Each of our therapists is passionate about supporting clients through life’s challenges with compassion, expertise, and cultural humility. We specialize in supporting clients with complex trauma, transracial identity development, attachment concerns, and survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault.
We understand that finding the right therapist can be a daunting process, and we encourage you to take your time in choosing someone you feel comfortable with.
If you’re curious about how we can work together, we invite you to reach out. Your journey matters, and we are honored to be part of it.
Christa Carlton, LCSW, LCSW-C, LICSW, RYT (she/her)
Virtually only in DC, MD, and VA
Senior Virtual Therapist (Maryland, Virginia, and DC) EMDR Trained, Training in Adoption Competency (TAC) graduate, and ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider.
Christa earned her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Criminology & Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland, College Park, with minors in Japanese and International Studies. She earned her Masters of Science degree in Social Work from Columbia University in the City of New York with specializations in International Social Welfare and Services to Immigrants and Refugees.
Christa is not accepting clients until February 2026
Frani Gutierrez, LCSW (she/her)
Accepting new clients in Virginia and DC
Senior Virtual Therapist (Virginia) EMDR trained, Training in Adoption Competency (TAC) graduate
Frani completed her Master of Social Work degree at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is certified in Training Adoption Competency (TAC) and has been trained in Somatic and Attachment Focused EMDR. Frani provides adoption competent therapy in Virginia working with all members of the adoption triad. Frani’s other specialties include intimate partner violence and domestic violence, developmental trauma, mood disorders, and child abuse.
Emma Wanroy, LPC, LCPC, NCC (she/her)
Accepting new clients in Virginia, Maryland & Michigan (Virtual)
Associate Virtual Therapist (Virginia, Maryland & Michigan) EMDR Trained, NTI Trained in Adoption Competency.
I believe by exploring our past experiences and relationships we can find answers to better understand our own behaviors and thought processes. Our best healing happens throughout the context of a safe relationship and that is what I offer in therapy; a safe place where my client can explore their pain, hurt, and confusion in order to heal and live the most meaningful life possible! I am a transracial, Chinese adoptee myself and have a personal connection to the unique challenges adoptees face. As an adoption competent therapist and adoptee, I am passionate about helping other adoptees navigate their adoptee identity and better understand how their adoption has impacted them throughout their lives and today. I use an attachment/psychodynamic based framework to guide my work and am also trained in Somatic and Attachment Focused EMDR.
Emma graduated from the George Washington University with her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She works with teens, families, and young adults in Maryland and Michigan. Her master’s training also included clinical work at the Center for Adoption Support and Education.
Jamie Ingliss, Graduate Clinical Intern (they/them)
No longer accepting new clients
Jamie is a masters level clinical intern through Adler University. Jamie grew up in Towson, MD and is in the final year of their clinical mental health counseling degree. Jamie is an adult Chinese-American transracial transnational adoptee, and seeks to specialize in traumatic loss, grief and adoption-specific counseling for all ages. Jamie has grappled with transracial adoption identity from a young age. They grew up as an only-child adoptee with white adoptive parents, and spent years untangling what it means to be an adoptee and how to be a happy, healthy human when life seems to demand more and more at every turn.
Jamie has experience with systemic injustice, chronic illness, medical trauma, military mental health, neurodivergence, gender identity and gender transitioning. Jamie identifies as nonbinary and recognizes the complex role that gender plays in adoption history as well as in everyday life. Today, they live in Norfolk, Virginia with their two adorable cats. Jamie enjoys reading, hiking, and toasting marshmallows over a warm fire on a crisp autumn day. Jamie is under the clinical supervision of practice owner, Carroll Martin, LCSW, LICSW, LCSW-C.
Deborah Sanders, LCSW (she/her)
Not accepting new clients at this time
Senior Virtual Therapist (Virginia). Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), EMDR trained, Training in Adoption Competency (TAC) graduate. Deborah is also a trained and certified Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) provider.
Deborah is currently accepting new virtual clients in VIRGINIA. She has been working in the field of adoption competent mental health for over 10 years. Deborah is highly experienced with special needs children, neurodiversity, trauma, attachment and identity. She is also an adoptive parent. Deborah provides virtual therapy and parenting support for families with young children, and virtual individual therapy with older youth and adults
Deborah completed her Master of Social Work degree at George Mason University. She is certified in Training Adoption Competency (TAC) and trained and working toward certification in EMDR. Deborah provides adoption competent therapy in Virginia working with all members of the adoption constellation.
Carroll Martin, LCSW, LICSW, LCSW-C (she/her)
Clinical Supervisor, Practice Owner (DC, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and South Carolina) EMDR Trained.
Carroll graduated from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. Carroll has completed training in Somatic and Attachment Focused EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Adoption Competency Training, and is a Clinical Supervisor in Maryland and Virginia.
Carroll is currently on a waitlist for new clients. Contact us today to learn more!
Koro, CGC
Therapy Dog in Training, Canine Good Citizen
Koro is a 4 year old Bernese Mountain Dog who is training to become a therapy dog. She joins Carroll during virtual sessions and meets with clients at our Herndon office.
Training includes successful completion of Puppy Kindergarten, Basic Obedience. Koro successfully passed her Canine Good Citizen June 1, 2022!
