Our Staff: Rockville Office

About Dr. Dalton

Dr. Dalton is a licensed psychologist who is the founder and director of the Center for Anxiety and Behavioral Change (CABC) in Rockville, MD.  He received his undergraduate degree in psychology from Villanova University, a master’s degree in psychology from The Catholic University of America, and a doctorate in clinical psychology from Fordham University with a specialization in child and family psychology. He completed two years of pre-doctoral training at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine – Kennedy Krieger Institute, and advanced postdoctoral training at the Maryland Center for Anxiety Disorders at the University of Maryland. He specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders in children and teens, with a focus on anxiety-based school refusal. He believes strongly in the importance of public outreach and frequently presents to student bodies, educators, mental health professionals, and community groups on the treatment of anxiety and related disorders. Dr. Dalton can be reached at 301-610-7850 ext. 2 or drdalton@changeanxiety.com.

About Dr. Scharfstein

Dr. Lindsay Scharfstein earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Central Florida and completed her pre-doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships at the Yale University, Child Study Center. Dr. Scharfstein specializes in the assessment, treatment, and continuing care of pre-schoolers, school-age children, adolescents, and adults whose lives are affected by anxiety and related conditions. Dr. Scharfstein is the director of the Selective Mutism program and Confident Kids Camp- DC Metro for Selective Mutism.

She conducts specialized psychological assessments for individuals with anxiety disorders, to help obtain accurate diagnoses and develop personalized treatment plans. She is extensively trained in evidence-based treatments, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD, Habit Reversal Training, Family Therapy, Parent Training/Support Sessions, and Social Skills Training. She has particular expertise in the treatment of selective mutism and social phobia (social anxiety disorder), and treatments aimed to enhance social and emotional functioning.

Dr. Scharfstein provides treatment in individual, couples, family, group, and intensive therapy formats. She engages in ongoing communication with family, school, and community systems to foster collaborative relationships and optimize treatment success and quality of life. Dr. Scharfstein additionally offers educational workshops within the community. Dr. Scharfstein can be reached at 301-610-7850 ext. 5 or drscharfstein@changeanxiety.com.

About Dr. Singer

Dr. Rachel Singer is a licensed psychologist who completed her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Boston College. Dr. Singer completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Singer specializes in child, family, and group therapy to address concerns regarding anxiety, behavioral issues, familial discord, depression, emotional dysregulation, social skills deficits, and academic difficulties. She has extensive training working directly with schools in order to provide comprehensive care for children experiencing anxiety and related disorders. Dr. Singer frequently presents at national conferences and has published in academic peer-reviewed journals. Specific areas of clinical interest include generalized anxiety, specific phobias, social phobia, trauma, and family communication. Dr. Singer can be reached at 301-610-7850 ext. 4 or drsinger@changeanxiety.com.

About Dr. Brooks

Dr. Christina Brooks is a licensed psychologist who earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from American School for Professional Psychology at Argosy University. She completed a practicum in the treatment of childhood anxiety disorders at the Child and Adolescent Anxiety Clinic at Children’s National Medical Center. She completed her predoctoral internship and two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Brooks has clinical experience in providing evidence-based treatments (individual, family, and group therapies) to children and adolescents with a wide range of emotional and behavioral difficulties including depression, anxiety, ADHD, and oppositional defiant disorder. Dr. Brooks has strong interests in treatment of childhood anxiety disorders including social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and OCD. Dr. Brooks can be reached at (301) 610-7850 ext. 6 or drbrooks@changeanxiety.com.

About Dr. Bianchi

Dr. Kristin Bianchi is a licensed psychologist who earned a master’s degree in psychology from Wake Forest University and a doctorate in clinical psychology from American University. She completed a one-year pre-doctoral internship at the American University Counseling Center and a one-year post-doctoral fellowship at the Behavior Therapy Center of Greater Washington (BTC). Upon completion of her fellowship, Dr. Bianchi continued her work at BTC for an additional 4 1/2 years. During that time, she worked in the Social Anxiety, School Refusal, and Hoarding Disorder programs. Dr. Bianchi provides clinical services to adults, adolescents, and children, and specializes in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders such as OCD, Trichotillomania (compulsive hair-pulling), and Excoriation Disorder (compulsive skin-picking). She also sub-specializes in the treatment of PTSD in the adult population. In addition to her areas of of specialty, Dr. Bianchi has extensive experience treating Social Phobia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Specific Phobias, and Separation Anxiety Disorder. She has a strong clinical interest in the intersection of fear, disgust, and contamination concerns in Anxiety Disorders. She is fluent in Spanish and enjoys working with members of Spanish-speaking communities in the United States and abroad. Dr. Bianchi can be reached at: (301) 610-7850, ext. 7, or drbianchi@changeanxiety.com.

About Dr. Hayes

Dr. Caitríona Hayes is a licensed psychologist. She earned bachelors in Studio Art from the College of Charleston and Psychology from University of Maryland. Dr. Hayes earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Child and Family Systems at the American School for Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Washington D.C.

Dr. Hayes’s pre-doctoral training experiences involved providing individual, family, couples, and group psychotherapy and crisis intervention to a diverse client population of varying psychopathology. During internship, Dr. Hayes developed a parenting group focused on realigning the organization of family systems and implementing behavioral interventions specified for oppositional behaviors, and primarily treated diagnoses related to experiences with complex, acute, and/or chronic traumatic experiences.

Dr. Hayes’s clinical interests include the impact of attachment disruptions on social-emotional development, the treatment of adjustment difficulties in the context of traumatic experiences, and working with couples and families to overcome behavioral, cognitive and relational difficulties. Dr. Hayes can be reached at: (301) 610-7850, ext. 8, or drhayes@changeanxiety.com.

About Dr. Rosenthal

Krishtine Rosenthal, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who earned her undergraduate degree from Vassar College in Neuroscience and Behavior, a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education from CUNY Hunter College, and a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Virginia Curry School of Education. She has received specialized training in the treatment of trauma and stress-related disorders at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, at the Child and Family Therapy Clinic.

She has experience utilizing evidence-based interventions, such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Functional Family Therapy to address a variety of emotional and behavioral difficulties in adults, children, and adolescents. She utilizes a collaborative approach in order to empower patients and their families in the therapeutic process. Her clinical interests include the treatment of trauma and stress-related disorders, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, phobias, and emotional dysregulation in adults, children, and adolescents from diverse backgrounds. Dr. Rosenthal can be reached at 301-610-7850 ext. 11 or drrosenthal@changeanxiety.com.

About Dr. McQuarrie

Dr. Susanna Crowell McQuarrie is a registered psychology associate with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. She received her undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and her doctoral degree from Georgia State University. She completed her predoctoral psychology internship at the University of California at Davis Child and Adolescent Abuse and Resource and Evaluation (CAARE) Center where she was certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). She has experience with Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy treatments for PTSD in adults and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for trauma symptoms in children. She specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders and parenting/behavior management strategies. Dr. McQuarrie can be reached at 301-610-7850 ext. 12 or drmcquarrie@changeanxiety.com.

 

About Dr. Gifford

Dr. Katie Gifford is a licensed psychologist who earned her Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Maryland.  She has worked in Anne Arundel County Public Schools since 2011 as a School Psychologist specializing in counseling, assessment, consultation, crisis intervention, behavioral interventions, and Individualized Education Program (IEP) development and implementation.  Dr. Gifford has presented at a variety of national conferences, published book chapters, and written articles in peer reviewed journals.  Dr. Gifford also taught as a visiting professor in the University of Maryland School Psychology doctoral program.  Dr. Gifford is trained in a variety of counseling modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Positive Psychology, and Social Skills Training.  She has extensive experience working with children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Anxiety, Depression, Mood Disorders, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Autism.  She has specialized knowledge of the school setting, and how to support academic and social-emotional success for children in Pre-Kindergarten through High School.  Dr. Gifford uses a collaborative approach in working with families, schools, and community agencies to help children realize their potential.  Dr. Gifford’s clinical interests include emotion regulation, generalized anxiety, specific phobias, depression, attention concerns, and academic success.

About Caroline Cole

Caroline Cole graduated magna cum laude from James Madison University with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She is currently a second-year graduate student working towards her master’s degree in Psychology at American University. She is involved in the Child Anxiety Laboratory and the Stress and Emotion Laboratory on campus, with a specific interest in childhood anxiety disorders and parenting approaches. Caroline will also be working as a counselor for the Confident Kids Camp- DC Metro for Selective Mutism this summer. She will be pursuing a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology to continue her education in psychotherapeutic treatment and research. Caroline is excited to work as the Intake Coordinator and can be reaches at (301) 610-7850, ext. 10, or intake-coordinator@changeanxiety.com.