The Personal Wellness Center Staff
Our Mission: We support individuals and our community in bringing forth optimal wellness in MIND, BODY, and SPIRIT
Our Vision: A healthier and happier community
Our Values:
1.We practice integrity and respect through courteous interaction and by embracing ethical business practices.
2. We embrace a person-centered approach by creating an environment of acceptance and belonging.
3. Community – We work collaboratively with local business and members from the community to cultivate and create conditions for a healthier and happier community.
4. Responsibility – We are accountable for our actions.
5. Creativity – We encourage original ideas that can add value and solve challenges.
6. Sustaining TPWC economy – We contribute to a healthy economy that allows us to fulfill our center’s mission and vision.
Veronica Correa, LCSW-C, 200 RYT – Owner, and Clinical Director
Veronica is a licensed clinical social worker, life coach, yoga instructor, and certified hypnotherapist. Veronica earned her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland and she holds a license as a certified, clinical social worker from the Maryland State Board of Social Work Examiners. She has over 20 years of counseling experience, her work focuses on providing guidance for people to break through physical and emotional pain and inspiring them to make healthy choices and to achieve their dreams. Veronica uses innovative, alternative approaches, such as clinical hypnosis, Reiki and energy therapy, mindfulness and yoga, as well as traditional counseling. Her approaches have proved to be a good complement to modern medicine empowering people to get well faster.
Venessa Bowers, MSW, LCSW-C, CCTP, MA, 200 RYT – Lead Therapist, Lotus Yoga Studio Manager
Venessa is a licensed certified social worker – clinical, a certified clinical trauma professional, certified mindfulness and meditation teacher, and a Usui/Holy Fire Reiki Master Teacher. She specializes in working with children and adults who have been affected by traumatic experiences. She uses creative expression and mindfulness as treatment modalities in her clinical work in conjunction with more traditional therapeutic interventions.
Venessa earned her Master of Arts degree in Communication with an emphasis in Organizational Communication from Purdue University’s West Lafayette, Indiana campus in 2003 and began teaching classes in public speaking, mass media, graphic design, media messaging, and interpersonal communication at the university level directly after graduation. She has taught communication courses at Indiana University, Purdue University, Colorado State University, Frontrange Community College, and Ivy Tech Community College. Venessa completed a second Master’s degree in Social Work at Indiana University in 2010. She relocated to Maryland in 2015 and continues to teach classes in social work at Salisbury University in addition to her clinical work. Venessa is a Maryland Board of Social Workers approved supervisor.
In 2016, Venessa launched the new Book Worms children’s series with, Violet van Bumble’s Big Secret and Billy Ponder’s Wild Imagination; two of the five books in the series. She also released A Magical Duet, a two-story book that is part of the three-part Magical Hearts series. The Adventures of the Berry Thieves, the second book in the Magical Hearts series was released in 2019. DayDreaming: Naturally Creative Meditations for Children will be released in 2020, along with the third book in the Book Worms series: Sara Jane Siggle’s Smarty Pants.
Carol Ireland, LCSW-C, Therapist
Carol is a licensed certified social worker – clinical with more than 20 years of experience. She received her Master’s degree in Social Work from University of Maryland School of Social Work. She specializes in treating clients with depression, anxiety, and those who are in crisis. She helps clients work through relationship struggles, process and ultimately come to terms with grieving and loss, to manage stress effectively and deal successfully with problems related to the perplexities of aging.
Employing integrated tools and a mind, body spirit approach to wellness, Carol assists clients toward optimum effectiveness, mindfulness and emotional balance and well-being. Her style is client centered supportive therapy, which draws from a spectrum of cognitive behavioral, humanistic, and psycho-dynamic approaches. Carol also uses guided imagery and music to help deepen relaxation, release stress and develop higher level of awareness. With her, you will see yourself beyond your impasses. Carol is currently accepting new clients.
Mehryar “Mike” Tabib, LCSW-C, Therapist and Biofeedback Specialist
Mehryar “Mike” holds a license as a Certified Social Worker – Clinical in Maryland and Virginia, and in the past, in Colorado. He has been in the Mental Health field since 1984. After completing his Bachelor’s in Psychology from University of Colorado and receiving his Masters in Social Work from Norfolk State University, in Norfolk, Virginia, he began practicing independently in 1993. He uses Neurofeedback, Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy, as well as spiritual counseling to address issues of complex trauma, depression, anxiety, and anger. He works with adults, adolescents and even with children. While in Colorado his practice as an EAP for the Military One Source service, involved treating those returning soldiers stationed at Fort Carson Army Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Ciara Cooks, LCSW-C, Therapist
Ciara earned her Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She is certified and licensed in her field with a specialization in family and children, and crisis intervention. Ciara has over 10 years of experience passionately working to break the barriers and stigma associated with mental health services. She believes that therapy brings self-awareness and is an essential step to helping one be the best version of themselves. Ciara understands that no two individuals are alike and all individuals have unique therapeutic needs. Ciara uses an eclectic approach to ensure a distinctive therapeutic experience.
Jamie Smith, LCSW-C, Therapist
Jamie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker- Clinical (LCSW-C) who specializes in working with families, teens and addiction recovery. Jamie incorporates elements of Person-Centered, Gestalt, Structural Family Therapy, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and other mindfulness techniques into her therapeutic approach. Jamie completed her Master’s in Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh in 2013 and since then she has worked as a Family-Based Therapist providing in-home services to families with children at risk for out of home placement (Pittsburgh, PA), as a Wilderness-Based Therapist supporting young adults with substance abuse problems (Horse Shoe, NC), and as a Primary Therapist at a residential therapeutic boarding school for teens with substance abuse issues (Asheville, NC).
Much of Jamie’s work includes a strong emphasis on relationships in the family system, and she has developed and facilitated workshops for teens, parents and families. It brings her great joy to support parents and their children in better understanding each other and building trust in their relationships. Jamie’s experience as a Wilderness-Based Therapist, as well as her personal healing experiences, have clearly reflected the healing potential of nature-based therapy, and she is happy to utilize experiential eco-therapy interventions whenever possible.
Jamie is flexible and compassionate, understanding that every person’s experience is both unique and includes elements of the universal human condition. She is grateful to be part of a holistic practice that appreciates the mind-body-heart interconnection. Jamie believes in the healing potential of connection- to self, to others, and to the world around us. She looks forward to supporting you on your personal journey to wellness!
Colleen White, LMSW, Children and Adolescents Therapist
Colleen is a licensed mental health therapist and social worker. Colleen earned her master’s degree in Social Work from Salisbury University, and she holds a license as a master social worker from the Maryland State Board of Social Work Examiners. She has experience working with adults within the substance abuse field, as well as experience working with children and adolescents.
Kelly Williams, MS, Nutritional Coach
Kelly holds a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from University of Richmond and a Masters of Science in Nutrition & Integrative Health from Maryland University of Integrative Health with a concentration in Human Clinical Nutrition. In addition, Kelly is a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) Candidate and is completing the final requirements for National board certification as well as state licensure. She provides both one-on-one nutritional counseling and group workshops. Kelly promotes a body-positive approach to encourage not only physical healing but improving one’s relationship with food. She provides counseling that focuses on identifying the root causes and treating the whole person. Kelly’s method will engage clients to combine nutrition, sleep, stress management and joyful movement to reach their optimal state of health.
Zlati Koscina, Registered Karuna Reiki Master Teacher, and Bach Foundation Registered Practitioner
Zlati is a Registered Karuna Reiki® Master Teacher and Bach Foundation Registered Practitioner. She received her Bach Flower training from the prestigious Edward Bach’s Education Center and her Reiki Master training from ICRT -the International Center for Reiki Training. Zlati was directly trained by William Lee Rand and she has been practicing Reiki for several years. Zlati’s work focuses on helping people with a variety of life challenges helping them reduce stress and bring balance and healing into their lives.
