Tiffany Smith, LCSW-C, RYT-200
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
She/her/hers
If you had asked Tiffany when she was younger what she wanted to be when she grew up, it was an interior designer. It wasn’t until she completed a year-long service experience with AmeriCorps that she knew she wanted to become a social worker and therapist. Tiffany had the opportunity to work with adolescents for 3 years before and during the time she obtained her Master’s Degree. What she learned during that time was that the age-old question of “nature vs nurture” was flawed; rather it can be both at the same time and that that doesn’t have to define a person’s entire experience. Tiffany earned her Master’s of Social Work in 2016 from the University of Maryland School of Social Work as well as a certificate in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in 2017. Since that time she has worked with diverse populations and ages to examine, break, and redefine their definition of themselves and their world.
Tiffany specializes in working with adults who frequently find themselves feeling lost, empty, misunderstood, disconnected, or just can’t seem to turn off that nagging, negative voice that criticizes their every choice. Through her relationship with yoga and mindfulness practices, Tiffany believes it is important to connect the mind and body within therapy. What you don’t address with words will manifest itself in other ways including headaches, stomachaches, avoiding, or snapping on those you are most close with. Tiffany’s approach to therapy incorporates mind and body by using principles from CBT, mindfulness-based approaches, and at times a dose of humor. It’s amazing what our bodies can tell us if we take the time to sit and listen.
When Tiffany is not in the office, she enjoys listening to her favorite podcast, The Read, working up a sweat at BodyJam, traveling abroad with her husband, cuddling with her puppies, decorating, and re-centering during the week with yoga and the Calm app.
Sarah Tacka, LCPC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
She/her/hers
Sarah Tacka earned her bachelor’s degree from Lynchburg College in 2013, majoring in psychology. She went on to complete her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Towson University in 2018. Before joining CTSA, Sarah worked in community mental health at a non-profit agency where she was working with adults, and adolescents, and specialized in working with young children. Sarah is certified in two evidenced-based programs, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy and Child-Parent Psychotherapy, that she utilizes when working with the early childhood population. Sarah enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults. She has a strong clinical background providing services to those struggling with trauma, anxiety, and mood disorders.
Sarah’s clinical expertise is working with children and families who have experienced trauma. Sarah approaches treatment from a person-centered lens, with the understanding that there is not a “one type fits all.” to therapy. Sarah utilizes principles from attachment theory and cognitive behavioral therapy within treatment. When working with children, Sarah feels strongly about incorporating caregivers into treatment to help the child succeed and promote resiliency.
When she’s not in the office, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and two kittens. She enjoys cooking, the beach, and traveling with her husband. For self-care, Sarah likes to take bubble baths, be outside in nature, and dance like no one watching her.
Bria Turner, LMSW
Licensed Masters Social Worker
She/her/hers
Bria Turner is a Maryland native of Prince George’s County. She is a resilience-focused social worker on a mission to help individuals triumph over adversity. While having her own experiences with educational discrimination and racial biases, there were numerous setbacks that she has continued to overcome throughout her academics to push her both academically and personally. Bria advocates for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in minority communities, as well as LGBTQ and disabled individuals while holding space and passion for conversations around how minorities can seek positions in leadership.
Bria has experience working clinically in various settings, including school-based behavioral health, substance use, and outpatient mental health care. Bria has a Bachelor’s degree in Education and Psychology and a Master’s in Social Work. In July 2024, Bria will obtain a Doctorate in Social Work, ABD. Bria has also received her Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Specialization Certification to continue to foster the resilience-focused mission throughout her career, research, and interpersonal collaborations with her fellow clinicians and administration team. She is passionate about substance recovery, active addiction, helping families through active or past addiction, education, empowerment, advocacy, self-worth, and building strong, supportive communities, families, and individuals.
Bria is committed to guiding others toward healing, growth, and being authentically themselves inside and outside therapy. Bria is passionate about working with children, adolescents, and young adults. She believes a solid educational foundation is essential and develops a strong rapport with her clients, leading to meaningful growth. She knows therapy can be a struggle, but it can also be a beautiful personal journey full of compassion and support. Bria believes therapy is a continuous learning exchange between the client and the therapist.
In her downtime, Bria loves to spend time with her family. Since moving back to Maryland, she has enjoyed spending time with her partner and family. For self-care, Bria enjoys her crystal collection, reading, watching the family dogs, and having coffee or tea at a local cafe.
Ryanne Carey, LCSW-C
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
She/her/hers
Ryanne Carey earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. She went on to complete her master’s in Clinical Social Work, specializing in child development and families, at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Upon graduation, Ryanne worked in the foster care system for several years before becoming a family therapist at a non-profit rehabilitation center. Throughout her career, Ryanne has worked to support those experiencing displacement, substance use disorder, and other mental health diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Ryanne is passionate about working with adults and couples impacted by stress, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder. She utilizes a variety of therapeutic modalities through a trauma-informed lens to encourage holistic healing and wellness; Including cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, mindfulness, systematic theories, and motivational interviewing.
Outside of the office, Ryanne likes going to different hiking trails, restaurants, and plant shops. She enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs, tending to her chickens, and reading.
Wendy Layton, MFLC, LGPC
Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor
She/her/hers
Wendy Layton earned her undergraduate degree at Towson State University. She was a Baltimore County Public School Elementary School teacher for 20 years. After retiring, Wendy completed her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Walden University. Wendy specializes in Military Family Life Counseling (MFLC) and the treatment of trauma. Wendy has worked at a local residential group home providing adolescent girls trauma therapy, counseling, and crisis management. Wendy has also initiated a therapy dog program and managed equine therapy for foster care youth. Wendy currently works for a non-profit group providing trauma clearing for active duty and retired military personnel, military families, and first responders.
Wendy is passionate about guiding her clients through their healing journey through a collaborative wellness approach. Wendy has a clinical background of working with children and adults who have experienced trauma. She utilizes a variety of therapeutic modalities through a trauma-informed lens to encourage holistic healing and wellness, including memory reconsolidation, cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma focused-CBT, mindfulness, animal-assisted therapy, and neuro-psychotherapy. Wendy believes that through personal connections and trauma-informed care, healing is possible.
In her downtime, she loves to spend time with her daughters and two dogs. Wendy is an avid reader and loves to travel. She enjoys French coffee, loose tea, dark chocolate, and long walks on the beach.
Christina Allen, LCPC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
She/her/hers
Christina Allen, LCPC, formerly the Training and Education Director of CTSA, has recently transitioned her career to align with her passion as a trauma therapist, EMDR consultant, and teacher in the EMDR/trauma community. Christina is passionate about teaching and training therapists to effectively grow in their skills and abilities to treat trauma and anxiety. She is an EMDRIA Approved Consultant and Certified Therapist specializing in the treatment of complex, developmental trauma, attachment wounds, PTSD and traumatic stress. She has a special interest in working with First Responders and Veterans. She is also in the process of building an EMDR Early Intervention program within her clinical practice, treating recent onset trauma to mitigate the impact of acute stress reactions. Christina’s journey to becoming an EMDR practitioner has been profound, and she believes it has revolutionized her skills as a trauma therapist. She currently is a Faculty member with The Center for Excellence in EMDR Therapy, operating under Deany Laliotis, LICSW.
Christina’s education includes a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Towson University and a Master’s degree from Long Island University. She has 15 years of clinical experience working as a highly respected therapist in the community. Throughout her career, Christina has worked in different mental health service lines, including non-profit/community-based services, outpatient treatment, emergency departments, and crisis/inpatient settings. In the last several years, Christina has transitioned her work to include somatic-based practices that are aligned with CTSA’s integrative health model.
Christina values the power of EMDR therapy and the intersection of integrative healing approaches such as yoga, mindfulness, and meditation practices to assist with resetting the nervous system and fostering post-traumatic growth. Her motto is, “Be the Change” and her goal is to help the community she works with turn wounds into wisdom. As a leader in the mental health field, Christina also acknowledges the importance of growing the professional community to understand and treat trauma, with EMDR being a primary vessel for transformative healing and growth.
For more information on EMDR, click here.
Interested in EMDR Consultation with Christina?
As an EMDRIA Approved Consultant, Christina provides EMDR individual and group consultation. Click here to learn more.