Meet Our Team
Susan Bender, School Psychology Resident
We have a team of expert therapists licensed in Virginia
Meet our Psychologists
Christine Willing,
M. Ed., NCSP,
CEO & Founder
Mrs. Willing believes in a comprehensive approach to help each clients reach their full potential. She utilizes evidence-based therapy along with positive psychology, mindfulness, and lifestyle approaches to build healthy and sustainable habits for mental wellness.
Dr. Bethany Tareen,
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Tareen has expertise in providing evidence-based treatments including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), behavioral therapy and parent training, and mindfulness. Dr. Tareen believes in an integrative and collaborative approach to treatment, and she strives to create individualized treatment plans that emphasize clients’ strengths to build new skills and improve thought processes.
Sharon Hoffman, Licensed School Psychologist
Ms. Hoffman has practiced as a School Psychologist in a public school setting for over ten years. During her career, she has supported children from preschool through young adulthood by providing individual and group counseling, psychoeducational testing, behavior support, and consultation with families and school personnel.
Dr. Matthew Johnson,
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Matthew Johnson has worked in the field of mental health for over 15 years. In that time, he has worked with individuals, couples and families across the life span in a variety of capacities and functions. Dr. Johnson works as a psychodynamic psychotherapist who uses an integrative approach to facilitate collaborative curiosity, creativity, and ultimately, healing in hopes of reorienting clients towards day-to-day meaning making while freeing themselves from harmful repetitions that inhibit potential.
Meet Our Licensed Therapists
Jacintha Carson, LPC, NCC
Jacintha specializes in topics such as coping with stress, depression, anxiety, ADHD, high functioning ASD, life transitions, cultural identity, grief and loss. She has extensive experience using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques, and believes in a holistic wellness approach to therapy.
Jacklyn McMillan, LCSW
Jacklyn has over a decade of experience working with adolescents and adults emphasizing a holistic approach to therapy that draws from Relational therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, and other evidence based practices. Jacklyn's expertise lies in effectively helping clients who have struggled with anxiety, depression, relationship and communication conflict, and self-esteem. She creates a warm environment that is LGBTQ+ and culturally respectful.
Sepideh Saiedi, LPC
Sepideh specializes in a wide range of mental health concerns for children, adolescents, young adults, adults, groups, and families. She has training in trauma-informed, evidence-based, integrative, cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, expressive art, as well as other premier advanced treatments. She honors diversity and inclusion also offers LGBTQ+ affirming services.
Anna Miller, LCSW
Anna specializes in the treatment of anxiety and traumatic stress reactions. For more than ten years, she has accompanied clients as they build confidence in their ability to heal from the past and live more authentically in the present. Her therapeutic approach focuses on the mind-body connection and draws from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and the Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM).
Emily Newton, LPC
Emily’s clinical practice is grounded in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and incorporates culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and mindfulness techniques. Emily has specialized in working with adults to confront issues related to anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, eating disorders, impulse control and anger, sexual identity, relationship stressors, and life transitions.
Tara McFadden,
LCSW
Over the last ten years, Tara has worked with children, adolescents and families across the spectrum of mental illness. Tara specializes in working with adolescents and adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, self esteem, relational issues, grief, religious deconstruction, life transitions or trauma. Tara works from a strengths based perspective and draws from CBT and Ego State to meet clients where they are to empower them. She views her clients holistically, with compassion and creates a safe space for healing.
Jill Jacobs,
LPC
Jill is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist with experience working with people across the lifespan in the DMV area. Her expertise lies in working alongside people through the impact of grief, trauma, and life transitions, and supporting children and their caregivers through early childhood. Jill believes it is crucial to focus on a person’s strengths and unique experiences when walking with them in their healing process.
Sean Ward,
LPC
Sean has spent years working as a therapist with children, adolescents, and adults. He specializes in depression, anxiety, self esteem, trauma, children with autism, thoughts of suicide, and self-injurious behaviors. Sean’s work is based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and is integrated with trauma-informed practices, strengths-based approaches, and attachment styles. Sean believes that all behavior has a reason and in understanding our thoughts and behaviors, we can lead ourselves to a better acceptance of ourselves and a better life.
Izabela Osiniecka, LCSW
Izabela specialized in working with adults with anxiety, depression/mood disorder, women’s issues, relational issues, life transitions, communication, and substance use. Izabela utilized Person-Centered, Strength Based, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing approaches to help create a strong therapeutic relationship that allows clients to reach their therapy goals. She understands the importance of meeting clients where they are at in order to provide a service tailored to clients’ specific needs. Izabela is committed to creating a welcoming therapeutic environment that will allow clients to identify and build on their strengths. She believes everyone can benefit from therapy that is focused on hope, compassion, and unconditional acceptance.
Olivia Yellen, LCSW
Olivia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has experience working with children, adolescents, and individuals with autism across the lifespan. She specializes in anxiety, depression, life transitions, emotional regulation, behavior management, and social skills. Olivia is dedicated to creating a therapeutic space where clients can feel comfortable, supported, and empowered. Her approach is strength-based and collaborative, often incorporating play to make sessions more engaging for younger clients. Olivia does not feel there is a “one size fits all” approach to therapy, and tailors treatment to the unique needs of each client.
Susan Fertig, LCSW
Susan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has experience working with children and adolescents, families, adults, couples, and older adults. She specializes in anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, life changes and transitions, and communication. Susan strives to create a collaborative and welcoming environment using a person-centered approach, and believes in individualizing services to the needs of each client. Susan uses a combination of strengths-based approaches including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to help her clients work towards their goals. Susan enjoys incorporating Play Therapy techniques in her work with children to help encourage emotional expression and skill building.
Meet our Residents
Elizabeth Whittle,
Licensed Professional Counselor Resident
Elizabeth is trained in many evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, and strength-based approaches. She implements these approaches to assist clients in identifying their values, bringing about positive changes and building important life skills.
Alyssia Rodriguez, Licensed Clinical Social Work Resident
Alyssia ( she/her) utilizes a collaborative and integrative approach to therapy, incorporating motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy and expressive modalities such as grounding and mindfulness to enhance the therapeutic process. During the therapeutic process she will explore how the past or present wounds are preventing individuals from feeling safe, heard and whole. She believes everyone should feel supported in how they present to the world by providing a space that honors the client to tell their story.
Madison Thomas,
Licensed Clinical Social Work Resident
Madison uses a strength based and trauma informed lens while drawing from many evidenced-based theories when working with clients. She most frequently uses Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Narrative techniques. Madison believes the most important part of therapy is the relationship between her and the client, and creates a space where clients feel comfortable while talking about possibly uncomfortable subjects.
Liz Vater,
School Psychology Resident
Liz has received training in cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and mindfulness techniques. Liz has experience working with children who have anxiety and depressive disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder.
Katie Wood,
School Psychology Resident
Katie has formal training in cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectic behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy, and trauma informed care. She utilized each of these frameworks to help children and adolescents build their self-esteem and self-regulation skills in a manner that is personalized to their needs.
Rebecca Caldwell,
School Psychology Resident
Ms. Caldwell emphasizes a holistic approach which considers social, emotional, behavioral, academic, and lifestyle factors within the context of the child’s family, school, and community contexts. Above all, Ms. Caldwell strives to help the client achieve a thorough understanding of their issues, identify and build on their strengths, develop problem-solving, coping skills and resilience along with a sense of hope about their future.
Caitlin Gilchrist, Licensed Professional Counselor Resident
Caitlin specializes in working with adolescents and adults with topics such as depression, anxiety, stress, life transitions, substance related concerns and relationship issues. She has received training in multiculturalism, motivational interviewing, and trauma informed care. Her clinical expertise include Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness techniques promoting a holistic wellness approach to therapy.
Nicole Campbell,
School Psychology Resident
Nicole utilizes a strength-based and holistic approach when working with her clients. Nicole believes strongly in collaborating with the client’s parents to generalize skills learned during sessions in other areas of the child’s life. Nicole has experience working with children who have Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), emotional disabilities, anxiety, depressive disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and learning disabilities. Additionally, she has worked with children to improve their self-regulation, social, problem solving and coping skills.
Aspen Starbird, Licensed Clinical Social Work Resident
Aspen uses a strengths-based approach and uses narrative techniques to help clients navigate distress, unhappiness, or trauma. She approaches clients with a trauma-informed lens and mindfulness techniques to create a safe atmosphere that encourages healing and autonomy. Aspen believes in teaching self-regulating techniques and empowerment to manage distress. Aspen honors diversity, is LGBTQ+ affirming, and is culturally sensitive.
Derek Henderson, School Psychology Resident
Derek has formal training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, and many evidence-based programs. Derek's approach is primarily solution focused and incorporates positive psychology practices and principles. Derek focuses on skill development compared to viewing behavior as a deficit or weakness. Derek believes strongly in psychoeducation and working collaboratively with parents and school teams. Throughout his career, Derek has supported students with a variety of needs including anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, impulse control, ADHD/executive functioning, social skills, autism, and learning difficulties.
Susan Bender, School Psychology Resident
Susan provides a holistic, goal-directed, and evidence-based approach to help the client achieve a thorough understanding of their individual needs. By challenging negative thoughts or behavioral patterns, she strives to help them identify and build on their strengths, develop problem-solving skills, coping skills, and resilience. Susan utilizes components of Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma Informed practices, and other evidence-based curriculums into her therapy work. She has supported children, adolescents, young adults, and their families with a variety of needs including (but not limited to): ADHD and executive functioning, Autism Spectrum Disorders, anxiety, depression, social skills, and learning disabilities.
Meet our
Office Administrators
Barb Valier
Operations Director
Barb has 23 years of healthcare billing and auditing experience and brings with her a wealth of knowledge in regards to healthcare reimbursement and office management. Barb is also a successful blogger for the company. She has an interest in writing about many mental health conditions and how effective therapy can be!
Mindy Turnbough
Billing Manager
Mindy comes to us from Prince William County Schools and has 10 years of Customer Service experience. While she is new to the healthcare industry, she brings a bright attitude and a desire to learn!
Melody Valier
Operations Assistant
Melody has an expertise in and passion for helping families and providers navigate the challenges of insurance coverage. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the behavioral health arena. Melody has spent the better part of her career working for companies that change lives and is excited about starting her role with THLH and continuing that passion.
Sundus Ahmed, Licensed Professional Counselor Resident
Sundus is passionate about working with clients with various issues and concerns which include anxiety, mood disorders and depression, trauma, adjustment, phases of life, attention/concentration problems, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She works with almost all age groups including children above 6 years old. Ms. Ahmed is known for building a strong and trusting relationship with her clients and creating a safe space for them.
Jennifer Hsieh Yang, School Psychology Resident
Jennifer is passionate about working with twice-exceptional students; about fostering social skills and emotional self-regulation; and about promoting the strengths, resiliency, and self-advocacy of families. Jennifer draws on training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Mindfulness. Parents and caregivers have commended her coaching in behavioral strategies and her promotion of healthy family functioning.
Latte Willing
Licensed Cuddler
Founder's Son
Latte is a four-year-old Maltese Poodle who loves to cuddle, but don't worry, he is hypoallergenic and full of fun!
He helps children with depression and anxiety and is very popular around Think Happy Live Healthy.