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Psychological services

Individual psychotherapy for adults
Individual therapy for children
Individual therapy for adolescents
Couples counseling and marital therapy
Family therapy
Psychological and neuropsychological evaluation
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorders : child and adult
Psychiatric-services
Forensic-evaluation, consultation and court testimony
Online counseling and psychotherapy
Group therapy: Child and adult
Eating-disorders – Anorexia and bulimia – Bariatric eval.

Individual psychotherapy for adults

Adults may seek individual psychotherapy when experiencing the following issues:

Anxiety, depression, relationship stress, separation, divorce, mood swings, bipolar disorder, panic , phobias, social anxiety, life transitions, job stress, loss of loved one, stress due to medical illness or injury, sleep problems, substance abuse, eating disorders,(anorexia and bulimia), weight management, PTSD: Post traumatic stress disorder, trauma, OCD (obsessive compulsive ), Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The following providers offer therapy for adults:

Dr. Kenneth R. Ellis
Dr. Susan Minsky
Dr. William Charmak
Dr. Jeremy Kisch
Dr. Joan Pittman
Marquerite Laban, LCPC
Dr. Melanie Sholtis
Gabe Chernoff, LCSW-C
Theresa Smith, LCPC
Priscilla Ballsun, LCSW-C
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Individual therapy for children

Treatment for child behavioral problems begins with an initial meeting with parents to acquire a developmental history. Parents often seek treatment for the following problems: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities (reading difficulties, math difficulties, writing problems), developmental delays, aspergers, autism, anger, aggression, peer conflicts, separation anxiety, school phobia, depression, sad mood, adjustment problems, sibling rivalry, parent-child conflict, defiance, oppositional, school suspension, running away, suicidal gestures, self-mutilation, sleep problems, sleep terrors, enueresis, social skills.

The following providers offer therapy for children:

Marquerite Laban, LCPC
Theresa Smith, LCPC
Kristen Zimmer, LCPC
Dr. Melanie Sholtis
Dr. Jill Miron
Gabe Chernoff, LCSW-C
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Individual therapy for adolescents

Treatment for adolescents ages 12 years old to 18 years old requires a specialized approach in which the parent is initially involved to allow the therapist to acquire a developmental history and assess family interaction problems. The adolescent may meet with the therapist with a confidential agreement and right to privacy unless they are engaging in risky behaviors at which point the parent or guardian will be informed. Parental participation is paramount such that the parents are strongly urged to meet with the therapist on a regular basis to participate in treatment in a conjoint manner. This ensures appropriate interaction, communication and understanding between all parties to accomplish effective treatment.

Adolescent treatment issues include the following: depression, bipolar, anxiety, panic, phobia, obsessive compulsive (OCD), irrational thoughts and behaviors, aggression, oppositional behavior, defiance, running away, school truancy, suicidal gestures and ideation, legal infractions, substance abuse, self-esteem issues, self-mutilation, cutting and burning, eating disorders (anorexia and bulimia), weight management, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning difficulties (reading, writing, math), family problems, post traumatic stress disorder PTSD), trauma, loss, grief, step parenting and blended families, separation, custody disputes, visitation conflicts.

For Adolescent therapy see the following providers:

Dr. Jill Miron
Dr. Melanie Sholtis
Marquerite Laban, LCPC
Theresa Smith, LCPC
Gabe Chernoff, LCSW
Kristen Zimmer, LCPC
Priscilla Ballsun, LCSW-C
Dr. Joan Pittman
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Couples counseling and marital therapy

Couples counseling and marital therapy enables the couple to address issues of communication, understanding, and listening in a supportive environment. Couples are encouraged to learn new healthy patterns of interaction, both verbally and behaviorally, to assist them in developing and maintaining a productive, growing, committed and satisfying relationship for life. Couples often seek counseling to assist them with the following: communication difficulties, intimacy, emotional expressiveness, alternatives to separation or divorce, promoting family cohesiveness and cooperation, cooperative parenting, affairs, conflict resolution, sexual difficulties, balancing relationships and family responsibilities, time management to enhance couple intimacy and satisfaction, improve marital satisfaction, couple enrichment, strengthening partnership and committment, improving the quality of life as a couple, enhancing romantic love, learning to prioritize the marriage, couples communication assessment, exploring patterns of interaction, the development of healthy patterns of communication and behavior for new couples as they strive to build a strong foundation of love, learning how to speak with respect and understanding with their partners, avoiding abusive and toxic interactions.

For Couples and Marital Therapy See the following providers:

Dr. Kenneth Ellis
Dr. Susan Minsky
Dr. William Charmak
Dr. Jeremy Kisch
Priscilla Ballsun, LCSW-C
Theresa Smith, LCPC
Dr. Joan Pittman
Dr. Melanie Sholtis
Marquerite Laban, LCPC
Gabe Chernoff, LCSW-C
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Family therapy

Family therapy utilizes a group format in which all members of the family meet in a neutral supportive environment mediated by a skilled family therapist. Treatment goals often focus on enhancing communication and understanding between family members to evoke a positive change within the family. Families often seek treatment for the following issues: parent and child conflicts, ineffective parenting strategies, blended families, sudden changes and adjustments to family structure, problems dealing with teenagers, inlaw disputes, reintegration of grandparents or college students returning to live at home, substance abuse, family roles and responsibilities, dealing with impact of medical illness, injury, impact of unemployment, loss of a parent.

Family therapy providers are listed as follows:

Dr. Joan Pittman
Dr. Jill Miron
Kristen Zimmer, LCPC
Marquerite Laban, LCPC
Gabe Chernoff, LCSW-C
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Psychological and neuropsychological evaluation

Effective treatment requires competent and comprehensive assessment and diagnoses.

Testing and evaluation may be indicated if a patient is experiencing unremitting depression, severe anxiety, personality changes, co-morbid conditions unresponsive to treatment, and or any other difficulties that may require differential diagnoses.

Patients seek psychological and neuropsychological evaluation for the following possible diagnoses: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, reading disorder, writing disorder, math disorder, language disorder, Asperger’s disorder, autism, developmental delays, cognitive impairment, memory and concentration impairment due to illness, accident, aging, closed head injury, intellectual functioning determination, school assessments and achievement testing for grade level placement, IEP’s (individual educational plan) , gifted and talented assessment and placement, personality assessment and differential diagnoses of personality functioning and disorders, sensori-motor integration issues, perceptual motor disturbances, preop bariatric testing and evaluation.

See the following providers for psychological or neuropsychological evaluation:

Dr. Kenneth R. Ellis
Marquerite Laban, LCPC
Dr. Melanie Sholtis
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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorders : child and adult

Attention Deficit Disorders in children and adults clearly effect performance in school and the work place. ADD may result in lower self-esteem and self worth, anxiety, depression, and interpersonal conflicts with family, friends, and co-workers. Effective treatment requires competent and appropriate assessment. The Center’s computer assisted diagnostic protocols will evaluate you or your child. The Center’s board certified psychiatrists can provide rapid medication solutions in conjunction with behavioral strategies and support from psychologists working as a team with you and your child.

See the following providers listed under the sections for Evaluation

Dr. Ellis
Dr. Sholtis
M. Laban,LCPC
Treatment Dr. Sholtis, M. Laban, LCPC
Medication (Dr. Mathis).
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Psychiatric services

Patients often benefit from a combination of therapy and medication, which synergistically enhance the response to both therapeutic and pharmacological intervention. The use of therapy and medication has been shown to be significantly more effective than the use of therapy or medication alone. This strategy is often the most effective approach for the treatment of the following: depression, anxiety, panic, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and other treatment issues. The Center offers coordinated care between the therapists and the psychiatrists on staff to ensure a comprehensive and integrative medicine approach for patients.

Medication evaluation and management are provided by the following board certified psychiatrists:

Dr. Mitchell Mathis M.D.
Dr. Jing Zhang, M.D., Ph.D.
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Forensic evaluation, consultation and court testimony

Patients seek Forensic Evaluation for the following : when facing legal proceedings with respect to violations of the law for driving under the influence (DUI), competency to stand trial, misdemeanor and felony offenses, school suspension for aggressive behavior, arrested for theft or aggressive offenses, shoplifting, possession of controlled substances, assault, and other offenses. Forensic Psychological Evaluations may provide mitigating evidence to assist in defense and make alternative sentencing recommendations. Patients may be referred by attorneys or the court system. The Center provides pretrial and posttrial therapeutic care.

Our forensic program assists criminal defense attorneys in areas that include: criminal competency, criminal responsibility, DUI-DWI and substance abuse assessment, insanity defense, recommendations for therapeutic and rehabilitative programs and alternative sentencing.

A full psychodiagnostic evaluation provides a clinical history and an assessment of intellectual and personality function, analysis of substance abuse, impulse control, sexual concerns executive function, organic issues, characterological concerns to present an integrated evaluation of the individual.

Psychological and neuropsychological evaluations add valuable data in the mitigation phase of criminal proceedings by allowing the court to understand issues of personality dynamic, impulse control, dangerousness, amenability to treatment, adjustment to incarceration and concerns with respect to recidivism.  The use of standardized test instruments, in a carefully constructed psychodiagnostic test protocol may allow for alternative sentencing, appropriate therapeutic interventions and reduction of sentences.

Expert witness testimony is provided by Dr. Ken Ellis, a licensed psychologist and former Chief Psychologist for the Maryland Department of Corrections. Dr. Ellis has been qualified as an expert in psychology in the state and federal systems.

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Online counseling and psychotherapy

For those patients who are unable to travel to the Columbia Counseling Center or prefer to engage in a therapeutic relationship in the privacy of their own home or other private setting, online therapy may be the treatment format to meet your needs. Technology enables us to conduct video conferencing from anywhere in the world allowing you continuity of care with your therapist as needed. Contact Dr. Kenneth Ellis dockrellis@counselingmaryland.com or Dr. Susan Minsky at DrSMinsky@counselingmaryland.com to schedule a convenient time for a therapy appointment.
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Group therapy : child and adult

Women’s Support Group offers women the opportunity to discuss a variety of issues involving relationship conflicts, social isolation, depression, loss of a partner, transitions such as reentry to the work setting, empty nest, and life adjustments.

Men’s Support Group offers men the opportunity to discuss a variety of issues involving partnership conflicts, committmemt, juggling work and family responsibilities, adequacy issues, and an opportunity to connect with other males struggling with similar issues with a male mediator and group leader.

Social Skills Groups for children and adolescents address peer relationships, coping with ADHD, anxiety, self-esteem, self- concept development, blended family issues, parent conflicts in a safe peer environment with a skilled group therapist.

Contact:

Gabe Chernoff, LCSW-C , Dr. Joan Pittman
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Eating disorders – anorexia and bulimia bariatric eval.

Patients may be self referred or referred by inpatient programs including Saint Joseph’s Hospital or Sheppard-Pratt who require outpatient follow-up treatment. Patients often present with a variety of degrees of eating disordered behaviors such as binge eating, restricting, purging, obesity, unhealthy eating habits with improper nutrition, and weight management issues including bariatric surgery preoperative and post operative needs for evaluation and treatment.

See the following providers for treatment:

Dr. Susan Minsky
Marquerite Laban, LCPC
Dr. William Charmak
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Previous Articles

July 23, 2010

Couples Communication: The Rules

An experienced couples therapist once told me that “good communication and persistence would cure most problems.” (more…)

January 20, 2010

Seasonal Affective Disorder in Children

Some people suffer from symptoms of depression during the winter months, with symptoms subsiding during the spring and summer months.  This may be a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). (more…)

January 17, 2010

Emotional Distress: Counseling or Medication

Emotional distress comes in many forms and shapes. There are no x-rays or blood tests to explain what is going on or what is wrong, just your verbal description. The two most common mental health problems are anxiety and depression. (more…)

August 12, 2009

The Game Of Rescue: BE Careful, You May Become A Victim.

Offering to help someone who is in need of assistance just seems like the right thing to do. We’ve all had the opportunity to lend a helping hand, or go out of our way for a friend, relative or even a total stranger. The scene, more than twenty-five years ago, of that fireman diving into the freezing waters of the Potomac River to save victims of a passenger jet that crashed while taking off from National Airport during an ice storm lingers in my mind. We praise the heroic actions of first responders who risk everything to save total strangers. So, when someone who is familiar to you asks for help would you rush to assist them and do whatever is required? We’ve heard it said: ‘A friend is a friend – no matter what!” What if that “friend” is engaged in a behavior that violates the law or, your moral judgment. What if their behavior is, in some way, pathological? In those cases, helping that individual might wind up jeopardizing you. Your intentions were honorable but you wound up in trouble or having a major problem!

The complexities of our interactions became the focus of a theoretic formulation known as Transactional Analysis. TA is a method of analyzing and understanding communications and interactions ( transactions) between individuals. The goal of TA is to eliminate dysfunctional behaviors and develop effective coping strategies in our relationships. Clients learn to identify disruptive interactions and replace them with direct, Adult – Adult, communications.

Eric Berne developed the concepts of TA after extensive study and training in traditional therapy and the practice of psychiatry and psychology. He suggested that we develop “life scripts” early in our development that influence how each individual chooses to live and behave. The role of therapeutic intervention would be to “re-write” destructive and self-limiting script messages.

As a result of problematic script messages and learned styles of interacting, Berne noted that we develop dysfunctional patterns – called Games – in which we intend to gain positive “strokes” but actually reinforce negative feelings. Further, Games can be a way of interacting while avoiding intimacy (intimacy here defined as revealing the “real self” to others). Take, for example, the game of “Psychiatry.” You meet someone at a party. He is quite engaging and asks many questions about you. He seems interested in you and appears to be a good listener. However, when the conversation ends, you realize that he has revealed nohting of himself – thus avoiding intimacy. A second example is a game called “General Motors.” Same party: a bunch of guys stand around talking about the virtues and limits of Camaros and Corvettes. In the end, after a discussion of camshafts, transmissions and engine displacement, they part knowing nothing about each other. They interacted, but easily and skillfully avoided any personal knowledge of one another.

You may have heard the saying: “No good turn goes unpunished.” If we offer to help someone who has not requested it, we force them into the role of a “Victim.” They can easily turn and become hostile toward us, shifting from “Victim” to “Persecutor.” Claude Steiner points out that we are encouraged to be selfless, generous and cooperative with people, even if they are deceitful, selfish, stingy and uncooperative with us. Engaging in this type of interaction is guaranteed to take us from the position of “Rescuer” to the “Victim” position while the so-called “Victim” becomes the “Persecutor.”

In the game of “Rescue,” the Rescuer (that’s you) views that problematic, needy person as the “Victim” and thinks: I’ll save you!” As the paradigm progresses, the “Rescuer” becomes the “Victim” and the “Victim” becomes the “Persecutor.” Let’s look at a real life example.
rescue triangle

Archie (not his real name), a recovering alcoholic, was planning to go out on New Years’ Eve. He had tickets to a fancy gala and had rented a tuxedo. His date lived some distance away and he had planned to leave his house no later than six o’clock. Early in the afternoon, he received a call from Edith(not her real name) whom he had met at a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. She was “in a jam” and asked if she could borrow his car for a brief errand. Archie quickly agreed (boosting his own ego and self esteem) and told her to return the vehicle by 4 o’clock . “No problem,” she replied, as Archie watched his watched his washed and freshly waxed car roll out of the driveway. Of course, 4 o’clock came and went with no sign of Edith. By 5 o’clock Archie, agitated and concerned, started calling some of Edith’s favorite haunts (bars). He located her at a neighborhood pub and asked her to bring the car back immediately – she (now drunk) hung up on him. Furious, he called the police and reported the car stolen. He told them where the vehicle could be found and the police went to the bar to confront Edith. When they arrived, Edith told them that Archie had assaulted her and she had “fled for her life!” She filed assault charges against Archie and the police arrested him! Archie spent the evening at the police station, in his tuxedo. By the time he had arranged bail and was released, it was too late to go out- Happy New Year, Archie! The “Rescuer” had become the “Victim” and the “Victim” had become the “Persecutor.”

There are countless examples of this paradigm: the house guest who never left; the loan that was never repaid. However, the key to avoiding the game of Rescue is to carefully analyze whether the alleged “Victim” is really a victim; or have they created their own problem. After all, we are each responsible for our own behaviors. What is the “payoff” for you as the “Rescuer?” If you can understand your own motivation and can take an objective look at the so-called victim, you may discover your own co-dependency or realize that you are “enabling” the pathology of the other person.