Meet our Clinic Team

Mary Blackwood, LCMFT serves as the Program Director for the Couples & Family Institute. Mary envisioned and created the Couples & Family Institute in 2018, a program that focuses on providing comprehensive and systemic care for families and couples.

She received her MS in Marriage & Family Therapy from Capella University. She completed the 18-month process to become an AAMFT Board Approved Supervisor. Mary’s love and respect for the family positioned her to share this passion with MPB Group, Inc. for the last ten + years. From an intern to Program Director, the focus has always been on providing stellar systemic services by training future dedicated family therapists that help and guide couples and families to discover or rediscover their own family harmony. She has worked extensively with families of adoption, foster care, and guardianship. This vulnerable population and the lack of resources for the families is the first program under CFI where extensive training was developed and introduced to every clinician. MPB Group is now an Adoption Competent Agency.

Mary continues to incorporate different model trainings to better prepare the CFI team to work with the various challenges couples and families bring to the clinic. Discernment Counseling, Pre-marital Counseling and Trauma-informed Family Therapy to name a few.

Mika serves as the Program Director of the Trauma Recovery Center which is dedicated to providing clinical services to those individuals who have been impacted by traumatic life experiences. She received her Masters in Social Work from UMAB in 1997 and has been a practicing psychotherapist for the last 25 years. She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional who is fluent in American Sign Language. During her career, Mika has provided mental health services for those individuals who have been diagnosed with chronic mental illness and survivors of complex trauma. In 2001, Mika provided crisis intervention and ongoing clinical support to the students, parents and staff at Winterstown Elementary School after 11 kindergarteners and several school personnel were attacked by an intruder wielding a machete. Two years later, she would assist those same students, who were now enrolled at Red Lion Middle School, after they were again re-traumatized when a fellow classmate shot the Principal and then himself in the student-packed cafeteria. Mika works with an incredibly talented team of trauma professionals who are dedicated to assisting individuals heal and recover by utilizing evidence-based practices along with a focus on self-resiliency, respect, empowerment, and hope.

Angela received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Salisbury University in 2014. Angela then went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychological with a track in Clinical Counseling from Capella University in 2022.
Angela is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) who specializes in trauma recovery for adults. Specifically, Angela has clinical experience working with adults who have anxiety, depression, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Angela believes a strong therapeutic relationship is the foundation for clients to be successful in meeting their treatment goals.
Angela focuses on meeting the client where they are at and creates a safe space for healing. Angela enjoys trying new restaurants, relaxing on the beach, and playing with her dog.

Angelica Darling is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, who has been working in the field since September 2019. She graduated from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2020, with a M.A. in Forensic Psychology, and received her counseling license not long after graduating. Her experience includes working with high school aged students battling emotional and behavioral concerns, conducting clinical interviews, and helping individuals of all ages and backgrounds dealing with anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.

As a growing professional, Angelica strives to learn from her clients just as much as she teaches them. Her goal is to help her clients see that they can dominate their worries and fears, while letting go of what they cannot control. As your clinician, Angelica will tailor her style to what suits you best. While this clinician usually operates from a CBT approach, she also incorporates talk therapy, and approaches designed to highlight an individual’s strengths to empower them. Angelica’s style allows her clients to feel at ease and provides them with a space to unapologetically be themselves. Change may be scary, but with Angelica, at least you will not have to go through it alone.

Helen, LMSW, received her Masters of Social Work from University of Maryland Baltimore in 2020. Helen works with adults with trauma and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. Her background as an immigrant and her personal experience with neurodiversity inform her cultural humility. Helen's theoretical model is Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), which believes that it's more helpful to understand difficult emotions and beliefs rather than feeling ashamed and suppressing them. Her methods include exploring the reasons behind behaviors, sharing mindfulness skills to sit with difficult emotions, identifying goals and values, and encouraging commitment to behave in ways that support clients' values.

Rachel received her Masters of Social Work from Wurzweiler School of Social Work in 2022 with a certification in trauma-informed practice. Rachel believes that relational trauma can be healed within the context of the therapeutic relationship. Rachel has a background in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, which utilizes the belief that two opposites can be simultaneously true- such as the balance between acceptance and change- to help individuals suffering from personality disorders, PTSD, and suicidality. Rachel also takes a strength based approach with her client’s, helping them to find their own power in the midst of pain and confusion. Rachel is passionate about treating individuals from underserved communities and helping clients be the “cycle breakers” of intergenerational trauma. Rachel understands the long lasting impact of early adverse childhood experiences, and aims to help individuals find their own unique path toward healing.

Rivka received her Bachelor’s degree in psychology and philosophy from UMBC and then received her Master’s degree in early childhood special education from Towson University. Rivka then received her Master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Northwestern University.
Rivka is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) who specializes in working with adults who have experienced trauma. Rivka often relies on a combination of psychodynamic, person-centered therapy, and internal family systems therapy to help clients process and heal from their trauma. Rivka believes that it is incredibly important for the therapist to understand the client’s world and find a way to reach them in that world.
When not at work, Rivka enjoys reading and playing video games.

Mikaela Kim, LGPC, has a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology and experience serving clients of various ages and cultural backgrounds in an outpatient clinic setting. In treating clients with trauma, Mikaela addresses coping and relationship patterns as well as underlying psychological and emotional needs. Mikaela integrates empirically derived approaches and provides services that are tailored to clients' life circumstances, preferences, and values.

Jomar is a compassionate and experienced Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). He earned his Bachelor of Science in Counseling Psychology from Washington Adventist University in 2017. He continued his education and received his Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the same university in 2020. Jomar is certified in C-DBT (Dialectical Behavior Counseling) and NCC (National Counseling Certified). Furthermore, he has undergone specialized training in Trauma-Informed care, enabling him to provide his clients with the best possible support.
Jomar is not only dedicated to his work but also to his personal life. He has a variety of hobbies that keep him grounded and refreshed. He has a deep love for hiking, which allows him to appreciate the natural beauty of the world around him. Jomar is an avid cook and finds joy in creating delicious meals, which he believes can be incredibly therapeutic. In his leisure time, Jomar loves playing the bass guitar and photographing the world around him. He is a passionate traveler and seizes any opportunity to explore new places and learn about different cultures.

Joshua is a licensed social worker who specializes in working with adolescents and adults. He has been with MPB Group since 2013. He received his Bachelor's of Science Degree in Social Work from Morgan State University and his Master of Social Work Degree from Stony Brook University. Prior to joining MPB Group, he worked in the foster care system for 13 years as a case manager and clinical coordinator. Joshua also has provided group therapy services to at risk youth in the community and juvenile justice system for the past 20 years.

Sherrie Todd is a graduate of University of Maryland Baltimore County with BA in Political Science as well as a Masters in Science from Coppin State University in Counseling. She started her work experience with substance use disorders in the USN as the legal officer aboard USS Yellowstone. After leaving active duty, she began work as a substance abuse/ addiction counselor in 1989. She has worked in various modalities to include Methadone Maintenance, out-patient services, partial hospitalization as well as semi-independent recovery services. She earned her license as Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor in 2000. Since licensure, she has supervised and managed counselors in the following treatment settings: out-patient services, methadone/suboxone and vivitrol maintenance as well as co-occurring treatment services. She joined MPB Group in April of 2017 working as a part time integrative therapist, which she thoroughly enjoys; helping clients find their way to their best selves.

Lorain Gabriel is a Licensed Graduate Marriage and Family Therapist in Maryland and the Clinical Manager. Lorain attended Capella University where she earned her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy and Graduate Certificate in Psychology with a focus in Play Therapy. Lorain completed her internship requirements here at MPB Group and returned as a full-time team member ready to serve her community.
Lorain is passionate about play therapy and enjoys working with children of all ages, her big box of toys shows her joy for her work. She also enjoys working with families and individuals from a systemic lens. Her main therapeutic modality is Narrative therapy. Narrative therapy is a postmodern approach to psychotherapy that is rooted in the notion of social construction and considers the impact of society's contributions to the issues we all face in life. She works with families and individuals experiencing relational discord, emotional distress, trauma, depression, anxiety, ADHD, grief and loss. Her modality helps clients see their problem as separate from themselves and develop a less problem-saturated perspective that is better aligned with their sense of self.

Krystal is a Licensed Graduate Marriage and Family Therapist in Maryland who completed her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University and obtained her Bachelors in Theatre and Dance, practicing somatic movement from Alfred University. She started as an intern at MBP Group and is ecstatic to return.

Krystal is passionate about working with couples, setting the atmosphere for neutrality and empathy. Krystal utilizes Emotionally Focused Therapy, an attachment-based approach highlighting the connection with others, which concentrates on emotional processes, emotional engagement, and experience. She works with couples facing challenges such as lack of communication, depression, intimacy issues, infidelity, discernment counseling, life-stage distress, general trauma, and pre-marital counseling. Working with families from a Structural Family Therapy approach, Krystal assists in improving family interactions between all members during developmental life stage challenges by highlighting productive family-driven solutions. She assists families with behavioral regulation, parenting skills, and strengthening familial support. Krystal utilizes a holistic and culturally sensitive approach to meet families and individuals where they are. Her philosophy is healing from the inside out creates small change, which leads to more prominent evolution in our relationships. Operating from these evidence-based treatment models, she encourages mindfulness, open dialogue, and wholeness for true transformation in couples and families!

Krystal works in the Columbia and Bowie offices as well as virtual.

Bryan is a Licensed Graduate Marriage and Family Therapist who earned his master's degree from National University. Bryan started as an intern at MPB Group and returned after passing his Boards. Bryan enjoys working with families, especially those who are experiencing behavioral issues, ADHD, depression, anxiety and trauma. His specialty is working with younger children and teens as they develop their own personalities within the family system. Helping individuals launch into adulthood is one of his many passions. Bryan’s goal for the therapy process is to create an empathetic, safe and authentic space for the family, couple or individual to grow and find their strengths and abilities to live life to their fullest. Working from a Structural Family Therapy model, Bryan helps the family to discover and adjust their roles, dynamics and patterns for a positive living experience at home through essential change.

Bryan works in the Columbia and Bowie office as well as virtual.

Zachary is a Licensed Graduate Marriage and Family Therapist who graduated with his Marriage and Family Therapy Master's degree from Capella University. He began as an intern at MPB Group and has returned to continue the challenging, yet rewarding work of restoring and strengthening marriages and families. Zachary uses the Structural Family Therapy model as a framework to explore the family system and he uses various interventions to help families become unstuck from the unhelpful, repetitive patterns that bring them to therapy. He is a person of faith who believes there is hope for everyone to find Peace and reconciliation. Zachary enjoys working alongside families, couples, and individuals as they explore family histories, discover new aspects of their families and themselves, and experience positive change.

Jennifer Staten is a Licensed Graduate Marriage and Family Therapist who earned her degree at National University. Jennifer started as an intern at MPB Group and returned after passing her boards. Jennifer specializes in child and adolescent family therapy. For her therapy work with families, she uses a structural family therapy approach combined with solution-focused brief therapy activities.

Jennifer has her certificate for The National Adoption Competency Mental Health from the Center for Adoption Support and Education. Jennifer’s goal is to become a licensed play therapist. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys playing video games, watching anime, and cosplaying, which aligns with her creative and dynamic approach to children, adolescents, and families.

Melissa Nugent, LGPC, is a licensed graduate professional counselor, specializing in trauma recovery with experience in treating anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, mood disorders and ADD/ADHD. Melissa has clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and adults from diverse backgrounds, working to create meaningful therapeutic bonds to promote a safe and effective healing environment. She believes that building a strong therapeutic bond is the foundation of a successful counselor-client relationship and takes pride in meeting the client where they are at. Melissa received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. She then went on to receive her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Melissa practices from a holistic and integrative perspective, ensuring to fully meet the needs of each individual client by creating a non-judgmental, accepting, and individualized safe space. Melissa looks to provide a warm, open-minded, supportive, and client-centered counseling approach that will meet the needs of each client and provide them with an effective and trusting place to embark on their healing journey.

Moor is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor who earned his M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Towson University in Fall of 2021.

Moor focuses on working with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem, and trauma-related issues. He utilizes therapeutic approaches, such as Client-Centered therapy, Existential therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in his therapeutic work. He believes in establishing a trusting relationship with his clients, in order to make them feel safe and supported as they confront the issues they are struggling with, through empathy, understanding, and support. Moor views each session as an opportunity to recover insights from the past, to find comfort despite the present circumstances, and create a hopeful path forward into the future.

Reina Crumpton Burks, LCSW-C is a licensed certified social worker who joined MPB Group in May 2022. She moved from a part time position with MBP Group to a full time Associate Program role in 2024. At a young age, Reina read a book entitled "A child called It" by Dave Pelzer. In this autobiographical series, Mr. Pelzer discussed his experience with abuse and navigating the foster care system. This inspired Reina to want to become a social worker and advocate for youth who can't speak for themselves.

Reina earned a Master of Social Work with a concentration in behavioral health from the University of Maryland Baltimore and a bachelor’s of arts in sociology with a minor in psychology from Howard University. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and enjoys reading, spending time with family/friends, and traveling in her free time.

In her role as the Training Director, she will guide and train our internship team members in professional development and clinical skills that will help the new and upcoming clinicians in competency and professionalism.

This is a picture of our current MFT intern team. We invite MFT interns from all universities and colleges who are seeking an MFT license in the state of Maryland to reach out to Mary Blackwood, Program Director, if interested in joining the CFI team. If you read the bios of our licensed clinicians, you will see a pattern – interns want to return.