We are a small team of talented, dedicated therapists with a wide range of skills and experience. We specialize in supporting clients with complex trauma, transracial identity development, attachment concerns, and survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault. Adoption competent therapy in Virginia, DC, and Maryland.
Therapists
Julie Naquin, LCSW (she/her)
Associate Therapist In-person and Virtual throughout Virginia
I am passionate about working with children and families in foster care as well as families/children going through the adoption process. I provide adoption competent therapy in Virginia. As an international adoptee myself, I understand some of the unique challenges an adoptive family might face along the way and post adoption. I also have experience in supporting adoptee’s who are looking for support or struggling emotionally, post adoption. My background includes experience in the treatment of PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, and Mood disorders. I utilize trauma-informed framework, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, to provide support and interventions that are tailored to meet individuals and family’s needs. I am passionate about social justice issues and advocating for oppressed populations and hope to improve the quality of community mental health.
Julie has worked in private practice and community mental health. She earned her Master of Social Work from George Mason University and has extensive knowledge of foster youth and families. Julie has completed the National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training for Mental Health Professionals.
Emma Rady, LGPC, NCC(she/her)
Associate Virtual Therapist (Maryland) EMDR Trained
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 and 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 is currently under the supervision of Carroll Martin, LCSW and works with teens, families, and adults in Maryland. Her master’s training also included clinical work at the Center for Adoption Support and Education.
Carolyn Abrahamzon, BA (she/her)
Clinical Intern seeing clients virtually in SC, MD, VA, and WV
(Completing M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
I am graduate student and counseling intern dedicated to providing mental health support to adoptees and adoptive families. As an adoptee and a parent, I strive to bring to the counseling relationship the same empathy, understanding, and validation I desired as a child and young adult processing my own adoption and parenting experiences. Using a collaborative, client-centered, and trauma-informed approach, my goal is to cultivate a safe and trusting environment for exploration, introspection, empowerment, and autonomy. I believe that change comes when we can honor our past and experiences without judgment, acknowledge thoughts and beliefs that no longer align with our values, and take steps through values-aligned action towards our goals and healing. I am a veteran and part of an active duty family. I have experience supporting individuals, couples, and families through anxiety, depression, communication, identity struggles, grief, and PTSD, and am a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist – Individual.
Carolyn is currently completing her M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Walden University and am on track to graduate in May 2023. Carolyn has completed The National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training for Mental Health Professionals. She is able to see clients on a sliding scale of $0-$50/per session
Carolyn is under the supervision of Carroll Martin, LCSW and is based in Columbia, South Carolina.
Christa Carlton, LCSW, LCSW-C, LICSW, RYT (she/her)
Senior Virtual Therapist (Maryland, Virginia, and DC) EMDR Trained
Christa currently has limited daytime availability. Please reach out and we can let you know about the wait list or connect you to another one of our therapists!
Frani Gutierrez, LCSW (she/her)
Senior Virtual Therapist (Virginia)
Frani completed her Master of Social Work degree at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is certified in Training Adoption Competency. 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.
Carroll Martin, LCSW, LCSW-C (she/her)
Clinical Supervisor, Practice Owner (Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and South Carolina) EMDR Trained
Carroll is not currently accepting new clients at this time
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, Adoption Competency Training, and is a Clinical Supervisor in Maryland and Virginia.
Koro, CGC
Therapy Dog in Training, Canine Good Citizen
Koro is a Bernese Mountain Dog who is training to become a therapy dog. She already joins Carroll during virtual sessions. Koro is now meeting with clients at our Leesburg office.
Training includes successful completion of Puppy Kindergarten, Basic Obedience. Koro successfully passed her Canine Good Citizen June 1, 2022!
Want to work with us?