KINGSBURY WELLNESS & LEARNING GROUP - Key Persons


Alea Holman

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board
Alea Holman, PhD, MPH is a licensed psychologist and credentialed school psychologist residing in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Holman has experience working in schools, community mental health, and private practice. Presently, she works remotely as a clinical supervisor at WestCoast Children's Clinic in Oakland, CA. She also supervises doctoral students at the Queens College Psychological Center and is a part of the Rennicke & Associates private practice group, both based in New York City. Previously, she served as an Assistant Professor of School Psychology in the Graduate School of Education at Fordham University. Her scholarship focuses on best practices for providing culturally-integrative, therapeutic, collaborative psychological assessment. Dr. Holman presents on topics including how to support healthy racial identities among children and families, how to best advocate for students with special needs within the school setting, and best practices for antiracist psychological assessment. Her educational background includes doctoral studies in School Psychology at UC Berkeley, Master of Public Health at Columbia University, and undergraduate studies in Human Biology and African and African American Studies at Stanford University.

Amina Avion

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Psychology Associate
Amina earned her undergraduate degree from Roosevelt University. She went on to complete her doctoral training at Saint Louis University, and her internship at UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Her clinical training and research has focused on children, adolescents, and young adults with ADHD and other neurodevelopmental disorders. She has dedicated her career to learning the art and science behind neuropsychological assessment as a means to provide culturally sensitive services to individuals of all ages. In additional to assessment, Amina has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings where she has provided therapy for individuals experiencing a number of concerns including anxiety, depression, psychotic spectrum disorders, behavioral difficulties, attention and executive function problems, familial challenges, and issues around identify development. Through these experiences, she has learned a number of therapeutic modalities and takes an eclectic approach addressing the unique needs of the individual and/or family. Amina believes in taking a holistic approach to understanding the client within their family system and community. It is through this lens that she is able to build a supportive relationship with clients aimed at cultivating their strengths, identifying their areas of growth, and providing them with the skills and resources needed to achieve their goals.

Ann Rowe

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Member of the Board
  • Secretary of the Board
  • Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Rowe is a licensed clinical psychologist with over twenty years of experience in assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults at the Kingsbury Center. She provides comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations for individuals of all ages. Her extensive experience working directly in the special education classroom and participating in all aspects of the special education process provides insight into crafting an effective evaluation. She is also well versed in integrating social/emotional and personality assessment with neuropsychological test results. Dr. Rowe evaluates children, adolescents, and adults for learning difficulties, such as dyslexia and ADHD, as well as autism and behavior and mood disorders. She specializes in the assessment of gifted individuals with learning challenges, and she is a co-author of the book Creating Effective Programs for Gifted Students With Learning Disabilities. Dr. Rowe received her doctorate in Clinical Psychologist at the Catholic University of America. She received training in developmental disabilities at the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development and in community mental health at the DC Commission on Mental Health Services. Dr. Rowe is licensed in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Dr. Anthony Perry

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board
  • Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at the Lab School
  • Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at the Lab School / Board Chair
Dr. Anthony Perry (he/him/his) has served as the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at the Lab School of Washington since July 2020. His career as an educator began in 2006 at St. George's School in Middletown, RI. Since leaving in 2009, he has held positions at Georgetown University, Phillips Academy Andover, The Nueva School, and The Branson School. At Nueva, in addition to teaching Spanish, he served as the inaugural coordinator for THRIVE, a program supporting students and families historically underrepresented in independent schools. For his efforts, he was a Hero Award Recipient from the A Better Chance organization. Dr. Perry is a first-generation graduate of the College of William & Mary (B.A., History and Hispanic Studies) and Georgetown University (M.S., Ph.D., Spanish Literature and Cultural Studies). He and his husband, Joe, live in Maryland with their Italian greyhound, Naya.

Elliott L. Conklin - Founder

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Cofounder
  • Executive Director
  • Member of the Board
Dr. Conklin is a clinical psychologist, cofounder, and Executive Director of the Kingsbury Wellness & Learning Group. He believes that all people love to learn and deserve the opportunity to pursue a fulfilling life. His leadership work is focused on developing educational and mental health systems that recognize the diversity of human creativity and intelligence. Dr. Conklin provides psychotherapy to adolescents and adults. His therapeutic work often incorporates an exploration of family, culture, and community, and he is known to collaborate frequently with parents and educators. Dr. Conklin carefully examines how individuals process and manage their emotions, thought patterns, and relationships. He employs an integrative therapeutic approach, which tailors evidence-based methods to meet individual needs and capabilities. Dr. Conklin is well versed in relational psychodynamic, attachment, cognitive-behavioral, and family-based interventions. He strives to create an individualized therapeutic space for people to explore their difficulties and change in ways that make sense to them. Dr. Conklin completed his pre-doctoral internship at Loudoun County Mental Health, and previously received clinical training at Saint Elizabeths Hospital and Neuropsychology Associates of Fairfax. He is a classically trained pianist, writer, and outdoor enthusiast.

Jaime Fryburg

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Fryburg is a licensed Clinical Psychologist providing psychotherapy and diagnostic testing to children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Fryburg received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from George Washington University, and she completed her internship at a community mental health clinic in New York. She has worked in a variety of outpatient settings, and provides treatment for stress, depression, anxiety, relational and family problems, and behavioral and attention issues. Dr. Fryburg utilizes a range of therapeutic methods based on the unique needs of the individual. She believes that building strong, positive relationships both in and out of therapy is an important aspect of managing many challenges faced by individuals and families.

Jane Kwass

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board

Jason Gray

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board
  • Head of School at Capital Day School
  • Head of School at Capital Day School / Treasurer
Jason Gray was named Head of Capitol Hill Day School in July 2010. Previously, he served as Assistant Head of School (2004-2010), Division Head of School (2001-2003), and Middle School Math Teacher (1995-1999). In 1999, he interrupted his tenure at CHDS for two years while he earned his Masters of Education at the Teachers College, Columbia University, and taught middle school math at Village Community School. He received a B.A. in History from the College of Wooster in Ohio. Jason and his wife Krista Moody have three children who are all CHDS alumni: Charlie ('15), Timmy ('18), Maggie ('19).

Kara Covington

Job Titles:
  • Staff Member

Karen Kent

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Kent is a licensed clinical psychologist who provides comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations to children, adolescents, and adults. Her assessment experience includes evaluation of cognitive, educational, and social/emotional functioning, specific learning disabilities/dyslexia, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety and mood disorders, developmental delays, giftedness, executive dysfunction, and intellectual developmental disorders. In her assessment work she appreciates the complexity and uniqueness of an individual's struggles and believes that taking the whole of a learner into consideration, and tailoring the evaluation to each individual, is important in promoting future success. Dr. Kent earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where her research focused on psychological assessment. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at a community mental health clinic in Springfield, Virginia, then participated in two postdoctoral psychotherapy training programs at Georgetown University and the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy. She trained and then worked as a psychologist at the Kingsbury Center for over twenty years before joining the Kingsbury Wellness & Learning Group.

Lauren Siegel

Job Titles:
  • Director of Clinical Services
  • Member of the Board
Dr. Siegel conducts comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults. She also provides individual psychotherapy to children and adolescents with a range of presenting concerns, including attention and executive functioning challenges, emotional regulation difficulties, and social skills deficits. Her approach is informed by psychodynamic theory, but she also employs cognitive-behavioral, relational, and play therapy techniques. Dr. Siegel believes that meeting children where they are and allowing them to direct their experience is the hallmark of growth and change. Dr. Siegel earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, where she studied psychology and philosophy. She completed her doctorate at the George Washington University, where she gained valuable experience working in public schools in Washington, D.C. and in Maryland. She also worked with young children at a preschool in Northern Virginia. Dr. Siegel's predoctoral internship was at a community mental health clinic in Queens, NY, where she worked with a diverse population of children, adolescents, and adults. She worked at the Kingsbury Center for seven years before founding the Kingsbury Wellness & Learning Group.

Mariel "Mason" Mellott

Job Titles:
  • Office Manager
Mason is a clinical psychology doctoral student at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology's DC campus. He earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Florida and a masters of professional studies in clinical psychology from the University of Maryland. Mason provides support to Kingsbury's leadership and clinical teams by assisting with administrative tasks. He spends his free time drawing, animating, and playing with his cat, Jerry.

Phyllis Guthua

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Guthua is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and young adults. She has worked in hospital and school settings, and enjoys taking part in individuals' stories as they overcome obstacles and become equipped with tools that could help them better enjoy life. Dr. Guthua conducts evaluations for children, adolescents and adults who are experiencing difficulties associated with learning, behavior and emotions. She also provides psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and young adults presenting with neurodevelopmental, emotional, and behavioral concerns. In therapy, Dr. Guthua functions from a strengths-based perspective and integrates Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-based CBT, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into her interventions. Dr. Guthua consistently aims to establish a collaborative, empathic, and compassionate therapeutic relationship with her clients. Dr. Guthua earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland. She received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Widener University, where she gained valuable experience working with children and adolescents in hospitals, schools, and community centers. She completed two part-time predoctoral internships at Main Street Community Mental Health Center in Reisterstown, MD, and at the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Families in New Castle, DE; and completed her post-doctoral fellowship at Sheppard Pratt. After completion of her postdoctoral fellowship, Dr. Guthua has worked as a psychologist at nonpublic schools in Maryland, where she has provided therapy and conducted assessments for children and adolescents with behavioral, emotional and developmental needs.

Sarah Matthews

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Director of Psychotherapy
Dr. Matthews is a clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of children, adolescents and young adults struggling with behavioral, emotional regulation, and social challenges. She provides psychotherapy and consultation to help children, adults and families navigate anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder, mood disorders, ADHD, and behavioral issues. Dr. Matthews believes in using every individual's unique strengths to overcome challenges and develop new skills that foster personal growth, self-confidence, and independence. Dr. Matthews tailors therapy interventions using CBT, play therapy, trauma-informed, family, and relational approaches. She has nearly a decade of special education experience, and is well-versed in adapting therapy techniques for those with special education needs. Dr. Matthews received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Salisbury University in Maryland, and achieved her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology at the American School of Professional Psychology in Washington, DC. She completed her predoctoral internship at Loudoun County Mental Health Center and her postdoctoral fellowship at Sheppard Pratt. Prior to joining the Kingsbury Wellness & Learning Group, Dr. Matthews worked as a child and adolescent psychologist at the Sheppard Pratt School (formerly The Forbush School at Glyndon) for nine years, with her last three years as a supervising psychologist overseeing the program's clinical department.