Meet The Team
Clinical Director & Founder
Tanya Wagner, LCSW-C, LICSW, CCTP, NACC
"It's our pleasure to help you cultivate the healing you want and deserve". As the owner and founder of Rivers of Healing, I look forward to assisting you in meeting your goals in the best way, that works for you! I specialize in working with clients who have a history of depression, anxiety and trauma issues that stem from childhood disruptions in the formative years of life. Many of the skills you will learn in therapy will be practical and applicable.
The main treatment modalities used in sessions are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Trauma Focused Healing and Support. In addition, clients who are Christian and desire to infuse their beliefs into their treatment plan are also able to get support in sessions. No matter your background you have come to the right place. We look forward to walking with you on this journey, gently guiding and being a constant source of empowerment and encouragement. Email us at info@riversofhealingcounseling.com to get started!
Licensed Professional Counselor, Bi-Lingual
Robert Celis, MA, MS, LGPC
Robert has ten years working in educational settings, half spent as an academic counselor, foster youth case manager, and clinical counselor. Robert has experience working with teens and early adult populations experiencing low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, trauma, difficult life transitions, and relationship issues. Robert has experience at a community-based site and university psychological counseling center utilizing CBT, mindfulness, psychodynamic, and trauma-informed care modalities.
In addition, Robert’s approaches include strength-based/humanistic, narrative, and multicultural to meet historically underserved clients, of color, first-generation young professionals, and anyone willing to grow and heal.
Robert aims to create a safe space where clients can discuss life experiences confidently and without judgment and empower clients to recognize their strengths and new perspectives. Aside from work, Robert enjoys spending time with family and friends, going on weekend road trips, experiencing new cultures, traveling, and gaining new hobbies.
Rashida George has over 20 years of experience serving families and youth. She studied Social Work at Columbia University School
of Social Work and later at the Gestalt Center for Psychotherapy
and Training. Rashida also has experience in empirically-based
treatment modalities including; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems Therapy Trauma and Grief Component Therapy for Adolescents and Motivational Interviewing.
Rashida is also a registered Yoga Therapist and a Nationally Certified Restorative Justice Practitioner. She uses these practices to provide healing opportunities, assist clients in decreasing anxiety and stress, increase awareness and connection to the body and to develop creative problem-solving techniques. Rashida prioritizes her client’s needs and creates a safe space for authenticity and respect with the goal of supporting clients to utilize their innate strengths to accomplish their positive goals. Rashida is exclusively working with Carefirst/Blue Cross/Anthem plan members.
Assistant Clinical Director, Licensed Psychotherapist
Joy-Ann Hogue, LICSW, LCSW-C
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked in the mental health field for over 15 years providing an array of mental health services to clients. I currently provide therapeutic services for adults, couples, and families. I am also trained as a forensic interviewer and work with victims of Sexual Abuse.
I also work with clients who are experiencing depression, anxiety, and personal crises. I have been trained in various psychotherapy models such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive-Behavioral and Trauma therapies.
I make every effort to understand my clients' needs and to help them work through challenging situations. I strongly believe in the value of therapy and the impact it has to help heal past traumas and anxieties. I am here to support and guide you through the healing process so that you can live the life you choose to live. Joy-Ann also utilizes faith based methods for clients who prefer therapy from a christian perspective.
Licensed Psychotherapist, Certified Suicide Interventionist
Jessica Agbar, MSW, LMSW
Jessica Agbar, completed her Bachelors degree in Social Work at Bowie State University and her Masters Degree in Social Work at Howard University. She seeks to engage clients using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She also finds it important to work with clients using a strength based perspective, Motivational Interviewing and an Empowerment approach.
She is certified and trained in applied Suicide intervention, Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence awareness, as well as Bystander Intervention. Therapy with Jessica looks like setting a peaceful atmosphere with clients where rapport is built and warm engagement is the focus.
She provides a safe space where individuals can feel comfortable sharing their concerns in order to gain insight on their struggles and stressors. She helps clients to set a safe space for their needs to be met. Jessica also utilizes faith based methods for clients that prefer therapy from a Christian perspective.
Licensed Psychotherapist, Certified Forensic Investigator
Cathy Gonzalez, MSW, LGSW, Bi-Lingual
I completed my Bachelors degree in Family Science at the University of Maryland, College Park and my Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. I have experience working with children, families, and adults in school-based settings and also have experience working with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence.
As a first-generation Latina, I am fluent in both English and Spanish and am passionate about working with underserved populations, including populations of color and the LGBTQ+ community.
I believe every individual has strengths that can be built on to create a happy and healthy lifestyle. I am committed to helping clients explore their individual strengths and working through the challenges of everyday life. With a variety of different therapy approaches available, together we can find a groove that best suits you. I will ensure each session feels like a safe and comfortable environment where you will be heard, respected, and supported.
Therapist, Intern
Rashida George, MSW, RJP
Rashida George has over 20 years of experience serving families and youth. She studied Social Work at Columbia University School of Social Work and later at the Gestalt Center for Psychotherapy and Training. Rashida also has experience in empirically-based treatment modalities including; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems Therapy Trauma and Grief Component Therapy for Adolescents and Motivational Interviewing.
Rashida is also a registered Yoga Therapist and a Nationally Certified Restorative Justice Practitioner. She uses these practices to provide healing opportunities, assist clients in decreasing anxiety and stress, increase awareness and connection to the body and to develop creative problem-solving techniques. Rashida prioritizes her client’s needs and creates a safe space for authenticity and respect with the goal of supporting clients to utilize their innate strengths to accomplish their positive goals. Rashida is exclusively working with Carefirst/Blue Cross/Anthem plan members.
Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist, Mindfulness & Holistic Provider
Carmen Phelps, LCSW-C
Carmen is a licensed therapist in the state of Maryland and has over 15 years of experience in working with diverse populations and groups. She enjoys enhancing others well being from a wholistic, person centered perspective. Carmen has a strong desire to develop a rapport with her clients that is foundationally based on openness, warmth, acceptance, structure and freedom! Carmen infuses mindfulness and yoga into her work with clients which assists which stress reduction and healthy changes in the mind, body and spirit.
Carmen works with clients who have a strong desire to make changes and need additional support in uncovering challenges and develop realistic coping skills that they can infuse on a daily basis. Working with Carmen looks like more of a partnership and a collaborative effort rather than being lead which minimizes your intrinsic ability to develop a path of healing that works best for you. If you have struggled with depressive thoughts, anxiousness, stress due to life changes, race and diversity issues, trauma due to abuse, body image, low esteem or identity challenges consider working with Carmen!
Licensed Counselor, National Certified Therapist, Person Centered Provider
Angela Bates, LGPC
Angela’s counseling style is empathetic, mindful, and client-centered. She believes in treating everyone with respect and dignity but equally important, she prides herself on demonstrating compassion, genuineness, and empathy. Angela’s treatment approach is set on the foundation of building a therapeutic relationship by establishing trust and rapport from the onset of sessions. Although her foundational theoretical orientation is person-centered, her approach is eclectic in nature as she integrates Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy.
Angela has experience working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, and self-esteem issues. In Process Angela believes it takes a great deal of courage to seek professional help and even more courage to implement change that is needed. Angela creates a safe space and believes you do not have to suffer any longer.
There is no longer a need to feel the trepidation of counseling. If you are ready to take the next steps to begin living a more fulfilling lifestyle, Angela would love to help navigate this most important decision with you. Angela is a firm believer in personal self-care and fully engages in proper self-care to be completely engaged with her clients.
New Client Feedback Survey
We welcome your feedback as we want to continue to make changes that will enhance your overall satisfaction and therapeutic experience! Please click the link below to begin, it will only take 5 mins!
Thank you!