Deaf Counselors/Psychologists/Psychotherapists/Social Workers in MD, DC, & VA

It is the relationship that heals.
-- Irvin Yalom

ASC THERAPISTS

CANDACE A. McCULLOUGH, PhD, LCPC

Dr. McCullough is a Deaf psychotherapist, licensed in Maryland and the District of Columbia. She holds certifications as an Approved Clinical Supervisor and a Distance Credentialed Counselor. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Gallaudet University and her Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Gallaudet University. She completed her post-doctoral fellowship training at Springfield Hospital Center in Sykesville, Maryland, and her doctoral internship at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. McCullough has over 20 years of experience in the mental health field and has worked in private practice, community mental health, university, judicial, and psychiatric hospital settings. She was Clinical Director for Family Service Foundation in Landover Hills, Maryland. In addition to working for Alternative Solutions Center, she is an Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Counseling at Gallaudet University and also teaches at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. Dr. McCullough is a member of the American Psychological Association and the American Counseling Association. Dr Candace A. McCullough is listed at AllTherapist.com

SHARON M. DUCHESNEAU, LCPC

Ms. Duchesneau is a Maryland and District of Columbia licensed Deaf psychotherapist, also holding certifications as an Approved Clinical Supervisor and a Distance Credentialed Counselor. She obtained her Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Gallaudet University. Her internship training took place at the Whitman-Walker Clinic in Washington, DC, where she counseled lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered clients. Ms. Duchesneau has worked for more than 15 years as a psychotherapist in Maryland, Virginia and DC community mental health settings and at Alternative Solutions Center, working with individuals, couples, families, and children. She has led weekly group psychotherapy sessions for seriously mentally ill Deaf individuals at a Washington, DC psychiatric day program. A member of the American Counseling Association, Ms. Duchesneau also teaches graduate-level courses at local colleges and does contract work with Deaf Abused Women's Network (DAWN) in Washington, DC.

Both Dr. McCullough and Ms. Duchesneau have presented locally and internationally on mental health issues related to Deaf individuals. In December 2004, they teamed up to offer two workshops in Melbourne, Australia, to professionals working with Deaf clients in the mental health field. They share an interest in working to make psychotherapy accessible to Deaf individuals and their families.

LIZABETH R. KATZ, LCSW

Ms. Katz, a Deaf licensed clinical social worker, has been involved in providing services to the Deaf community for over 25 years. Initially trained as a health educator, she worked at LA Planned Parenthood, making services at eight clinics accessible to Deaf people. She received her MSW from University of Connecticut School of Social Work. Following internships at the Connecticut State Commission on the Deaf and at the American School for the Deaf, she worked for the Connecticut Valley Psychiatric Hospital. For the past 8 years, Ms. Katz has been the lead social worker at the Jewish Social Service Agency in Gaithersburg, Maryland. She provides educational workshops in parenting skills, stress management and other mental health issues. Ms. Katz served as Commissioner for the Montgomery County Commission on People with Disabilities and is presently on the Maryland Mental Health Service for the Deaf subcommittee.

Ms. Katz is pleased to be part of the professional staff at Alternative Solutions Center providing individual, child, family and couples therapy, group therapy, and case management.

SHELI BARBER, LMHC

Ms. Barber is a Deaf psychotherapist, licensed in Washington State. She obtained her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Gallaudet University. Upon graduating from Gallaudet University, she worked as a psychotherapist at Sound Mental Health in Seattle, Washington, for 5 years. Currently, she is Direct Services Coordinator and therapist with Seattle's Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services (ADWAS), where she has been employed for the past 11 years, specializing in working with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Ms. Barber has presented at schools and conferences on numerous mental health issues in the Deaf community, including Cyberbullying, Sexual Harassment, Conflict Management Skills and Positive Parenting. She also co-authored a chapter in the book, Psychotherapy with Diverse Deaf Clients on Treating Sexual Survivors.

SUSANNA PAULAY, LCSW-R

A Deaf psychotherapist licensed in New York, Ms. Paulay also holds NYS certification in public education and has been providing services to the Deaf community for over 22 years. Ms. Paulay received her AAS, BSW and MSW degrees from Adelphi University, New York. Her work experience includes Adelphi Unviversity Social Services Center, N.Y., Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Clinician); North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, N.Y. (Medical Social Worker); Catholic Charities, Parish Outreach Center, Long Island, N.Y. Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Program Director / Developer); and Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf , N.Y. (Clinician --- School Social Worker/ Counselor). Ms. Paulay has served as an Advisory Board Member for Nassau County Office of Mental Health, Catholic Charities and the Mayor's Office for the Disabled, all in New York. Ms. Paulay comes from a five-generation Deaf family and has extensive personal experience in foreign cultures as well.

KYLE AMBER CLARK, LCPC

Ms. Clark is a Deaf mental health counselor who hails from Maryland. She holds licensure in both Maryland and the District of Columbia. Ms. Clark received her BA in Psychology and MA in Mental Health Counseling from Gallaudet University. She is a National Certified Counselor and a Distance Credentialed Counselor. In addition to her work at ASC, Ms. Clark is an adjunct faculty with the Department of Counseling at Gallaudet University, where she teaches an undergraduate course in counseling and runs group supervision for graduate students. She previously worked at Deaf Addiction Services at Maryland (DASAM) and at the Mental Health Center at Gallaudet. Ms. Clark is an advocate in working with young Deaf adults with an emphasis on multicultural counseling and life transitions. She considers herself a life-long learner with a desire for excellence in balance and equality for all. “We must become the change we want to see in the world” by Gandhi is the quote Ms. Clark lives by.

ASC RELAY INTERPRETER

JAN S. DELAP, CDI

Ms. DeLap is a certified Deaf interpreter in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, specializing in legal interpreting. For over 15 years she has interpreted in a variety of legal settings, including hearings and trials in the DC Superior Court and other states, as well as depositions and pre-trial hearings in attorney offices. Ms. DeLap began her legal interpreter training in 1994 at a three-week intensive seminar at Advancement Seminars Inc. in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was a member of the Maryland Judicial Task Force in 1995 and served as a member the Maryland Administrative Office of the Court Advisory Committee on Interpreters. Ms. DeLap was also one of three co-coordinators of interpreters for Deaf Way II, where she was responsible for ensuring accessible communication for over 9,000 Deaf and hearing participants from all over the world.

A well-renowned speaker, Ms. DeLap has taught interpreting around the country with Risa Shaw, including "A Workshop for Federal Court Interpreters" (Albuquerque, New Mexico), “Putting Theory into Practice: Mock Deposition” (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), “An Overview of Interpreting in Legal Settings” (Bridgeport, Connecticut), and “Interpreting in Law Enforcement Settings” (Concord, New Hampshire). She is also well-known locally for her presentations on Deaf Culture to medical professionals and police officers.

Ms. DeLap has been active in the fields of American Sign Language and Deaf Culture since the early 1970’s, when she taught American Sign Language for the National Association of the Deaf. She taught courses at The Bicultural Center in Riverdale, Maryland, and at numerous federal government agencies. Ms. DeLap worked at The Washington Post for 27 years as a typographer and assistant foreman before retiring in March 2001.

OUR FELINE FRIENDS

ROUX, CFA & GANDALF, CFA

When you come to our Bethesda office, you may be greeted by our felines. Roux is the senior citizen red-point Siamese and Gandalf is the younger blue-point Siamese. For those who have allergies or dislike cats, we take care to keep the cats in another room when you come for your appointment. Our Frederick office is also available and pet-free.