About Us- Our Therapists

Welcome! Creative Counseling Connections specializes in working with FAMILIES, CHILDREN, TEENS and ADULTS for the treatment of:

  • anxiety and depression, utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (making connections between the way we think and the way we feel and behave), 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
  • PANS/PANDAS
  • alternative (non-medicinal) treatment of ADHD via Brain Integration Therapy
  • grief and loss
  • biofeedback training for stress, pain, and handling emotions

Life can be more than just existing. It’s possible to feel whole again.

Connect to a Therapist Who Is Right For You…

Independent Contractors serving Creative Counseling Connections

Shalom Kester, resident intern

Office location- Gaithersburg, Frederick, or virtual
$50 per session

Shalom comes to us in her second career after 20+ years in early childhood education and most recently as a director of a preschool. Shalom found she had a knack for connecting with children on deeper levels. She has completed her graduate studies and is now in her residency, able to provide low-cost play therapy. While Shalom is able to work with both adults and children, she has a particular affinity for preschoolers and early elementary. 

Modalities- play therapy, creative arts, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR (training in progress)

Christine Winkler, LCSW-C

In-network with Cigna or self-pay

Immediate evening telehealth openings. Do you feel stress and unrelenting pressure or conflict while being in a school or environment, whether as a teacher or student? Do you get stuck in cycles of task anxiety, which leads to procrastination then further stress/hopelessness? Hi, I’m Christine! I enjoy working with 1) Educators, teachers and school staff- my day job is in school social work- I understand that culture well! 2) Teens and adult females struggling with stress, anxiety or painful experiences and trauma. I can help you reduce stress levels, heal from past experiences, and feel better about yourself through CBT, Cognitive Processing, and EMDR. I help your body and your brain do a re-set that may not change circumstances, but does change how you FEEL about your experiences.
 
As a believer, I’m happy to incorporate your Christian faith into therapy, upon request only.
Christine works via telehealth only, and is available in the late afternoon/evenings.
 

Dr. Didi Anude

Office location- Gaithersburg, Frederick or virtual

Cigna or Self pay 

HI, I’m Dr. Didi Anude & I work with 1) individuals suffering from stressful or traumatic experiences, anxiety or depression and 2) relationship therapy for couples, families, & adult family members. For relationships- Do you have same arguments repetitively, cycles of disconnection? Imbalance of duties or living like roommates? Tired of going to couples therapy without progress? Estrangement or conflict with adult siblings, parents or children? First, we will track and map your specific patterns of relating, then set a plan for change and new connection (Emotionally Focused Therapy + Gottman strategies).
 
Have you experienced painful experiences? Weighed down with relentless stress? Feel hopeless that things will ever change? I can help calm your nervous system, and bring hope using evidenced-based techniques that promote change such as EMDR, CBT, and CPT. As a pastor’s wife, I’m happy to provide faith-based therapy upon request.
I also incorporate “Making Sense of Your Worth” to help you feel seen valued and heard, maybe for the first time in your life. Dr. Didi can accept Cigna or self-pay and has in-person (Gaithersburg, Frederick) and virtual openings. Please contact us via email for scheduling.
 Please contact us at creativecounselingconnections@yahoo.com for scheduling. 
 

Learn more about couples therapy and FAQ’s HERE

Emma Parks, LGSW

Hi, I’m Emma! I work primarily with children, teens and families, and TBRI-trained. Other people would describe my relaxed and supportive, yet proactive and goal-oriented- making it easy for children and teens to feel comfortable but also grow. I believe it’s important for therapy to:

1) include parents as an important piece of the puzzle 

2) send you and your child out the door with new skills or a deeper awareness every week and….

3) be fun, especially for the littles!

For kids, I can incorporate creative arts, play, games, virtual activities and even a therapy swing (!) into our time together. For teens, we may talk or incorporate creative arts depending on what you prefer. Christian counseling focus available upon request.

While I work with a range of concerns, I tend to work very well with kids struggling with anxiety, behavior, ADHD and those who have experienced childhood trauma or disconnection from their parent, including but not limited to foster care and adoption. 

“Therapist lingo” for modalities utilized:

  • TBRI and attachment-based therapies such as theraplay and parent-child interaction
  • TF-CBT, DBT and CBT-based activities beyond simple talk therapy, helpful for those who have difficulty expressing themselves or struggle with anxiety or depression.
  • Brain Integration Therapy for a holistic, non-medicinal treatment of ADHD. Ask about our upcoming online course for at-home treatment!
  • Making Sense of Your Worth/Past for those recovering from unhealthy families of origin and the impact on current relationships.

Parents will also have access to training in “therapeutic parenting” by senior therapist, Sara Rodriguez, LCSW-C. 

I look forward to hearing from you! Please email me at: creativecounselingconnections@yahoo.com.

Elise Celli, LGSW

Elise Celli, LGSW

Office location- virtual only

In-network Insurance- I accept Cigna/Evernorth, self pay or Aetna/United out of network
* Aetna, United & others- we partner with Thrizer, a reimbursement company for those with “out of network” insurance benefits. Simply pay your out of network copay or receive automatic reimbursements to your bank account every 3 weeks. Thrizer processes the requests to insurance automatically on your behalf.

Hi, I’m Elise! I enjoy working with 1) young adults and teens entering and surviving the adulting world 2) stressed out men & women- I connect well with both 4) those who feel disconnected in relationships or choose the “wrong” people after painful childhood experiences- adult adoptees welcome 4) those with chronic pain or illness. As a person who has both personal & professional experience with chronic pain/illness, I get it and am here to help! My approach? I am supportive & a little spunky, but also gently challenge you so that you can reach your goals. Christian counseling available upon request.

You might find me introducing distress tolerance skills (DBT), help you observe thoughts, feelings and behaviors (CBT), connecting the dots from past experiences to current relationships (attachment theory), & exploring the different parts of yourself that pop up when triggered (IFS). I previously owned my own art studio, so I am happy to incorporate creative arts in our time together.

She also works with children from an attachment and trust-based perspective (TBRI) and encourages parents through connected parenting strategies.

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.

Please contact us at creativecounselingconnections@yahoo.com or 301-740-6050 to connect. I’m happy to talk with you for a free 10 minute consultation to see if we would be a good fit!

Allison Anderson, LGPC

Hi, I’m Allison! I enjoy working with 1) women who struggle with perfectionism and people pleasing and 2) children and teens who struggle with perfectionism, anxiety, mood changes and grief. 

For children, I use techniques such as play, music, or art therapy depending on your child’s preferences, interests and age. Some teens may want to be creative, while others may want to talk. I am here for what you or your child needs, including parent coaching when applicable. 

I also help adults who perhaps are “should” feel loved & worthy, but just can’t feel it. Perhaps you replay conversations with a family member or colleague, or put tremendous pressure on yourself. Personally, I’m an Enneagram type 1, “perfectionist.” I can help you find your “type,” which then in turn shifts the way we feel, think and behave.

Perfectionism & a lack of self-acceptance lie at the core of many issues. I teach people to unconditionally accept themselves and handle distress instead of allowing it to bully you. I’m happy to incorporate your faith, upon request as well. I look forward to hearing from you. 

Office- Frederick or virtual

Insurance- Cigna or self-pay

Sara Rodriguez, LCSW-C

Office- Gaithersburg or virtual

In-network Insurance- I accept Cigna/Evernorth, self pay or Aetna/United out of network
* Aetna, United & others- we partner with Thrizer, a reimbursement company for those with “out of network” insurance benefits. Simply pay your out of network copay or receive automatic reimbursements to your bank account every 3 weeks. Thrizer processes the requests to insurance automatically on your behalf.

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

301-740-6050