GAVIN BEHRENS AND ASSOCIATES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Clinical Professional Counselor
Denise Key is a licensed clinical professional counselor with more than 20 years of experience working with adolescents and their families. Ms. Key's areas of expertise include anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, life transitions, relationship concerns and issues related to learning and school. She utilizes cognitive-behavioral interventions and a positive and relational approach to treatment within the context of a warm and non-judgmental atmosphere. Currently, Ms. Key is the Director of Counseling and Student Support at Stone Ridge School.
Gavin W. Behrens has been in clinical practice for over 30 years. Before starting his own practice he worked for the private group of Rathbone and Associates. Prior to that, Mr. Behrens directed outpatient services for CPC Health/ Chesnut Lodge Hospital and Northern Berkshire Mental Health Association in North Adams, Massachusetts. Widening his work experience, he became the Administrative Head at the Phillips School in Laurel Maryland. Former adjunct faculty appointments included The University of Massachusetts, The George Washington University, and The Catholic University of America. Currently Mr. Behrens is on the steering committee and faculty of the Washington School of Psychiatry. In addition, Mr. Behrens received a post graduate certificate in adolescent and adult psychodynamic psychotherapy from the Washington Center for Psychoanalysis.
Ger Skerrett is a licensed social worker who has a special interest in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, anxiety, mood, and trauma. He is currently completing a post-graduate fellowship at the WBCP. Ger has a keen interest in global affairs and has visited 6 continents and over 60 countries, mostly through his work in International Development and Tourism.
Jeremy Smith is a licensed social worker who has a special interest in, anxiety, mood disorders, and trauma. Jeremy has had a diverse career prior to becoming a therapist, working on economic and social justice in both international and domestic contexts, including leadership positions at the Aspen Institute and the Pew Charitable Trusts. He also has a strong interest in education, serving on the board of the School for Friends in Washington, DC.
Julia Constable-Allen is a licensed clinical social worker who has been working with children and their families for over 25 years. She has worked in a private school setting for the past 19 years, and has extensive experience working with children and adolescents and their families. Her areas of expertise include dealing with loss, anxiety, depression, adhd, as well as issues related to learning and school.
Lisa Behrens has worked with children and families for over 25 years. Lisa's areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, ADHD, mood, adjustment, relationship, school and learning issues. She provides individual and family therapy as well as parent guidance. Lisa uses a relational integrative model that includes psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral approaches.
Ludley Howard, MSW, LCSW-C, LICSW, received his B.A Degree in Psychology from McDaniel College and Master of Social Work Degree from Smith College. He is a licensed clinical social worker (in MD, DC and PA) with over 30 years of expertise and experience in working with adolescents and adults in a variety of settings, including residential and community-based programs. Mr. Howard's vision of creating effective, culturally competent services for adolescents led to the Founding of Pride Youth Services, Inc. in February 2001. Mr. Howard is a member of the National Anger Management Association (NAMA) and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), Ludley's expertise is working with adolescents with ADHD, anxiety and social skills challenges.
Monir Khanjani is a licensed clinical social worker who has been working with individuals and their families for 20 years. She has worked in a variety of multidisciplinary settings providing individual, family, and group therapeutic services. Ms. Khanjani has expertise in anxiety, depression, ADHD, substance abuse, separation and divorce, parenting and effective communication skills development. Monir has worked in private practice, group homes, residential, acute, and partial hospitalization programs.
Peter Delany has been working with individuals and their families since 1984. Dr. Delany served as staff social worker providing individual, group and family services at the Walter Read National Military Medical Center and deployed with the disaster response teams since 1993. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Delany has held positions with Arlington Hospital Outpatient Treatment Services and Montgomery County Addictions, Victims and Mental Health Services. He has post -graduate training in neurolinguistic programming and clinical hypnotherapy. Dr. Delany is currently associate professor at the Catholic University of America National Catholic School of Social Service and has held faculty appointments at George Mason University and the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Dr. Delaney has expertise in substance abuse, anxiety, adhd and depression.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Professional Counselor
Rachel Soifer is a licensed clinical professional counselor who specializes in working with teenagers and families concerned about anxiety, depression, adjustment issues as well as emotional and behavioral dysregulation and trauma. Ms. Soifer has over 20 years of clinical experience and specialized training in family therapy, trauma treatment and substance abuse counseling. Rachel utilizes cognitive behavioral interventions and a relational approach to treatment. Currently, Rachel is a counselor at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day school in Rockville, Maryland.
Todd Handelman is a licensed clinical social worker with 30 years experience providing mental health services to clients. He has a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Maryland and Master of Social Work degree for the Catholic University of America. Todd's professional experience includes clinical supervisory roles at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, working at the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center and counseling athletes with sports performance issues. Todd has been a counselor at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School since 2009. Todd applies cognitive-behavioral methods including problem solving, and skill development strategies with teenagers, adults and families coping with separation and divorce, depression, anxiety, adhd, school, work performance, grief and adjustment issues.