Welcome! Creative Counseling Connections specializes in working with FAMILIES, CHILDREN, and ADULTS for the treatment of:
- anxiety and depression, utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (using realistic thinking to decrease intensity of feelings), The Dare Program and biofeedback
- communication, conflict resolution and relational concerns
- trauma utilizing EMDR and TF-CBT
- complex developmental trauma concerns via use of TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention & TF-CBT), attachment theory and family systems approach
- alternative (non-medicinal) treatment of ADHD via Brain Integration Therapy
- grief and loss
- biofeedback training for stress, pain, and handling emotions
About Sara Rodriguez, LCSW-C
Post-Graduate Certifications:
- Cognitive Processing Therapy for Trauma, National Center for PTSD
- Trust-Based Relational Intervention Practitioner (TBRI), Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development
- “Adoption Competent Counselor,” Adoptions Together/C.A.S.E
- Trauma-Focused CBT Program, University of South Carolina
As an independently licensed clinical social worker, I enjoy using my training and experience in therapy to serve others. I am not the typical therapist depicted on TV who simply nods her head and asks “how does that feel?” I believe it is my job not only to create a safe place where you can feel heard and understood, but to send you out the door with skills you or your child can use in your daily lives.
As a believer, I am able and happy to include spirituality as a part of this journey, upon request. It is my goal that healing, connection and hope grows as a result of our time together. Please feel free to visit the rest of my website for more details.
Contact:
Sara Rodriguez, LCSW-C
Germantown, MD
301-740-6643
Independent Contractors serving Creative Counseling Connections
Gabby Berry
Gabby Berry works with children, teens and adults. She is on track to become a registered play therapist. She has a soft, calming approach perfect for helping children and teens feel comfortable. Gabby incorporates play and art therapy, TBRI and attachment-based therapies such as theraplay and parent-child interaction, TF-CBT, DBT and CBT-based activities beyond simple talk therapy. These techniques can be helpful for those who have difficulty expressing themselves or struggle with anxiety or depression. She also utilizes Brain Integration Therapy for a holistic, non-medicinal treatment of ADHD. Parents will also have access to training in “therapeutic parenting” by senior therapist, Sara Rodriguez, LCSW-C.
For adults, Gabby works with depression and anxiety. She also utilizes attachment theory and Making Sense of Your Worth/Past for those recovering from unhealthy families of origin and how it impacts current relationships.
Gabby believes that every person has a story to tell!
Ben Hurlburt, grad-level resident



Licensed Psychotherapist, retired military veteran, Christian counselor, wife and mother of two sons. I enjoy working with teens and adult individuals with their most complex issues. I am a certified Traumatologist, EMDR level 2 trained. I prefer to create a tailored approach to every individual based on their unique needs. Therapeutic interventions used have included emotion focused couples therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, coping skills, expressive therapy and trauma informed intervention.
I have immediate openings and accept Cigna/Evernorth and Carefirst/Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Bio: Elise Celli

Elise is a licensed clinical social worker and artist who has worked with a variety of clients, including but not limited to those struggling with depression, anxiety, and pain. She works with all ages, but particularly enjoys working with men for general issues and young adults (teen through late 20’s) where she offers real-world strategies on adulting and becoming independent based on the client’s individual life circumstances. She also works with children from an attachment and trust-based perspective (TBRI) and encourages parents through connected parenting strategies.
Ms. Celli successfully counsels a range of clients in various settings that include family therapy, group therapy, adoption counseling, reunification counseling, as well as crisis counseling. She is skilled in a variety of counseling modalities including; CBT, DBT, TBRI, Theraplay, psychodynamic, and attachment-based interventions; and is comfortable and well-practiced with Judeo-Christian-based counseling (upon request). She is also training in biofeedback for pain and somatic complaints.
Elise Celli has a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Maryland and is a formally trained artist with a degree from the Fashion Institute of New York, which allows her to combine her two passions, art and therapy, to create dynamic counseling tools for certain clients where appropriate.
According to Elise, “Art has the power to transform and heal, and yet so too does communication with a highly empathetic and trained individual, especially when it comes to trauma. By combining various theoretical perspectives, I am able to connect with clients and meet them where they are, so we can work together to get to where they want to go.”
Ms. Celli, together with her husband Louis lives in Montgomery Village, Maryland and together enjoy a blended family of six children, two grandchildren, and one puppy daughter named Savannah.