Founding
Partners
ASDI's founding partners each has more than
30 years of experience in treating anxiety
disorders.
Sally Winston, Psy.D.,Co-Director
Dr. Winston is recognized regionally and
nationally for her expertise in the treatment of anxiety disorders.
She co-founded the Anxiety Disorders Clinic at Sheppard-Pratt
Hospital in 1978, and served as Senior Psychologist there until
1992. She provides training and supervision as well as treatment.
She has served as Chair of the Clinical Advisory Board of the
Anxiety Disorders Association of America and has been involved in
public education about anxiety disorders for decades.
Steven Shearer, Ph.D., Co-Director
ASDI's Associates
L to R: Cynthia Browne, LCSW-C (sitting), Stephnie Thomas, MS, LGPC (sitting),
Patricia Alfin, LCSW-C, DCSW (standing), Lee Goldberg, LCSW-C (standing)
Patricia Alfin, L.C.S.W.-C., D.C.S.W.
Ms. Alfin has provided individual, couple and family therapy for 18 years. She specializes in the treatment of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders and personality disorders using cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic and systemic perspectives.
Victoria Baxter, Psy.D.
Dr. Baxter provides individual assessment and therapy for all ages. Her special interests include: survivors of child abuse, domestic violence, trauma, anxiety disorders, depression, substance abuse, ADHD, and impulse control problems.
Eve Berkow, A.P.R.N., M.S.W.
Ms. Berkow provides therapy for individuals and couples. She specializes in panic disorder, stress management, work-related stress, depression, OCD, trichotillomania, generalized anxiety, psychological aspects of medical disorders and longer term therapies.
Cynthia Browne, L.C.S.W.-C.
Ms. Browne has provided therapy for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families for 25 years. She is a graduate of Smith College School for Social Work and has taught at Towson University. She specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders and mood disorders particularly in children and adolescents. She also practices ERP for OCD and DBT as indicated.
Michael Checknoff, L.C.S.W.-C.
Mr. Checknoff provides psychotherapy for people who have anxiety disorders and other problems. He has special interests in the treatment of OCD and of school anxiety. While he focuses on working with children, teens, young adults and families, he also works with adults of all ages. He holds two degrees from the University of Virginia and an MSW from Smith College School for Social Work.
David Epstein, Ph.D.
Dr. Epstein provides psychotherapy to older children, adolescents, adults and couples. His areas of specialty include mood and anxiety disorders with particular focus on the behavioral problems often manifested in children and adolescents struggling with these conditions. Treatment is drawn from a variety of perspectives including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral and systemic.
Lee Goldberg, L.C.S.W.-C.
Ms.Goldberg provides individual and family therapy for adults and children. Her special interests include geriatrics and in vivo exposure for anxiety disorders.
Carol Halpin, R.N., L.C.S.W.-C.
Ms. Halpin provides individual therapy for adults. She specializes in life-stage transition issues such as divorce, grief, medical illness, and infertility. She is a Gottman certified couples therapist and provides cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness and psychodynamic approaches to treatment.
L to R: Eve Berkow, RN, LCSW-C, Joan Pfeiffer, LCSW-C, Jonathan Mattanah, PhD
Michael Heady, M.A., L.C.P.C.
Mr. Heady utilizes in vivo exposure and exposure plus response prevention for anxiety spectrum disorders. He also provides individual therapy utilizing cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness approaches for anxiety and stress related concerns. Mr. Heady splits his time between ASDI and lecturing at McDaniel College.
Jonathan
Mattanah, Ph.D.
Dr. Mattanah specializes in the treatment of anxiety
and mood disorders using a combination of cognitive-behavioral and
psychodynamic techniques. He also works with adolescents and adults
experiencing challenging or significant life transitions. Dr.
Mattanah is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Towson
University.
Zelda Milstein
Ms.Milstein was the first in vivo therapist
in Maryland and a co-founder of the Anxiety Disorders Clinic at
Sheppard-Pratt Hospital in 1978. Although semi-retired, she still
specializes in in vivo exposure and coaching about
cognitive coping skills for panic disorder, agoraphobia, OCD and
fear of flying.
Andre Papantonio, M.A., L.C.P.C.
Mr. Papantonio provides individual
and group therapy for adults. He specializes in the use of
mindfulness meditation and cognitive-behavioral treatment for
anxiety disorders and stress-related conditions.
Rodney Parker, M.Div.
Mr. Parker is a clinical intern who is currently a
doctoral student in the Pastoral Counseling Program at Loyola
University of Maryland. His work includes in vivo exposure
and response prevention therapy for anxiety disorders. He also
provides individual therapy using cognitive-behavioral
approaches.
Joan Pfeiffer, L.C.S.W.-C.
Ms. Pfeiffer provides individual psychotherapy for
adults. She specializes in treating panic disorder, chronic worry,
PTSD, OCD and depression using cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic
and mindfulness-based
approaches.
Amy Rabinove, Ph.D.,
J.D.
Dr. Rabinove provides individual therapy to
adolescents and adults. She specializes in the cognitive-behavioral
treatment of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders,
and chronic pain. Dr. Rabinove holds degrees in clinical health
psychology and law.
L to R: Randi Schwartz, Ph.D., Carl Robbins, MSEd, MS, LCPC, Carol Halpin, RN, LCSW-C
Carl Robbins, M.S.Ed., M.S., L.C.P.C.,
Director of Training
Mr. Robbins has over 20 years
of experience in treating anxiety disorders and co-occurring mood
and substance abuse disorders. His primary approach is
cognitive-behavioral
with extensive use of "Third Wave" approaches including Acceptance
and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy.
Subspecialties include health anxiety, paruresis, and performance
anxiety, including public-speaking and sports-related
difficulties.
Randi Schwartz, Ph.D.
Dr. Schwartz provides psychotherapy to older
adolescents and adults. Her areas of specialty include disability,
chronic illness, loss, grief, panic disorder, multi-cultural
counseling and vocational reconstruction after injury or illness.
Dr. Schwartz holds degrees in both Counseling Psychology and
Rehabilitation Counseling.
Stephnie Thomas, M.S., L.G.P.C.
Ms.Thomas is a specialist in in vivo
exposure coupled with coaching about cognitive coping skills for
panic disorder, social phobia, OCD and fears of flying or driving
situations. She also works with older children and teens who have
specific phobias. She earned her master's degree from Loyola
College.
Shawn Costello Whooley, Psy.D. and Michael Heady, M.A., L.C.P.C.
Dr. Whooley provides psychotherapy to older adolescents and adults.
She specializes in cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based
approaches for trauma and anxiety disorders, mood disorders,
stress-related conditions and grief and loss.
Lucky the Wonder Dog,
Unlicensed Exposure
Therapy and Warm Fuzzies Specialist
ASDI: Serving the Baltimore Area & Central Maryland
Anxiety and Stress Disorders Institute of
Maryland:
Treating anxiety disorders and stress-related disorders in Towson,
Maryland, since 1978.