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