Our Team:

Holding space for healing, hope, and connection.

  • A man with curly dark hair, glasses, and a beard, wearing a dark sweater, looking to the side indoors.

    Melissa Byrne, LCSWC, LICSW (she/her)

     As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Certified (LCSWC) and a Licensed Social Work Supervisor, and I’ve spent my career supporting individuals and families through some of life’s most tender and challenging moments. My journey started in the nonprofit sector, working with families of children with special needs, which inspired me to pursue my Master’s in Clinical Social Work from George Mason University. Since 2014, I’ve worked in both inpatient and outpatient hospital settings, providing individual counseling, facilitating support groups, supervising and training clinicians, and leading teams.

    I’m especially passionate about supporting people navigating infertility, pregnancy loss, the transition to motherhood, life adjustments, anxiety, depression, and reproductive health. I know firsthand how isolating these experiences can feel—1 in 5 women in the U.S. experience mental health concerns during pregnancy or postpartum—and I’m committed to creating a safe, understanding space where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered. My goal is to provide guidance, support, and practical tools while helping reduce the stigma and shame that can sometimes accompany these experiences.

    Every person I work with is unique. I tailor therapy to meet each client’s needs, blending evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness based stress reduction with empathy and collaboration to help foster resilience, emotional regulation, and personal growth.

    Outside of work, I love cooking, horseback riding, practicing yoga, reading, and walking my dog. Most importantly, I cherish time with my husband and our two children—they remind me every day why I do this work.

    I am licensed to practice in Maryland and Washington D.C. I provided individual therapy.

  • A young woman with curly hair, glasses, and hoop earrings smiling at the camera in an indoor setting.

    Angela Tanner -Dean, LCPC (she/her)

    For more than 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of supporting children, teens, and adults through the challenges of depression, anxiety, and life’s many transitions. In recent years, my work has grown to include women and families of color navigating the grief, trauma, and loss that can accompany pregnancy and infertility. 

    My passion is helping people feel less alone in their struggles and more connected to their own strength and resilience. I believe healing happens in safe, supportive relationships, so I strive to create a space where you can show up fully as yourself—without judgment or pressure.

    I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received a Master's degree in Counseling Education from the University of Virginia. My therapeutic approach is grounded in compassion and connection, and I integrate evidence-based techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and mindfulness to help clients process difficult emotions, build coping skills, and foster personal growth. I am here to support you in working through what matters most and finding a path forward that feels right.

    In addition to being a therapist, I am employed full time at the U.S. Department of Education in the Office of Special Education Programs. I am also a parent of three young adults, and when not working, my husband and I are navigating our new normal as empty nesters by finding new ways to enjoy this next phase of our lives.

    I am licensed to practice in Maryland. I provide individual therapy to adults and children ages 12 and older.

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    Jen Dugan, LCMFT (she/her)

    I’m a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in reproductive and perinatal mental health. I support individuals through reproductive trauma, birth trauma, termination for medical reasons, and perinatal loss—experiences that can feel deeply isolating.

    My goal is to offer a space where you feel seen, supported, and not alone in your healing.Grounded in trauma-informed care, I blend evidence-based practices with empathy, intuition, and collaboration. I focus on creating a safe, supportive environment that fosters healing, education,and empowerment. I believe no one should have to navigate these experiences alone, and I’m here to walk with you as you process grief, reclaim your story, and move toward resilience.

    Healing from trauma isn’t about erasing the past—it’s about learning to carry it with more lightness and self-compassion. I offer guidance, resources, and a safe therapeutic relationship where your story matters and your voice leads.

    With advanced training in attachment theory, systems theory, and perinatal mental health, I take an integrated approach that supports postpartum bonding and helps build meaningful community support when the postpartum period feels overwhelming.

    I am licensed to practice in Maryland and Virginia. I provide individual and couples therapy.

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, smiling with arms crossed, wearing a black shirt, gold necklace, and earrings, posing against a plain white background.

    Lynn Elliot, LCSWC (she/her)

    I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of experience supporting children, young adults, and families. My journey began after earning my BA from Connecticut College and working as a community outreach worker with families facing poverty, social isolation, and systemic barriers. Witnessing their resilience deeply shaped my path and inspired me to pursue a Master’s in Social Work at the University of Chicago.

    I offer a warm, supportive space to help clients navigate life’s challenges, from anxiety and depression to stress and major transitions. My goal is to walk alongside you as you explore your emotions, build resilience, and move toward healing.

    I specialize in mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, school challenges, and social stressors. I also provide dedicated support for perinatal and postpartum mental health, including anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma, and often work with families and caregivers to strengthen support systems

    Outside of work, you’ll usually find me spending time with my family and our poorly trained dog. I love being outdoors—whether it’s hiking, biking, or just soaking up nature. I'm a big sports fan, coach basketball, and am always cheering on my favorite Boston teams.

    I provide individual therapy to adults and children ages 12 and older.

  • A woman with shoulder-length black hair smiling outdoors in front of green foliage.

    Lauren Reider, LCSWC, CGP (she/her)

    As a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW-C) and Certified Grief Professional (CGP) with over 10 years of experience, I feel honored to walk alongside individuals and families through life’s most vulnerable and challenging seasons.

    I earned my undergraduate degree in psychology from High Point University and my Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland. Since then, I’ve devoted my career to supporting families who have experienced trauma and loss, with a special focus on perinatal loss, grief, complicated pregnancies, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and the challenges of navigating depression and anxiety.

    I believe that healing happens within the context of relationships, and I use a family-centered and humanistic approach to help my clients find strength, meaning, and connection after loss. I draw from cognitive behavioral, narrative, and play therapy techniques to create a compassionate, safe space where children, adults, and couples can process their pain and begin to rebuild with hope.

    Outside of my clinical work, my greatest joy comes from family life. My husband and I live in Anne Arundel County where we are raising our three children and our playful dog. I love spending time in my garden, getting lost in a good book, and sinking my toes into the sand at the beach. Our lives are lovingly shaped by the memory of our angel babies, Mikayla Catherine and Noah Anthony, who continue to watch over us every day.

    I am licensed to practice in Maryland. I provide individual, couples and play based therapy.

To schedule an appointment please visit our contact page