holds a Doctorate of Counseling degree from Argosy University and a Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Towson University. She also holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Bowie State University. In addition to practicing as a counselor, Dr. Pittrell is an Approved Clinical Supervisor, and Approved Alcohol and Drug Supervisor and a Master level Addiction Counselor. Dr. Pittrell has presented at numerous conferences including the Maryland Counseling Association, the National Association for Black Social Workers and the Qualitative Researchers Conference to name a few. Dr. Pittrell’s passion is to educate families about mental illness, stigma and barriers to treatment. This has been a passion for her since her sister was diagnosed with a mental health condition in 2008. In addition, she writes blogs for the online therapy site called “Therapy Today.” Email: rosscounseling7@gmail.com

LaShaunna Lipscomb, Ph.D., LCPC

Dr. LaShaunna Lipscomb received her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Morgan State University in 2004. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Towson University in 2007. In 2013, she graduated from Morgan State again with a Doctorate degree in Urban Social Work Research after defending an original research study: African American Female Adjudicated Delinquents and the Predictive Influences of Spirituality and Quality of Family Relationships. Dr. Lipscomb’s area of expertise include juvenile delinquency, spirituality, trauma focused therapy, and issues in child welfare. Over the past 10 years, she has worked in many capacities within the Juvenile Justice and child Welfare systems in Maryland and Washington DC. Dr. Lipscomb is the owner and clinical director at Journey to Wellness, LLC, which sits in the heart of Charles Village in Baltimore City. Journey to Wellness offers a range of clinical services to individuals and families in the Baltimore area. Dr. Lipscomb spends most of her free time enjoying being a mom, cooking, or participating in local charity races. Email: JourneytoWellness.Baltimore@gmail.com

Eunice Humphrey, Ed.D., LCPC, NCC

Dr. Eunice Humphrey is on a mission to help people grow personally and professionally. Trained in counseling and educational leadership, she has a unique 15-year background working in non-profit, education, counseling, and leadership. She has presented at both state and national conferences on the importance of understanding marginalized youth and best practices to serve them. Dr. Humphrey was a school counselor for seven years, where she served as the president of the Maryland School Counselor Association, conference chair, and treasurer. She is now an Assistant Principal at High Point High School. She knows the importance of education and continues to advocate for those who do not always have a voice. She is a licensed clinical professional counselor in the state of Maryland, where she works with families and children using the approaches of mindfulness, person-centered, and solution-focus. Dr. Humphrey hopes to inspire, educate, and lead others to reach their best self.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

Top 10 Reasons to Seek Counseling

Top 10 Reasons to Seek Therapy with PerceptA Therapeutic Counseling Services-PerceptA Therapeutic Blog

January 31, 2017

There are many barriers associated with people resisting the need to seek counseling that includes; stigma associated with seeking therapy, the perception of weakness and failure associated with needing assistance to manage one’s life, and resistance to self-disclose due to emotional vulnerability.

It takes courage to seek counseling, and you are not alone. Here are 10 of the most common reasons people seek counseling:

  1. For self-regulation, and emotional homeostasis
  2. To create balance in your life, and journey toward a purpose driven life
  3. To improve interpersonal relationships. Specifically to unlock your potential for meaningful and fulfilling relationships
  4. To improve communication skills, and develop healthier ways of communicating with others
  5. To explore and process life transitions (death, divorce, job loss, college, empty-nest…)
  6. To improve self-esteem, self-worth and confidence through self-exploration
  7. To improve coping skills and strategies to better deal with stress, anxiety, and depression
  8. To better manage and control emotions of anger
  9. To process unresolved psychological distress and experiences after exposure to major trauma
  10. To process race/ethnic-related issues and stressors, and work to explore resiliency as it pertains to race/ethnic-related issues

Whatever your circumstances, we here at PerceptA Therapeutic will work closely with you to develop an appropriate plan that meets your needs and accomplishes your goals.

Break free of the barriers, begin a better life today, and call PerceptA Therapeutic Counseling Services~

Happy Wellness!

The PerceptA Therapeutic Team

PerceptA Therapeutic & Training Center, LLC is located in Towson, Maryland. We offer counseling services to adults, adolescents, and children. We can be contacted via email: perceptatherapeutic@gmail.com website: www.perceptatherapeutic.com