MENTAL HEALTH COMMITTEE
The Mental Health Committee organizes a semiannual networking event for mental health professionals, with attention on concerns for our youth. One of these events is usually held in conjunction with our spring speaker event so providers can learn from the speaker about topics relevant to their professional practice. They develop strategies to reach out to the mental health community, to share information about SCC and community activities, and to hear feedback. The Mental Health Committee vets all SCC programs and events to ensure that our mission is met and that our content is relevant and impactful.
Read more below about some of our Mental Health Committee members. Click the photos and icons to learn more about their work with the SCC and elsewhere. You can also watch short presentations providers created during the early quarantine period in spring 2020.
Dr. Melissa Sporn’s passion is assisting others in discovering new pathways for living fuller, richer, and more satisfying lives. She holds a Masters in Social Work and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and served on the Board of the SCC for 15 years. In her clinical practice, she utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based treatments to adults and adolescents with a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and adjustment problems. Dr. Sporn provides ongoing support groups and presents on a variety of topics to local schools, community organizations and businesses.
Robyne Stone Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice and a Special Education teacher in FCPS. In her private practice, she provides comprehensive, educational consulting services to promote partnerships between families and schools. She has been working as a Special Education teacher for 5 years in the elementary and middle school settings, and has worked as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Clinical Supervisor, and Dance/Movement therapist for the past 20 years. Mrs. Davis earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina and a graduate degree from Goucher College. She earned her Special Education degree from George Washington University with a specialization in Traumatic Brain Injury and completed a graduate certificate in Special Education and Arts Integration from American University.
Sarah Tyler is a Clinical Social Worker with a private practice in McLean, Virginia. She provides mental health services to adolescents, adults and families. She has worked extensively in residential and inpatient psychiatric hospital settings. Along with providing individual and family therapy, Sarah consults to assess and provide therapeutic interventions for intensive mental health needs. Her therapeutic style is eclectic, blending solution-focused, cognitive behavioral and expressive techniques. A parent of three young adults, Sarah shares a passion for the Safe Community Coalition’s mission and is involved on the SCC Mental Health Committee. She is also active in her church as a lay leader with youth ministries.
Mimi Weisberg is a Clinical Social Worker with a private psychotherapy practice in McLean, VA and is an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University Graduate School of Social Work. Mimi’s practice and teaching focus on working with youth, families, couples, individuals and adolescents, as well as supervision, facilitation and training. Mimi is part of the Mental Health Committee with the SCC and on the Diversity and Social Justice Committee at GMU.
With over 25 years in business and leadership roles in the public and private sector, coupled with her masters in Organization Development, Corinne understands what is needed to help people reprogram their emotional and behavioral patterns to make positive changes using a holistic perspective. Corinne assists clients in recognizing and bringing awareness to beliefs and patterns that keep them stuck and helps families slow down and learn new ways of relating to themselves and each other. She has led thousands of young people and adults in private and public settings using an integrative approach to teaching mindfulness practices in order to strengthen skills in awareness and compassion, improve communication and lead healthier lives. Corinne specializes in working with those affected by anxiety, depression, substance use and PTSD. She works with youth-based nonprofits bringing mindfulness and resilience programming to wide audiences. In addition Corinne is an adjunct professor at the Milken School of Public Health at George Washington University.
Jennifer Weaver is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in psychotherapy and counseling. Along with her therapy and supervision practice, she provides workshops and trainings to mental health professionals, schools (faculty, student, and parent groups), and the larger community. She was a member of the adjunct faculty at Catholic University of America from 2001-2014, teaching Master’s level courses and providing professional trainings. Her psychotherapy practice is designed to support young clients in healthy behaviors, emotional growth, and improved family and peer relationships. Her specialties include treating anxiety, depression, and challenging behaviors, and strategizing with parents in new ways of interacting with and supporting their children.
Dr. Heather Tedesco is an applied psychologist with a private practice in McLean, VA, where she works exclusively with parents. Dr. Tedesco helps parents address concerns in their family life, shows parents how they can support their children and teens if they struggle with motivation, anxiety, ADHD or other common issues, shares ways parents can encourage healthy psychological development at any age, and helps parents take the long view of raising children who thrive as adults. Dr. Tedesco uses a combination of psychological research and proven techniques to make parenting less stressful, more effective, and more enjoyable.
Dr. Rafal has an MSW and PhD in social work and over 30 years of experience in counseling, supervision, training, and consulting. Her LCSW supervision has included group and individual supervision in Texas and Virginia. She has taught in the George Mason University BSW and MSW program over the past few decades. Currently Anne has an established private practice in Virginia. Her practice focuses on diversity issues and work with adolescents and adults and couples in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning community. She uses a strength-based, solution-focused approach to help those with anxiety and depression, individuals facing career and life transitions, and individuals with anxiety and isolation. Dr. Rafal is certified to provide individual and group supervision to social workers seeking licensure and ongoing skill development.