Pastoral Care/Mental Health Resources
As you discern and pursue your calling by the way of rigorous academic studies, there may be occasions when difficult and often competing demands for your time and resources become overwhelming.
The pandemic has caused a major shift in how we pursue seminary education and answer our call to ministry. Online learning has provided safety and protection, but we have lost some of the intimacy and connection that we experience as a community of faith. The competing demands, sense of isolation, and loss may lead to poor concentration, declining academic performance, anxiety, depression, and even a crisis of faith.
Rev. Dr. Lisa Banks-Williams, Program Coordinator for Student Care from the Office of Community Life is available for support, counseling, and referrals for mental health care and spiritual direction. She is on campus on Tuesdays and available for virtual sessions by appointment. Her office is in the Library, Room 203.
Rev. Dr. Banks-Williams can be reached via email @ lbwilliams@wesleyseminary.edu. Non-urgent messages may be left @ 202 785-8626.
In addition, we have complied and provided a wide range of pastoral care and mental health resources. Click on the tabs below to learn more.
Peace and blessings to you,
Office of Community Life
Pop-up Conversation with Dr. Banks-Williams
Ministering to Minds and Souls with Rev. Dr. Lisa Banks-Williams
In an effort to meet the pastoral care and mental health needs of our student body, the Office of Community Life has committed to provide access to affordable mental health and pastoral care services from a wide variety of sources throughout the Washington Metropolitan area. We have developed a list of vetted clinicians who have expressed a willingness and availability to provide psychiatric evaluations, medication management, psychotherapy and counseling, spiritual direction, soul are and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) services. Many of the providers have agreed to accept insurance and or provide a sliding scale for students. All referrals are confidential.
We have three pathways to access care:
- Independently review the list of providers as listed and then review the corresponding website to obtain location, contact information, and specialty services. Then contact the provider of your choice to obtain an appointment. Please inform them directly that you are a student from Wesley Theological Seminary.
- Contact the Office of Community Life’s Program Coordinator for Student Care to obtain recommendations for an appropriate provider, for instance a counselor as opposed to a psychiatric or spiritual director.
- Contact the Office of Community Life’s Program Coordinator for Student Care for screening and 1-2 sessions to help discern what would be an appropriate referral for mental health and or spiritual counseling.
Questions or concerns regarding accessing the services should be directed to the Program Coordinator for Student Care. If you encounter a provider who is unavailable or unwilling to provide the care as requested please notify the Program Coordinator for Student Care immediately for follow up and removal from our provider resource list.
The goal of mental health professionals, whether counselors or clinical social workers, is generally the same: to help people deal with problems in their lives. Through psychotherapy, counselors and clinical social workers help patients talk through their problems and develop the coping strategies they need to deal with or resolve psychological and emotional issues.
A Psychotherapist maybe a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Mental Health Counselor (MHC and work with individuals, couples, groups, and/or families.
Here are descriptions of the variety of Mental Health Providers.
Psychiatrists (M.D. or D.O.) Medical Doctors and Doctors of Osteopathy undergo a four-year residency training, during which they specialize in psychiatry to learn about the diagnosis and treatment modalities for each psychological conditions, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Some psychiatrists specialize in addition medicine, psychopharmacology, forensics, geriatrics, adolescents, neuropsychiatry, etc. Much of their time with patients is sent on diagnostic evaluation and/or clarification and medication management as a course of treatment. A psychiatrist may also ask for and utilize the results of psychological testing, computerized tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and clinical chemistry testing to help better understand a complicated patient presentation.
Psychologists (Ph.D. or Psy. D) Psychologists must obtain a PhD or PsyD doctoral degree, which can take up to four or six years. Throughout their education, psychologists study personality development, the history of psychological problems and the science of psychological research. Psychologists focus extensively on psychological testing and evaluation for which they have had specific training in administering and interpreting. They also specialize in psychotherapy and treating emotional and mental suffering in patients with behavioral interventions.
Social Workers (LCSW) Licensed Independent Social Workers have earned either a master's or doctorate degree. Social workers can be involved in direct therapy with patients in private or group practice. They are trained to assess and make clinical evaluations of client’s mental health and diagnose mental illness and make judgments on the best course of treatments based upon current clinical research in the social work field. Social workers are trained to perform case management functions and disposition/transition planning.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) & Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) refers only to those licensed by a state board to provide professional counseling based mental therapy. The LPC or MHC must earn a minimum of a Master’s degree in Counseling along with post graduate supervised experience. LPC’s and LMHC’s work in a collaborative approach with the patient to determine the best way for the counseling sessions to provide preferred outcomes. LPC’s and LMHC’s provide an eclectic approach that is highly attuned to the individual and
especially their decision making process to achieve client goals and objectives. LPCs or MHCs can be involved in direct therapy with patients in private practice.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists are masters prepared mental health/behavioral health practitioners who give primary consideration to the interpersonal context and to significant relationships in people’s lives. LMFTs work with individuals, couples, families, groups and organizations to explore and clarify patterns of communication, interaction and behavior. LMFTs work with people and systems to change existing patterns that have not been working in order to effect more positive changes in thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and mental health. They will provide systemic interventions, even when working with one person from a couple or from a family. LMFTs may provide psychotherapy as independent practitioners or in association with agencies
Mental Health Providers
Agencies, Institutes & Organizations
The Imago Center of Washington DC
Website: http://www.imagocenterdc.com/
Phone Number: (202) 670-5065
Location: Various
- Washington, D.C.: Takoma Park, Dupont Circle, Downtown DC, Capitol Hill
- Maryland: Columbia, Chevy Chase, Bethesda, University Park, College Park
Recommended Providers:
Joanne Comstock, Ph.D.
Carl Siegel, Ph.D.
Caroline Bernhardt-Lanier, MS, MEd, LCPC
Lena Aburdene Derhally, MS, MPC
Saint Luke Institute
Website: https://sli.org/
Phone Number: (301) 445-7970
Location: Silver Spring, MD and Baltimore/Towson, MD
Recommended Providers:
Joseph Colins, D.O.
Washington Center for Women’s & Children’s Wellness
Note: Services at WCWCW are available for Women Only
Website: http://www.wcwcw.org/index.html
Phone Number: (301) 881-9464
Location: Bethesda, MD
Recommended Providers:
Wendy J. Hookman, M.D.
Jessica Lu, M.D., M.P.H.
Brooklane
Website: https://www.brooklane.org/
Phone Number: (301) 733-0330
Location: Hagerstown, MD
Greater Washington Psychiatry and Counseling
Website: http://gwpac.com/index.html
Phone Number: (301) 982-3437
Locations: Various
- Maryland: Greenbelt, Gaithersburg, Frederick
Recommended Providers:
Larry Harper, LCSW-C, BCD
Mental Health Center of Washington County Maryland
Website: http://thementalhealthcenter.net/
Phone Number: (301) 791-3045 – option 2 for appointments.
Location: Hagerstown, MD
Psychotherapy Services Associates
Website: http://www.frederickpsychotherapy.com/
Phone Number: (301) 662-6226
Location: Frederick, MD
Washington School of Psychiatry (Meyer Treatment Center)
Website: http://www.wspdc.org/0101treatment.html
Phone Number: (202) 537-6050
Location: Friendship Heights (NW Washington D.C.)
Recommended Providers:
Joslyn Hills
Xian Zhang
Individual Practitioners
Joseph (Joe) Collins, D.O.
Website: N/A
Phone Number: (301) 654-9017
Location: Bethesda, MD
Connie Ridgway, LCSW
Website: http://fullcirclecreativehealing.com/
Phone Number: (202) 966-8230
Location: NW Washington, D.C. and Alexandria, VA
Baraka & Associates
Website: http://www.barakacounseling4u.com/
Phone Number: (301) 363-1841
Location: Largo, MD
Recommended Providers:
Dr. Michele Balamani Silvera
Amy Van Arsdale, Ph.D.
Website: http://amyvanarsdalephd.com/index.html
Phone Number: (202) 681-7642
Location: NW Washington, DC (Friendship Heights)
Dr. Michele Balamani Silvera
Website: http://www.barakacounseling4u.com/rev-dr-balamani-silvera
Phone Number: (301) 363-1841
Location: Largo, MD
Susan Gillespie, LMFT
Website: http://susanggillespie.vpweb.com/?prefix=www
Phone Number: (831) 444-2600
Location: Friendship Heights, NW Washington D.C.
Agencies, Institutes & Organizations
American University Chaplains
Website: http://www.american.edu/ocl/kay/chaplains.cfm
Phone Number: (202) 885-3320
Location: NW Washington DC (Adjacent to Wesley Theological Seminary Main Campus)
Recommended Providers:
Rev. Joey Heath-UMC
Brookland Pastoral Center
Website: http://www.bpccounseling.com/
Phone Number: (202) 526-4445
Location: NE Washington, DC (Brookland)
Recommended Providers:
Sandra Cihlar, LPC
Gigi Gruenke, LICSW
Lisa Joan Reardon, LICSW
Ann Marshall, LPC
Charlotte Rogers, LPC
Center for Pastoral Counseling of Virginia
Website: http://pastoralcounseling.com/
Phone Number: (703) 903-9696 ext. 290
Location: Various
- Virginia: Alexandria (St. Luke’s), Alexandria (Virginia Theological Seminary), Annandale, Arlington, Dale City, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, McLean, Springfield, Sterling
Recommended Providers:
Jenn Fredette
Carey Gauzens
Gary McMichael
Audra Mrini
Becki Porter-Harmon
Nancy Scott
CentrePoint Counseling, Inc.
Website: http://www.centrepointecounseling.org/
Phone Number: (800) 491-5369
Location: Various
- Maryland: Ashton, Spencerville, Olney, Silver Spring, Rockville, Columbia, Beltsville, Laurel, Ellicott City, Clarksburg, Severn, Bowie, Eldersburg, Glen Burnie, Federal Hill, Westminster, Parkville, Frederick, Middle River, Knoxville, Dunkirk, Woodbridge, Hughesville, Bel Air, Conowingo
Recommended Providers:
Melvin Pride, MS, LCPS
Christian Counseling Associates
Website: http://christiancounselingassociates.org/
Phone Number: (410) 995-5587 or (301) 596-5759
Location: Columbia, MD
Recommended Providers:
Janice W. Sams, MSW, LCSW
Kenneth O. Williams, MA, LCPC
Safe Harbor Christian Counseling
Website: http://www.safeharbor1.com/
Phone Number: 1 (800) 305-2089
Location: Various (See website or contact via phone for providers near you.)
- Over 49 Maryland Locations
- Over 11 Virginia Locations
- NW Washington DC
Recommended Providers:
David W. Swan, Jr., MA
The Garment’s Hem
Website: https://www.metropolitanbaptist.org/our-history/metropolitans-affiliates/
Phone Number: (202) 238-5000
Best Point of Contact: Dr. Sherrill McMillan via e-mail at drsmcmillan@gmail.com.
Individual Practitioners
Rose Wayland, LPC, DMin
Website: N/A
Phone Number: (202) 547-0141
Location: SE Washington, DC
Frankie Wright, LCPC
Website: http://www.wright-waycounseling.com/
Phone Number: (301) 850-2391
Location: Lanham, MD
Antonietta Corvasce, LPC
Website: http://www.antoniettacorvasce.com/
Phone Number: (202) 249-8976
Location: NW Washington, DC
Ginny Graham, MS, LPC
Website: http://www.imagoma.org/therapistpage.php?member_id=179
Phone Number: (703) 989-7386
Location: Arlington, VA
Tina Lightner-Morris, D.Min, MS, LCPC, BCC, RH(AHG), RYT
Website: www.tinalightner.com
Phone Number: (301) 524-0808
Location: Gaithersburg, MD
Stacy Notaras Murphy, LPC
Website: http://www.stacymurphylpc.com/
Phone Number: (202) 460-2667
Location: NW Washington, DC
Rebecca Sears, M. Div, LPC
Website: https://www.rebeccasears.com
Phone Number: (202) 744-1160
Location: Dupont Circle and NW Washington D.C.
Sharon Scott, LPC
Website: http://www.imagoma.org/therapistpage.php?member_id=87
Phone Number: (301) 277-0153
Location: Laurel, MD
Norma Stevens, MS, LCPC, NCC
Phone Number: (410) 927-6166
Location: Ellicott City, MD
Dr. Sandy Kilada, MS, LPC
Website: http://www.sandykiladatherapy.com/
Phone Number: (540) 358-0336
Location: Dupont Circle, Washignton D.C.
MASSAGE THERAPISTS
Onsite Massage (Johanna Brooks, Founder)
Website: http://www.onsitemassagedc.com/
Phone Number: (202) 818-8699
Location: Mobile Office
Deluca Massage & Bodywork
Website: http://delucamassage.com/
Phone Number: (202) 872-5822
Location: Dupont Circle
(Online appointment booking available.)
Additional Resources
Grassroots Crisis Intervention
Website: http://www.grassrootscrisis.org/
Phone Number: (410) 531-6677 (24-Hour Crisis Hotline)
Location: Columbia, MD
“Grassroots is a multi-service crisis intervention center providing 24-hour crisis intervention services, emergency and transitional shelter, and community education.”
Institute for Life Enrichment
Website: http://www.instituteforlifeenrichment.com/
Phone Number: (443) 444-3848
Location: College Park, MD
“Since 1979, Institute For Life Enrichment has provided psychotherapy and psychological services to the Washington, DC area. We offer an individual, holistic approach to enrich the lives of our diverse clientele. We welcome a vast array of patients, including individuals, couples, families, private organizations, and governmental agencies.”
Jewish Social Service Agency
Website: https://www.jssa.org/get-help/adults-couples-and-parents/
Phone Number: MD – (301) 816-2633; VA – (703) 896-7918
Location: Various
- Rockville, MD (2 locations)
- Silver Spring, MD
- Fairfax, VA
“JSSA, a nonsectarian, nonprofit client-focused health and social service agency, has been helping individuals and families across the Greater Washington metropolitan area meet emotional, social, and physical challenges for more than 120 years. JSSA serves and supports more than 31,000 individuals and families annually through a wide range of counseling, educational, special needs services, in-home support, hospice and nursing care, and social services.”
Pro Bono Counseling Project
Website: http://probonocounseling.org/
Phone Number: (877) 323-5800
“The Pro Bono Counseling Project (PBCP) ensures that Maryland families and individuals with limited resources in need of mental health care are linked with licensed mental health professionals who provide care on a volunteer basis at no cost.”
“The Pro Bono Counseling Project works closely with county core service agencies, college / university counseling centers, departments of aging, victims services and other selected referral sources, providing confidential screening, record keeping, and reporting in 19 counties and Baltimore City. Referrals are also received from other non-profit agencies, approximately 30 community-based groups, professional referral services, therapists, and hospitals.”
Shalem Institute
Website: https://shalem.org/
Phone Number: (301) 897-7334
“Since 1973, the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation has fostered contemplative living and leadership by caring for the spiritual heart in prayer and by offering ways of opening into the life of the Spirit through our programs and other resources.”
Additional Resources Identified Through Online Research
DC Talk Therapy
Website: http://dctalktherapy.com/
Phone Number: (202) 588-1288
Location: NW Washington D.C.
University of Maryland Clinical Psychology Clinic
Website: https://psyc.umd.edu/graduate/clin-psychology-clinic
Phone Number: (301) 405-4808
Location: College Park, MD
University of Maryland Counseling Psychology Clinic
Website: http://www.mpcrl.umd.edu/
Phone Number: (301) 405-5820
Location: College Park, MD
Rev. Leo Yates, Jr.
