MEET OUR TEAM

OUR TEAM MEMBERS ARE OUR GREATEST ASSET

DR. SAMANTHA KNOX

COUNSELOR, OWNER/FOUNDER

Dr. Samantha Knox is a Licensed Professional Counselor in DC, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor in Maryland. Dr. Knox also holds a Board Certified Telemental Health (BC-TMH) credential. She completed her doctoral studies in Counselor Education and Supervision at Marymount University in Arlington, VA where her dissertation focus was on Previously Incarcerated African American Mothers and Attachment. She received her Masters in Counseling/ Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Trinity Washington University in Washington, DC, and a Bachelors in Elementary Education from Dillard University in New Orleans, LA.

Dr. Knox provides EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral, Adlerian, and Solution Focused techniques for children, adolescents, and adults. Her population specialties are adjustment disorders, anxiety and depressive disorders, LGBTQ, substance use, grief/loss, racial identity, and spirituality.

Oluwatimilein Bamgbola

Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (DC)

Oluwatimilein “Timi” Bamgbola is a licensed graduate professional counselor in Washington, DC. Timi is working on her PhD for Counseling Psychology at Howard University. She has received her Master’s in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health from Montclair State University in the state of New Jersey.

Timi has clinical experience working with adolescents and adults who struggled with anxiety, depression, trauma, and adjustment issues. She uses a multicultural, trauma-informed practice with a focus on Cognitive-Behavioral Theory (CBT) and mindfulness techniques. Timi is also passionate on working with diverse populations, such as the LGBTQ+ community, Black and Brown people, and women. She is under the clinical supervision of Dr. Samantha Knox

Jocelyn Martin

Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (DC)

Jocelyn is a licensed graduate professional counselor in DC who obtained her Masters in Counseling Psychology from Bowie State University. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. Jocelyn is passionate about the support and healing experiences of marginalized communities, matters related to girls and women’s total wellness, navigating relationships, and issues in the workplace. Jocelyn utilizes a person-centered therapeutic approach to guide her clients to self-actualization. Jocelyn is looking forward to collaborating with and coaching both individuals and couples on discovering and mobilizing their strengths.

CHAYLAH CHANTELLE FRANCIS

COUNSELING STUDENT INTERN 

Chaylah Francis is currently a Pre- Licensed Counseling Clinician pursuing a Psychotherapy Graduate certification at Bowie State University. Chaylah obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Cinematic Arts from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. She went on to gain her Master of Arts in Human Service Counseling with a Graduate Certificate in Military Resilience. As a United States Army Reservist, Chaylah has dedicated her education and career to the service of others. Chaylah is passionate about Military mental health, specializing in healing related to military unique traumas and stressors. Her goal is to support individuals with mental health problems; to guide individuals to live meaningful lives in their communities and achieve their full potential. Chaylah specializes in military trauma, victim advocacy, stress-related disorders, individual counseling, and group therapy. Chaylah utilizes faith-based counseling, existentialism, a person-centered therapeutic approach, mindfulness, and cognitive-based psychotherapy. She is under the clinical supervision of Dr. Samantha Knox.

Favorite Quote:

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” – Maya Angelou.

Melissa Huang

Counseling Student Intern

Melissa Huang is a Master’s student in clinical mental health counseling at Trinity Washington University. Melissa began her career in case management and women’s ministry. She shifted to counseling after realizing that many people recognized the healthy choices they wanted to make but felt powerless to break ingrained patterns. She entered the counseling field to be equipped to help people heal from past wounds and overcome the barriers that keep them from thriving, though social justice and faith still inform her work and worldview. Melissa takes a person-centered and existential approach to counseling, emphasizing attachment, emotional expression, and meaning-making. She specializes in parent-child relationships, trauma, depression, and anxiety. Melissa is under the clinical supervision of Dr. Samantha Knox.

JERRINA
RICKS
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 

Ms. Jerrina Ricks is a native of Prince George’s County, MD. Ms. Ricks graduated from Sanford-Brown College is 2012 with an Associates Degree of Applied Science in Medical Assisting. In 2017, she began her career as a Psychiatry Assistant for an outpatient mental health facility. During this time, Ms. Ricks had the privilege of working with some of the finest psychiatrists, nurse practitioners and therapists in the DC Metro. Ms. Ricks possesses an array of skills that allows her to provide the best experience possible while working directly with both clients and providers.

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Unfortunately, our R St. office is not ADA compliant. If you are in need of accommodations, please let us know in your initial email.

202-746-5838

1638 R St. NW, Suite 311 Washington, DC 20006

hello@ayabehavioralhealth.com