Cheryl Wietz, MSW, MUA, LCSW
BCD, Board Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work
Ms. Wietz is the co-founder, CEO, and Clinical Director of Improving Outcomes, LLC. Ms. Wietz received a dual degree in Sociology and Social Work from Florida Technological University with a concentration in Community Organization. She earned a Masters degree in Urban Affairs with a concentration in Work Group Behavior and Organizational Development from the Graduate School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado, and another Masters degree in Social Work with a concentration in Clinical Social Work from the University of Denver. She is a Certified Social Work Supervisor and has worked with children and families for 30 years. Her specialties include: helping young children, including infants, struggling with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Disruptive Behavioral Disorder, and Attachment Disorders, as they specifically relate to domestic adoptions/foster families, international adoptions, and families suffering from multiple traumas. She is highly adept in the following interventions: Positive Behavior Support (PBS), Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC), a variety of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies; and Psycho-education.
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Aaron Hopper, MA
Mr. Hopper is the co-founder, COO, and Program Manager of Improving Outcomes, LLC. Aaron received his Bachelors Degree in Child Development from West Virginia University, and a Masters Degree from Marymount University in Counseling Services. Aaron has certifications in positive behavior support, 20 years of experience in home based services specializing in evidenced based behavioral interventions.
Joaquin Perez, MSW, LCSW
Mr. Perez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who is fluent in English and Spanish. He received a Master degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University and is also a Certified Social Work Supervisor. He served in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic from 1998 to 2000, focusing on community organization to improve water quality and sanitation for a community of over 300 families. His clinical interests include trauma-informed care, working with children and families in crisis, and facilitating growth and repair in the parent-child relationship. His previous employment in child welfare and public school settings provided experience in abuse & neglect, foster care, adoption, independent living, refugee resettlement, and children with behavior and learning problems.
Kara L. Bowling, MA, LMHP-R Resident in Counseling
Kara graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and double minor in Sociology and Communication from Mississippi College. She earned a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling with a Concentration in Addictions Counseling from Appalachian State University. Kara is currently working toward her licensure as a Professional Counselor and her experience includes working in a variety of positions in the Substance Abuse Prevention field and serving as a political appointee to the Commonwealth of Kentucky Governor’s office of Community Coalition Based Substance Abuse Prevention. As the Coordinator of Substance Abuse Programs and Services at George Mason University, Kara provided guidance to the administration on substance abuse prevention and policies, provided substance abuse assessments and treatment recommendations, organized campus-wide events for the annual National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, facilitated a psychoeducation group for students who violated university alcohol policy and trained a group of substance abuse peer educators that provided psychoeducation on campus. Kara also served as a Mental Health Therapist for adults with co-occurring disorders and serious mental illness with the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board at New Horizons Transitional Group Home. She has over 10 years of experience working either part or full-time as an Intensive In Home Counselor and her experience includes: working with children and teens with disruptive behaviors, mood disorders and neurocognitive challenges (ADHD, Autism, Processing Disorders); providing parent behavior management training and counseling; providing individual and family counseling, addressing issues such as trauma, substance abuse, emotional regulation (anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, non-suicidal self-injurious behavior etc.), grief and loss, eating disorders, healthy relationship development/attachment issues; providing psychoeducation regarding developing executive functioning skills, life skills, social skills, assertive communication and problem solving and conflict resolution skills. Kara uses evidence based assessment/programs and practices such as the Transdiagnostic Model which incorporates Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical and Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; The Space Program for Managing Anxiety (school refusal and failure to launch); Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical and Behavioral Therapy and the Attachment, Regulation and Competency Model. Finding a therapist can be difficult, please feel free to contact Kara through Improving Outcomes for a consultation.
Adama Rogers, MSW, LMHP
Adama received her Bachelor’s in Social Work with a minor in Psychology, and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Widener University. Adama is fluent in English and Creole language. She is a Licensed Behavioral Analyst who is also trained in ARC Model of Trauma, CBT, and TF-CBT. Adama is currently working towards her hours of supervision for her clinical license.
Desiree Denton, MSW
Desiree received her Bachelor’s in Sociology with a minor in Social Work, and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from George Mason University. She completed a practicum in the Fairfax County Foster Care and Resource Program from 2018 to 2019. Desiree is currently working towards her hours of supervision for her clinical license.
Anna Conboy, MSW, LMHP-E
Anna received her Bachelors in Psychology and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from George Mason University. She works with individuals of all ages, presenting with a wide variety of concerns, including but not limited to: depression, anxiety, anger, trauma, major life transitions, self-image, and relationship conflicts. Anna has experience preforming preventative and crisis work to keep at risk individuals with mental health and/or disabilities from displacement from community based settings (i.e. hospitalization, jail, etc).
Kim Tran, MA
Kim received her Bachelor’s in Psychology and her Master’s Degree in Forensics Psychology from Marymount University. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Social Work at Walden University. Kim is fluent in English and Vietnamese, and has five years of home based experience. She is also trained in ARC Model of Trauma, The Incredible Years, and Collaborative Problem Solving.