MEET OUR TEAM
In practice since 2000, Caron Starobin, LCSW-C is an individual, couples, family, and group therapist with expertise in working with autistic people and their families. She also has expertise providing neurodiversity-affirming couples and family therapy. Through a process of self-observation, clients find their vitality and resiliency and learn ways to take an active role in creating change in their lives. Caron creates an atmosphere of empathy, warmth, and acceptance in therapy. She draws from therapeutic approaches that are relational and encourage reflection and action to create change. These approaches include Relational Life Therapy, Bowen Family Systems Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Gottman Couples Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Mindfulness. She uses a range of evidence-based social and communication training methods in autism groups.
Caron obtained her Bachelor’s in dance with a concentration in psychology at St. Olaf College and her Masters of Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She is certified in Relational Life Therapy, studied in the Post-Graduate Study Program at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family, and is certified in PEERS® (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills). She was also trained in the S.P.A.C.E approach by Dr. Eli Lebowitz of the Yale Child Study Center. She is a professional member of the American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA) and of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Caron is a Board Certified Clinical Supervisor.
Caron provides individual, couples, and family therapy for adolescents, young adults, and adults with a specialty in Neurodiverse-diversity affirming couples therapy. To request a free, brief consultation, click “Request an Appointment”.
Janice Ulrich, LCPC
Janice (Jan) Ulrich, LCPC, specializes in working collaboratively with parents and caregivers of children and young adults. Her work emphasizes helping parents reduce anxiety and challenging behaviors in their children. Jan was trained at the Yale Child Study Center in the “S.P.A.C.E.” approach to help reduce cycles that can feed anxiety. This approach has also been proven effective for parents of anxious young adults. She is also certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). These family-centered approaches inform Jan's work and add to her warm and inviting way of engaging with children and families. In addition, Jan provides counseling services for adults seeking help and support for navigating life’s complexities. Jan uses her extensive experience and solid knowledge base in advocacy for neurodiverse communities to enhance and inform her work when serving autistic people and their families. She consults in childcare and educational institutions throughout the Greater Washington area.
Jan obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Tennessee and her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Loyola University Maryland. She is a member of the National Board of Certified Counselors.
Jan provides therapy for children, parents, and adults. She is PCIT-certified and SPACE-trained supporting her speciality in working with parents. To request a free, brief consultation, click “Request an Appointment”.
Yutong Chen, LGPC
Yutong Chen, LGPC, views each individual as a whole person and creates a safe environment for clients to discover their unique strengths and struggles. Yutong works with neurodivergent and non-autistic children, adolescents, and young adults. She also provides parent-focused therapy. Yutong works with people in the LGBTQIA+ community, welcomes clients of all gender identities and sexual orientations, and has a particular interest in helping people learn about and explore human sexuality. She has experience working with people struggling with anxiety, depression, social and relational challenges, trauma, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders. Yutong has a particular interest and passion for working with immigrant families, bi-racial or multi-racial families and international students with struggles such as identity development, life transitions, and the acculturation process. She uses a person-centered and culturally sensitive therapeutic approach and engages strategies from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-focused therapy, mindfulness practices, and family systems therapy. Yutong provides therapy in English and Mandarin Chinese.
Yutong received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2018. She received her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Vanderbilt University in 2022. Prior to coming to Starobin Counseling, Yutong worked as a live-in resident director at the Our Place Nashville (OPN), a nonprofit organization that provided housing arrangements for neurodiverse adults and elderly people. At OPN, she coached independent living skills, organized a range of social programming, and worked with residents and their families to create an enjoyable and inclusive living environment for residents. In addition, she worked as a graduate teaching assistant for college students at Vanderbilt University, as well as a private tutor and child care provider for neurodivergent and non-autistic K-12 students.
Yutong provides therapy for children, adolescents, young adults, and adults as well as parent-focused therapy. Appointments available soon!
Bari Turkheimer, LMSW
A Licensed Mental Health Professional, Bari Turkheimer has focused her clinical skills, knowledge, and training to providing mental health services to individuals who live life on the autism spectrum. She’s excited to share her expertise in a way that will provide support to children and adolescents who are siblings of people on the spectrum. Bari also has experience supporting individuals with anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Bari applies a strengths based approach to her practice, nurtures and develops strong therapeutic relationships with clients, and applies Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques in her work with children and teens.
Bari received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2016. Additionally, she received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Maryland at Baltimore in 2019 with a specialization in families and children. Prior to becoming a social worker, Bari worked as an ABA instructor at the Ivymount School. Bari returned to the Ivymount school in 2019 as a Mental Health Provider and currently works with elementary and middle school aged students in the Multiple Learning Needs Program and Model Aspergers Program.
Bari facilitates the Siblings Together group. To request information for Siblings Together, please click below and Bari will be in touch!
Caron Starobin, LCSW-C
Rebecca Gibson, LCSW-C
Rebecca Gibson, LCSW-C, specializes in working with people who have experienced complex trauma, including persistent struggles originating years in the past. She’s worked in various settings including schools, nonprofits, treatment foster care, and community mental health, gaining experience with ADHD, grief and bereavement, prenatal and perinatal mental health, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. Becca has expertise working with teens, adults, families, and couples. She cares deeply about supporting neurodivergent individuals and families and has worked with autistic people for more than 10 years. She also has experience working with LGBTQIA+ and other marginalized communities. Becca believes in the power of empathy and authenticity in the therapeutic relationship. She works collaboratively with clients and believes in each individual’s innate capacity for healing and growth. She values supporting fellow empaths and caregivers, including those who identify as “Highly Sensitive Persons” (HSPs).
Becca obtained her Bachelors in Family Science from the University of Maryland in College Park, where she also studied public health. Her studies emphasized the impact of systemic oppression and intergenerational trauma on individuals, families, and communities. She earned her Masters of Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Post-graduate training includes Internal Family Systems, Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Psychodrama, Motivational Interviewing, and Polyvagal theory. Becca also enjoys training other professionals, and has provided consultation and presented company-wide trainings on topics including Teaching About Sex to Traumatized and Developmentally Disabled Youth and Navigating Suicidality with Clients.
Becca provides therapy for older adolescents, young adults, adults, couples, as well as parent-focused therapy. To request a free, brief consultation, click “Request an Appointment”.
Sarah Jacques, LMSW
Sarah Jacques, LMSW, celebrates clients as unique, whole individuals who are more than just a collection of their struggles. With a strengths-based, person-centered, and culturally respectful approach, she joins with children, adolescents, young adults, parents, and families to help clients build confidence and address their challenges. Sarah has worked with neurodivergent and non-autistic clients wrestling with anxiety, depression, trauma, phobias, psychosis, eating disorders, and family conflict. She regularly draws on cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, narrative, solution-focused, and play and art therapies, as well as mindfulness approaches. Sarah helps clients express themselves, discover valuable insights into their stories, and make lasting change. Sarah is experienced working with clients in the LGBTQIA+ community and warmly welcomes clients of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
Sarah earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore, specializing in Behavioral Health. While earning her Masters degree, Sarah interned with Expressive Therapy Center, working with clients ranging from early childhood to middle age. Much of her work involved supporting clients on the autism spectrum with emotional expression and relational and social skill development, all the while emphasizing and celebrating their unique strengths. She previously interned with the University of Maryland Baltimore Office of Educational Support & Disability Services to support disability rights initiatives, secure accommodations for students with disabilities, and provide academic coaching. Sarah also accumulated over 200 hours of crisis intervention experience while volunteering with Crisis Text Line, where she helped move texters experiencing acute emotional distress from a "hot moment to a cool calm." Sarah has also been trained in the S.P.A.C.E. approach by Dr. Eli Lebowitz of the Yale Child Study Center.
Sarah provides therapy for children, adolescents, young adults, and adults as well as parent-focused therapy. To request a free, brief consultation, click “Request an Appointment”.
Cathy O'Donnell, Office Manager
Catherine (Cathy) O’Donnell brings warmth and attention to the position of office manager. She attended Wellesley College in Massachusetts before transferring to Georgia Tech where she graduated with a degree in Information and Computer Sciences. She went on to get a Master’s in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. After working in the tech industry, she returned to school to get a Master of Arts in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University. Cathy taught elementary school in MCPS and worked with both neurotypical and neurodiverse students in her classrooms. There she viewed her most important job to be her role in supporting her students’ curiosity and facilitating a love of exploration and learning. She established warm relationships with her colleagues and the families in the community and brought that outlook with her when she transitioned to work in healthcare. Cathy’s technical background, combined with her experience working with families, helps keep things flowing smoothly so that the clinical staff at Starobin Counseling can focus on the important work of helping families and individuals make positive changes in their lives.
cathy@starobincounseling.com
301-417-5979, ext. 0
sarah@starobincounseling.com
301-417-5979, ext. 6
becca@starobincounseling.com
301-417-5979, ext. 5
bariturk1227@gmail.com
301-417-5979, ext. 4
yutongsc@gmail.com
301-417-5979, ext. 7
jan@starobincounseling.com
301-417-5979, ext. 2
caron@starobincounseling.com
301-417-5979, ext. 1
