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Jack E Barr Center for Well Being

Services

  • Family Counseling
  • Child & Adolescent Counseling
  • Parenting Skills
  • Anger Management
  • Drug & Alcohol Addiction
  • Depression
  • Conduct & Behavioral Disorders
  • Anxiety
  • Grief & Loss
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Domestic Violence
  • Psychological Assessment
  • School Based Therapy
  • Behavior Modification and Training for parents/caregiver and children
  • Psychiatric Medication Evaluation
  • Play Therapy
  • Medication Assessment & Monitoring

Our Staff

Meghan Runey, MSN, PMHNP-BC, Medical Director

Meghan first joined San Mar in the Spring of 2020 as a Psychiatric Mental Health Intern. She began her professional education at Towson University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She then practiced in Maryland as a Registered Nurse for the past 12 years. She has since graduated from Walden University with her Master of Science in Nursing, specializing in Psychiatric and Mental Health. Meghan is a licensed Nurse Practitioner in Maryland and is board certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. As a member of the community, Meghan provides individuals, children, and families with personalized care while also breaking the stigma attached to mental health. Meghan accepts Maryland Medicaid, Medicare, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, and self pay.

Ira S. Lourie, M.D., Senior Psychiatric Consultant

Dr. Lourie has provided diagnostic and medication services, to children and adolescents in therapeutic group homes and foster care programs at San Mar since 2002 and in other Western Maryland community programs since 1995. He began his career over 40 years ago at the National Institute of Mental Health, where he worked for 20 years helping states and communities in developing programs for the most troubled children and youth. The book he wrote with Karl Dennis, Everything is Normal Until Proven Otherwise, about Wraparound Services has been a best seller in the child mental health field.

Jerica Washington, LCSW-C, Director

Jerica joined San Mar in the fall of 2015 as special projects coordinator, and assisted in the development and opening of the Center for Well-Being in 2016. She began her career in 2009 with school and home based case management, community connections efforts, as well as clinical experience with health providers in hospitals and community clinics throughout Maryland and Tennessee. Jerica earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Hood College, and Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland at Baltimore School of Social Work. Jerica is a Maryland Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Social Work supervisor. She exudes excitement, tenacity, and determination to develop programs that change lives.

Kacy VanWestenberg, Center Manager

Kacy has over 17 years of experience in the mental health field as an office coordinator in an outpatient mental health clinic. She has a vast knowledge of psychology and the inner workings of a successful clinic. She is passionate about supporting others and helping people grow. Kacy is determined to help people succeed, and comes to the Center with a can do attitude.

Brenda Taylor, Records Manager

Brenda comes to the Center with years of experience working in the healthcare field. She handles the records of the Center, approaching each task with a hard-working mindset. She brings with her an associate of applied science degree in health information management (HIM).

Bridget Choudhary,LCSW-C, Clinical Program Manager

Bridget joined the team as a therapist at its opening in 2016. Licensed at the Master's Level with a degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Social Work, she is a capable and resourceful social worker adept at serving the needs of adults, children and families. Bridget specializes in providing therapy in both school and clinical settings with expertise in serving those who have experienced trauma, developmental delays, foster care, poverty and emotional and behavioral challenges. Bridget accepts Maryland Medicaid, Medicare, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, and self pay.

Melissa Phillips, LCSW-C, Therapist

Melissa has worked in a variety of programs providing mental health services to children, adolescents and adults. She has experience serving consumers with mental health and substance use disorders. She has worked in prevention of out of home placements of children, and family reunification She specializes in trauma based work and has specialized training in trauma treatment to include: Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral therapy and EMDR. Melissa earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work and Psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. She has been practicing Social Work for 30 years. Melissa is passionate about keeping families together and building strong relationships between parent/s and children. She enjoys doing family therapy and likes working with all ages. She believes in the resilience of people and their ability to heal from trauma and achieve success in their lives. Melissa accepts Maryland Medicaid, Medicare, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, and self pay.

Erica Jones, LCSW-C, Therapist

Erica is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her Master’s degree in Social Work, and has experience in outpatient, school based settings and social work in the emergency setting. Erica has experience with the Center as an intern and therapist, working with young children, adolescents and adults. Erica's skill set is expansive, and utilizes a strengths based approach while working with clients to advocate for themselves. Erica accepts Maryland Medicaid, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, and self pay.

Debra Ambrose, LCSW-C, Therapist

Deb has been providing clinical services to children and families for over 25 years. She is committed to and has received training for trauma informed care and also has early experience with crisis intervention. Deb earned her Bachelors of Social Work degree from McDaniel College and her Masters of Social Work degree from West Virginia University. Deb accepts Maryland Medicaid, Medicare, and self pay.

Sally Jornlin, LCSW-C, Therapist

Sally is a licensed clinical social worker with a Master’s degree in social work from Salisbury University and a Master’s degree in K-12 education from The College of New Jersey. Sally has provided MST therapy services to families of adolescents at risk for placement outside the home and has worked for the Jack E. Barr Center for Wellbeing since its inception as a therapist specializing in adolescents, young adults, and families. Sally’s passion is guiding her clients to awareness of their strengths and building on these through the therapeutic process. Sally utilizes a mind-body approach in treatment of anxiety and depression and has a special interest in working with parents and families to improve communication and build relationships. Sally accepts Maryland Medicaid, Medicare, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, and self pay.

Jessica Brangaccio, LCSW-C, Therapist

Jessica is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned her Masters Degree at Shippensburg University. She has 16 years of combined experience with mobile crisis/crisis intervention, community based case management, inpatient and emergency assessments, and outpatient treatment. Jessica is dedicated to assisting clients with seeking their strengths in order to reach whatever goal they set their mind to through advocacy and positivity. Jessica has experience in working with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, as well as grief work.

Luca Hawkins, LCPC, Therapist

Luca is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a demonstrated history of working in the mental health community. He has completed his Master's degree focused in Mental Health Counseling/Counselor from Walden University, specializing in working with youth who have depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder; with an emphasis on gender-diverse youth. He has completed training in several interventions including: rational emotive behavior therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and exposure therapy, and extensive training in self-mutilation, suicide assessment and treatment of symptoms with safety planning. Luca accepts Maryland Medicaid and self pay.

Abby Giancola,LMSW, Therapist

Abby is completed her master’s degree in Social Work through Salisbury University. San Mar is excited to have Abby as a therapist, with experience working with children and families in foster and kinship care placements. Along with a passion to help others be the best version of themselves, Abby exudes excitement and enthusiasm. Abby accepts Maryland Medicaid.

Brooke Kindler, MSW Intern, Intern

Brooke is a second-year grad student at the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. She previously completed an internship through San Mar’s TFC program and is thrilled to continue to learn from and work with the San Mar team. Brooke's calm and empathetic demeanor creates a safe space for those seeking support and she is driven by a deep passion for helping others. Brooke is committed to addressing systemic issues that create challenging circumstances and supporting people as they navigate their lives and fulfill their dreams.