Find the therapist that best suits your needs.
Our team
Carolyn Dawkins, MS, LCSW-C
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Ms. Dawkins is a Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical Level with 40+ years of experience as a therapist. She is well versed in working with children, adolescents, adults, and couples using various therapy forms. She has worked with patients on a wide range of conditions, from ADHD to Schizophrenia. Her goal is to frequently help people resolve a variety of emotional, behavioral, and mental health problems through talk therapy. She firmly believes that while we can't change the past's difficult situations, we can work together to understand better and resolve the challenges in patients' lives.
Ms. Dawkins applies complementary therapy approaches and techniques which aid in unearthing long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding patients back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life. By capitalizing on her own life experiences and extensive education, she strives to help her clients take back their life by regaining control of who they are and what they want to become. She recognizes that life can sometimes knock us down, but it is during these challenging times that we learn who we are and, with a little help, we climb back up that hill. Her mission is to see all of Diversified's clients succeed.
Ms. Dawkins has a Master's Degree in Social Work and is the owner and Executive Director for Diversified Counseling Services. Email — LinkedIn
Kenneth Hoffman, M.D. M.P.H.
Dr. Hoffman is retired from the U.S. Army Medical Corps after 23 years active duty. He held positions of increasing responsibility, which include duty assignments as the medical director of the Federal Interagency Board for Military and Veterans Health, medical director for TRICARE Population Health Improvement, and director of preventive services for the U.S. Medical Command in Korea. In addition, he served as the director for the Center of Training and Education in Addiction Medicine at the Uniformed Services University. Since 1988, Dr. Hoffman taught at the Uniformed Services University in psychiatry and preventive medicine.
Dr. Hoffman earned his B.A. from Cornell University, his M.D. from Eastern Virginia Medical School, and his M.P.H. from Harvard University School of Public Health.
Tony Doran, Psy.D.
Dr. Doran has more than 20 years of experience in psychological and neuropsychological assessment. He utilizes concussion management software technology and takes a developmental neuropsychological approach to learning evaluations, ADHD assessment and head injury evaluation and management. Dr. Doran completed his post-doctoral training in neuropsychology at Harvard Medical School and received a doctorate of psychology from the University of Hartford. Past research projects have been several studies evaluating mTBI and effect on speech, severe studies on stress in Special Forces personnel and studies monitoring DoD and Navy suicide prevention efforts. Dr. Doran has taught psychology classes at the United States Naval Academy and John Hopkins University. In addition to his private practice, over the years Dr. Doran has served as a subject matter expert and consultant for Military and Tier 1 Commanders selecting Special Forces personnel at a variety of sites throughout the country.
Kathleen Ackerman, MD
Dr. Ackerman is a board licensed psychiatrist that graduated from the Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences At The Univ of Buffalo in 1976. She is committed to her practice and patients at Diversified Counseling and is focused on positive outcomes for her patients
Kristena A. Jenkins, MS, LCPC, ADHD-CCPS
Kristena A. Jenkins (Miss Kris) is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with a concentration in Child Psychotherapy. After graduating with a master's degree in professional counseling, she received her LCPC and started her professional counseling business called Think and Play Counseling, L.L.C. In 2013, she contracted with Bleach and Associates, LLC., which is now Diversified Counseling Services, LLC. as a Child Psychotherapist. In 2019, Miss Kris received her supervising license and is a Maryland Board-Approved Supervisor for LCPC Interns. In 2020, Miss Kris decided to assist children in another way and received her ADHD-CCPS to also serve as a Clinical Certified Professional Counselor specializing in children with ADHD. Miss Kris counsels children aged 2-18 with various behavioral disorders and emotional issues using C.B.T., Solution Focus Brief Therapy, Child-Centered and Directive Play Therapy, and Filial Therapy
Miss Kris attended Argosy University and graduated with a Master's degree in Professional Counseling.
James Taylor, MD
Sonja Watts-Means, LCSW-C
Sonja has worked for 30+ years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Clinical Level (LCSW-C), enabling her to gain a wealth of knowledge, experience, and insight when counseling children, teens, and adults. As a Traditional and Faith-Based Therapist, she is skilled in Individual, Couple’s, Group, and Family Counseling. She also assists in Care Plans and Referrals for families with elderly or vulnerable dependents.
Sonja acknowledges that there are times in life when we need someone who can listen and help provide a semblance of hope and healing while easing the impact of our discomfort. She specializes in working with those impacted by death, loss of all kinds, medical disability, and trauma-related issues. She seeks to be a shoulder to lean on and the person her patients turn to for help in finding closure despite their vulnerabilities. Additionally, Sonja is most pronounced in her work with Law Enforcement, Correctional Officers, Helping Care Professionals, Church Members and Leaders, and persons with various mental disorders meeting the criteria for Outpatient Treatment.
Natasha Bowditch
Natasha has worked in the behavioral health field for over 15 years, gaining experience in treatment models including, but not limited to cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, culturally sensitive therapy and solution-focused therapy. Her areas of expertise include: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), sexual trauma, childhood trauma, depression and anxiety disorders, addictions, and couples, family and marital counseling. As a seasoned Adult Psychotherapist, she is passionate about helping her clients change their personal narratives and define and learn to live their best lives despite their prior experiences.
Jean L. Chappell, LCSW - C
Ms. Chappell is a licensed clinical social worker that began her career at social services in the Foster Care unit. She has since worked in a clinical therapist's role, currently at Diversified Counseling Services. She specializes in treating a myriad of disorders such as anxiety, depression, grief, and PTSD. Other areas that interest Ms. Chappell are mindfulness, parenting, self care, sleep, and adjustment issues.
Before starting her career, Ms. Chappell was a full-time stay at home mom. She is raising a child with a physical disability and has since become an advocate for others with a similar disposition.
Ms. Chappell has and continues to engage in volunteer activities outside her role, including sponsoring refugee families and fostering refugee children.
Ms. Chappell obtained a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland at Baltimore (UMBC), specializing in Family and Children.