Meet our team

Our talented team at Project SAFE is here to fulfill your mental health needs!

 

OWNER AND CLINICAL DIRECTOR.

LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR

Gayle Alexander

Gayle is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) in the counseling field. She completed her M.Ed. in human development and education counseling and counseling from The George Washington University and her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of California at San Diego.

Gayle’s work concentrates on mood management, executive functioning management, eating disorders and body image, coping skills, communication skills, and emotional regulation. Through individual, group, or family therapy, clients learn to identify problems that interfere with achieving a well-balanced, healthy life. They can recognize behaviors, emotions, and thought patterns that play into a negative worldview and functioning.  Gayle specializes in adolescents, young adults, and families through a person-centered, strength-based approach where each client is holistically valued.

Target population: Ages 12+ teens, young adults, adults, parents, families

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LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR

Lauren Merikas

Lauren is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) in the counseling field. She completed her master’s degree in community counseling at Argosy University. She is also a Clinical Telemental Health (CTMH) Provider and a member of Chi Sigma Iota, a counseling academic and professional honor society.

Lauren has been working with Project SAFE since 2012 and has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. Lauren’s areas of focus include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, stress management, and trauma. She also has experience working as a school-based counselor in both Maryland and Virginia.

 Target population: Middle school, high school, young adults

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LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR

Juana Huipio

Juana is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia. She completed her master’s degrees in clinical mental health counseling and forensic and legal psychology at Marymount University and her bachelor’s degrees in psychology and Spanish at Longwood University.

Juana’s areas of focus include improving self-esteem, self-worth, social skills, and anger control among children and adolescents. Juana is available to hold individual and family sessions. She is also bilingual and can work with Spanish-speaking individuals and family members.

Target population: Children, adolescents

 

LRC RESIDENT COUNSELOR

Kelsey Newcomb

Kelsey is a resident counselor currently working toward independent licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia. She received a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from The Chicago School in Washington, D.C. Kelsey’s clinical experience includes a significant amount of behavioral, art, and play therapy to supplement traditional talk therapy practices. While her background includes years of working primarily with children and teens, her caseload includes clients throughout all phases of life development. She is familiar with counseling those experiencing depression, anxiety, and trauma, as well as issues related to body image, but has graduate-level education to provide counseling based upon the specific needs of the client.

 In addition, Kelsey has certification in personal physical fitness as well as nutrition from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, which she incorporates into her clinical practice by promoting a holistic approach. Her philosophy is that emotional, physical, and mental health are all interconnected and work together to help clients achieve total wellness.

 Target population: Ages 12+ teens, young adults, adults

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LRC RESIDENT COUNSELOR

Angela Hay Donahue

Angela is currently working toward becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia. Angela earned her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Marymount University and her bachelor’s in psychology from The Catholic University of America. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a member of Chi Sigma Iota, a counseling academic and professional honor society.

Angela enjoys working with children, teens, and young adults because she respects the pressure and stress of navigating school, friends, family, loneliness, sadness, grief, self-esteem, anxiety, perfectionism, adjustment, and the many other factors that come with these unique stages of life. Her areas of focus include anxiety, stress management, self-esteem, life transitions, ADHD, and grief. She values creating a safe, empathetic, and non-judgemental space for her clients to express themselves freely. Angela has experience working with individuals and groups from a person-centered perspective, using cognitive behavior and solution-focused therapy. Additionally, she appreciates the benefits of incorporating creativity and play in therapy. Angela is available for virtual sessions with flexible hours.

Target population: preteens, teens, and young adults

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LRC RESIDENT COUNSELOR/ LICENSED PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Rachel Ratafia-Levine

 

Rachel is a Licensed Resident in Counseling (LRC) in VA working toward becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Rachel has 15+ years of experience working as a Licensed Professional School Counselor within Fairfax County Public Schools. She graduated with a master’s degree in counseling from The George Washington University in 2009.

 Rachel’s areas of concentration are communication skills, social skills, emotion identification, and emotional regulation. Using person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, and solution-focused counseling strategies, Rachel provides a safe space for children, adolescents, and adults to explore their deepest emotions and challenges. She believes that through counseling individuals learn effective strategies and tools for coping outside the therapy room.

 Target population: Individual therapy, children (ages 8+), adolescents, adults, family counseling

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LRC RESIDENT COUNSELOR

Megan Smith

Megan is a resident counselor working toward independent licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia. She graduated from Marymount University, obtaining her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. Megan has worked in both individual and group practices, supporting adolescents and young adults who are coping with the effects of anxiety, depression, grief and loss, relationship and peer issues, and LGBTQ and identity issues.

Her passion is to help clients feel safe, seen, and heard and to assist them in gaining a better insight and awareness of themselves, all while developing tools to cope effectively with difficult life experiences so they can live more meaningful and fulfilling lives! 

Megan believes in a person-centered therapeutic approach. She meets her clients where they are, welcoming and honoring them as a whole person. She believes that each client deserves an individualized approach, eclectically incorporating therapeutic modalities such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and attachment-based modalities. 

Target Population: Ages 12+ teens, young adults, adults

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LRC RESIDENT COUNSELOR

Lauren Pagni

Lauren is a Licensed Resident Counselor (LRC) working toward LPC licensure in VA and DC. She earned her M.Ed in clinical mental health counseling from William and Mary in May 2024. While her training has prepared her to work with military-connected individuals, families, and veterans, her professional interests are broad. Lauren creates a safe, non-judgmental space for her clients and works at a pace that feels right for them. She draws upon solution-focused, strengths-, and reality-based approaches to counseling while incorporating Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), play, and mindfulness techniques.

Lauren brings over 15 years of experience working with youth and adults in diverse settings and capacities, including human resources, secondary education, and non-profits focused on promoting wellness and social justice. She is eager to continue this work in her role as a resident counselor while she pursues full LPC licensure in Virginia and DC.

Target population: Ages 10+ adolescents, adults

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INTERN WILLIAM AND MARY

Janelle Daniels

Janelle Daniels is a graduate student of William and Mary. She will graduate with her Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in May 2025. She is also a member of Chi Sigma Iota, which is a counseling academic honor society. Janelle aspires to be a counselor who empowers her clients to become the best version of themselves and acquire skills to navigate relationship and developmental challenges throughout their lifespan.  Janelle draws from a person-centered approach utilizing talk therapy techniques.  She aspires to work with individuals, couples, and groups and to specialize in areas including trauma, relationship issues, stress management, burnout, and self–esteem. Janelle takes a holistic approach to health and wellness believing that wellness incorporates mind, body, and spirit. Janelle aspires to become a culturally competent and trauma-informed counselor who encourages clients to prioritize mental health in their daily lives.

Target population: Adolescents and young adults

 

INTERN LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

Garrett Ingram

Garrett will receive his master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Liberty University in May 2025 and is pursuing an LPC in Virginia. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Liberty University and has experience working in law enforcement.

Garrett has experience working with children on the Autism spectrum, using applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy through play-based and emotional regulation interventions, and is passionate about helping families grow closer together. His background in law enforcement has shaped his philosophy of bringing a safe and secure environment for people of all backgrounds and paths of life.

Target population: children, adolescents, young adults, and parents

 

INTERN MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY

Elizabeth LaPenotiere

Liz is a graduate student at Marymount University. She will graduate in July 2025 with her dual-masters in Forensic and Legal Psychology as well as Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Liz likes to utilize a humanistic approach as she believes that people change as they grow, so it’s important to take into consideration all influences of life. She hopes to work with individuals and groups, as well as to specialize in areas such as relationship and peer issues, trauma, and anxiety.

Target population: children and adolescents

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CO-FOUNDER, LISCENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR

Stephen Maczynski

Stephen passed away on 9/23/20.

Rest in peace.