Empower You Counselors & Therapist in Olney, MD

Nooshin Kiankhooy, MA, LCPC, CEDS-S

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (MD)

Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Supervisor and Approved Supervisor in Olney, MD 

M.A. Community Counseling, Marymount University

B.A. Psychology, University of Maryland-Baltimore County

Member of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP)

I often tell my clients that finding a counselor is like buying a new pair of shoes; sometimes you have to try on a few different sizes and styles before you find the right pair. My style is empathic and understanding, yet straight-forward and honest. I help my clients get unstuck and move forward, while providing feedback that is productive and manageable. You and I can work together to come up with ways to meet your goals for therapy, along with acquiring insight into your behaviors, thoughts, and feelings.

I work with individuals and families, more specifically specializing in Eating Disorders (I am a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Supervisor) and Anxiety Disorders. One of my passions is helping adolescents and teens, and much of my training has also been in working with young people, especially when they need help and support to decrease thoughts of self-harm.

In addition to individual counseling, I also work with families. I help family members communicate more effectively with one another and most importantly to understand one another; to build trust.

I have been in private practice since 2013 and have been clinically licensed since 2011. In the past, I have worked with patients in Psychiatric Hospitals and Partial Hospitalization Programs. I have also worked five years in Day Treatment and Intensive Outpatient Treatment programs for those struggling with Eating Disorders, to include being an IOP Team Leader. I am also an Approved Supervisor for LGPC’s in the state of Maryland.

Kate Stephens, MA, LCPC

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (MD, DC, SC and FL -https://flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/)

M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, George Washington University

B.A. History and Applied Psychology

For me, therapy is all about empowerment. Whether you have a difficult decision to make, a boundary to uphold, or feel the need to change patterns in your daily life, my goal is to walk along side you as you explore not only what shapes the present, but how the future can be different. In our work, I will take a relational approach that mixes honesty and empathy to help you reach the goals that you are striving towards.

Much of my training is in the eating disorder field, which means I also work frequently with people who are struggling with anxiety and depression as well. I have also completed basic training in EMDR, which I utilize to help clients reprocess trauma and adverse life experiences that are impacting their daily functioning.

I received my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from George Washington University in 2019. Since graduating, I have been working at an eating disorder facility that provides day treatment and intensive outpatient support to women struggling with eating disorders.

Abby Hock, MSW, LCSW-C

Licensed Certified Social Worker, Clinical

Fertility Counseling Specialist

M.S.W. Social Work, Catholic University

B.S. Business Legal Studies, Indiana University

While the thought of therapy can be intimidating, your therapist never should be. I want you to understand that there is no “right answer” and as a therapist, I am not asking for one. Instead, I want to provide a place where you feel safe to openly and honestly express yourself, where you, as the expert of your own thoughts and experiences, are in the driver’s seat. My job is to provide direction and support. Together, we will set goals and work towards them through a relational, empathetic, and direct approach.

My training has largely been focused in the eating disorder field and I want to help you find freedom from eating disorders, body image issues, anxiety, and depression. I am committed to helping you understand the emotional functions of your eating disorder, in order to change your relationship with food and your body. I completed my advanced year field placement at an eating disorder treatment center, providing therapy to those struggling with eating disorders and related mental health issues. Post-graduation, I continued my work there before transitioning to Empowering You on a full-time basis.

In addition to the work described above, I have a passion for supporting those struggling through infertility and loss as well as providing ongoing support for those pregnant and postpartum after experiencing reproductive challenges. In June 2022, I completed the Fertility Counseling Postgraduate Course, a ten-month training in reproductive mental health counseling led by experts Sharon Covington, MSW and Linda Applegarth, Ed.D.

I received my master’s degree in clinical social work from The Catholic University of America’s School of Social Service in May 2020 and hold a LCSW-C in the state of Maryland.

Cybele Hirschhorn, MSW, LCSW-C

Licensed Certified Social Worker- Clinical (MD)

M.S.W. Social Work, University of Maryland School of Social Work

B.A. Sociology, University of Maryland – College Park

I believe that the beauty of therapy is that it can provide a space to reflect on a person’s life and experiences. As a therapist, I try to provide a space that feels comfortable and safe to think about what is and is not working in my client’s lives. I want to help them build on their strengths and to think about any changes that might help them feel better. I consider myself empathetic and engaging. My hope is to offer support and to help you to develop skills that will allow you to navigate life’s challenges. At the same time, I defer to you as the expert on your life. Together we can work to understand your experience and how to work towards what you want for yourself.

I work with individuals and I have a particular interest in helping people improve their relationship with food and their body. I work from a Health at Every Size framework and it is important to me to provide a therapeutic space that is open and accepting of people in all bodies. I have also worked with anxiety, depression, trauma, difficulties around life transitions, transcultural issues, and family/relationship issues. I enjoy working with people from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds and helping them navigate the complexities of different parts of their identity in their world.

I received my Masters in Clinical Social Work at the University Of Maryland School Of Social Work in 2013. I have provided therapy to adolescents and adults in an outpatient mental health clinic. I also work as a therapist for undergraduate and graduate students in the behavioral health department of a larger outpatient health clinic at a university. I currently hold an LCSW-C license in the state of Maryland.

Sara Crossley, MA, LCPC

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (MD and SC)

MA in Clinical Psychology from Towson University

BA in Psychology, Minor Biology from SUNY Geneseo

One of my favorite quotes is “In between where you are and where you want to be, there is room to simply breathe,” by Morgan Harper Nichols; I believe that therapy is all about providing you with the safe space to breathe and process while we explore both where you are and where it is that you truly want to be.

I operate with an eclectic style that is all about providing you with what you need. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (which is all about changing the way we think), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (which focuses on regulating difficult emotions and building healthy relationships), ACT (which is about accepting our circumstances and committing to a life lived by your values), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (an evidenced-based practice for structured trauma treatment). I also have experience in Exposure and Response Prevention (a technique used for treating OCD and anxiety) and am beginning training for Internal Family Systems (a treatment modality that is all about identifying the different parts of yourself).

I received my Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Towson University in 2020. Since graduating and obtaining my license, I have been working at a residential eating disorder facility that provides 24-hour care to clients of all genders who are struggling with disordered eating. Through my time at a higher level of care, I have also had extensive experience working with assorted mood disorders, trauma, anxiety, OCD, and interpersonal difficulties.

I believe that everyone has the strength and the resources they need to manage the difficulties they are facing; however, I also believe that everyone needs the space and empathic support to connect with these strengths, which is what I am here to provide.