Meet The Team
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Gail K. Walter, Ph.D.A licensed psychologist, Dr. Walter opened The Family Center in 1984 in order to provide effective, compassionate, and personalized care for the complex psychological issues facing families in the county. Dr. Walter completed a graduate fellowship at the Institute for Child Study with a concentration in human growth and development and family systems theory. After receiving a Ph.D., she completed a post-doctoral internship in clinical psychology. Since 1982, Dr. Walter has specialized in the treatment of behavioral, emotional, and transitional problems of children, adolescents, adults, and families. |
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Nicky Lankerani, D.O.Nicky Lankerani is a board certified psychiatrist, specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry. Dr. Lankerani completed her residency in general psychiatry at the University of Maryland/ Sheppard Pratt Health System and at the Johns Hopkins Hospital where she served as chief resident. She specializes in diagnosis and early interventions for preschoolers, mood and anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and pervasive development disorders. |
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Christopher Williams, LCSW-CChris Williams is a licensed clinical social worker with experience in providing psychotherapy and other services to children, adolescents, and families. Mr. Williams is also certified as a sports counselor (C.S.C.) by the National Institute of Sports. Chris is a graduate of Howard University. |
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Alison Dunton, Psy. D.Alison Dunton is a licensed psychologist. Dr. Dunton received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in Washington, D.C. She specializes in the treatment of a wide range of emotional and behavior disorders including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorders as well as issues pertaining to child and adolescent grief and loss. Dr. Dunton works with children, adolescents, and young adults, has received comprehensive training in play therapy, family therapy, and parent management training, and conducts live parent coaching at The Family Center. She also conducts psycho-educational testing, ADHD assessments, and social/emotional evaluations. |
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Bob Robinson, LCPCBob Robinson is a graduate of Loyola College of Maryland where he trained in family systems dynamics, with an emphasis on intergenerational patterns and issues. He has extensive experience providing counseling services to children, adolescents and families. At The Family Center, Bob specializes in helping our clients address parenting issues, couple's issues, normal development issues of children and adolescents, as well as the challenges of teens-at-risk. |
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Anne Arena, MA, CASAnne Arena is a Maryland certified school psychologist with a masters degree in psychology and Certificate of Advanced Study in School Psychology from Appalachian State University in North Carolina. Ms. Arena has also completed a two year post-graduate degree in clinical neuropsychology. In addition to working at The Family Center, she is also employed as a school psychologist with Carroll County Public Schools. She specializes in diagnostic assessments of learning disabilities, attention disorders, and emotional impairments. |
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J. Shep Jeffreys, Ed.D.Shep Jeffreys is a licensed psychologist and Fellow in Thanatology specializing in grief, loss, and end-of-life concerns. In addition to providing clinical services to The Family Center patients, Dr. Jeffreys is Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pastoral Counseling at Loyola University Maryland. He is on staff in the Department of Psychiatry, Howard County General Hospital, and is a consultant to hospices, hospitals, nursing homes, educational institutions, and corporations.He is author of Helping Grieving People –When tears are not enough, 2nd Edition. (Routledge); and of Coping With Workplace Grief: Dealing With Loss, Trauma and Change, Revised Edition. (Thomson Learning/Axzo). |
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Erin Stoll, Psy.D.Dr. Stoll is a licensed psychologist, who received her doctoral degree from Loyola College in Baltimore. Dr. Stoll has completed a post doctoral internship in child/adolescent clinical psychology, and her experience also includes several years working in the Baltimore City School System. Dr. Stoll has recently completed training at the Domar Center in Boston, MA where she was certified in the treatment of women experiencing infertility. Additionally, she specializes in the treatment of anxiety, and impulse control disorders (e.g. trichotillomania, skin picking) in children, adolescents and adults. |
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Kristen Delano Walter, M.S.Kristen received her Master's degree in Marine Science from the College of William and Mary in 2004. She has worked in the field of Marine Science for over 12 years and her research has spanned a wide range of taxa [ including corals, clams, crabs, lobsters, American shad and Atlantic sturgeon] in a variety of ecosystems in the Chesapeake Bay, Bahamas, and Florida Keys. She has extensive field experience piloting small boats in the Chesapeake Bay and the open ocean and has a diverse diving resume that includes zero visibility, tidally driven conditions in Chesapeake Bay as well as saturation diving in the Florida Keys at the Aquarius Underwater Habitat. She moved to Florida in 2007 as a Senior Research Associate at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami. Kristen is currently involved in a National Science Foundation project.As a marine scientist she recognizes all too well the need to engage children in learning about the ecology of marine environments and the vast wonders that lurk beneath the surface.... |
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Michael Varhol, Psy.D.Michael Varhol is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of depression, anxiety and behavioral problems in children, adolescents and adults. Dr. Varhol received his doctoral degree from the George Washington University Psy.D. Program. He has previously worked on the campus of UMBC, and has extensive experience providing individual and group psychotherapy to young people with issues of self-confidence, finding direction and managing difficult emotions. Outside of the Family Center, Dr. Varhol currently works in the Counseling Center at Johns Hopkins University, where he helps students prepare for and manage the challenges of college and young adulthood. |
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Peter Musser, Ph.D.Peter Musser, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who specializes in substance abuse treatment with adolescents and adults as well as helping families cope with the effects of addiction. Additional specialty areas include anger control/management, anger in marriage, couple and family conflict and post traumatic stress reactions (PTSD). Dr. Musser received his Doctorate at the University of Maryland Baltimore County and completed his Doctoral Internship at the VA Medical Center in Perry Point, Maryland. He has published various articles on substance abuse and family conflict and implements cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic and psycho-educational interventions to help clients correct faulty thinking and facilitate behavior change. |
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Janet Bradley, MS, LGPCJanet is a graduate of Loyola University Maryland’s Pastoral Counseling Program. As a counselor working with adolescents, families, and couples, Janet encourages hope, optimism, meaning, and understanding as clients cope with adversities. In counseling, Janet creates an environment of acceptance where a greater sense of awareness is developed, and the possibilities of change and choices are explored. Janet is a strong advocate for happiness and works with her clients to develop a better quality of living.Work includes: Family and Couples Therapy, Anxiety and Depression Counseling, Adolescent Transition Counseling, Parent/Child Issues, Blended Family Issues |
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Heidi Woods, L.C.P.C.Heidi Woods received her Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University and has joined the staff at The Family Center to enhance our services to active duty military members and their families. She is especially interested in providing guidance and support to the families of those members of the Armed Forces who are facing deployment, redeployment or re-integration into civilian life.Heidi will also continue to provide services to people who are not in the military. Heidi specializes in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders in children, adolescents and adults, as well as, the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and helps clients address parenting issues. Heidi implements cognitive behavioral, behavior modification, relaxation, exposure and solution focused therapies to help clients achieve a better life. |
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Gail Jenkins |
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Tavell Collins |
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LadyLady is a 13 month old Rough Coated Collie. She joined the Family Center when she was 4 1/2 months and is our first animal assisted therapy dog. Lady thinks that everyone who comes to the Family Center comes to see her, so please say hello to her when you come.When she is not working, she enjoys playing Frisbee and running in the park with her canine siblings. |