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Clinical Interns
John Marchelya
John Marchelya is a second-year master’s student in Clinical and Professional Counseling at Loyola University of Maryland and a clinical counseling intern at Complete Wellness. He is under the supervision of Dr. Durwood Whitten.
John sees therapy as a process of self-discovery and believes that by better understanding ourselves we can better understand and manage our problems. When working with clients, he helps guide them in exploring how their thoughts, feelings, relationships, and personal histories are connected to the challenges that they face.
John has chosen a profession in counseling after 25 years in engineering and finance. In addition to life experience and maturity, John brings with him a wide range of personal and professional experiences. He welcomes working with people of all backgrounds, ages, and identities, and strives to foster an open and compassionate relationship where any concern can be discussed without fear or judgement.
Daniel Beard
Danny Beard is a second-year master's student in the Clinical Professional Counseling master's program at Loyola University of Maryland. Danny is currently an intern at Complete Wellness under the supervision of Dr.
Durwood Whitten.
Danny received his BA in psychology at Salisbury University, where he served as a group counselor trainee at a psychiatric rehabilitation program for children and adolescents. Danny has experience working with individuals diagnosed with learning disabilities, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders.
Danny wishes to provide a non-judgmental, respectful, and safe space for people of all backgrounds, identities, and ages. Danny envisions counseling as a space for the individual to not only discuss their insecurities, but also to disclose their strengths, values, and positive aspects. He sees counseling as a collaborative process which will ensure self-discovery, emphasize self-acceptance, and provide a healing space.
Robert Borah
Robert Borah is a clinical counseling intern under the supervision of Dr. Durwood Whitten. He is a second-year master’s student in clinical professional counseling at Loyola University Maryland. Robert holds a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. Before graduate school, Robert worked as a laboratory manager at Stanford University, contributing to community mental health programs and research on trauma, mindfulness, and resilience.
Robert believes individuals from all backgrounds and experiences have the right to grow and thrive, and that this is best achieved through self-understanding and compassion. His counseling orientation combines cognitive behavioral techniques with a person-centered, individualized approach. He views therapy as a collaboration between client and counselor built upon authenticity, trust, and empathy. Robert is excited to work with adolescents and adults of all ages who are struggling with anxiety, depression, life changes, and other stressors.
Ruyi Lin
Ruyi Lin is a Master’s graduate student studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling atJohns Hopkins University. She is working on her clinical training as a clinical counseling intern at Complete Wellness, supervised by Evan
Steinhorst, LCPC. Ruyi completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.
Ruyi completed a clinical internship in a Mental Health Hospital in China. As part of her clinical training, she met with clients who represented a broad variety of mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, sleeping disorders, and alcohol dependence. The age range of the clients with whom she worked ranged from pre-school age to over 80 years old.
Ruyi insists on treating people with genuineness, empathy, and positivity. She respects people from every cultural background by valuing their unique experiences and strengths. Ruyi believes that clients are the biggest experts on themselves, and she also believes in the power of control and self-change that exist in everyone who makes a decision to enter into counseling. With these beliefs of hope in clients, Ruyi wants to help clients explore their potential and achieve their goals.
Alyssa Meister
Alyssa Mesiter is a third-yeard Master’s graduate student studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling atJohns Hopkins University. She is working on her clinical training as a clinical counseling intern at Complete Wellness, supervised by Durwood Whitten, PhD.
Alyssa received her B.S. in Psychology from Towson University. She has experience working with clients in a range of settings, such as crisis counseling, inpatient psychiatric care, case management, substance use, as well as residential treatment.
Alyssa’s integrative approach to therapy stems from a combination of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She believes that treatment should be tailored to each unique individual, because therapy is a collaborative process that requires warmth, trust, and empathy. Alyssa strives to create a safe, welcoming therapeutic environment for all clients.
Mia Jackson
Mia Jackson is currently pursuing her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Johns Hopkins University. She is working on her clinical training as a clinical counseling intern at Complete Wellness, supervised by Durwood Whitten, PhD. In 2022, Mia graduated from Howard University earning a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies. She began her professional journey as a Crisis Intervention Specialist, where she utilized the skill of creating personalized behavior plans for students with a spectrum of mental health disorders. More recently, at a nonprofit organization in Baltimore City, Mia played a pivotal role in assisting returning citizens with their reintegration into society by providing essential resources such as housing, insurance and vocational training.
Mia’s therapeutic approach is a testament to her unwavering commitment to authenticity and equity. She believes that a genuine connection between therapist and client can be transformative in their journey. Mia is dedicated to ensuring that mental health services are accessible to all. With a desire to meet her clients needs, Mia seeks to tailor her therapeutic interventions to meet the unique needs and experiences of each client. In her practice, Mia creates a safe and supportive space where clients feel heard, understood and empowered as they explore and address their challenges. She is open to and is interested in working with clients of all different ages, backgrounds, and experiences.
Yao Lu
Yao Lu is a third-year master’s student in the Master's of Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program at Johns Hopkins University. She is currently completing her counseling internship under the supervision of Dr. Durwood Whitten at Complete Wellness. Yao eared her Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin.
Yao has volunteered as a crisis line counselor where she provided immediate support to individuals experiencing distress. This experience has deepened her commitment to offering care in the mental health field with empathy and genuineness. She believes in the importance of creating a non-judgmental space where clients can feel safe and empowered to explore their challenges.
Yao’s approach to counseling is client-centered. While drawing primarily from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Person-Centered Therapy, she strives to adapt her approach to align with the client’s unique goals and strengths. Yao is dedicated to support clients from a variety of cultural backgrounds to navigate their issues and achieve personal goals.