Meet The Team
The DMV Team

Co-Founder | Licensed Mental Health Therapist

Dr. LaKeith Sutton, LCSW

"The Little Brother"

LaKeith Sutton is a PROUD DC NATIVE and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. He has been practicing psychotherapy for 8 years, and during that time, he has
worked with children, adolescents, families, couples, and individuals. He has helped clients deal with grief and loss, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and other mental health barriers. LaKeith is trained in evidence-based practices such as Trauma Systems Therapy & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Prior to practicing psychotherapy, LaKeith spent 3 years working as a
truancy case manager in the Philadelphia (PA) school district. After that, LaKeith spent 5 years providing case management services to unhoused and housing insecure individuals and families before transitioning into becoming a Program Manager at Pressley Ridge where he oversaw their independent living program for transitional age foster care youth in the state of Maryland. LaKeith is a graduate of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with an emphasis in Social Welfare and African
American/African Studies in 2011. LaKeith also attended Temple University where he earned a Master of Social Work with a Clinical Concentration specializing in children, youth, and families in 2014. Lastly, LaKeith earned a Doctor of Social Work from the University of Kentucky.

Co-Founder | Licensed Mental Health Therapist

Dr. Brian Sutton "Dr. B"

"The Big Brother"

Brian Sutton is a proud DC native, a Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LGPC), a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Certified EMDR Therapist (EMDRPT-I), a Certified Solution-Focused Brief Therapist (SFT-PT), and a Certified Neuropsychotherpist (NPT-C). He specializes in creating a safe space where people can be heard, seen, and validated. His mindset is to help clients listen to their inner voice (thoughts) concerning how they feel (emotions). Dr. B has a talent for working with people who struggle to find their voice, understand their path, identify their struggles, and seem lost in who they want to be. He utilizes a holistic approach to therapy that deals with clients' mental, emotional, and spiritual parts. Dr. B is a certified Neuropsychotherapist who specializes in Person-Centered Therapy, EMDR Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Integrated Therapy, Choice Theory, and Christian Spiritual Counseling. However, he will always adjust his approach to meet the needs of the client he is working with. Dr. B's primary goal is to help his clients achieve the best version of themselves and become their ideal selves. He works with a variety of clients from all different backgrounds. He conducts individual, couples, family, and adolescent therapy. He works with clients on various issues to assist them in their healing journey.

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Brian is a United States military veteran and served 12 years in the United States Army as a Psychological Operations Specialist. He has been studying psychology and mental health for over ten years as a passion and a means to assist people within my community. Dr. B is a college professor who has been teaching psychology and counseling courses since 2017. He has presented at multiple professional conferences about research topics on diversity and multicultural issues related to African-American people. Dr. B completed his Ph.D. in Counseling, Education, and Education at Walden University, graduated from American Military University with a Master of Arts in Psychology, and graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in Social Science.

Licensed Mental Health Therapist & Psychiatric Nurse 

Dr. Julaine Newell 

Dr. Juliane Newell is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and mental health counselor with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) and certification as a Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP). She specializes in treating Generalized Anxiety, PTSD, stress management, depression, and communication skills. Dr. Newell uses a client-centered, empathetic approach to foster personal growth and well-being, with a particular focus on supporting first-generation individuals and military personnel.

Her diverse background includes chronic pain management, biofeedback techniques, and a commitment to creating an inclusive, stigma-free therapeutic environment. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Newell received her DNP from George Mason University and her RN from Howard University.

Licensed Mental Health Therapist

Dr. Renee Bullock 

Dr. Bullock is a licensed resident in counseling in Virginia and a National Certified Counselor (NCC) with experience in providing counseling services to individuals, families, and couples. She offers support to clients with various concerns, including but not limited to trauma, depression, anxiety, stress management, substance abuse, and communication difficulties. Dr. Bullock employs different therapeutic approaches such as EMDR Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Her main focus is helping clients enhance their self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence by helping them separate the problem from the person and creating a new narrative or renewed meaning to their lives. She believes that we can regain control of our lives by "re-storying" one narrative at a time. Dr. Bullock holds a Doctorate in Psychology, a Master of Science degree in Psychology, a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice, and a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Licensed Mental Health Therapist 

Ashleigh Jackson

Ashleigh is a Licensed Resident in Counseling in Virginia and a National Certified Counselor, (NCC). She began her career in mental health, working with adolescents in 2020, and has experience providing counseling to adults as well as adolescents facing a variety of challenges such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling overwhelmed, grief, assertiveness, and communication skills. She aims to provide a safe and supportive atmosphere where clients feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings without fearing judgment. Using an integrated approach to help clients achieve healing and become the best version of themselves, it is Ashleigh’s goal that upon termination, clients will have improved self-esteem, communication skills, coping skills, and tools to use when feeling anxious, depressed, or faced with a variety of life’s challenges. Ashleigh is a graduate of Liberty University where she earned a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2021. She is also an alumnus of Argosy University where she earned a Master of Arts degree in Forensic Psychology in 2018.

Licensed Mental Health Therapist

Tawana Lee, LICSW

Tawana is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker from the Midwest who returned to Washington, DC in 2019. With a passion for helping individuals and families, she specializes in working with clients facing anxiety, ADHD, depression, trauma, and substance use. Tawana is dedicated to helping clients manage stress, improve communication, and navigate difficult emotions.
Before becoming a social worker, Tawana served 12 years in the U.S. Air Force as an Information Manager/Knowledge Operator, where she gained a deep understanding of confidentiality and accurate record-keeping. She later worked for the U.S. State Department as a Community Liaison Office Coordinator in Europe, where she was responsible for communication and outreach, guidance and referral, and crisis management and security. This role helped Tawana develop an even greater appreciation for the unique challenges faced by individuals who feel invisible, misunderstood, or underrepresented.
Tawana’s professional experience also includes working as both a School-Based Therapist and a Telehealth Therapist, allowing her to provide vital mental health support to children, families, and individuals across different settings. As a mother of four, she deeply understands the complexities of balancing parenting, work, and personal well-being, especially during high-stress times as she often parented alone while her husband was absent fulfilling military obligations.
She is committed to supporting parents, women, military veterans, government employees, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Tawana holds a Bachelor of Applied Science with a minor in Psychology from Campbell University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California. Her therapeutic approach is rooted in a Solution-Focused, Person-Centered, Strength-Based, Psychodynamic, and Psychoanalytic framework. She also incorporates other models such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based CBT to tailor her treatment to the unique needs of each client. By blending these evidence-based approaches, Tawana aims to help her clients achieve emotional well-being, personal growth, and a deeper understanding of themselves.

Licensed Mental Health Therapist

PHILIP SAIN, LGSW, LMSW

Philip “Phil” Sain is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker in Washington, DC. He has extensive experience working with youth and adults, particularly persons with HIV and those vulnerable to acquiring HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Phil also has experience working with persons with comorbidities including chronic illness, grief, anxiety, depression, trauma, and mood disorders. Phil worked in entertainment marketing and public relations for over a decade before transitioning to public health. With his experience and resources in the entertainment sector and public health, Phil has had the opportunity to conduct and execute professional and leadership roles in various settings, with diverse populations, including the healthcare and the nonprofit sector. Before providing individual psychotherapy, Phil served as a medical case manager where he assessed patients' health and oversaw plans to manage their conditions and progress, as well as provided referrals to resources to address their needs. He takes on a holistic approach to therapy because he believes in addressing the “whole” person in therapy based on the eight dimensions of wellness; spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical, financial, environmental, occupational, and social. Phil supports an accountable, supportive, non-judgmental, and culturally sensitive environment for all clients. He encourages clients to find meaning in their past experiences and works with them to discover how those experiences are affecting how they perceive their world in the present. He believes that by gaining insight and increasing awareness, people can become more empowered to take control of how they respond to life's adversities.

Phil earned a master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from The Catholic University of America, a Master of Business Administration from Webster University; and He holds a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia.

Licensed Mental Health Therapist

ERICA DOE, LGSW, LMSW

 Erica Bianca Doe is a DC native and daughter of Liberian immigrants. Erica is a licensed psychotherapist in Washington, DC and Maryland with extensive experience guiding the wellness journey of people of all ages, particularly women youth, and young adults. Erica has worked with clients through grief and loss, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and major life transitions. Erica has a knack for curating safe and creative spaces for folks who show up for everyone else, and struggle to show up for themselves; those who feel unheard and unappreciated; and those who are challenged with embracing their true selves in a society that offers competing perspectives of who they should be. Erica's therapeutic approach is integrative, culturally sensitive, and adaptive. Erica often utilizes art, cognitive behavioral, insight-oriented, and solution-focused therapy, and will always adjust to what works best for clients. Erica believes that everyone deserves a nonjudgmental and supportive space to cry, release, discover, rediscover, and heal. It is my privilege to hold that space for clients.
Erica is a graduate of Columbia University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies with an emphasis in Sociology. She has also earned a Master of Social Work degree from Syracuse University. Erica currently is pursuing a doctoral degree in Public Health from Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

Clinical Consultant

JAY MAIDEN, ED.D, LPC

Dr. Jay Maiden is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a unique skill set refined toward counseling and helping others. His work experience ranges in adult, adolescent, and group therapy. Jay has over 15 years of experience assisting clients with depression, anxiety, relationship struggles, and various other mental health and emotional challenges. Jay uses a person-centered approach emphasizing the importance of the therapist/client relationship and a solution-focused approach to allow the client to develop a vision of the future and offer support as they determine the skills, resources, and abilities needed to achieve that vision successfully. Jay’s counseling philosophy is based on an acknowledgment of the individual’s background and personal beliefs. Jay’s specialties include: Grief, Stress Anxiety, Depression, Relationship issues, Family Conflicts, Trauma and Abuse, Intimacy-related Issues, Anger Management, Self-esteem, Career Difficulties, Coping with Life Changes, and Coaching.

Licensed Mental Health Therapist- Children & Adolescent

Brandon Jackson-Mills, LMSW

 Brandon is a mental health therapist passionate about helping community members fulfill their mental wellness goals. Brandon’s clinical experiences are extensive & include work as a psychiatric technician helping youth survivors of sexual trauma, an event coordinator, vocational trainer, & life skills coordinator for the Latin American Youth Center, as well as social worker & program manager for a semi-independent living program in PG County, Maryland. He concentrated his education in the areas of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Motivational Interviewing (MI), which he integrates in therapy. 

Brandon’s collegiate and early work history enabled him to specialize in interpersonal relationships and the communication skills needed to help him develop a strong rapport with his prospective clients. He believes in the importance of a strong therapeutic relationship and works to ensure clients feel heard, understood, and respected. 

Additionally, Brandon’s history as a military youth and a multi-sport athlete allowed him to work with various multicultural groups and within a team, goal-driven atmosphere. Brandon desires to create a safe, non-judgmental arena where clients can gain reflective self-knowledge and begin a journey towards growth and ultimate life satisfaction.

Intern

Kirsten Simpkins

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Kirsten Simpkins as our newest Counseling Intern at For Us Therapeutics!  With over 30 years of experience as a compassionate and creative school counselor, Kirsten brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to our team. She holds a Master’s Degree in Professional School Counseling and a Graduate Certificate in School Administration, making her a powerhouse in both education and mental health support.

Kirsten is passionate about helping individuals navigate life's challenges and build brighter futures. Whether you're seeking guidance, support, or a safe space to talk, Kirsten is here for you.