About Our Practice
We are a family-owned and operated private practice of multidisciplinary mental health, family support, and conflict resolution professionals. We prioritize making sure that all clients, patients, and colleagues feel treated with respect and compassion.
Glory Fox Dierker, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Clinical Psychologist
parenting coordinator
Dr. Dierker is the Executive Director and Founder of The Family Center. She is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in individual psychotherapy for adults and adolescents, as well as couples therapy, marital counseling, group therapy, and parenting education and guidance. Her research focuses on family relationships with an emphasis on adult intimacy and parent-child attachment. Her areas of clinical focus include psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, and mood disorder. Dr. Dierker has been devoted to improving the quality of life for individuals and families in Northern Virginia since 1971. She began as a social worker and child development specialist for the Alexandria Department of Social Services, and throughout the 1980s, Dr. Dierker developed and directed the Center for Women and Families, a parent education and support program. More recently, Dr. Dierker founded The Parenting Project, which focuses on parental guidance, education, and support. Dr. Dierker is a Virginia Supreme Court certified provider of the parent education seminar required of divorcing parents with minor children. She authored Parenting Together, Living Apart, a parenting manual based on scientific principles of Attachment Research; and the course by the same name. Email: gfoxdierker@thefamilycenter.com
Gus Nava, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
parenting coordinator
Dr. Gus Nava is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who has been with The Family Center since 1993. He works primarily with adults in the areas of individual psychotherapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and parent guidance/education, as well as individual therapy with adolescents. His areas of clinical focus include depression, anxiety, psychological trauma, interpersonal conflicts, parenting coordination, and grief. He is an advocate of assisting clients to develop therapeutic life changes (TLC), which can enhance well-being (e.g., exercise, volunteering). Dr. Nava received his B.A. in Biology from the University of Virginia and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. Prior to his graduate work, he was a volunteer undergraduate researcher with the National Institute of Mental Health. While at VCU, he earned a Graduate Fellowship and worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant/Research Assistant. His post-Ph.D. education has included completing the training, Parenting Coordination: Working with High Conflict Families. Dr. Nava has worked in a variety of settings including community mental health centers and rehabilitation hospitals as well as St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, DC, where he completed his pre-doctoral internship. He worked with the Metropolitan (DC) Police Employee Assistance Program, where he gained experience assisting officers with critical incidents debriefings. Dr. Nava is a volunteer clinician with Give an Hour, which is an organization dedicated to providing no-cost mental health services for troops and families affected by the post-9/11 conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Emily George, Psy.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Emily George (formerly, Petersen) is a licensed clinical psychologist at The Family Center. She specializes in individual therapy working with adolescents and adults dealing with anxiety, depression, psychological trauma, grief, interpersonal relationship issues, and life transitions. She also specializes in couples therapy working to help couples to develop a deeper emotional connection, improve communication, rebuild trust, navigate conflict, and/or increase intimacy. Dr. George earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado at Denver and her doctoral degree from Azusa Pacific University. She completed her internship at Southeast Human Service Center in Fargo, North Dakota where she provided individual and group therapy as well as psychological assessment services to children, adolescents, and adults. She believes that a good therapeutic relationship is the foundation of therapy and she strives to create a safe and accepting environment for her clients to grow and explore.
Email: EGeorge@thefamilycenter.com
Johnathan duff, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Johnathan Duff is a clinical psychologist at The Family Center. He received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Miami and completed his internship in clinical health psychology at The Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center. He specializes in individual therapy with adults and adolescents dealing with anxiety, depression, adjustment to life stress, and medical illness. He also works with children and specializes in testing and assessment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Dr. Duff has worked with several populations in a variety of settings including with veterans at a VA hospital, with children and adolescents at a children’s hospital, and with high performing athletes. Dr. Duff holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston College and a master’s degree in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Denver. He utilizes techniques from person-centered therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Daniel Roefaro, Psy.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Daniel J. Roefaro is a clinical psychologist at The Family Center. His primary specialty includes treating adults with depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and personality disorders. He has advanced training in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and experience with dialectical behavior therap (DBT). His therapeutic style is collaborative and solutions-focused, emphasizing the development of clients’ skills while cultivating an open, honest environment where every therapeutic success is celebrated. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Rutgers University, Dr. Roefaro earned a Master’s degree in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from William Paterson University, where he eventually earned his Psy. D. in Clinical Psychology. While at WPU, Dr. Roefaro served as co-coordinator of the Neuropsychology, Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory. His dissertation focused on the connections between anxiety, facial emotion identification, and motor skills. Before joining The Family Center, Dr. Roefaro gained experience in private practice, community mental health, and college counseling settings. He has trained and worked at Arlington/DC Behavior Therapy Institute, WellSpan Philhaven, Kind Mind Psychology, Drew University’s Counseling and Psychological Services, and Milestones Psychology. Email: DRoefaro@thefamilycenter.com
Lisa Patrizia, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Lisa Patrizia is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in individual and family therapy with children, adolescents, and adults, as well as parent consultation. Lisa has worked in community and school-based settings providing mental health and outreach services for a broad range of clients. Areas of clinical focus in Lisa’s practice include child behavior concerns, relationship issues, family conflict, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, and parenting. Lisa earned a B.A. from the University of Virginia, and M.A. and Ed.S. degrees in Community Counseling from James Madison University. Lisa has trained in relational, family systems, object relations, attachment, and trauma-focused approaches, and is committed to ongoing growth and development. Lisa works collaboratively with clients to identify and address current concerns by building on their strengths and resources and supporting greater awareness, expressiveness, connection, and skill development to foster healing and growth in navigating life’s challenges.
Catherine Corey, PhD (candidate),Clinical Psychologist Resident, Executive coach
Catherine is a supervisee in her clinical psychology practicum at The Family Center as she works towards her PhD with a concentration in social justice and diversity at Fielding Graduate University. With a background in humanistic and person-centered approaches, Catherine employes a warm, empathetic, and collaborative style, building a unique therapeutic partnership with each client through a strengths- and values-based approach. She has served on a crisis hotline for more than a dozen years and is comfortable sitting with people in some of their toughest times, both holding space for the current pain and finding ways forward and into the light. Prior to working in a clinical setting, Catherine’s professional experience includes talent management and organization development, including executive coaching. She has experience working with depression, anxiety, trauma, professional challenges, and life transitions. Email: ccorey@thefamilycenter.com
Shameaka Mason, M.S.
Resident in Counseling
Shameaka Mason is a Resident in Counseling at The Family Center. Shameaka is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University where she earned her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Virginia Union University. She currently works with Arlington County Aging and Disability Services Division as the ADRC Coordinator. Shameaka has a very diverse background working with individuals of all ages providing individual therapy with children, adolescents adults and older adults. Shameaka utilizes techniques from both cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT).
Email: smason@thefamilycenter.com
Kayla Timbinaris
Clinical Psychology Intern
Kayla is an intern at The Family Center. She is currently in her last year of her Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Johns Hopkins University. Kayla received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she minored in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s studies. She strives to create an empathetic, open and welcoming environment that allows the client to feel safe and comfortable. Kayla utilizes tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and a range of other theoretical orientations depending on the goals of the client. She approaches therapy with a person-centered, collaborative approach to foster trust and an alliance within the therapeutic relationship. Kayla has experience working with children and adolescents through a range of concerns, which include anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, interpersonal conflicts and Post Traumatic Stress. Email: ktimbinaris@thefamilycenter.com
Jules R. Jerigan
Clinical Social Work Resident
Julie R. Jernigan (Jules) is a resident in Clinical Social Work who joined The Family Center in 2024. Before earning her Master’s in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University, Jules had a lengthy career in nonprofit marketing and communications. At The Family Center, Jules specializes in providing personalized, affirming support for individuals, couples, and families navigating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and life change. Using a collaborative approach, Jules works with clients to identify and cultivate innate abilities and coping mechanisms to foster greater personal resilience. Jules offers a safe and compassionate space to explore concerns, shift perspectives, and develop strategies to support personal well-being and achieve meaningful life change.
Maggie Fox Dierker, JD, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Parenting Coordinator
Director of Mediation Services
Maggie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Parenting Coordinator, Virginia Supreme Court Certified Mediator, and the Director of Mediation Services at The Family Center. For more than two decades she has served individuals, couples, and families through representation, counseling, clinical case management, and psychotherapy. Her clinical specialties include working with and helping individuals experiencing symptoms related to depression, anxiety, trauma/PTSD, mood regulation, abuse, neglect, grief, aging, illness, and relationship difficulties. Maggie utilizes evidence-based practice and client-centered psychotherapy grounded in systems and relational attachment theories. She offers an enhanced approach through her professional background in both law and psychology. Maggie earned her B.A. in psychology from The University of Virginia with a concentration in attachment and child development; her Juris Doctorate from Loyola University New Orleans School of Law with a focus in environmental justice, and her Master in Clinical Social Work from The Catholic University of America with a concentration in complex sexual trauma and military social work. She completed an advanced curriculum in neuropsychology at Georgetown University; and comparative law at the University of Vienna (Universität Wien) School of Law. She has devoted her time to organizations such as the Truancy Intervention Project; Court Appointed Special Advocates, Midtown Assistance Center, and Miriam's Kitchen, serving populations such as abused and neglected children and adolescents; and adults experiencing chronic homelessness and severe mental illness. Maggie served as a regularly featured presenter at Second Saturday Fairfax/Arlington and at the Northern Virginia Mediation Service (NVMS). She is a member of The Academy of Professional Family Mediators, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Georgia, the Phi Alpha Honor Society in Social Work, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Work. Email: mfoxdierker@thefamilycenter.com
Jennifer Marceron Glienke, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Jennifer Marceron is a licensed clinical psychologist at The Family Center. Dr. Marceron graduated with distinction with a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Virginia and with a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Denver Health and Counseling Center (APA accredited) where she provided individual and group therapy to college-age adults in an integrated care setting. Dr. Marceron has worked in a variety of settings including community mental health, university counseling centers, and outpatient medical centers. Dr. Marceron specializes in individual therapy working with adolescents, young adults and adults dealing with eating disorders, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, disability, and chronic illness. Dr. Marceron’s approach is client-centered and she uses evidence-based practices (CBT, ACT, DBT) tailored to meet the needs and interests of her clients. Email: jmarceronphd@thefamilycenter.com
Alyssa Poblete, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Alyssa Poblete is a licensed clinical psychologist at The Family Center. Dr. Poblete graduated with high distinction with a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Virginia. Prior to graduate school, she worked as a project coordinator for a large, federally-funded research study on adolescent girls' depression and non-suicidal self-injury at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Dr. Poblete earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from The George Washington University. Her graduate research focused on co-parenting and parental self-efficacy in ethnically diverse families. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at American University Counseling Center (APA accredited), where she provided individual and group therapy as well as crisis intervention to a diverse range of university students. Dr. Poblete has experience working with children and adults in a variety of settings in the D.C. area, including community mental health, university counseling, and medical research centers. Dr. Poblete specializes in individual therapy working with adolescents and young adults experiencing concerns related to anxiety, depression, grief, identity, and relationships. She also has a strong interest in couples and group therapy. Dr. Poblete is an integrative clinician, drawing primarily from relational approaches and third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies that incorporate acceptance and mindfulness (ACT, DBT). She believes in the importance of working collaboratively with clients in order to understand and address their needs. Email: apobletephd@thefamilycenter.com
Johanna Williams, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist Resident
Dr. Johanna Williams is a resident in Clinical Psychology at The Family Center. She specializes in family studies, mood disorders, trauma, and health care disparities. Dr. Williams has worked with both adolescent and adult individuals, couples, and families in the DC, MD, and VA area from rigorous institutions such as Johns Hopkins, Sheppard Pratt Hospital, and the D.C. Superior Courts. She has also worked in college-based settings such as the Howard University Counseling Center and Baylor University Counseling Center where she helped young adults and professional students manage early life and career transitions. Dr. Williams is psychodynamically trained and a member of the Brooklyn Seminars for Modern Psychoanalysis and a former psychoanalytic fellow with the Washington Center for Psychoanalysis. This extensive training taught Dr. Williams how to understand the complexity of distressingly chronic behaviors. Thus, she is able to collaborate with her clients about a variety of treatment options. Dr. William's comprehensive multicultural training has been a vital asset in her work with foreign exchange students, machismo dynamics, gender identity, aging, disability, sexual identity, Middle Eastern traditions, Black male identity development, community violence, military personnel, and cultural stigma concerning mental health. Dr. William's supplemental training in psychological and neuropsychological assessment helps her understand the totality of clients' presenting concerns and diligently seek professional expertise. She has spoken at several conferences about a number of psychological topics such as policing, psychology training, media, schizophrenia, and family trauma. She received her B.S. degree in psychology from Stevenson University in Stevenson, MD, her M.A. degree in psychology from Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY, and Ph.D. from Howard University in Washington D.C.
Dana Deleanu, M.S.
Resident in Counseling
Dana is a resident in counseling at the Family Center who has over 10 years of experience working with both adolescents and adults, conducting both individual and group sessions. Dana has a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from George Mason University and is currently working on her supervision hours for her License Professional Counselor. Dana has experience and works with diverse populations helping each individual navigate specific and individualized issues. Dana strives to provide each individual with a safe place to explore their experiences and goals. Dana believes the greatest success results from a combination of insight and behavior change and her training has led her to practice in an integrative manner, using a cognitive-behavioral framework and solution-focused interventions to create change. Dana has experience working with a wide range of different issues from depression, anxiety, negative thoughts, trauma, relationship issues, mood disorders, emotional regulation, and anything else you feel you need to talk about or better understand and manage. Email: DDeleanu@thefamilycenter.com
Robert A. Dierker, M.S.
Resident in Counseling
Robert (“Bo”) is a resident in counseling at The Family Center with experience treating anxiety, depression, grief, anger, impulse control, trauma, ADHD, family dysfunction, and interpersonal conflicts. He earned a Master in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in May of 2023 from Walden University and is currently working on his supervision hours toward becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. Robert interned at Counseling and Advocacy Associates in the greater Richmond area, with a focus on providing mental health services to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and improved treatment approaches for this often misunderstood population. Robert created and facilitated a hybrid psychotherapy/support group dedicated to parents, caregivers, and family members of individuals with ASD. Robert has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, seniors, and individuals with chronic illnesses. He is a strong ally and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. Robert’s professional orientation is rooted in Existential/Logotherapy, influenced by Phenomenological, Rogerian, Humanistic, Person-Centered, and Multicultural approaches which he utilizes with the intention of fostering self-confidence in clients, empowering individuals to recognize and value their strengths, exercise their abilities, identify and pursue their unique existential meaning. Robert is an uncompromising believer in the notion that every individual has intrinsic value, and is dedicated to serving his community at the individual and family level by collaborating with clients to cultivate a strong sense of self-worth and self-efficacy in the pursuit of achieving their therapy goals. Email: rdierker@thefamilycenter.com
Jessica Lincoln, MSW
Clinical Social Work Resident
Jessica Lincoln is a resident in Clinical Social Work who joined The Family Center in 2024. Before earning her Master’s in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University, Jess spent the last twelve years mentoring and educating children as the owner and operator of an academic enrichment facility in Northern Virginia. After the loss of her brother in 2016, Jess became involved with The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, volunteering as a Healing Conversations representative and serving as the Development Chair for the National Capital Area Chapter. Jess has also received training to facilitate peer support groups for individuals affected by suicide and runs a monthly meeting, SB4T (Suicide Bereavement for Teens), for individuals aged 14-19 who are bereaved by suicide loss. At The Family Center, Jess specializes in providing supportive, affirming care for young adults challenged by trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, social justice, and relationship issues. Using a trauma-informed, person-centered approach with an emphasis on parts work and emotionally focused therapy, Jess can help create therapeutic experiences that empower you, align with your values, and meet your individual goals for meaningful healing and change. Email: jlincoln@thefamilycenter.com
Jessica Fleming, lcp, cctp
Clinical Psychologist Resident
Jessica Fleming is a clinical psychologist resident (supervisee) at The Family Center who is working towards her degree in Clinical Psychology with a Forensic concentration at Fielding Graduate University. She has a Master of Science from The University of Liverpool where she studied Investigative and Forensic Psychology and researched violence. She graduated from Bellevue University with a master’s in clinical counseling, shortly after which she moved to the Washington, D.C. area. She is a board certified Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington, D.C. and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Jessica has a background working in mental health that spans over 15 years. Her early work was working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness diagnoses and individuals working through substance abuse. She has experience working with individuals, couples, and groups, and specializes in trauma work. Jessica works from a psychodynamic perspective using integrative techniques such as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), and other appropriate interventions. Email: JFleming@thefamilycenter.com
