About Us | The BGH Clinic | Based in the DMV

Call Us:

240-240-3318

Mental Health Therapists That Understand Where You Are Coming From

Our mental health services are community based and individualized support to women and girls of color that need additional wrap around and psychosocial support to address areas of functioning that may be impaired or that require rehabilitation.

OMHC services support the psychotherapeutic aspect of an individual’s mental health treatment by addressing what happens internally, mentally, and emotionally. We provide medication management along with group therapy and individual therapy.

Loretta Peterson

LICSW, LCSW-C
Clinical Directoor

Victorine Chi, PMHNP-BCM

Nurse Practitioner

Our Mission & Vision

Our Mission: To create pathways to help women and girls of color improve their health through engagement, education, and empowerment.

The BGH Clinic is a service provided by the Black Girl Health Foundation, Inc. BGHF is a non-profit 501c3 that creates pathways to improve the health of black women and girls through education, engagement, and empowerment.

The foundation connects with women of color through its College Ambassador Program implemented at educational institutions and communities in the northeastern region. The program helps students and women in the surrounding communities adopt healthier behaviors through nutrition and exercise.

The non-profit furthers its health impact on women and girls of color through it’s National Kickstart Health & Wellness Program; which includes an entire day of interactive workshops by renown health experts, doctors, health screenings, and fitness trainers to motivate women to take control of their health and give them resources to make informed decisions. We perform this mission by creating resources, content, and experiences designed to present information in a way that feels relevant and accessible.

Our Vision: We have a core belief that, in addition to remission of psychiatric symptoms, quality of life for our clients must improve. Therefore, our community-based program is specifically designed for Functional Recovery, Social Recovery, and Mind + Body Wellness.”

Our Therapists

Alysia Mcguire Senior Therapist, LCPC

Alysia McGuire is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Maryland. Alysia specializes in working with individuals that are dealing with depression, crisis interventions, anxiety/stress, trauma, and grief/loss with great rapport with youth and young adults. Alysia currently uses person- centered and solution-focused approach to help navigate individuals to become a better version of themselves.

Alysia graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Elmira College in Elmira, NY. Alysia then earned her Masters degree in Counseling at the illustrious Bowie State University in Bowie, MD.

Alysia values the importance of “making sure your cup is filled”. Alysia values self-care and enjoy serving others and the community as a Deaconess at her Church, hosting game nights, traveling, trying new restaurants, and most importantly, having family time.

Loretta Peterson LICSW, LCSW-C

Ms. Loretta Peterson is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years in the Social Work profession. She has extensive training in mental health treatment modalities, including Individual and Group Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Crisis Intervention and Marriage and Family Therapy. Her years of experience have afforded her the opportunity to have worked in both the public and private sectors. She has also been in private practice and served as a consultant to several agencies in the District of Columbia and the State of Maryland. Her primary focus of treatment is for Depression, Anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Sha-Tia White LMSW

Hey! My name is Sha-Tia White. I’m a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) who is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree from Coppin State University and my Masters degree from Morgan State University. I have experience working in human service and crisis response. I provide trauma informed care while utilizing self empowerment techniques and strengths perspective. My goal is to help individuals understand that we can be more than our trauma. I assist in finding strengths, areas of opportunities and implement coping mechanisms to deal with life’s day to day challenges. I’m excited to assist you in your journey!

Deborah uses a person-centered and solution-focused approach, both evidence-based, to unlock your hidden treasures. She is an advocate, broker, networker, mental health first aid trainer for adults/youths, at-risk youth practitioner and a voice for the voiceless. She strongly believes that practicing self-care is essential for women of color to maintain their mental wellness.

Deborah strongly believes this journey of life will have trials and tribulations, but one of the ways that God show us that he cares for our mental health is by providing us with the things we need- A good therapist, access to medication, time with Him, a good support system, or all the above. In summary she believes “You are a gift from God to the World.”

Deborah E. Woolford LMSW

Deborah E. Woolford, LMSW, believes a holistic approach is needed to reach your fullest potential and walk in your purpose assigned to your life. The mind (therapist), body (medication) and soul (Him) working in unison, she believes can break strongholds attached to our bodies, such as, fear, doubt, trauma, anger, resentment, low-self-esteem which keeps us in bondage.

Denee Bottoms LMSW

Denee Bottoms has had the opportunity to work with a diverse array of individuals, children and families in areas including but not limited to homelessness, sexual exploitation, grief, and loss as
well as partner and family relationships.

Through her professional and personal journey, she has been able to assist others with using transferable skills to process and manage their experiences,
transition, and trauma. Denee earned her MSW at Rutgers University in pursuit of her passion toward the betterment of people of color through therapy, education, and access.

She is a licensed Social Worker for Maryland and the District of Columbia. Denee has over 10 years of social services experience and has worked in a wide range of environments including public and charter schools, higher education, shelters, and various nonprofit organizations. Denee believes in lifelong learning and consistently seeks to understand behavior through deep reflection from her own experiences and the experiences of others. Denee values the benefits of self-care and life balance. She enjoys karaoke, concerts, plays, spending time with family and friends, and quiet time alone.

Ayasia Alfred LMSW, LGSW

Ayasia Alfred, LMSW, is a Licensed Masters Social Worker, with a Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the New York University.

She is dedicated to helping her clients achieve mental wellbeing and life balance. Through compassionate listening and evidence-based interventions, she believes in empowering individuals, couples, and families to overcome challenges and live fulfilling lives.

Over the course of her career, she has supported a diverse range of clients including those experiencing homelessness, individuals managing mental health conditions, those in recovery from substance use disorders, refugees adjusting to life in a new country, and families navigating the child welfare system. She brings her experience and expertise to each client with care and cultural sensitivity to provide the highest quality personalized care.

Her mission as a therapist is to help clients see their inherent strengths, recognize their self-worth, and develop the tools needed to achieve life goals and emotional wellbeing. She looks forward to “seeing how together we can improve the quality of your life and the lives of your loved ones”.

Lauren Wells Holistic Health Coach

Lauren Wells, aka the “Gut Health Bestie” is a Certified Digestive Health Coach specializingLauren Wells, aka the “Gut Health Bestie” is a Certified Digestive Health Coach specializing in Nutrition, Gut Health and Self-Care. She is an advocate for Mental Health and loves educating the importance of how much Nutrition and Gut Health impacts mental health.

Lauren graduated with a Bachelors in Rehabilitation Services from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She worked 5yrs in the social services, health and human services system working with individuals with special needs with years of training in Mental Health First Aid response in New York City. Lauren is committed to her purpose to helping Women adopt Holistic and Realistic lifestyle habits to living a healed, healthy and happy life.

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What is understood does not have to be explained. Let your hair down and get help from a therapist that intimately understands YOU.

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