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Experience you can count on
About our expertise
Angela Soto, LCSW-C
I was born in Bogota, Colombia and moved permanently to Montgomery County when I was a little girl. As a bicultural and bilingual individual, I have great passion for helping people who face significant challenges and changes. I graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s University with a dual degree in Psychology and Spanish History and Literature. I obtained my Masters from the University of Maryland in Clinical Social Work. My emphasis has always been psychotherapy with children and families.
I have obtained several specializations including: Play therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, addictions treatment, Couples Therapy and Group Facilitation. I have been named an expert witness by the Montgomery County Court system in the areas of abuse and neglect. I received certifications from Johns Hopkins University in clinical work with families and children. I have done extensive work in the fields of ADHD, special learning skills, and teen gaming addiction treatment.
I have worked with the Montgomery County Government Culture of Equity Initiative since 2014. There I provide diversity, equity, and inclusion trainings to county employees who will become trainers themselves. As a community advocate, I am often required to participate in public speaking events. I am very fortunate to have found a career that I love. For the past 20 plus years, I have had the opportunity to assist individuals, couples, families and groups in the DMV area.
Karin Focke, LCPC
Change can be unpredictable and sometimes stressful to the point that it may disturb a family, trigger anxiety or depression, generate relationship problems in adults and behavioral problems in adolescents and children. Having lived in different countries myself, I can understand how difficult it is to adapt to new life situations.
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I have a degree in clinical psychology from Colombia. After obtaining my MS from Johns Hopkins University in 2001, I have worked for several years at Georgetown University with women diagnosed with depression. I work extensively with international individuals from different backgrounds as well as ethnic minorities. I also work with abused and neglected children.
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I offer therapy in English and Spanish and specialize in working with depression and anxiety, interpersonal relationships, parenting concerns and behavioral problems. My goal is to help individuals and families live a better and more fulfilling life. My services are reimbursed by most insurance companies.
Stephanie Flores, PCCN
My name is Stephanie Flores, and I have been a Registered Nurse on the Progressive Care Unit at Shady Grove Medical Center for the past four years. Within this short time frame as a nurse, I have developed my critical thinking skills and crucial ability to operate both independently and in a teamwork setting. I have obtained my certification as a PCCN, I have become a member of the Preceptor Academy, and I have trained multiple new graduates to the unit. I’m the president of my unit council and have received awards for my accomplishments such as the Nursing Excellence Award and Daisy Award. I take my role as a nurse very seriously and assure the quality care I give to my patients. My motto is that I treat my patients as if they were my family members. I am proud of how far I have come in my career-from being the first one in my family to graduate from high school, and to go off to college, and to being the first one to be in the medical field.
Growing up as a first-generation Latina child, I had my parents to inspire me to keep on striving for the best and to achieve in my career. I graduated from Trinity Washington University with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Both personally and professionally, I want to make a difference and help save lives. I desire to keep on educating myself and be able to give high quality care.
Alexander Mack
My name is Alex Mack, I graduated from the University of Maryland with a dual degree in Marketing and Psychology. I am fluent in English and Spanish. I have worked along side Ms. Soto for the past 4 years providing support to the community. I have lead outreach and conducted mental health presentations. I believe in empowering others through teaching about mental health wellness and providing resources to support one another.
Tessa Brizhik
Hi, my name is Tessa Brizhik from Poolesville, MD. I am currently a junior at Bucknell University, majoring in Psychology and Linguistics, and I aspire to attend graduate school for Speech and Language Pathology after! My interests in psychology lie in language acquisition and its influences on child development. In this position at Soto Therapy, I help with outreach and administrative work.
Miss Honey
We’re thrilled to introduce the newest (and furriest) member of the Soto Therapy team, Miss Honey! At just 10 weeks old, she has already stolen our hearts with their playful personality and gentle nature. This lovable, hypoallergenic pup is beginning a journey to become a fully trained Therapy dog.
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Over the coming months, Miss Honey will undergo specialized training to become a certified Emotional Support dog, ready to provide comfort and companionship to our clients. We believe that the presence of a support animal can have a powerful, calming effect, creating a more welcoming and soothing environment for healing and growth.
