Meet Our Washington, DC and Maryland Therapists

At Dandelion Counseling & Care, we have a team of knowledgeable therapists who offer therapy for a diverse range of needs. If you’re a young professional struggling with imposter syndrome, a new parent who’s having a tough time bonding with their child, a teen worried about transitioning into college life, or you’re feeling overwhelmed by intense thoughts or emotions, we’re here for you. You can get to know each of our therapists a little better on this page. If you want to find out more about working with us and which therapist will be a good fit for your needs, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Shantius Jackson, MS, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor & Psychotherapist

Shantius Jackson is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Tenleytown, Washington, D. C. She has many years of experience working with young adults who are learning to manage life’s responsibilities/”adulting,” as well as partnering with children, adolescents, and their families. Her background as both a mental health counselor and school counselor has allowed her to develop skills to build a solid foundation with clients to overcome challenges and find the strength to excel.

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Heather Ruiz, MSW, LMSW, LGSW

Licensed Graduate Social Worker & Psychotherapist

Heather Ruiz is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker in Washington, DC with several years of experience working with individuals and families in various settings, including crisis counseling at a residential treatment center, ​care coordination at a family shelter, and outpatient psychotherapy to individuals with psychiatric diagnoses. Her eclectic background in teaching, EdTech, and musical theatre has exposed her to diverse communities, encouraged her to address issues creatively, and adapt to individual needs.

Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSW LCSW, LCSW-C

Director, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker & Psychotherapist

(Licensed in DC, MD, NY & FL – practicing in person and online!)

Erika Bugaj is a licensed independent clinical social worker practicing in Tenleytown, Washington, DC. Erika has many years of experience as a social worker and therapist, as well as experience as a teacher. She specializes in perinatal mental health at this time, though she is a trained child, teen, and family therapist.

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Luba-Gritsunov

Luba Gritsunov Dandelion Counseling & Care MSW student intern

Luba Gritsunov is a first-year MSW student at Ohio State University, specializing in mental health counseling. Having spent several years as an individual educator, she honed the skills of personalized support and active listening. Luba enjoys working with young individuals of various cultural backgrounds. She is bilingual in English and Russian.

Molly Byrom, MSW

LICSW & Staff Therapist

Molly Byrom is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who serves clients in both Washington, D.C. and North Carolina. Molly earned her Masters of Social Work at the University of Alabama in 2015, and is trained in EMDR Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She specializes in working with individuals only within the LGTBQ+ community, as well as those with religious trauma, relationship issues, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. In D.C., she offers virtual sessions only with adults ages 18 to 40. Molly does her best to embody what she recommends to her clients: emotional regulation, self witnessing, and interdependence in relationships. She considers it a privilege to walk alongside her clients, as they do the brave work of showing up for themselves.

Devon Pu, MSW, LGSW

Licensed Social Worker & Psychotherapist

Devon Pu is a licensed graduate social worker in Tenleytown, Washington, D.C. with extensive experience in healthcare systems treating severe mental illness and trauma. Her background as a therapist in inpatient psychiatric settings has honed her skills in culturally sensitive care, solutions-focused interventions, and skills building to help those living with mental illness and traumatic life experiences.

Jada Maultsby, MSW, LICSW

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker & Psychotherapist

Jada Maultsby is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Tenleytown, Washington, D. C. with several years of experience working with individuals such as adults, young professionals, and college students. Jada has earned her Bachelors of Science from The Catholic University of America and her Masters of Social work from University of Maryland, Baltimore. Jada provides individual therapy especially to those seeking help for anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, and emotional regulation. She believes in creating a safe space, empowering each client, and validating their individual experiences as they navigate life.

Ingrid Joseph, MS, NCC

Mental Health Counselor

Ingrid Joseph is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor in Tenleytown, Washington, D. C. with experience in residential and healthcare systems treating severe mental illness and trauma. Her background as therapist in crisis outpatient settings has allowed her to grow the skills it takes to make strong  connections with clients helping them overcome obstacles and  achieve their goals.

Asha English, MA, LGPC

Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor

Asha is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Tenleytown, Washington, D. C. with several years of experience working with children and adolescents. She has worked with children and adolescents within clinical mental health, applied behavioral analysis, and educational development settings. Her experience in these areas has developed her skills and knowledge necessary to provide the best care for her clients.

Thomas Cody, MSW

Student Intern Therapist

Thomas Cody is an MSW Student Intern therapist in Tenleytown, Washington, DC with a passion for cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, and mindfulness. His background has given him training in diversity, sensitivity, solutions-focused approaches, and skills aimed at helping those dealing with mental illness or traumatic life experiences.

Jessica Dinan - MSW

Student Intern Therapist

Jessica is a MSW student intern therapist, specializing in mental health counseling. With experience coaching teenagers and consulting professionals, she has a trained ear for empathy, solutions and execution.

Emely Taveras, MS, Resident MFT

Licensed Graduate in Marriage and Family Therapy (Maryland)

Emely Taveras is a Licensed Graduate in Marriage in Family Therapy in Takoma Park, Maryland, and provides individual, couple, and family services and works with all populations in all stages of the life cycle including children, adolescents, and adults. Emely graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. Maintaining a culturally competent and trauma-informed lens is imperative to Emely’s work with her clients, as she believes the intersectionality of our identities can play a significant role in our experiences and view of self. Emely provides services in both Spanish and English.

 

Talia Pfeffer, Dandelion Counseling & Care student intern

Talia Pfeffer is an advanced-year Master of Social Work Student with a concentration in Clinical Social Work with Adults at The Catholic University of America. Talia has prior field experience in medical social work, where she provided brief psychodynamic psychotherapy and care coordination to individuals and families with chronic health conditions.

Talia Pfeffer

Camille White, MA, MS, LPC, NCC

Licensed Professional Counselor & Psychotherapist

Camille White is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Tenleytown, Washington, D. C. with over fifteen years of experience working with children, adolescents, and their families. Her background as both a teacher and school counselor has allowed her to grow the skills it takes to make strong connections with clients, helping them overcome obstacles to their social-emotional wellbeing and access to success.

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Anne-Marie Ruwe, MSW

LGSW & Staff Therapist

Anne-Marie Ruwe is is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker in Washington, D. C., with several years of experience working with children and adults in various settings. After beginning her journey with Dandelion as an intern during graduate school and having recently graduated, Anne-Marie has officially been brought on as a full-time staff therapist. She takes a fresh, creative approach to therapy and enjoys practicing from a feminist perspective. Anne-Marie enjoys working with teens, college-aged students, and young adults.

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Caroline Erickson

MSW Student | Student Therapist

Caroline is a DC-based second year MSW student at Ohio State University, specializing in mental health counseling and substance use. She has over a decade of experience working with youth and adults in various settings. Her background as a sexuality educator and human resources advisor has allowed her to develop the skills needed to create safe spaces for people to bring their most sensitive issues and empower them to develop the skills needed to cope and thrive. Caroline is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and loves to support Queer youth and adults.

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Zyer Beaty, PhD, LGPC, NCC

Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor

Zyer Beaty is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor in Washington, D. C. with over 6 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and their families. She has a heart for youth, education, travel, and mental health. Zyer currently serves as a high school counselor in the DC Public School System; her background as a school counselor and counselor educator has allowed her to grow the skills it takes to make strong connections with clients helping them overcome obstacles to their social-emotional well-being and access to success. With Zyer’s academic background, Zyer specializes in working with teenagers, young adults, college students, and graduate students.

Get Started Working with Us

If you’re interested in learning more about working with the Dandelion Counseling & Care team for therapy services in our Tenleytown practice or via online counseling sessions, we look forward to hearing from you. You can get in touch with us by:

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Therapy for Adults

If you’re here, you’ve taken the first step toward becoming the best and most fulfilled version of yourself, and the Dandelion Counseling & Care team is excited to be part of your therapy journey.

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Therapy for Children & Families

Whether you’re a parent who needs guidance or you’re looking for a therapist to support your struggling child, the Dandelion Counseling & Care team is here to help.

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Therapy for Parents

Let’s face it – being a parent is hard. Whether you have a baby on the way, you’re adopting or fostering, or you’re having trouble bonding with your child, you may want to consider working with a family therapist.

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Group Therapy & Support Groups

At Dandelion Counseling & Care, we are proud to offer group therapy and support groups in the Tenley town community. You can learn more about group therapy services on this page...

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Therapy for Anxiety

If you’re struggling with anxiety, we’re here to talk about it. At Dandelion Counseling & Care, we offer therapy for anxiety in our Tenleytown practice to help alleviate the effects of anxiety and develop skills...

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Therapy for College & University Students

One of the great things about working in the heart of Tenleytown is that Dandelion Counseling & Care is located near American University, The Washington College of Law, and...

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Therapy for Teens

At Dandelion Counseling & Care, we welcome adolescents and teens from the Tenleytown community to visit us for therapy. We regularly work with teens from Woodrow Wilson High School in the heart...

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Therapy for Depression

Depression may be the most common mood disorder impacting millions of people in the U.S. every year. If you’re one of the countless people trying to overcome the effects of depression, the good news is...

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Shantius Jackson, MS, LPC

Shantius Jackson is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Tenleytown, Washington, D. C. She has many years of experience working with young adults who are learning to manage life’s responsibilities/”adulting,” as...

a photo of heather

Heather Ruiz, MSW, LMSW, LGSW

Heather Ruiz is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker in Washington, DC with several years of experience working with individuals and families in various settings, including...

Luba-Gritsunov

Luba Gritsunov, Dandelion Counseling & Care student intern

Luba Gritsunov is a first-year MSW student at Ohio State University, specializing in mental health counseling. Having spent several years as an individual educator, she honed the skills of personalized support and active listening.

Devon Pu,MSW, LGSW

Devon Pu is a licensed graduate social worker in Tenleytown, Washington, D.C. with extensive experience in healthcare systems treating severe mental illness and trauma.

Molly Byrom, MSW, LICSW & Staff Therapist

Molly Byrom is a licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who serves clients in both Washington, D.C. and North Carolina. She specializes in working with individuals.....

Julia-Nessman

Julia Nessman, Dandelion Counseling & Care student intern

Julia Nessman is a second and final year Master of Social Work student through the Catholic University of America.  She has several years of experience with advocacy and research pertaining to neurodiversity and youth mental health.

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Anne-Marie Ruwe

Anne-Marie Ruwe is Dandelion’s newest intern. She is a Master of Social Work student at Ohio State University, specializing in mental health and substance misuse. Anne-Marie is excited to expand her skillset...

Emely Taveras, MS, Resident MFT

Emely Taveras is a Resident in Marriage in Family Therapy in Tenleytown, Washington, D.C., and provides individual, couple, and family services and works with all populations in all stages of the life cycle including children, adolescents, and adults.

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Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSW LCSW, LCSW-C

Erika Bugaj is a licensed independent clinical social worker practicing in Tenleytown, Washington, DC. Erika has many years of experience as a social worker...

Jada Maultsby, MSW, LICSW

Jada Maultsby is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Tenleytown, Washington, D. C. with several years of experience working with individuals such as adults, young professionals, and college students. Jada has earned her Bachelors of Science from The Catholic University of America and her Masters of Social work from University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Ingrid Joseph, MS, NCC

Ingrid Joseph is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor in Tenleytown, Washington, D. C. with experience in residential and healthcare systems treating severe mental illness and trauma.

Asha English, MA, LGPC

Julia Nessman is a second and final year Master of Social Work student through the Catholic University of America.  She has several years of experience with advocacy and research pertaining to neurodiversity and youth mental health.

Thomas Cody, MSW

Thomas Cody is an MSW Student Intern therapist in Tenleytown, Washington, DC with a passion for cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, and mindfulness.

Jessica Dinan - MSW

Jessica is a MSW student intern therapist, specializing in mental health counseling. With experience coaching teenagers and consulting professionals, she has a trained ear for empathy, solutions and execution.

a photo of Zyer

Zyer Beaty, PhD, LGPC, NCC

Zyer Beaty is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor in Washington, D. C. with over 6 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and their families. She has a heart for...

Courtney-Johnson

Courtney Johnson, Dandelion Counseling & Care student intern

A first-year student at Ohio State University, specializing in mental health counseling. He is a native of Memphis, TN and has been working in the HIV field for over 10 years. 

Keisha-Jones

Keisha Jones, Dandelion Counseling & Care student intern

As an intern at Dandelion Counseling and Care, Keisha brings a unique blend of education and hands-on experience that reflects their commitment to fostering empowerment and healing in diverse populations.

Katie Jarvis, Dandelion Counseling & Care student intern

Katie is a second-year master’s student at Catholic University, focusing on clinical social work and therapy. She previously worked in housing counseling with tenants at risk of being evicted.

Antonella Zara, Dandelion Counseling & Care student intern

Antonella Zara is a recent BSW graduate from The Catholic University of America and is currently working towards her MSW. She has previous experience with one on one counseling, case management and is now looking forward to working in a more therapeutic setting

Rachel Sanders, Dandelion Counseling & Care student intern

Rachel Sanders is a recent graduate of the Catholic University of America. She studied social work in her undergrad degree, and found social work to be her passion, so she is now pursuing her Master’s degree at CUA.

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Camille White, MA, MS, LPC, NCC

Camille White is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Tenleytown, Washington, D. C. with over fifteen years of experience working with children, adolescents, and...

Elżbieta Jabłońska, EMBA, PhD candidate, MCC ICF

Elżbieta holds Master Certified Coach credentials that place her in the top 3% of all ICF certified coaches in the world.

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Caroline Erickson

Caroline is a DC-based second year MSW student at Ohio State University, specializing in mental health counseling and substance use. She has over a decade of experience working with youth and adults in various...

Talia Pfeffer

Talia Pfeffer, Dandelion Counseling & Care student intern

As a Dandelion Counseling & Care student psychotherapist, creating a solid therapeutic relationship with clients is central to Talia’s effective and transformative therapy approach.

Sarah Hair

Sarah Hair, MA, MSW 2nd year candidate

An advanced year student in Clinical Social Work at Catholic University, a Fellow at Children’s National Hospital and an intern in psychotherapy in Tenleytown, Washington, D. C.

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