Virginia Clinical Staff
(703) 383-8333
PSYCHIATRIST
Emelina Santos-Ilagan, M.D.
Treatment Issues: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (A.D.H.D.), Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Spectrum Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (O.C.D.), Panic Disorders, Perimenopause, Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (P.M.S.),
Subtle Hypothyroidism Masquerading as Psychiatric Disorders
Education and Training: Bachelor of Science in Pre-Med from the University of the Philippines. Medical Degree (M.D.) from the University of the Philippines. Attended the International School of Evangelism associated with the Billy Graham Ministry.
Background and Experience: 1) Clinical Faculty, Georgetown University Medical Center (1993-1994); 2) Fellow in Geriatric Psychiatry (1992-1993); 3) Resident, (1988-1992)/Chief Resident (1991-1992) In general Psychiatry, SUNY Stoneybrook affiliate-Nassau County Medical Center; 4) Resident in Pathology (1987-1988) Nassau County Medical Center; 5) Physician Assistant to General Surgeon Specializing in Bariatric Surgery, Compton, CA (1982-1985). She has concentrated her practice in the Christian mental health field since completing her residency training. She has worked with the Meier Clinics since 1992.
Additional Information: Dr. Santos-Ilagan is a member of the Christian Medical and Dental Association, and the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Santos-Ilagan has been involved with the Navigators Ministry since 1971. She has volunteered twice as counselor for the Billy Graham Crusade in the Philippines and Long Island, New York and has participated in local church leaders’ orientation, preparation, and follow-up planning for both crusades.
PSYCHOLOGIST
Michael K. Horne, Psy.D.
Treatment Issues: Adolescent Issues, Anxiety Disorders, Childhood Issues, Interpersonal/Relationship Difficulties, Marital difficulties, Mood Disorders, Parent Skills Training, Psychological Testing and Assessment
Education and Training: Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Institute for the Psychological Sciences, 2009. Specialized in play therapy and psychological assessment.
Background and Experience: Dr. Horne previously worked in three different outpatient Christian clinics prior to joining Meier Clinics. During that time, he worked as a school counselor at a Catholic school in Virginia; provided clinical services to children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, and groups; and conducted various psychological assessments for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Horne has also worked as a teacher in a high needs school in the D.C. area. Before beginning his studies in clinical psychology, he worked in the media for a number of years.
Special Interests and Services: Dr. Horne works with clients of all ages. He is most interested in providing play therapy for children aged three and up while also working with their parents. He also enjoys working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. His counseling style is primarily interpersonal and includes some elements of cognitive behavioral therapy as well as emotion focused therapy. Dr. Horne also provides a broad range of psychological assessment and diagnostic services ranging from cognitive and educational assessment to personality assessment. Additionally, Dr. Horne is interested in how the media, specifically television, movies, and video games, affects the people who use them.
Additional Information: Dr. Horne is greatly interested in the integration of faith and psychology with an emphasis on the dignity inherent in the created nature of each person. Dr. Horne was married in 2007 and has one child.
COUNSELORS
James L. Alexander, L.C.S.W.
Treatment Issues: Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Marital and Pre-Marital, OCD, Same Sex Attraction (adolescents & adult), Sexual Abuse (child, adolescent, adult), Sexual Addiction (adolescent & adult), Sexual Dysfunction (adults and married couples), Sex Offender Evaluation and Treatment
Education and Training: Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Wheaton College (1976). Masters Degree in Social Work from Indiana University (1978). License in VA as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 1986 and as a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider since 1998.
Background and Experience: Prior to joining Meier Clinics, Jim was in private practice from 1992-19999 and at another counseling agency from 1999-2011.
Special interests and Services: Jim is particularly interested in the application of spiritual disciplines and spiritual direction in the psychotherapy process.
Additional Information: Jim is involved at all levels with the Christian Association of Psychological Studies (CAPS) and is the founder of the local NOVA CAPS Chapter. He also consults with local churches involved in sexual addiction ministry.
Ronda Barney, L.C.S.W., R.D.
Treatment Issues: Anxiety, Depression, Eating Disorders, Emotional Abuse, Interpersonal/Relationship Difficulties, Sexual Abuse, Spiritual Concerns, Women's Issues
Education and Training: Bachelors Degree from Liberty University (1991). Completed a Dietetic Internship with the Medical College of Virginia (1993). Masters of Social Work from the Virginia Commonwealth University. Licensed in Virginia as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Registered Dietitian with the American Dietetic Association.
Background and Experience: Ronda has been a therapist with Meier Clinics since 2000 and has worked in the outpatient, day treatment, and psychiatric hospital setting. Prior to joining Meier Clinics, she practiced at George Washington University Hospital and Georgetown University Hospital as a Registered Dietitian with adult, pediatric and NICU patients.
Special interests and Services: Ronda works with adults and incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy with emotional-based therapy from a biblical perspective She is dedicated to addressing the whole person and is able to address emotional and spiritual needs as well as physical needs related to nutrition and weight management concerns.
Monica Chwojdak, M.A., N.C.C.
Treatment Issues: Abuse (Physical, Sexual, Emotional), Anxiety/Depression, Child/Adolescent Concerns, Childhood Trauma, Marital and Relationship Issues, Self-esteem/Identity Issues, Social Phobias, Spiritual Concerns, Work-related Concerns
Education and Training: Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from UMUC in Maryland, 2007. Master of Arts degree in Counseling and Human Services from the University of Colorado, 2010. Monica received training in suicide intervention in 2009 and is a National Certified Counselor (NCC, 2010.) She is a Resident in Counseling and is approved by the Virginia Board of Counseling to provide services under the supervision of Nancy Price, LCSW. Monica is working toward her credentials as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia and is continuing her career development at Marymount University.
Background and Experience: Prior to joining Meier Clinics, Monica provided individual and family counseling to child, adolescent and adult clients. She has worked in various inpatient mental health facilities and facilitated group therapy sessions. Monica has volunteered as a crisis counselor providing suicide intervention services and served as a care team member for military families in times of crisis.
Special Interests and Services: Monica works with children as young as six, adolescents and adults that struggle with various issues. For her young clients she provides play therapy and engages parents in the therapeutic process. Being a military veteran and spouse to a military member, Monica understands the struggles specific to military life and welcomes the opportunity to work with military families. Monica adapts her therapeutic techniques to the needs and communication styles of her clients and believes a holistic approach to therapy is essential to well-being. She describes her approach to therapy as strength-based and client-centered, concentrating on the client’s positive attributes and abilities to facilitate the changes they would like to make in their lives. She also employs cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques to help clients understand how thoughts and feelings can influence their behaviors. Monica draws upon Christian teachings and firmly believes “if God brings you to it, He will guide you through it.”
Michelle Leonard, L.C.S.W.
Treatment Issues: Anger Management, Anxiety Disorders, Bereavement, Career Issues, Depression, Eating Disorders, Emotional Abuse, Incest, Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Spiritual Concerns, Trauma Recovery, Women's Issues
Education and Training: Masters in Social Work degree from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. Licensed in the state of Virginia as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Received extensive training on marital issues and is certified in Relationship Enhancement Skills.
Background and Experience: Prior to joining Meier Clinics in 1999, Michelle had extensive previous experience with families, adult and teenage addictions, and behavior problems, including working with multi-disciplinary teams to treat severely mentally ill individuals. She has experience working in a variety of settings including psychiatric hospitals, shelters, group homes, and day programs. She also has worked extensively with eating disorders, depression, anxiety, marital problems and addictions recovery. Michelle has experience in the following group settings: addiction recovery, anger management, battered women, adolescent behavioral, and sexual abuse recovery.
Special Interests and Services: Includes women's issues, family and teen issues, trauma, sexual and incest abuse, physical, emotional and spiritual abuse recovery. Michelle enjoys working with families and teens.
Additional Information: Michelle has based her professional training on a foundation centered on Christ. She believes that many problems arise due to not only mental illness or loss, etc., but also due to ongoing spiritual warfare in the lives of Christians. Therefore, Michelle also facilitates prayer and the identification of lies in her therapy sessions. It is her goal to help others learn to discern when spiritual warfare is present and help equip clients to be victorious Christians who live in God's truth and freedom.
JoAnn M. Majesky, L.C.S.W.
Treatment Issues: Dissociative Disorders to include Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), Derealization, and Depersonalization; Physical Abuse; Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD); Sexual Abuse
Education and Training: Master of Social Work degree from the Catholic University of America, 1994. Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 1996. Certified EMDR II Therapist since 1997; trained by Francine Shapiro. Advanced EMDR training with Deany Laliotis since 2000. Extensive training in the Trauma Model, Post Traumatic Stress disorder, and Dissociative Disorders since 1994. Trained with Christine Courtois in 1995, Dr. Richard Chefetz 20001 to Present, and Dr. Ellen Lacter since 2010. Trained with John and Helen Watkins in Ego State Therapy in 2000. Trained in Dream Work Therapy through the Association for the Studies of Dreams (1995-2009). Additional training in Guideed Imagery, Sand Tray Therapy for Adults, Somatoform Therapy, and Art Therapy for Trauma Survivors since 2008. Post graduate studies at Loyola University and The Clinical Social Work Institute since 2003.
Background and Experience: JoAnn has been with Meier Clinics since 1995 and has worked as an outpatient trauma therapist since 1997. She worked in the inpatient setting at the Psychiatric Institute of Washington and at Springwood Psychiatric Hospital. She has experience working with families, adults and teenagers for addictions, behavior problems, and trauma issues.
Special Interests and Services: JoAnn works predominantly with adult trauma survivors. Having worked since 1994 in the mental health field, JoAnn treats a wide range of counseling and mental health issues as part of her treatment with adult trauma survivors. Most services provided are reimbursable through insurance plans.
Additional Information: JoAnn believes miracles do occur and emphasizes to her clients that "The Holy Spirit can heal all trauma at the core." She has been married since 1971 and has two grown children. JoAnn has been a guest speaker several times on Mariann Clyde's radio talk show, PTSD and Trauma.
Nancy Price, L.C.S.W.
Treatment Issues: Anger Management, Anxiety Disorders, Grief and Loss, Mood Disorders, Parenting, School Adjustment Issues in Children, Sexual Abuse, Young Adulthood Issues
Education and Training: Bachelor of Arts in Religion from St. Andrews Presbyterian College. Masters of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. Graduate internship at United Community Ministries in Alexandria, VA, and at the Northwest Center for Community Mental Health in Chantilly, VA with the Youth and Family Team. Additional child play therapy training by Gary Landreth, Ph.D., and Eliana Gil, Ph.D.
Background and Experience: For three years, Nancy was a Court Appointed Special Advocate (C.A.S.A.), serving as the "eyes and ears" of the Fairfax Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in child abuse and neglect cases. She was a therapist at Franconia Family Therapy Center.
Special Interests and Services: Includes mood disorders, sexual addiction, anxiety disorders, depression, women's issues, grief and loss, parenting skills, and play therapy for children ages 3 and up.
Additional Information: Nancy has been the Director of the Fairfax Meier Clinics since 2005, overseeing the clinical work of the Outpatient and Day Programs. Prior to entering the graduate program in clinical social work and while raising her children, Nancy volunteered in various helping capacities that became part of the life experience training that she uses today in her counseling practice. She was a Children's Leader in Bible Study Fellowship for eight years, teaching children 2-5 years of age about God's word. Active in her church as a Deacon, she organized a job loss seminar and a grief and loss training workshop for Deacons and lay leaders.
