Christa Stanton, LCPC, Co-Director

Philosophy

Reaching out for therapy can feel like a big step — my goal is to make that step feel supportive, collaborative, and meaningful. I take an active role in our work—asking questions, offering strategies, and helping you untangle what’s getting in the way. My clients often say I’m easy to talk to, and my goal is to create a space where you feel safe, understood, and supported as you work toward real, meaningful change. 

Individual Therapy

In our first few sessions, we’ll take time to get to know each other and explore what’s bringing you in. I’ll listen closely and ask questions to help us understand where you’re feeling stuck, and where you’d like to grow. From there, we’ll work together — at your pace — to build insight, learn new skills, and move toward meaningful change. We will practice these skills in the sessions.

I mostly use a cognitive behavioral approach called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps clients become more mindful of their thoughts and emotions — not so they can control or avoid them, but so they can respond with greater clarity and choice. Through this process, I help my clients move toward living in a way that’s more aligned with their values, even in the face of stress, anxiety, or self-doubt.​

Couples Therapy

You might be having the same fight over and over again, avoiding hard conversations, or just feeling distant without knowing exactly why.

You're not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out alone.

In my couples sessions, we’ll identify unhelpful patterns and, more importantly, we won’t just talk about them—we’ll actively practice new ways of communicating and relating, so real change can start happening right there in the room.

I draw from the research-based Gottman Method to help partners improve communication, rebuild trust, and strengthen emotional connection. Whether you're navigating conflict, feeling disconnected, or just want to deepen your bond, I offer structured support and practical tools to help you reconnect. Our sessions will focus on building a foundation of respect and understanding, so you can move forward with clarity and care.​ 

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I’m also a parent of two and have been married for over 20 years, so I understand the real-life complexity that comes with relationships, family, and personal growth. I have a diverse career background which helps me to relate to a broad range of clients. I bring both professional experience and a grounded, compassionate perspective to this work. If you're curious about starting therapy or wondering whether I might be a good fit, I’d love to connect! 

I offer in person space in Towson and Bel Air as well as virtual sessions. 

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Towson office: 222 Bosley Avenue, Suite A5/21204

Bel Air office: 522 Rock Spring Road/ 21014 ​

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Influences

  - Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  - Completed Level 1 Training in Gottman            Method Couples Therapy 

  - Seven Principles Gottman Trainer 

  - Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy 

  - Solution-Focused Therapy

John Verleger, LCSW-C, Co-Director

Philosophy

I follow what is known as the “Outcome Model.” This means that my priority is to help my client to achieve their desired outcome. For most people, this involves some variation of:

1. Decreasing emotional suffering

2. Living a meaningful, value-driven life.

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Experience

I am the Founder and Co-Director of the Family Counseling Center of Baltimore, Inc. I have over 50 years of clinical experience working with individuals, couples, and families. I also have an extensive history of providing training and supervision to other therapists. I am currently not accepting new clients. ​

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Influences:

- Strategic Family Therapy

- Eriksonian Psychotherapy

- Solution Focused Therapy

- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Beth Wheat, LCSW-C, Co-Director

Philosophy

I take a collaborative approach in helping clients achieve their goals. I view the therapeutic relationship as a true partnership in which both client and therapist make a significant contribution. "I actively participate in the therapeutic process. My goal is to provide a warm and accepting environment for clients to learn strategies to decrease their suffering and achieve their goals." 

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Experience

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Co-director of The Family Counseling Center of Baltimore. I have over 35 years of clinical experience working with clients of all ages, providing individual, couples and family therapy.​

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Influences:

- Eriksonian Psychotherapy

- Strategic Family Therapy

- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

- Acceptance and commitment Therapy (ACT)

- Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Jennifer Tinker, LCSW-C

Philosophy

​I work directly with clients and their families to offer a supportive therapeutic environment which fosters mutual respect, understanding, and positive communication. I assist clients in identifying and embracing personal strengths and attributes which may lend themselves to enhancing their lives as a whole via goal-setting, self-concept work and realistic achievement.  Therapeutic rapport is tantamount to ensuring progress and I work to ensure that my clients are able to feel safe, comfortable, recognized and supported in the work that we do together. 

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Experience

I have over  15+ years of experience working with children, adolescents and adults. I received my Master’s Degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work in 2010.  Since graduation I have had the privilege of working in hospital settings and outpatient clinics, as well as several schools, providing therapeutic services to children and adults ranging from Depression, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Anxiety, Anger Management and Mood & Behavioral Disorders.  Currently, I am working primarily with Adolescents and Adults on improving their overall quality of life and addressing stressors/trauma factors.

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Influences:

- Solution-focused therapy

- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Bill Kordonski, LCPC

Philosophy

I believe that most mental health/emotional issues are the result of rigid self- defeating patterns of thoughts, feelings and behavior.  Serving as a resource for the client, I utilize a variety of methods to increase greater psychological flexibility and life satisfaction.

Experience

I have over 40 years of outpatient clinical experience. I have performed more than 6,000 mental health assessments. For 15 years I was Director of Psychiatric Rehabilitation for Adults in Baltimore County.  Later, I was the Clinical Director of a mental health outpatient clinic in Harford County. Most recently, I was the Clinical Coordinator at Mosaic Community Services in Harford County. I provide counseling services to adolescents, adults, and couples.

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Influences:
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

- Behavior Analysis

Sarita Olson, LCSW-C

Philosophy

I work from the perspective that therapy is a creative, dynamic, and ongoing process which provides a unique opportunity for growth and positive change. I work with my clients to improve their psychological functioning, their relationships, and the overall quality of their lives.

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Experience

I have over 30 years of experience. I work with adults (18 and over), individuals, and couples. I have extensive experience in the areas of depression, anxiety, (specializing in performance anxiety), grief/loss, trauma, health and wellness, vocational issues, autism, effective communication skills, partner relationship issues and stress management. 

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Influences:

- Solution Focused Therapy

- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

- Motivational Interviewing

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