Staff
Clinical Staff
Christopher Haley, Psy.D.
(Oakton office) is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of experience treating a wide variety of patients and diagnoses. He is the owner of 2 private practices – Psychological and Life Skills Associates and The Social Skills Center. His primary specialty area has always been teaching social skills and he currently facilitates 12 in-person social skills groups each week to children, adolescents, and adults. His most recent venture involved expanding The Social Skills Center’s online program to clients throughout the United States and Canada.
Sumera Nadeem, MD
(Oakton and Woodbridge offices) is a Board Certified Psychiatrist with over fifteen years of experience in treating adults with Psychiatric conditions such as Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar, and Psychotic Disorders and a variety of other problems. With her extensive experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, she performs diagnostic evaluations and medication management using excellent clinical skills and up to date knowledge of current medical practice. Dr. Nadeem is compassionate and understanding, and makes every effort to ensure her patients are given best available treatment in an empathic environment. In addition to medication management, she utilizes supportive and CBT principles in her practice. Dr. Nadeem is an Independent Contractor, but partners with Psychological and Life Skills Associates to refer for psychotherapy and psychological testing if needed.
Felicia Leisersohn, Psy.D.
(Woodbridge office) is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with 20+ years of experience in psychotherapy with adolescents and adults. Her areas of interest and specialty include, but are not limited to, depression, anxiety, trauma/PTSD, adult survivors of sexual abuse, gender identity/LGBTQ+ issues, women’s issues, and interpersonal difficulties. Dr. Leisersohn provides individual psychotherapy with an emphasis on an insight-oriented approach as a means to personal change.
Kate Strand, Ph.D.
(Woodbridge office) is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience dealing with military personnel and family issues. She also has a wide range of experience in the treatment of grief, anxiety, depression, trauma response, eating disorders, parenting challenges, school/work/life change adjustment, and relationship issues. Dr. Strand provides evaluation and treatment services for children, adolescents, adults, and couples. Dr. Strand also has training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a technique used to treat trauma.
Michael Schell-Smith, LCSW
(Fredericksburg office) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience working with all ages utilizing individual, family, couples, and group therapy. In addition to helping people resolve problems around depression, anxiety, and relationship/marital issues, Mr. Schell-Smith is also experienced in helping survivors of sexual abuse/incest and domestic violence, and addressing parent concerns, behavior problems with children and adolescents, separation and divorce, and stress management.
Sandy Mansfield, LCSW
(Woodbridge office) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive psychotherapy experience. During her career she has worked as a manager for an outpatient Behavioral Health Center, residential treatment and hospital facilities, a pain management center, and private practice. She is a seasoned therapist who works with older adolescents, adults, families, couples, and groups. Sandy evaluates and provides therapy for clients experiencing anxiety, depression, relational challenges, and the range of adjustment disorders.
Scott Miller, LCSW
(Woodbridge office) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience providing individual, family, and group psychotherapy to children, adolescents and adults. His clinical work includes treating mental illness in both the community and psychiatric hospital setting. He has significant experience working with families experiencing extreme stress due to mental illness and/or behavioral disorders. Mr. Miller is currently accepting new clients and is excited to offer individual and family psychotherapy in addition to Peer Process Social Skills Groups.
Amanda Swanson, Psy.D.
(Woodbridge and Oakton offices) is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings including inpatient treatment, outpatient therapy, and schools. She specializes in psychological evaluations of children, adolescents, and adults, including diagnosis of ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and a variety of other mental health disorders. Dr. Swanson also has a special interest in behavioral interventions for neurodevelopmental and disruptive behavior disorders such as ADHD and ODD and has experience working with children and adolescents in overcoming anxiety, trauma, and other mental health conditions using cognitive behavioral techniques (CBT). Dr. Swanson utilizes a client-centered approach in addressing each individual and family’s unique needs.
Mary Lagdameo Cano, M.A.
(Oakton and Woodbridge offices) Mary utilizes client-centered, cognitive behavioral, expressive arts based, and culturally competent approaches to therapy. She possesses experience supporting at-risk adults who suffered from substance use and co-occurring disorders such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. Mary enjoys working with a wide range of client concerns including trauma, life transitions, relationship concerns, and substance use disorders. Additionally, Mary includes spiritual meaning-making for clients desiring to explore the connection of spirituality with mental health. She also incorporates solution-focused approaches to work with each client's therapeutic goals. Mary received her BA in Psychology from George Mason University, and her MA in Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marymount University.
Tara Smith, Ph.D.
(Woodbridge and Oakton offices) is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years experience conducting individual, couples, family, and group psychotherapy with adolescents and adults. She enjoys working with a wide range of client concerns including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), hoarding, trauma, domestic violence, personality disorders, eating disorders, phase of life issues, and gender/sexual orientation issues. She utilizes an integrative approach to her practice that draws from cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, mindfulness, interpersonal, and family systems approaches.
Sara Caparelli, LCSW
(Woodbridge and Oakton offices) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with seven years of experience working with adolescents and families in home, school, and community settings. She has provided trauma-informed care to address depression, anxiety, substance abuse, grief, emotional dysregulation, hyperactivity and impulsivity, defiance, and relational difficulties. Sara believes in the power of the therapeutic relationship and the capacity each person has for growth and change. She is also trained in motivational interviewing and family systems techniques.
Alaina Mazer, LPC
(Woodbridge office) is a Licensed Professional Counselor with experience working with adolescents and adults. She has over 13 years of experience in the community mental health setting treating anxiety, depression, anger management, pro-social skills, stress, life changes, ADHD and other mental health ailments. Alaina provides individual treatment services for adolescents, and adults, with an emphasis on client-centered approaches.
Tiffany Perry, LPC
(Woodbridge and Oakton offices) is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Nationally Certified Counselor in the state of Virginia and Texas who has over 5 years of experience partnering with children, adolescents, families, adults, and couples seeking help with trauma, depression, anxiety, life transitions, women issues, relational issues, familial issues, and Schizophrenia related disorders. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in Abnormal and Social from Park University and received her Master of Arts in Community Counseling from the
University of Texas at San Antonio.
Tiffany utilizes relational, collaborative, strength based, cognitive behavioral, mindfulness based, cognitive processing, and culturally competent approaches to therapy. Tiffany prides herself in the therapeutic environment that she creates, that involves equality between the client and the therapist.
Tiffany seeks to develop a compassionate, supportive, and encouraging relationship with each client that she comes into contact with. Tiffany believes that development is continuous, and encourages her clients to be kind to themselves during their process to their ideal self.
Maya Khan, M.A.
(Oakton and Woodbridge offices) is a board-certified Resident in counseling with experience in using various therapeutic approaches. She places importance on cultural competency and is passionate about supporting individuals in their journey toward emotional well-being and empowering them to lead fulfilling lives. With a background in providing both individual and group therapy, Maya has experience working with individuals who have experienced trauma, substance use, behavioral and social challenges, and co-morbid disorders. Together, Maya and the client will collaborate to create a therapeutic journey that leads to lasting positive change and a greater sense of well-being.
Renate Scott, LPC
(Fredericksburg and Woodbridge offices) is a Licensed Professional Counselor with experience working with adults, teenagers and adolescents. She has over 10 years of experience working in variety of settings which include residential, corrections and outpatient therapy. She also has experience working with depression, anxiety, trauma related issues and anger management. Renate implements a Cognitive-Behavioral and Person-Centered approach when providing mental health services to the needed individuals. She provides natural surroundings to identify interventions that are specific to the clients needs and develop effective and realistic coping strategies.
Douglas Warford, LPC
(Oakton and Woodbridge offices) is a Licensed Professional Counselor working in the filed since 2014 in community and clinical mental health settings. Doug works with children, adolescents, and adults working with various different issues and problems that come up in day to day life. Doug uses a person-centered, solution focused, integrative method of psychotherapy to promote success with developing personal goals. Areas of focus with Doug include: management of behaviors and feelings, stress reduction, improvement of self-esteem, developing personal awareness (or mindfulness), strengthening personal resilience, and processing previous traumas. In addition to traditional counseling methods, Doug has specialized training in EMDR. EMDR is a technique used in dealing with trauma, PTSD, and various other cognitive and behavioral problems.
Seth Rumbley, MSW
(Oakton and Woodbridge offices) Seth is a Supervisee in Clinical Social Work with experience working with individuals experiencing grief and loss, effects of traumatic brain injury, ADHD, anger management, anxiety, and depression. During the course of his clinical program, Seth worked with refugee populations and with individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental illness. Seth takes a person-centered approach to his work with clients and utilizes mindfulness, solutions-focused, acceptance and commitment, cognitive-behavioral, and dialectical behavioral therapeutic modalities based on clients’ individual needs.
Kathleen Frederick, LCSW
(Oakton and Woodbridge offices) Kathleen Frederick is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 17 years of experience utilizing individual and group therapy. She began her training in early childhood development and family, later focusing on addictions, pain management, and mental health. She believes in a whole person-centered approach and is experienced in helping people with issues related to problem solving, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, trauma and relationship issues. She has extensive experience with complex trauma including domestic violence, military sexual trauma, combat trauma, incest child abuse, and more. Ms Frederick is trained in several Evidence Based Therapies including EMDR, CPT, ACT, D and CBT-D.
Brian Hasser, LCSW
(Oakton office) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10 years of experience working with adolescents and adults in substance abuse, walk-in, residential, school, and community environments. His approach is trauma-informed and solution focused. Specialties include but are not limited to anxiety, depression, school avoidance, bipolar disorder, self-harm, suicide, grief, substance abuse, and emotional dysregulation.
Jessica Kirby, MSW
(Woodbridge office) Jessica is a Supervisee in Social Work with experience working with individuals experiencing life changes and adjustments, healthy aging and older adults, grief and loss, caregiver stress, anxiety and depression, and situational stress. While completing her clinical program, Jessica worked with adults across the spectrum of aging and planning for the later stages of life. Jessica empowers clients with the skills and person-centered approach needed to achieve desired therapeutic outcomes.
Tom Waugh, B.A., M.B.A.
(Oakton office) is a Supervisee in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with experience using a variety of therapeutic approaches. Tom uses a client-centered, strength-based approach to help adolescents and adults co-discover effective solutions for their unique challenges. With a background in both individual and group therapy, Tom uses proven techniques to help people deal with stress, trauma, substance abuse, and loss. Mindfulness is integrated into this process to strengthen personal awareness and resilience. Tom’s approach helps people to better understand themselves and to discover and use tools that will create stronger emotional well-being.
Mandi Cottrill, B.S.
(Woodbridge office) is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling intern from George Mason University. She has experience working with adolescents who were at risk of out-of-home placement on topics such as anxiety and depression as well as college students with developmental and intellectual disabilities on topics such as career and life adjustments. She is interested in working with older populations in a variety of areas such as grief, emotional regulation, life changes, stress, and relationship conflict. She is working on developing an integrative counseling approach to foster as safe a place as possible for a diverse group of clients.
Samantha Richmond, B.S.
(Oakton office) is a Graduate student at Adams State University. She is earning her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an interest in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She has five years of experience working with children and teens with learning disabilities and ADHD improving information processing, reading comprehension, and memory. She plans to continue helping children with social skills, anxiety, and depression in the future focusing on mindfulness and personal power.
Isha Khawar, B.S.
(Fredericksburg office) is in the process of obtaining a Master's Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from George Mason University. She has experience working with individuals who suffer from behavioral and/or developmental disorders. She implements Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and other evidence-based interventions to promote positive growth in her cleints. She is dedicated to making a meaningful and long-lasting impact on individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD), Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), and several other diagnoses.
Selena Winston, B.S.
(Fredericksburg office) is a Practicum Student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through the College of William and Mary. Selena earned her B.S. in Psychology and Severe Disabilities from George Mason University. After attaining her B.S. degree, she has a background in Special Education, Applied Behavioral Analysis with children on the Autism Spectrum, and Social Emotional Learning. Selena strives for connecting and maintaining an empowering relationship with all clients to meet their unique needs.
(Oakton office) is a Graduate student at Adams State University. She is earning her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an interest in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She has five years of experience working with children and teens with learning disabilities and ADHD improving information processing, reading comprehension, and memory. She plans to continue helping children with social skills, anxiety, and depression in the future focusing on mindfulness and personal power.
(Fredericksburg office) is in the process of obtaining a Master's Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from George Mason University. She has experience working with individuals who suffer from behavioral and/or developmental disorders. She implements Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and other evidence-based interventions to promote positive growth in her cleints. She is dedicated to making a meaningful and long-lasting impact on individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD), Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), and several other diagnoses.