Meet our Team
Outpatient Services Team
Diera A Parham-Carruthers is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia and District of Columbia. She earned her Associates in Health Sciences, her Bachelors in Psychology, and continued her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Crisis and Trauma while serving in the United States Armed Forces for 8 years. She has earned her certifications as National Certification in Counseling (NCC), sexual offender treatment provider (CSOTP), telemental health clinician (CTMC), clinical trauma adolescent provider (CTAP). She served in mental health and health sciences in multiple settings for over 10-years.
Diera is a Clinical Therapist at Behavioral Therapy Solutions. Prior to coming to Behavioral Therapy Solutions, Diera worked as a therapist at a 24 hour residential psychiatric facility for almost 2 years; intensive in home counselor for a 1 ½ year; Clinical Coordinator and back up forensic interviewer for about 1 ½ year; foster care case manager for 3 ½ year; laboratory technician for 8 years in the United Armed Services. During her practicum and internship, she was an outpatient therapist for about a year that addressed multiple areas of mental health. She is knowledgeable and skilled with addressing parents (18 years old and up) and children (5 to 18 years old) with specific DSM diagnosis of addiction, substance-related disorders & alcoholism, major depressive disorder, problematic sexualized behaviors, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, bipolar disorder, PTSD, trauma & stress-related disorders, reactive attachment disorder, adjustment disorder, psychotic disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, social anxiety, impulse control disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, neurodevelopmental disorders, autism, and ADHD. Diera has a straightforward and to-the- point approach to therapy. She encompasses evidence-based techniques in her sessions and utilized an integrative therapeutic approach when working with clients.
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Diera is in-network with the following insurances: Cigna, Anthem BCBS, ComPsych, Carefirst, United Healthcare, and Virginia Medicaid.
Anthony Clark is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia with over 25 years of experience providing mental health counseling to adolescents, teens, families, and couples in a variety of practice settings that include hospital, residential setting, home, and schools. Anthony’s therapeutic approach is to provide support and counseling to help each client effectively address personal life challenges. Anthony's areas of focus encompass a broad scope of concerns, with special consideration for depression, anxiety, mood dysregulation, emotional trauma and abuse, and ADHD. Anthony has also worked with families dealing with the challenges of parenting and couples experiencing relationship issues. Anthony combines traditional complementary methodologies such as cognitive-behavioral, dialectic behavioral, humanistic, rational-choice, psychodynamic and rational-emotive counseling with evidenced-based therapeutic interventions to help each client build on his /her strengths to live a healthier and happier life. Anthony believes that there is ‘no one size fit all’ and that every individual presents a unique situation and need. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion while on their journey to improving their quality of life. If you are ready to take the next steps to reaching your goals, Anthony is ready to support you!
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Anthony is in-network with the following insurances: Cigna, Anthem BCBA, ComPsych, Carefirst, United Healthcare, and Virginia Medicaid.
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ABA/Therapeutic Consultation Team
Chelsea Thomas Potarazu received her B.A. in Psychology from University of Maryland, College Park, her M.A. in Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology, and is currently pursuing her Masters in Social Work at George Mason University. Chelsea is a licensed Behavior Analyst in the state of Maryland and Virginia. Chelsea has experience in the areas of Depression, Anxiety, OCD, ODD, ADHD, Autism, and intellectual disabilities across children, teens, and young adults. Chelsea also works with parents teaching them strategies such as gentle parenting, positive discipline parenting, and positive reinforcement strategies to be cycle breakers in the lives of their children. Chelsea has also supported parents in the “unschooling” process for parents transitioning away from the public school system.
As a member of the LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent community, Chelsea practices affirming care meaning she believes in supporting her client’s journey to self acceptance and self identification rather than conforming to traditional social or societal norms if that is part of their journey.
Chelsea sees clients in the following programs: ABA Therapy, Romantic/Sexuality Education Program, Outpatient Therapy, and Therapeutic Consult.
Chelsea is in-network with insurance funders for ABA Therapy and Therapeutic Consult. Chelsea sees clients in Outpatient Therapy and Romantic/Sexual Education at a reduced rated.
Matthew R. Lunsford is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in the state of Virginia, a licensed educator in Massachusetts, and an internationally certified yoga therapist. Matthew is partially deaf, legally blind, and has cerebral palsy. He earned his Master of Science in psychology with a dual concentration in developmental neurobiology and forensic psychology as well as a Master of Education in special education from the University of Mary Washington. He’s currently pursuing his Master of Social Work in clinical social work at the University of Kentucky and plans to begin the Doctor of Social Work in June 2024. Additionally, he holds a BA in English and Creative Writing from the University Mary Washington and an AAS in education from Germanna Community College.
Prior to joining Behavioral Therapy Solutions, Matthew worked in the City of Fredericksburg Public Schools as a substitute teacher while working towards his Behavior Analyst license. Matthew is also an adjunct psychology and special education professor at Southern New Hampshire where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses. Additionally, he is also an adjunct high school teacher at VHS Learning.
Matthew is passionate about his work of helping others and enjoys working with anxiety, gender dysphoria, sleep issues, OCD, and ADHD across the lifespan. However, he is most passionate about working with children through young adults using ACT. He is compassionate, but direct and will work with you to find a solution that will be best for you and your family.
Matthew is in-network with insurance funders for ABA Therapy and Therapeutic Consult. Matthew sees clients in Outpatient Therapy and Romantic/Sexual Education at a reduced rated.