1641 MD Rt 3N, Suite 201, Crofton, MD 21114
240-709-3029
About Us
It's Time for A Breakthrough
Who We Are
Established in May 2010, Breakthroughs Psychological Services, LLC (BPS) is a minority and woman-owned business seeking to provide competent, compassionate and quality mental health services throughout Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Named after Dr. Gabriel’s personal and professional testimony that people often experience “breakthroughs” with the help of intervention, the BPS mission is to “Inspire hope- foster change- and empower YOU to make a breakthrough.” Dr. Gabriel believes that the interventions that can facilitate breakthroughs that BPS provides include individual therapy, couples and family counseling, psychoeducation/community outreach and psychological assessment.
Our Team
Renita Gabriel, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist/CEO
Renita Gabriel (Psy.D.) is a licensed psychologist in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia and is the founder/CEO of BPS. She is also a Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor through the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Dr. Gabriel has had significant experience providing psychological services (psychotherapy and psychological assessment) in both inpatient and outpatient settings with populations varying across the lifespan and from culturally diverse backgrounds. She has also taught courses at the graduate level at Marymount University in Arlington, VA. She earned her undergraduate degree from Washington and Lee University and her doctorate from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology Chicago Campus.
Her areas of practice include the treatment of Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, PTSD, Stress Management, Grief/Loss, Relational Issues, Adjustment Disorders, forensic and psychological assessment.
Dr. Gabriel’s areas of interest include mentorship, spiritual development, writing, teaching and providing education and support to faith-based communities around mental health. Her professional memberships include the Maryland Psychological Association and the American Association of Christian Counselors. She is a devoted wife and mother of two and author of The Point of It All: A Faith-Based Guide to Successful Living.
Shayla Bullock, LCPC
Licensed Therapist/Board Approved Supervisor
Shayla Bullock is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the state of Maryland. She has provided education, crisis intervention/management, individual and group therapy in the field of domestic violence, abuse and trauma for the past 15 years in both residential and outpatient settings. Her main therapeutic practices include trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, compassion-focused therapy, and mindfulness-based practices to motivate clients during their individual healing journeys.
She’s been trained on the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT Tapping) which is an experiential method that clears out unwanted feelings and releases limiting beliefs.
Shayla is committed to creating a compassionate environment for each individual client that focuses on their personal strengths and resiliency that will lead to independent coping skills that provide healthy management of emotional regulation throughout their lifespan.
Seema S. Sahin, M.S.
Registered Psychology Associate (MD, DC)
Seema S. Sahin has a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University. She joined Breakthroughs Psychological Services in 2022 as a Registered Psychology Associate in the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia, under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. She uses a client-centered approach while integrating a variety of counseling models. Through a collaborative process, she works with clients to help them better understand themselves and their situation. Her multicultural background and diversity competency enables her to see different perspectives as she explores with the client their story.
Seema believes that through compassion, empathy and acceptance, clients are more open to a path of healing and self-exploration.
She helps clients learn how to use mindfulness and intention as a means to make positive life changes on a path to find peace.
Lakeisha S. Keyes, M.S.
Predoctoral Psychology Extern
Registered Psychology Associate (DC)
Lakeisha S. Keyes, M.S. joins Breakthroughs Psychological Services as a Predoctoral Psychology Extern from Capella University. She is also a Registered Psychology Associate in the District of Columbia and is under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. She holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Human Service, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, and a Master of Science in Forensic Psychology, making her a highly educated and experienced mental health professional.
Lakeisha is passionate about helping her clients grow and heal by gaining insight, developing self-compassion, and utilizing the tools necessary to reach their full potential. She is particularly interested in the treatment of complex trauma, interpersonal and attachment difficulties, and race/cultural identity. Lakeisha is skilled in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), solutions-focused treatment, and family systems and has a particular interest in psychoeducation, trauma-focused therapy.
Lakeisha believes therapy can help individuals unpack and discover solutions to challenges that disrupt their lives. Her experience has primarily been focused on providing education, crisis intervention and management, and individual and group therapy in the field of domestic violence abuse, and trauma.
S. Vanessa Howard, M.A., M.S.
Registered Psychology Associate (MD)
S. Vanessa Howard is a Registered Psychology Associate in the state of Maryland under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. Not only does Vanessa hold a Master of Science and Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, but she is also pursuing her Doctorate of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) at Loyola University Maryland. Additionally, Vanessa has been serving as an adjunct professor at Towson University for over four years. While she wears many hats, Vanessa centers balance and peace in her life.
As a first-generation immigrant from West Africa, Vanessa has dedicated her career to teaching and inviting people to explore how their cultural identity influences their relationship with mental health. She employs a holistic approach to therapy and draws from psychodynamic, person centered, and interpersonal theories. Vanessa creates a nonjudgmental and compassionate space for individuals as they begin their growth and healing journey.
Edva Jean, B.S.
Office Manager & Medical Biller
Edva joined the BPS team in Fall of 2018. Since that time her role has expanded from Medical Biller to Office Manager. Edva’s commitment to excellence and attention to detail make her an asset to both staff and clients at BPS. She holds an undergraduate degree in Biology and enjoys learning new things and spending time with family and friends.