Our Counselors

Amara Toure, PMHNP

Philosophy of Care

Amara Toure is a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with experience conducting psychiatric evaluations, diagnosing and treating individuals with psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. He has experience providing care to patients of different populations (adolescents, adults, geriatrics and veterans), in different settings (inpatient, outpatient and homecare), with the goals of restoring, improving and stabilizing patients’ mental health. He completed his Master of Science in Nursing (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program) at Eastern Kentucky University. Prior to becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner, he received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Maryland school of Nursing. He worked as a psychiatric nurse and a medical surgical nurse at different private and public hospitals, and long-term care facilities, in the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia. His practice philosophy emanates from his nursing background that emphasize providing safe, compassionate, and empathetic patient-centered care. He strongly believes in a holistic approach to promote mental health and well-being, and he takes pride in delivering the best evidence based psychiatric care that is individualized to the needs of each patient.

Education

Eastern Kentucky University
Master of Science in Nursing (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner )

Specialties

•  ADHD/ADD
• Mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder)
• Anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder)
• Psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, brief psychotic disorder)
• PTSD

Binta Bojang, MSN, PMHNP-BC

Philosophy of Care

Binta Bojang is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with over 20 years of clinical experience. She specializes in medication management to treat schizophrenia, anxiety, mood disorders, dual diagnosis, and mental health disorders across the spectrum. She will work with your mental healthcare team to collaborate and develop a plan to achieve your goals.

She received her Bachelor’s degree from Coppin State University and a Master’s degree from George Washington University in DC. She completed her post-masters certification in Mental and Behavioral Health from the University of Cincinnati.

Education

George Washington University, University of Cincinnati
Master's in Science

Specialties

• Medication Management

Bolanle Saba, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC

Philosophy of Care 

Bolanle Saba is a Licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner in the state of Maryland and Virginia who has 2 years experience with adults seeking treatment with pain management in addition with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and women's mental health. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Pennsylvania State University, second Bachelors of Nursing from George Washington University and her Masters of Nursing in Family Nurse Practitioner from George Washington University as well. Bolanle realized after treating acute and chronic pain that most of her patients with behavioral comorbidities needed more care and collaborative treatment, it is this that inspired her to then receive her Post Master Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health from Liberty University. 

Bolanle believes in offering a warm, compassionate, holistic and collaborative approach to treatment and therapy. She utilizes her experience, knowledge and evidenced based practice to create a treatment plan that best meets the needs of every unique individual. Bolanle believes that each individual knows themselves best and in order to be a great provider one must first be a great listener. 

Bolanle seeks to establish a genuine and meaningful relationship with you in order to assist in helping you live a quality lifestyle. Bolanle believes that if you look good, you will feel good and in return you will do good to others. All of this starts with your mental health and trickles down to your emotional and physical well being. 

Education

George Washington University & Liberty University
Master's of Nursing

Specialties

• Pain Management
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Women’s mental health
• ADHD
• Adjustment Disorder
• Alzheimer’s Dementia

Earl Frank Yarington, Resident in Counseling

Philosophy of Care

Earl Yarington is a Licensed Master’s Level Social Worker (LMSW) that received his Master’s degree in social work from Louisiana State University. For the past four years, Earl has worked as an intern under a contractor for Delaware State Correction, where he provided services for both inpatient and outpatient clients and volunteered to help those most ashamed and shamed by society. In his advanced internship, he worked with frontline healthcare workers at Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center in Baton Rouge during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He has done group and individual therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Earl is also a longtime professor of English and Cultural Studies and received his PhD in Literature and Criticism in 2004. He has taught fulltime since 2004 Earl is also a writer where he often writes about human sexuality, sexual shame, and paraphilia. His training in cultural studies and philosophy influences his approach to therapeutic interventions.

Earl is approved to provide sex therapy under supervision by the American Association of Sexuality Counselors, Educators, and Therapists (AASECT), and can provide a range of therapy for couples and persons of all ages that are having problematic behavior or feel great shame about their sexual feelings, attractions, and relationships with others. Earl specializes in paraphilias, and has experience in sex offender treatment, high-risk behaviors, as well as those adults attracted to minors.

Earl is a gentle, attentive, and kind social worker that treats all clients as valuable human beings. He uses an existential psychological approach to therapy from the works of Dr. Yalom in that people are happy and content when they find their own purpose and meaning in life. He has treated those with anxiety, child abuse pasts (domestic and sexual), PTSD, compulsive behavior, eating disorders, addictions, mental illness, ADHD, and those on the spectrum.

Education

Louisiana State University
MSW

Specialties

• Couples Counseling
• Anxiety Therapy
• Stress Counseling
• Depression Counseling
• PTSD
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Mindfulness and Meditation

Francine Kamhoua, CRNP-PMH

Philosophy of Care

Education

Walden University
Master's in Nursing

Specialties

Francis Oduah, PMHNP

Philosophy of Care

Francis Oduah MSN, FNP-BC, PMHNP, is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who provides comprehensive client-focused mental health care to individuals and their families. He has managed several psychiatric conditions including anxiety, depression, mood disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. He completed his Master of Science in Nursing at Concordia University Wisconsin and received his Certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from Washburn University.

Francis utilizes reflective practice and therapeutic use of self as a core to his practice. He is committed to building and establishing a therapeutic relationship with you, identifying your mental health concerns and providing appropriate treatment. Furthermore, Francis performs client assessment, develops treatment plans and provides recommendations to community resources when appropriate.

Francis seeks to ensure you achieve health and wellness by identifying your psychiatric disorder and focuses on treatment that meets your mental health care needs – allowing you to live a meaningful life you value and desire.

Education

Washburn University
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Master of Science in Nursing

Specialties

• Depression
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder and Other Mood Disorders
• Postpartum depression
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• social Anxiety
• Panic disorder

Nadine Kakanou, PMHNP

Philosophy of Care

A psychiatry nurse practitioner is tasked with evaluating a patient’s mental health status by assessing their relevant medical background, conducting comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, and identifying potential issues that might negatively impact a patient's mental health. The primary concern of individuals suffering from mental health problems is accessing mental health care professionals equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide comprehensive care and offer preventive strategies. Although psychiatry nurse practitioners receive intense training to meet mental health patients' needs, their roles are poorly understood because regulatory barriers have limited the entire scope of the practice. Therefore, this paper will explore their philosophy of Care.

Due to the complexity of human beings in understanding their lives and illness experience, PNP requires the ability to access situations from different perspectives, not only through a psychological lens but also from a biological and development view, while recognizing the perspective of stakeholder affected. Besides, Mental health disorder affects the ability to communicate experiences, and its symptoms may not conform to conventional diagnostic criteria. Therefore, PNP needs to have a high tolerance of uncertainties and a willingness to frequently re-evaluate assessments upon discovering new information.

In addition to diagnosing and treating disease, PNP natures resilience, and growth capacity because of psychiatry disorder on patients' growth and development abilities. The existing healthcare system may fail to address the complexity of problems suffered by patients completely. Consequently, PNP needs to effectively advocate for patients to acquire all the services needed to meet their mental health needs. They also need to push for the development of more effective services.

In conclusion, psychiatry nurse practitioners are well prepared and equipped to provide independent and effective psychiatric care and treatment to effectively meet the needs of mental health patients.

Education

Walden University
PMHNP

Specialties

• Medication Management

Tia Gross, LCPC

Philosophy of Care

Tia Gross is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Maryland who has 14 years experience partnering with adults seeking help with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, life transitions, women’s issues and relationship issues. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Towson University and received her Master of Science in Applied Psychology - Counseling from University of Baltimore.   

Tia utilizes relational, collaborative, strength based, cognitive behavioral, and solution focused approaches to therapy always maintaining the creativity, flexibility and awareness necessary to best meet the needs of every unique individual.

Tia seeks to establish a warm and caring relationship with you in order to assist in building on your strengths, working through adversities, and empower you to create new, meaningful, and fulfilling chapters in your life.

Education

University of Baltimore
Master's in Applied Psychology-Counseling

Specialties

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress management
• Self esteem
• Life transitions
• Anger management
• Women’s issues
• Relationship issues

Tolulope Lawson-John, PMHNP, CRNP

Philosophy of Care

Tolulope Lawson-John is a board certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner licensed in Maryland, who specializes in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating various mental health conditions not limited to Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar, PTSD, Psychoses, and Substance abuse disorders. She has over ten years of clinical experience working in diverse clinical practice and settings (including hospital, long term care, primary practice and Corrections) which have tutored her to be empathetic and compassionate while still providing evidence-based practice in treating patients.

Tolulope believes in removing the stigma from mental illness, thereby making treatment and recovery possible. She is proficient in conducting thorough psychiatric evaluation and evidence-based medication management. She believes in holistic, patient-centered approach to psychiatry, with individual touch.

Tolulope obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN, FNP) from Coppin State University. She completed her Post Masters in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) at Washburn University. Besides English, she speaks Yoruba fluently.

Education

Specialties

• Ages 18+
• Medication Management

Victorine Ngang, PMHNP

Philosophy of Care

Victorine (Vicky) Ngang is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner specialized in treating patients with mental illnesses in Washington DC and Maryland. She is board certified with the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She completed her undergraduate degree from American Sentinel University and pursued her Master degree as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner from Walden University. After working as a registered nurse in several settings, she decided to further her education with specialty in mental health. Her inspiration was driven from the stigma associated with mental health illnesses in the communities. She is a community advocate of mental illness and her grit is to bridge the gap between physical and mental health as well as reduce the stigma about mental health

Victorine (Vicky) is proficient in her role to intervene with vulnerable populations and promote mental health across the lifespan. Her scope of practice include: being an active listener, collaborating and coordinating care, performing a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, obtaining labs and interpreting results as well as prescribing psychotropic medications that are Evidence Base for diagnosis.

Victorine is goal directed towards partnering with you to uncover your unique strengths. She is focus on providing empathic, compassionate, respectable, and acceptable care through assessment, diagnosing, planning, implementing and evaluating.

Education

Walden University
Masters

Specialties

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Panic Disorder
• Attention deficit hyperactive disorder/Attention deficit disorder (ADHD/ADD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Eating disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar disorder
• Psychiatric medication review
• And many more

Duarte Aguiar, LCPC

Philosophy of Care

Duarte Aguiar is licensed in the state of Maryland as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and is a National Board Certified Counselor (NCC). He is a graduate of Loyola University with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Duarte has 5 years’ experience providing therapy in Maryland to a diverse client-base in a variety of clinical settings including school-based (adolescent and adult), substance abuse/recovery clinic, marriage and family, individual, groups, and psychoeducation. Duarte specializes in the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Trauma-Focused CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Person-Centered Approach, and Pastoral Counseling to treat various diagnoses. 

Duarte’s philosophy of care as a spiritually oriented therapist consists of a holistic perspective of the person(s) present in therapy. Inspired and informed by the person-centered approach, Duarte believes in the value of being present in a non-judgmental, therapeutic relationship while helping to challenge the client(s) to live up to THEIR own expectations. With that said, Duarte believes in bringing the client’s own beliefs, aspirations, and values to the forefront and using those unique aspects of the client’s virtues to guide the development of a trusting and open therapeutic atmosphere. 

Duarte is committed to providing a safe space where the client can feel heard, accepted, encouraged and even challenged. 

Education

Loyola University Maryland
Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Specialties

• Anxiety
• PTSD 
• Grief/loss
• Depression
• ADHD
• Substance use/abuse/recovery
• Anger and stress management
• Oppositional and conduct disorders
• Marriage and family issues
• Catholic Counseling

Quintin Talley, LCPC

Philosophy of Care

Quintin Talley is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the state of Maryland, and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of VA (he accepts self pay in VA). Quintin has nearly 10 years of experience working with adults (18 - 90) and children (5-17), in a number of therapeutic settings. Quintin has experience working with individuals, couples, families, and groups. He has helped clients to work through issues related to anxiety, depression, mood disorders, personality disorders, school problems, career/job stress, communication problems in marriages and relationships, trauma, and other behavioral concerns. Quintin has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Bowie State University and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Towson University. 

Quintin uses CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) based, person centered, mindfulness, solution focused, play therapy, and family systems interventions to help his clients meet their therapeutic goals. Quintin also provides coaching and counseling to couples and marriages having difficulty with communication and other relationship stressors. 

Quintin is very warm and approachable, yet intuitive. He understands that change can be difficult, and structuring a therapy plan that is both realistic and challenging is the key to making lasting change. Quintin understands that every individual is unique, and needs a customized approach in order to become the best versions of themselves.

Education

Towson University
Master's in Counseling Psychology

Specialties

• Depression 
• Anxiety 
• Marriage/Relationship issues 
• Social Interaction 
• Men’s issues 
• Family dynamics 
• Self-Esteem 
• Children (5-17) 
• Grief and loss 
• Life Transitions