Dr. Michelle Perry

Michelle Perry, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist, Owner

She/her/hers

Dr. Michelle Perry is a licensed Clinical Psychologist who began practicing clinically in 2008. Her clinical training involved conducting forensic assessment at the Washington, DC Superior Courts, Neuropsychology rotations at Children’s National Medical Center and the Columbus VA; and clinical rotations specializing in the treatment of anxiety and trauma-related conditions at the Anxiety and Stress Disorders Institute, TrueNorth, and the Chillicothe VA. She opened the Center for Trauma, Stress and Anxiety, LLC in 2016.

Dr. Michelle’s clinical expertise is working with adults and adolescents with phobias, social anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and relationship conflict. A large portion of her clients are Active Duty Service Members, Veterans, and First Responders working on healing from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Dr. Michelle also provides therapy, case consultation and coaching to other Psychologists, Counselors and Social Workers in the area. When requested, therapy can be provided with a Christian lens.

Dr. Michelle enjoys spending precious down time with her husband and daughter, traveling, and curling up on the couch with a good book and a delicious cup of coffee. For self-care, she enjoys yoga, CrossFit, meditation, long walks and snuggles with her baby.

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Erica Marshall, LGPC

Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor

Chief Operations Officer

She/her/hers

Erica earned her bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College in 2017, majoring in Psychology as well as receiving a Health Studies Certificate. She then went on to receive her master’s degree in Clinical Professional Counseling at Loyola University Maryland. Erica first came to CTSA as an Intern in 2020 but is now dual-hatted as a Clinician and Chief Operating Officer.

Clinically, Erica works with adults who have experienced Trauma. Specifically, Erica is most passionate about working with individuals who are passionate about disrupting the cycle of intergenerational trauma. Erica is an EMDR-trained therapist and frequently incorporates mindfulness, somatic awareness, and art therapy into her sessions. Operating from a client-centered approach, she truly values the healing components of human connection and creativity in therapy.

In Erica’s free time, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, checking out new spots across Maryland, doing puzzles, going to the local farmers market, working out, making a good meal, and cuddling up with her dog Quincy. Erica finds that these activities help her feel both grounded, inspired, and rejuvenated.

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Toni Adams

Practice Manager and HR Director

She/her/hers

Toni Adams is the Center’s “jack of all trades.” She handles the Center’s billing and scheduling, as well as a number of administrative and office-related tasks. Toni earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and worked for a dental practice for 8 years before joining the Center in 2019. Without Toni, we wouldn’t be nearly as efficient or responsive!

Toni loves spending her free time exploring the outdoors through activities such as hiking and snowshoeing. She also enjoys crafting and baking.

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Christina Allen, LCPC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Training and Education Director

She/her/hers

Christina Allen, LCPC formerly the Clinical Director of CTSA, stepped into the role of Training and Education Director in the Fall of 2022 after discovering her passion for teaching and training therapists to effectively grow in their skills and abilities to treat trauma and anxiety. Christina is an EMDRIA Certified Therapist and Consultant in Training (CIT) with The Center for Excellence in EMDR Therapy, studying under Deany Laliotis, LICSW. Christina’s journey to becoming an EMDR practitioner has been profound, and she believes it has revolutionized her skills as a trauma therapist.

Christina’s education includes a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Towson University and a Master’s degree from Long Island University. She has 14+ years’ of experience working as a highly respected therapist in the community. Christina has post-graduate experience training in neuropsychological research with The Brookhaven National Laboratory in Long Island, New York, conducting addiction research. She then transitioned into the clinical counseling field and has extensive psychotherapy experience. 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. Christina’s clinical specialty is rooted in trauma disorders, specifically complex trauma, PTSD, and childhood attachment wounds. She also has a special interest in working with First Responders.

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. 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.

While off the clock, Christina enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and enjoying delicious food. For self-care, Christina is an avid yogi and enjoys spending time outside

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LeeAnn Johnson, LCSW-C

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Associate Director

She/her/hers

LeeAnn Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree from Champlain College in 2005, majoring in social work. She went on to complete her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2007. LeeAnn has been working clinically in a variety of settings from school-based, to emergency room/hospital, Department of Social Services, and private practice. LeeAnn has a strong clinical background providing services to those struggling with anxiety, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and trauma (PTSD).

LeeAnn is passionate about working with children and adolescents in therapy. LeeAnn strongly believes that collaborating with families is important and critical to a child’s growth in therapy. Given therapy can be a struggle at times, her continuous goal is to provide all of her clients with a safe and friendly space to explore feelings and overcome obstacles. LeeAnn also provides Executive Function Coaching to children, adolescents and adults struggling with difficulty related to studying/working efficiently, organization, planning, prioritizing, managing time, maintaining focus/distractibility, impulse control, and emotion regulation.

Downtime for LeeAnn is spent with family. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, exploring and enjoying outdoor activities. For self-care she enjoys reading, running, and trying out new recipes

#child therapist #Executive Function Coaching #adolescents #anxiety #ADHD #depression #trauma #PTSD

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Jennifer Stachowiak, LCPC, PMH-C

Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Clinical Director

She/her/hers

Jennifer Stachowiak earned her bachelor’s degree from Salisbury University in 2013, majoring in psychology. She went on to complete a master’s degree in counseling from Loyola University in Maryland. Jennifer graduated with her master’s degree in August of 2015 and worked at a non-profit organization for two years before joining CTSA in 2017.

In 2021, prompted by her journey to parenthood, Jennifer began training to receive certification in perinatal mental health through Postpartum Support International. Jennifer completed her training in 2022 and earned her certification in February of 2023. Jennifer believes in the importance of working collaboratively with her clients and her focus is to provide support to the perinatal community, including fertility challenges.

When Jennifer is not wearing her therapist hat, she enjoys baking, outdoor exercise, and spending time with friends and family.

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Patricia (Patti) Stringfellow, LCPC

Assistant Director

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

She/her/hers

Patricia (aka Patti) Stringfellow is a licensed counselor with a master’s degree from Loyola University Maryland and her undergraduate degree from York College of Pennsylvania in psychology. Patti has strong experience working with adults with substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma, and those experiencing a recent crisis.

Patti enjoys working with adults looking to enhance their motivation, self-esteem, and to tackle the daily struggles that come up in life. Self-care is something Patti is passionate about, and she enjoys supporting her clients in finding ways to make themselves a priority. Patti meets you where you are at with open arms and a non-judgmental attitude. She has experience in mindfulness and person-centered techniques to help you feel comfortable and open to the process of improving your mental health.

When not working with clients, Patti enjoys time with family and friends, prioritizing her relationships with those she loves. Patti enjoys the outdoors and maintains a positive attitude toward living life.

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kelly jenssen

Kelly Jenssen, LCPC

Internship Director

Mental Health Therapist

She/her/hers

Kelly Jenssen, LCPC Internship Director Mental Health Therapist Kelly Jenssen earned her master’s degree in Clinical Professional Counseling from Loyola University Maryland. Kelly works as a Mental Health Therapist with the Center for Trauma, Stress, and Anxiety located in Bel Air, MD and has been there since the Fall of 2021. Not only is Kelly a trauma therapist, but she is also CTSA’s Internship Director! She has a passion for developing aspiring therapists as she too was an intern with the Center back in 2020. Kelly is committed to creating structure that is aligned with CTSA’s core values and mission to be the premiere integrative health specialist in our community. Working alongside budding clinicians continues to be a “full circle” moment for Kelly.

While Kelly has formal training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), she often will integrate additional trauma-informed and evidenced-based skills into her work, including Internal Family Systems (IFS) or “parts” work, mindfulness, and somatic psychotherapy. Kelly is trained in EMDR through The Center for Excellence in EMDR Therapy, studying under Deany Laliotis, LICSW, and is eagerly working towards certification.

For more information on EMDR, click here.

Clinically, Kelly primarily works with adults and also has experience working with adolescents ages 16+. She often works with first responders/veterans, individuals who have experienced developmental and attachment-based trauma, complex trauma, PTSD, anxiety/depressive disorders, and general life stress. Kelly believes that creating a space for trust, safety, connection, and authenticity is imperative in creating a strong foundation for the therapeutic process, taking a trauma-informed and client-centered approach in her sessions. She believes in meeting clients where they are, and is also adept at diving deep to find meaning and healing through her clients’ experience. She hopes to foster awareness and facilitate growth throughout each client’s overall wellness journey.

When Kelly is not working, she is outside hiking and appreciating nature, spending time at the Get Centered Wellness studio, discovering new music, or cooking/baking something good to eat! She also enjoys spending her free time with loved ones, and snuggling with her cat, Luna.

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