Marissa Lloyd
MS, LPCMH, CTP, NCC
Marissa is a licensed professional counselor of mental health (LPCMH), certified trauma practitioner, and a nationally certified counselor (NCC) who is passionate about providing nurturing practices that best serve children, adolescents and their families.
Through internships and post-graduate work, she has 10 years of working solely with children and families in various setting such as not-for-profit mental health agencies, schools, mental health court, the State of Delaware Prevention & Behavioral Health Services and pediatric primary care offices. Marissa currently provides both traditional, office based therapy as well as equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP). For more information on EAP, please see our frequently asked questions page.
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University of Delaware (2010): Bachelor's Degree, Psychology
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Wilmington University (2014): Master's Degree, Clinical Mental Health Counselor
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Delaware Guidance, Advanced Clinical Training Program (2016): graduate of a two year intensive, post-graduate training
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Certified Trauma Practitioner through The National Institute for Trauma & Loss in Children
Marissa is a native and resident of Middletown for over 25 years. After many years of working outside of the area, she is happy to help her fellow residents resolve issues such as:
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Grief, Trauma & Loss
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Depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts
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Anxiety
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Anger, Aggression
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Bullying
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ADHD
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Divorce/Separation
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Sibling or Family Conflict
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Self-Esteem
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Academic struggles
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Poor Social Skills
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Poor School Behavior
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Adoption, Foster Care
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Oppositional behavior
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Parenting Skills
Katie Harp
LCSW
Katie is a licensed clinical social worker. She works full time in hospice, but has always loved working with children and families. She has extensive experience with children in various settings including intensive sensory-based therapies, grief, residential placements, and school settings. Through internships and work settings, she has experience working with issues such as:
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Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Bereavement
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Social Skills
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Foster Care
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ADHD
Katie is trained in the fundamentals of the Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-Based model of intervention (DIR®), Executive Functioning, Sand Tray Therapy, and Sensory Processing.
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University of Delaware (2011): Bachelors Degree in Psychology, Minor in Disabilities Studies
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Michigan State University (2016): Masters in Social Work, Certificate in Clinical Social Work and Families
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Tier 2 Behavioral Health Provider Training through the Center for Deployment Psychology (2016)
Marjorie Vélez
MA, LPCMH
Marjorie is a bilingual licensed professional counselor who is passionate about providing therapy to children, adolescents, and families.
Marjorie attended the University of Delaware and graduated with her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Biology in 2010. In 2013, she obtained her Master's degree at Eastern University in Counseling Psychology. Marjorie has over 10 years experience working with children and adolescents in different capacities, and over five years experience working in the mental health field providing therapy.
Her experience in mental health ranges from private and non-profit agencies, school based services, intensive in-home services, and long and short term therapies. She has walked along side and empowered others in their goals to resolve issues with:
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Trauma
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Depression and suicidal thoughts
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Self-harm
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Grief and loss
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Anxiety
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Oppositional and defiant behaviors
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ADHD
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Social skills
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Anger management
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Family conflict
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Parenting skills
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Academic and behavioral issues at school
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Self-esteem/self-worth
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Relationship issues
Marjorie provides services in Spanish and has worked with diverse populations from various cultural and faith backgrounds.
In working with clients, Marjorie respects the courage families, children, and adolescents have to seek help. She humbly joins and empowers them in their journey to find healing, peace, success, and mental wellness. Marjorie hopes to join you in your journey to find the peace and joy in your personal, family, school, and work life.
Denise Thomas
LCSW
Denise is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Delaware. She graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology with a concentration in health services. Denise attended and completed her graduate degree in Social Work with a concentration in mental health from Delaware State University. She has received additional training and has become certified in the area of trauma. Denise specializes in providing Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). She also has a great deal of knowledge in the area of neuroscience – how the brain is impacted by traumatic experiences.
Denise has worked with children and families for over 15 years and provided counseling for children, youth, and families for approximately 10 years. She has spent a significant amount of her career servicing foster children and at-risk children and families in the office, community, and school setting. Denise also has experience working with military youth and families. More recently, Denise has expanded her practice of counseling to serving others in arena of telemental health services.
JeanMarie
St. Clair-Christman
Ph.D.
JeanMarie is new to our practice and is working on her full biography.
JeanMarie utilizes DBT, CBT and mindfullness based approaches with children ages 10 and up. She has a special interest in school behavior, IEP/504, disabilities, anxiety, depression and peer relationships.
Jill Haer
LPCMH, NCC, CCM
Jill Haer is a Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health. She has over 19 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of populations, as well as extensive experience providing supervision to new therapists. Jill is nationally certified through the National Board of Professional Counselors and the Commission for Case Management.
Jill graduated from Frostburg State University in 2003 and has lived on the beautiful eastern shores of Delaware and for over 20 years where she enjoys the outdoors and raising her two wonderful boys. Jill will be providing teletherapy to help you and your family facilitate new learning, insights, ways of thinking, communicating and managing emotion. Jill specializes in the following populations:
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Ages 13 and up
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Substance Use Disorders
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Polysubstance Dependence
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Mood Disorders
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Personality Disorders
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Schizophrenia
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Medication Management
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Reality Therapy
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ADHD
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Autism
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Correctional Settings
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Court Ordered Treatment
Vicky Primer, Ph.D.
LMFT
I am excited to offer you the opportunity for a personal journey toward problem resolution and healing, designed specifically for you and your needs. Understanding that each of us is the sum of all we experience, and that each of us has a very personal journey in this world, each person seeking services is provided an individualized, collaborative path to healing.
My career reflects best practices identification and effective implementation and employing of evidence based programs to serve at risk children, individuals and families. I completed my doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy at Kansas State University. I have worked in all of the major systems (community mental health, juvenile justice, child welfare, and crisis services) as a practitioner, administrator, and teacher.
Clinically, I specialize in treating individuals and families who are experiencing difficulties due to trauma. I am trained and certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), trauma intervention recognized internationally an effective and efficient intervention. Additionally, my expertise includes couple therapy, family therapy, persistent mental health disorders, and grief and loss. I utilize a Strategic Family Therapy Approach because:
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It is a theory of optimism and hope rather than explaining problems as pathological and terminal.
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It is a therapy of change rather than insight without action, promoting solutions and new behaviors over only understanding and excuses about why problems should exist.
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Strategic therapy is dedicated to the premise that therapists should practice in an active, directive, and skillful fashion.
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The tone of therapy is warm and respectful, often with a playful nature. Humor is used frequently.
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The uniqueness of clients and the need for interventions tailored to that uniqueness is respected. The therapist works within the client’s own world view whenever possible.
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Flexibility is a key element of the therapy, and different approaches are needed for the variety of presenting problems and cultural, ethnic, and social contexts brought to therapy.
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It is a therapy of responsibility – of parents for children, of therapists for clients, and of supervisors for supervisees.
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Strategic therapy is a therapy of justice and advocacy in which therapists take strong stands against violence and abuse and advocate for children, families, and those who may be disenfranchised from the typical world.
In an effort to bring about my own best practice, have studied with highly recognized leaders in the MFT field and in the Reiki community, received supervision from honored professionals in MFT and trauma, and have developed a network of exceptional colleagues. My practice focuses on holistic interventions that are culturally sensitive and relevant to the client.