A therapist that best suits your needs.
Meet Our Team
Christine Williams, PhD, LCPC, DBT-C, CCTP II International Psychologist & Board Approved Supervisor
Lead Clinician & CEO
Christine is the lead clinician and owner of Live. Balanced. Life, LLC. With over 13 years of experience in the mental health field, she has come to find her niche; working with clients who have experienced trauma. In recent years, she has started showing an increased interest in treating clients with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and chronic pain. She has found success with treating complex trauma using a variety of techniques including DBT, Somatic, EFT/Tapping, EMDR, and IFS. She equates counseling techniques to medicines doctors give their patients. Her philosophy is that like patients who take medications, no one pill cures an illness, therefore she believes no one therapeutic technique fits all. Her goal is to engage in lifelong learning to amass enough therapeutic approaches so that she can offer various interventions for clients to choose from, and that each client can have a tailor-made treatment plan resulting in better treatment outcomes.
Christine has interned in a psychiatric hospital and worked as an in-home IOP therapist where she offered interventions to at-risk youths and their families, who experienced trauma. Additionally, she has served as a behavioral health senior-level case manager at a leading insurance company and as a case manager to the homeless population in Howard County Maryland.
She holds licenses in DC, MD, and VA and is a board-certified clinical supervisor in Maryland. She is certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and is a level II Complex Trauma therapist. Currently, she is working on being certified in EMDR-which she has received extensive master’s training in.
Christine has completed her PhD in International Psychology, with an emphasis in trauma studies. Her focus was on vicarious or secondary trauma, which mimics PTSD symptoms, without the affected person being directly exposed to the trauma. She is a member of American Psychological Association’s Division 52 (International Psychology).
Christine likes to say “I find myself nerding out, with using the various research-based and cutting-edge techniques to support my clients who are experiencing PTSD/complex trauma.”
She truly believes counseling/therapy is her calling and loves doing it!
*Not accepting new clients at this time.
Sheeba Abraham, CRNP, PMH-BC
Nurse Practitioner
Sheeba, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a degree from the University of South Alabama. With over 22 years of experience in psychiatric nursing, she brings extensive clinical expertise and a deep commitment to mental health care. Sheeba has demonstrated excellence in critical thinking, clinical judgment, and patient-centered care throughout her career. She is known for her professionalism, adaptability, strong communication skills, and ability to perform effectively in high-pressure situations. Her practice emphasizes safety, empathy, and accountability.
Sheeba takes a holistic approach to mental health, providing comprehensive care for individuals of all ages dealing with mood disorders, PTSD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. She treats each client with compassion and respect, aiming to create a supportive and nonjudgmental environment. Sheeba understands and is passionate about reducing stigma and advocating for her patients. She is dedicated to walking alongside you on your journey toward healing and wellness.
Gail Feldman, MSW, LCSW-C
Board Certified Supervisor
Clinical Supervisor
Gail joins Live.Balanced.Life,LLC as the Clinical Supervisor for Social Workers. She received her MA and MSW degrees from Catholic University of America in the District of Columbia. She has held her Maryland LCSW-C since 1980 and is certified by the Maryland State Board of Social Work Examiners as a clinical supervisor since 2006. She has worked as a clinical supervisor since 2008.
Most of her professional career was at St. Agnes Hospital where she provided intervention for critical and chronically ill adults in the ICU and cardiac units. Many of her patients suffered from comorbid medical and mental health issues including cancer, pulmonary issues and stroke, along with adjustment disorder, anxiety and depression. Gail provided crisis intervention, trauma-focused and grief counseling, as well as discharge planning to her patients. She also owned a private practice (Health Counseling Associates of Columbia) in the 1990’s and provided individual and couples psychotherapy to clients with comorbid disorders such as cancer and mental health diagnoses.
Gail has provided clinical supervision to many passionate and talented Maryland master’s level social workers to achieve Maryland LCSW-C licensure. By using empathy and humor as a part of the supervisory and therapeutic process, she expects this opportunity to be both educational and fun!
Joseph Becker, MS, LMSW Field Supervisor
Clinical Social Worker
Joe joins Live. Balanced. Life, LLC as a licensed Social Worker (LMSW) in the state of Maryland, with experience working with clients of all ages who face issues related to anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationships, parenting, and suicide.
Joe aims to provide a warm and affirming space to explore issues and develop practical goals aimed at improving clients' quality of life. He uses a person-centered approach, rooted in the philosophy of Carl Rogers while applying appropriate evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT).
Joe's prior work experience includes seven years as a secondary math and special education teacher in Rochester, NY. He also spent several years as an ultimate frisbee coach. Joe continues to pursue hobbies and makes it a priority to help clients hold space for leisure activities as well.
Joe attended the University of Denver and is licensed by the social work board in Maryland.
*Not accepting new clients at this time
Colleen Whelan, MSW, LMSW
Clinical Social Worker
Colleen has a master’s degree from Salisbury University in Social Work. She has prior experience working as a clinical intern with a local clinic, where she worked with a variety of clients offering individual and family therapies for children and their families. She also worked as a case manager with Goodwill Industries.
Colleen brings to LBL the unique experience of being hard of hearing. Her family discovered she was hard of hearing at the age of three, and this discovery necessitated her attendance at Gallaudet University the “deaf mecca”, located in Washington, DC. Her sojourn at Gallaudet and the lessons learned there, influenced her perception of her sense of self/identity, community, and culture, as growing up she had difficulties with her identity.
Colleen emphasized that she knows the feelings of frustration one can experience when they sense of self as a person is overlooked. As such, she wishes to work specifically with the LGBTQ+ community to offer them a safe space to process their challenges while holding space for their identity.
Colleen loves the field of trauma and intentionally applied to LBL to grow in this field of study. She is eager to expand her knowledge and experience in trauma-informed care, as well as, trauma-focused psychotherapy, while implementing evidence-based approaches. Currently, she embraces person-centered and CBT modalities but implements other evidenced-based approaches to meet the needs of her clients.
Colleen is licensed by the Maryland Board of Social Workers.
In her work, she embraces the words of Brené Brown “Truth and courage aren't always comfortable, but they're never weakness. Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity.”
*Not accepting new clients at this time
Kevin Retana, MS, LMSW
Clinical Social Worker
Kevin is the proud son of Salvadoran parents. He received his Master’s in Social Work from Arkansas State University. Prior to joining LBL, his career began in Washington, DC, where he served as a permanent supportive housing case manager, advocating for individuals and families facing homelessness and systemic barriers. Those years of front‑line work deeply shaped his understanding of trauma, resilience, and the complex realities people carry into the therapy room.
Kevin believes he is a context‑oriented therapist who helps clients uncover the “why” behind their patterns, emotions, and experiences. He practices from a person‑centered approach and brings a nuanced cultural sensitivity to his work with the Latino community. As a Spanish‑speaking clinician, he warmly welcomes clients who prefer therapy in Spanish.
Kevin is committed to professional excellence and ongoing growth. He actively pursues additional training in evidence‑based modalities to continually strengthen his clinical toolkit. Clients appreciate his ability to adapt, by offering structured, solution‑focused guidance when needed, or providing a grounded, compassionate presence for those who simply need to be heard without judgment. His work is rooted in respect, cultural humility, and unconditional positive regard.
Accepting new clients
Yana Benyumov, MA, LCPC, NCC Field Supervisor
Clinical Counselor
Yana holds a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Washington Adventist University. She has been with Live.Balanced.Life.LLC since September 2021. Yana comes to counseling after a 20+ year career in the television industry eager to make a positive contribution to her clients’ lives.
Yana works with her clients to heal past trauma and help them move forward with their lives. Another interest is working with clients who feel stuck and may need guidance in finding their way, helping clients through life’s transitions, such as departure to university or graduation from college, launching a career, and those going through divorce and separation. Yana’s approach is eclectic, pulling from various methodologies and tailoring treatment to each individual. While she is encouraging, warm, and non-judgmental, she leans on pragmatic thinking and actions to help clients feel empowered enough to take the necessary steps to better their lives.
Yana has licensure from the Maryland Counseling Board.
*Not accepting new clients at this time
Eileen Taing, MS, LCPC, NCC
Clinical Counselor
Eileen graduated from Walden University with a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Her prior experience includes working as a mental health technician at an inpatient hospital and a residential facility with adults dealing with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and grief. Eileen is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor who is passionate about helping those who are struggling with their mental health.
Eileen understands that every person is unique, as such, she tailors her approach to each client. Her personal intervention preferences, however, are person-centered and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Eileen tries to provide a warm and empathetic environment for clients to feel as if they are in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
Eileen believes she is a good fit for LBL because she finds trauma work to be fascinating due to its long-term impact on the individual, both physiologically and psychologically. She aims to continue to hone her skills as a trauma provider and make this her life goal to help clients overcome the impact of trauma, for them to live well-balanced lives.
Eileen has her license from the Maryland Counseling Board.
*Accepting new clients
Alison Lynch, MS, LCPC
Clinical Counselor
Alison is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with a master’s degree in counseling from the Johns Hopkins University School of Education. With a career spanning inpatient psychiatric care, community mental health, and specialized services for older adults, Alison has supported clients through a variety of challenges.
Her experience includes leading psychosocial groups, providing individual counseling, facilitating caregiver support groups, and helping families navigate grief and loss. Alison’s work as a direct service hospice volunteer and Alzheimer’s support group facilitator reflects her commitment to compassionate care, especially during life’s most difficult transitions.
Alison completed five units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). She volunteered as a hospital chaplain for over a decade, offering compassionate support to patients and families during difficult times. Alison also facilitated Alzheimer’s support groups, helping individuals and their families navigate the emotional challenges of cognitive loss and caregiving.
At LBL, Alison values the cultural and personal stories that shape each client’s experiences. She offers a trauma-sensitive and person-centered environment, helping individuals explore their inner strengths, practice new skills, and find deeper connections to self and others. Guided by the belief that “our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful parts of us” (David Richo, PhD), Alison is dedicated to empowering her clients to achieve their goals and thrive.
Alison is a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the Spiritual Care Association (SCA), embracing the unique journey of every individual with empathy and respect.
*Accepting new clients
Dorcas Lisa Dickson, MS, LGPC
Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor
Dorcas “Lisa” Dickson is a graduate of Towson University with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She is pursuing a Master's in Counseling Psychology at Bowie State University. Before coming to LBL, she had over four years of experience working with diverse populations in mental health. This includes her work at Sheppard Pratt, in which she worked closely with patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and those affected by domestic violence and eating disorders. Lisa believes that this experience has given her a deeper understanding of complex mental health conditions and the importance of individualized care, as well as helped her develop some of the necessary skills needed to become an expert in the mental health field.
Though she takes an eclectic approach to therapy, she does favor a person-centered approach in which she provides compassionate, client-centered support by helping to foster growth, resilience, and balance in the lives of those she serves.
Lisa chooses to complete her internship at LBL because of its focus on trauma. She wants to hone her skills as a trauma provider as she continues her graduate studies and professional journey, which ultimately will give her the skills needed to make a meaningful impact in the mental health field. In tandem with the mission of LBL, Lisa says, “My ultimate goal is to empower individuals to overcome challenges and lead fulfilling, balanced lives despite the difficulties they are facing or previously faced.”
Lisa will complete her graduate studies and pursue licensure by December 2025.
Ira Jamal Branch, MS, MA, LGPC, NCC
Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor
Ira is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC), licensed by the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists. He holds a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Bowie State University. He earned a double Bachelors of Science degree in History and Psychology from Towson University, and a Master’s degree in Applied Psychology from Shippensburg University.
Ira brings to LBL twenty-five years of prior experience as a high school educator, where he has taught Advanced Placement Psychology and International Baccalaureate Psychology in various high schools across Maryland. As a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Ira has volunteered his services to and offered career and academic coaching and mentoring to young men in their Guide Right and Kappa League programs.
Ira has a particular interest in working with men’s issues. Many men are socialized to rely more heavily on thinking than feeling, which can make it difficult to access, identify, and express emotions, especially in close relationships. This often shows up as communication breakdowns, emotional disconnection, difficulty with vulnerability, or conflict in male-female relationships. Ira helps men develop greater emotional awareness, expand their capacity to express themselves authentically, and build stronger, more secure connections with partners.
Ira’s theoretical orientation leans towards Strength-based therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. This collaborative approach allows him to empathize and genuinely connect with clients while utilizing empirically sound methods to address cognitive distortions and negative thought cycles. Ira’s passion is to help clients develop emotional resilience and coping mechanisms to mitigate stressors in their lives, while also facilitating clients’ ability to live their “best lives” to reach their full Potential.
Brett Lacey
Clinical Intern
Brett Lacey is a dedicated mental health professional with over 15 years of experience working with justice-involved individuals in academic, community, and clinical settings. His practice is rooted in trauma-informed care, recognizing the profound impact of adversity and the importance of creating a safe, empowering therapeutic space for healing and growth.
Brett specializes in supporting individuals navigating life transitions, identity development, and recovery from trauma. He has extensive experience delivering structured Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and integrates a compassionate, client-centered approach that honors each person’s lived experience. His therapeutic style is eclectic, blending CBT with other evidence-based modalities to meet clients where they are—emotionally, psychologically, and culturally.
With a PhD in Criminology and Criminal Justice and a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, Brett brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to his clinical work. He currently serves as an administrator in criminal justice prevention and correctional practices and teaches as a university professor in criminology and criminal justice.
Brett’s work is guided by the belief that healing is possible through connection, reflection, and intentional change. He is committed to walking alongside clients as they reclaim their narratives, build resilience, and move toward meaningful personal transformation. He will pursue licensure in Counseling Psychology following graduation in December 2025.
Jordan Shapero
Clinical Intern
Jordan graduated from Stevenson University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is on track to complete his Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University in December 2026. His professional background includes serving as a supportive employment specialist, where he helped individuals with mental health diagnoses obtain and maintain meaningful employment. He also brings experience as an intake coordinator and has volunteered with the Crisis Text Line, by offering compassionate support to individuals in moments of crisis/need.
Jordan’s clinical approach integrates person‑centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). He is committed to creating an empathetic, calm, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel safe to explore their experiences. From there, he supports clients in recognizing patterns, identifying triggers, and learning practical coping skills they can carry forward.
Outside of his clinical work, Jordan volunteers with a youth group of middle and high school boys, creating space for connection, mentorship, and open conversations about life experiences. He enjoys spending time in nature, swimming, and unwinding with video games when he has time to himself. Jordan is eager to continue growing as a therapist and is excited to support clients on their healing journeys here at LBL. After completing his graduate program, he plans to pursue his LGPC to continue advancing in the field.
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Marae Wright
Clinical Intern
Marae Victoria Wright is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student, Suicide and Crisis Counselor, and graduate of Towson University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She supports individuals navigating anxiety, trauma, life transitions, self‑esteem concerns, and relationship challenges.
Her approach is warm, trauma‑informed, and collaborative. Marae believes clients deserve both compassion and honesty, offering a supportive space to process life’s challenges while gently encouraging deeper reflection and growth. She helps clients explore patterns, build insight, and take intentional steps toward meaningful change.
In addition to her clinical work, Marae uses her social media platforms to expand access to mental health education, reduce stigma, and empower people to pursue healing. Through psychoeducation, reflective content, and practical coping tools, she strives to make mental health support more approachable and relatable, thus helping individuals feel seen, validated, and motivated to create the life they want to live.
Haya Haddad
Clinical Intern
Haya Haddad is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student preparing to complete her degree in August 2026. As a Jordanian and a product of Middle Eastern culture, Haya offers a unique and deeply informed perspective to her clinical work. She understands the nuances of Middle Eastern psychology, family dynamics, cultural expectations, and the unspoken emotional experiences that often shape identity and mental health. This cultural insight allows her to support clients with sensitivity, authenticity, and a strong appreciation for their lived experiences.
She also brings more than seven years of experience in human resources, employee relations, compliance, and client‑centered support services. Throughout her career, Haya has worked closely with individuals from diverse backgrounds, helping them navigate complex personal and professional challenges while fostering trust, advocacy, and meaningful connection.
Haya is known for her natural ability to identify core issues quickly and to foster collaborative, solution‑focused approaches to problem‑solving and symptom reduction. Her clinical training includes assessment, treatment planning, crisis intervention, psychoeducation, and evidence‑based therapeutic approaches. She is particularly passionate about supporting individuals experiencing life transitions, anxiety, depression, trauma, and personal growth challenges.
Haya is committed to providing compassionate, culturally responsive, and ethical care. Her goal is to empower clients to build resilience, deepen self‑understanding, and create meaningful, lasting change in their lives.
Jacquelyn Boyer, AAS
Credentialing and Billing Specialist
Jacquelyn serves as the Credentialing and Billing Specialist at Live.Balanced.Life.LLC, where she oversees the credentialing and billing processes with precision and efficiency. Drawing from her extensive healthcare background, she has developed a keen ability to address challenges, streamline operations, and ensure compliance with industry standards. Her attention to detail and commitment to accuracy ensure the smooth functioning of the organization and contribute to a seamless experience for both providers and clients.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Jacquelyn values quality time with her teenage son, sharing a deep appreciation for football and lacrosse. Their involvement in these sports extends beyond spectating; they actively engage in practices, events, and community gatherings that strengthen their bond. Her passion for fostering connection also extends to organizing local events, bringing people together to build a sense of camaraderie and support.
Known for her boundless energy and contagious laughter, Jacquelyn lights up every room she enters. Her dynamic personality, combined with her strong problem-solving skills and dedication to teamwork, allows Jacquelyn to approach every task with a problem-solving mindset, balancing efficiency with a personable touch. In all aspects of her life, she seeks to create meaningful connections and contribute to a supportive environment.