Providers
Mari Pat McGuire, LCSW-C, TEP
Mari Pat McGuire is a social worker, certified psychodramatist and creative arts therapist with 30 years of experience in the field. Mari Pat has worked in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings and has experience working with people of all ages and stages of life. She works with individuals, couples, and families and is a certified group therapist. Mari Pat strives to create a supportive therapeutic environment in which clients can feel safe and comfortable in sharing their concerns. Her goal is to help clients to re-emerge from worry or pain as a stronger and healthier person, experiencing harmony and balance in mind, body and spirit. Mari Pat believes that the creative arts therapies (Psychodrama, art, poetry, movement) can be a key to navigating a confusing or chaotic time in our lives. When appropriate, she uses the creative arts therapies to provide a bridge between our inner and outer worlds, and to help process and strengthen our feelings, perceptions, and insights about our relationships with self and others. “Where there is ruin, there is hope of treasure.” – Rumi (a 13th century mystic poet)
Education:
University of Maryland, Master's of Social Work, 1988
University of Maryland, Bachelor's of Social Work, 1987
Certified Practitioner and Trainer of Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy (TEP)
Therapy Provided: Individual, group, families, couples
Specialties: Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Adjustment Disorders, Relational Conflict, Trauma Disorders, Parenting, Psychotic Disorders, Personality Disorders, Gender Identity/LGBQTI, Women's Issues, Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodrama, Poetry Therapy
Patrick Nganga, Patrick Nganga DNP, CRNP, PMHNP-BC
Dr. Patrick Nganga has dual certifications as a nurse practitioner. He obtained his BSN from Coppin State University, MSN in acute care from University of Maryland Baltimore and Post Master’s degree in Psychiatry and Mental health from Maryville University. He has been a nurse practitioner for 15 years. He has experience working as a hospitalist taking care of patients with various medical illnesses and as a psychiatry nurse practitioner treating different mental health disorders. He believes that every patient and family have the right to equal access to health care and making decisions regarding their treatment.
The most important quality of a provider is their ability to listen patiently to a patient’s concern.
Virginia Greene, LCSW-C
Virginia (Ginna) Greene is a Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical (LCSW-C) who has over 4 years of experience serving the state of Maryland. She provides a safe, calm, and encouraging space to work through past and present experiences. Ginna offers therapy services to adolescents (13-17 years old), adults (18-75 years old), and families. She earned her Bachelor of Arts at The University of Tampa in Florida, and received her Master of Social Work from The University of Maryland, Baltimore in Maryland.
Using a variety of approaches to therapy while building on existing strengths, Ginna helps clients learn ways to practice healthy emotion regulation and challenge patterns that no longer serve them. She joins with clients in a relaxed and supportive therapeutic relationship, where her goal is to help clients achieve their goals and be present in each moment of their lives. Ginna believes every client deserves the ability to overcome the challenges they face and continue on their journey of self-actualization.
Joshua Scheidle, PsyD
Dr. Joshua Scheidle (Shy-dull) is neither shy, nor dull. He is described as genuine, down-to-earth, and easy to talk to. He is a licensed psychologist who works with a variety of individuals, some of which include those with: anxiety/panic, mood disorders, ADHD, marital/family problems, anger management, religious/spiritual issues, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, and those who need psychological testing for diagnostic, vocational, and personality. He has been trained in many psychological theories and takes an integrative approach to therapy that relies on evidenced-based treatment. An important part of his work is teaching people skills they can use to better manage the difficulties they face in their lives.
Dr. Scheidle views therapy as a collaborative effort. As one size does not fit all, he will work closely with you to develop the treatment approach that best fits your needs.
Specialties: Couples therapy, anxiety & panic, stress management, ADHD, mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, spiritual & religious concerns, anger management.
LeeAnn Goodson, NP
LeeAnn advocates for holistic and patient-centered relationships while viewing the client as a person and not a disease. Through self-awareness and with an emphasis on the human capacity for growth, LeeAnn commits to serving clients by embodying empathy, respect, and acceptance. She believes in listening to her clients and working collaboratively to create an individualized treatment plan.
LeeAnn has obtained her post-master’s certificate, from Vanderbilt University, as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Her clinical experience spans over ten years working on the acute psychiatry unit at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center and Medstar Franklin Square Hospital. Additionally, she has served as part of the team at Sheppard Pratt on an inpatient and outpatient basis. LeeAnn has the training and experience to assess, diagnose, and treat clients across the lifespan.
In her free time, LeeAnn enjoys hiking with her 2 dogs, Autumn and Ryder.
Amy Bliss Tenney, LGPC, MT-BC, LPMT
Amy Bliss Tenney is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor and Board-Certified Music Therapist. She graduated with a Masters of Arts in Music Therapy from Immaculata University in Pennsylvania and took additional courses to qualify as a licensed counselor in Maryland. She has practiced as a music therapist since 2016 and is excited to be joining Harmony Counseling Center as a counselor.
Services that Amy currently offers include individual therapy for adults and seniors. She uses an integrative approach to counseling and seeks to build trust and help you feel safe within the confidential therapy relationship. She believes in working with the whole person in counseling and helping individuals to face life’s challenges and meet their full potential.
In the counseling session, you may choose to incorporate music or not. Some possibilities include working on a music playlist together, learning relaxation techniques with music, or reflecting on song lyrics and rewriting them to express your own situation. Amy believes that creativity and a sense of humor can be helpful in the growth and healing process.
Peter Ige, CRNP-PMH, MSN, RN
Peter Ige is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. He obtained a BSN from University of Ibadan-Nigeria and MSN from Walden University. He has been a Psychiatric Nurse for 20 years and is well-versed in the treatment of mood, anxiety, psychotic, and substance use disorders. He believes that in addition to medication, healthy lifestyle practices such as optimized nutrition and physical activity are imperative in the treatment of mental illness. He loves going to the gym and traveling.
Andrea Commarata, LCSW-C
Andrea is an LCSW-C with over 30 years’ experience in the field. She received her MSW from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Most of her work has been with Villa Maria in a residential treatment center where she worked with children who had experienced severe trauma in their life. In addition, she was a contractual worker with First Step and worked closely with juvenile services and the JOINS program. Andrea’s area of expertise is with addiction and recovery in youths and adults.
Life is complex and we are all faced with stressors in our life. Anxiety, depression, social issues related to school, peer pressure, the impact of social media and now COVID-19 are areas that Andrea has successfully addressed with her clients. Andrea believes that our thoughts, feelings, and our behavior are all interrelated and impact the family system. Her focus is on strategic family therapy whereby all members work towards harmony and communication. Andrea utilizes a strength-based approach to acknowledge everyone’s expertise, identify strengths within the family to make the family whole again.
Bill Miltenberger, LCSW-C
Developing a strong therapeutic relationship is the foundation of good therapy, combined with clinical skills and perseverance. Bill Miltenberger, LCSW-C is a Senior Clinician ready to help you overcome the challenges you are facing. Bill is known for his warm, compassionate, and friendly style and has a great sense of humor.
Bill’s training includes many years working with children and families in schools and a residential treatment center, and with adults in private practice. Treatment may include cognitive behavior therapy, family therapy, motivational interviewing, anger management, but always You making the decisions about what is best for you.
Bill Completed a Masters in Social Work at the University of Maryland Baltimore, and earned a Bachelor of Arts at UMBC. Outside of work, Bill enjoys sharing time with his family and friends, trail hiking, and helping build a dynamic neighborhood where Bill is known for coordinating the annual Pumpkin Carving Festival.
Nicole will partner with you to create a positive counseling experience in a safe, nurturing, non-judgmental, and therapeutic atmosphere. She will collaborate with and support you in Identifying and utilizing natural strengths you already possess to help you progress towards your therapy goals. She uses a variety of therapy modalities during sessions, such as CBT, mindfulness training, behavioral modification, play therapy, and art therapy, psychoeducation, and Trauma focused CBT.
Nicole has a passion for working with children and adolescents. The majority of Nicole’s career has been spent working with children, adolescents, and their families, in different settings, including residential treatment centers, treatment foster care, outpatient community clinics, PRP programs, and in the school environment. She has experience working with children as young as 5 as well as with adults. Nicole has extensive experience treating mood disorders (e.g. Bipolar, depression, etc.) and emotional dysregulation, anxiety disorders, behavioral issues, ADHD (attention, distractibility, and impulsivity), developmental disorders, trauma, adjustment disorders, self-harm behaviors and suicidal ideations, and oppositional defiant disorder. Nicole also has experience working with clients with borderline personality disorder, and those with psychotic features.
Nicole has been working in the mental health field for over 10 years. She has worked at a residential treatment center, participated in internships in Treatment foster care and a private separate-day school for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities. She also has experience working in outpatient clinics, public schools, and psychiatric rehabilitation programs. Nicole is currently working as a psychotherapist at a private separate-day school for students with emotional and behavioral disorders.
“You are not broken. You are breaking through.” - Alex Myles
“Don’t just stand there; make something happen.” Lee Iacocca
Education:
BA in Psychology, Notre Dame of Maryland University, 2008
Masters in Social Work (MSW), University of Maryland, Baltimore, 2014
Therapy provided: Individual therapy. Experience with group and family therapy
Specialties: Mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma focused CBT, Trauma disorders, adjustment disorders, behavior modification, and Trauma informed-care
Michael E. Schemm, LCPC Approved Supervisor Certification
Michael E. Schemm has a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology and is a Licensed Clinical Professional. In addition to his private counseling practice, Mike has served as Program or Clinical Director for adult and adolescent inpatient psychiatric programs, partial hospitalization programs, three outpatient mental health centers, substance abuse programs, 24/7 programs for individuals who are autistic and/or developmentally disabled, and Residential Treatment Centers for severely emotionally disturbed adolescents.
Michael does comprehensive psycho-education with clients about their disorder, and the why and how of the selected therapy approach and strategies being employed. This typically allows the client to more quickly take ownership of their treatment and shortens the number of sessions needed. He also employs solution-focused, cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, and supportive (non-directive) approaches based on what the client needs in order to achieve the best response. Mike is also certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
Specialties: Skilled in the use of anger management, stress reduction, and behavior modification techniques to work with a wide range of clients, including individuals on the autism spectrum. Also experienced in the use of interpersonal communication analysis in the treatment of couples and families.
Isabella Riojas, PhD
Since 2009, Dr. Riojas (Ree oh haas) has worked with individuals, couples, and couples from all walks of life, helping them take care of their mental or emotional health. Clients meet with her to: Discuss challenges in their life, to improve the way they communicate or connect with others, to heal from trauma, to get help for a chronic problem, or just to have a safe space to talk. Isabella Riojas specializes in a strength-based approach that integrates various modalities to help you work on your goals.
Sometimes people may feel they want to get therapy but aren't sure what to expect. If that is you and you are ready to take a step towards change – congratulations. Therapy - is sometimes called talk therapy or counseling - is meeting with a trained professional to help you take care of mental or emotional health. It's helpful and available for anyone – with or without a diagnosis.
Education:
The New School, Masters of Arts in Psychology, 2009
Capella University, Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, 2022
Therapy Provided: Individuals, groups, families, couples
Specialties:
Dr. Riojas specializes in: Adjustment disorders, anxiety disorders, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), cultural issues specific to Black and Latinos, parenting, personality disorders, psychological testing and evaluation, relational conflict, religious issues, trauma disorders, and women's Issues.
Nicole will partner with you to create a positive counseling experience in a safe, nurturing, non-judgmental, and therapeutic atmosphere. She will collaborate with and support you in Identifying and utilizing natural strengths you already possess to help you progress towards your therapy goals. She uses a variety of therapy modalities during sessions, such as CBT, mindfulness training, behavioral modification, play therapy, and art therapy, psychoeducation, and Trauma focused CBT.
Nicole has a passion for working with children and adolescents. The majority of Nicole’s career has been spent working with children, adolescents, and their families, in different settings, including residential treatment centers, treatment foster care, outpatient community clinics, PRP programs, and in the school environment. She has experience working with children as young as 5 as well as with adults. Nicole has extensive experience treating mood disorders (e.g. Bipolar, depression, etc.) and emotional dysregulation, anxiety disorders, behavioral issues, ADHD (attention, distractibility, and impulsivity), developmental disorders, trauma, adjustment disorders, self-harm behaviors and suicidal ideations, and oppositional defiant disorder. Nicole also has experience working with clients with borderline personality disorder, and those with psychotic features.
Nicole has been working in the mental health field for over 10 years. She has worked at a residential treatment center, participated in internships in Treatment foster care and a private separate-day school for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities. She also has experience working in outpatient clinics, public schools, and psychiatric rehabilitation programs. Nicole is currently working as a psychotherapist at a private separate-day school for students with emotional and behavioral disorders.
“You are not broken. You are breaking through.” - Alex Myles
“Don’t just stand there; make something happen.” Lee Iacocca
Education:
BA in Psychology, Notre Dame of Maryland University, 2008
Masters in Social Work (MSW), University of Maryland, Baltimore, 2014
Therapy provided: Individual therapy. Experience with group and family therapy
Specialties: Mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma focused CBT, Trauma disorders, adjustment disorders, behavior modification, and Trauma informed-care