Tell Us How We’re Doing!

At WACC, we are committed to continuously improving our services and ensuring we meet the needs of our community. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we want to know how we are doing!

We invite all stakeholders—patients, families, staff, and community members—to participate in our survey, “Tell Us How We Are Doing.” Your insights will help us enhance our programs, refine our services, and create a better experience for everyone.

How to Participate:

  • Click the link to access the survey or take the survey below if it populates on your screen.
  • Your responses will be confidential and will directly inform our future initiatives.

Thank you for your continued support and for helping us strive for excellence in mental health care. Together, we can make a positive impact!


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Employment & Internship Opportunities

Join our dynamic team at Washington Area Clinical Center! We are currently hiring for multiple positions across various departments, including clinical, administrative, and internships.

Interested in a position? E-mail zfarooq@waccenter.com and include your resume and CV (optional).

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1. Mental Health Counselor (Part-Time or Full-Time) Hybrid*

Our team is seeking therapists to provide individual, couple, or family therapy sessions via Hybrid (Telehealth AND In-Person). Contract therapists set their own schedules and work independently in a fully virtual and in-person setting. We are seeking candidates with experience or interest in mood disorders, trauma, and couple/family work.

Applicants must have a M.A. or M.S. from an accredited university and must possess a minimum of graduate-level licensure in the state of Maryland and/or Washington, D.C. (LGMFT, LMFT, LMSW, LCSW-C, LICSW, LGPC, LCPC). We offer FREE supervision to LGPC, LGMFT, and LGSW. Out-of-state applicants must be license-eligible. Reimbursement of licensure fees is available for hired out-of-state clinicians upon licensure. No wait Caseloads. Start with a full caseload (If you offer evening and weekend availability).

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2. Mental Health Counseling Internship (Summer 2025) In-Person*

Seeking part-time graduate counseling interns who can work in-person at our Bowie, Maryland clinic and provide individual, couple, or family sessions. Your program’s practicum and internship start date would be Spring 2025 and onwards. Applicants must be pursuing a M.A. or M.S. from an accredited university and have completed the prerequisite coursework and readiness to begin the practicum/internship.

Ideal candidates should be comfortable working in person using a fully-integrated electronic health record system. We are 100% paperless. We are seeking candidates with interest in mood disorders, trauma, children, and couple/family work.

Career Path and Compensation:

At Washington Area Clinical Center, we value the growth and development of our interns. Upon successful completion of the internship and obtaining the required licensure as a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) or Licensed Master’s-level Clinician (LM), there are opportunities for paid clinical mental health counselor positions.

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3. Mental Health Marketing & Operations Internship (Part-Time) In-Person

Are you interested in gaining hands-on experience in the mental health field while contributing to the marketing and operations of a thriving mental health clinic? Join our team at WACC as a Mental Health Marketing & Operations Intern. This part-time internship offers valuable professional development opportunities in a supportive and dynamic work environment. *This is an unpaid college credit granting opportunity*

Position Details:

  • Position: Mental Health Marketing & Operations Internship
  • Type: Part-Time (Flexible hours)
  • Location: In-person at our Bowie Office
  • Duration: Length according to your college internship requirements

Responsibilities:

  • Assist in developing and implementing marketing strategies to promote the clinic’s services and programs
  • Support the creation and distribution of marketing materials, including brochures, flyers, and digital content
  • Conduct market research and analysis to identify potential outreach opportunities
  • Assist with social media management and content creation, ensuring consistent branding and engagement
  • Help maintain the clinic’s online presence, including website updates and online directory listings
  • Collaborate with the team to plan and execute community outreach events and workshops
  • Provide general administrative support to the operations team as needed

Qualifications:

  • Current enrollment in a relevant undergraduate or graduate program (e.g., Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, Psychology, Social Work, Human Services)
  • Interest in mental health and a strong desire to make a positive impact in the field
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Proficiency in social media platforms and content creation
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment

Compensation

Non-paid. If you are taking a college internship-credit course, we can be your placement site!

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4. Office Floater (Part-Time/Full-Time) In-Person

We are seeking a warm empathetic office floater for our mental health office in Bowie, MD. Floater must be available to work in-person. Duties include answering the phones, scheduling appointments, billing/processing payments, sending emails, faxing documents, coordinating benefits with insurance, mailing letters, processing claims, auditing paperwork, and responding to patient concerns, requesting medical records, and other duties.

Our ideal candidate is energetic, friendly, empathic, attentive, computer savvy, and organized. The candidate has:

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills and MUST be able to produce clear professional emails.
  • Must be comfortable answering phones.
  • 1+ year(s) of office experience. (mental health office experience-bonus points!!)
  • Experience with Gmail and sorting data in Excel/ Google Sheets spreadsheets
  • Experience operating cell and office phones
  • Experience with managing CRM and Database systems as we are almost paperless (Simple Practice and Practice Fusion experience-another plus!! )
  • Experience with scheduling and billing (bonus point if you know billing for all insurance providers)
  • Ability to meet deadlines!

The candidate must be a quick learner and able to perform most functions with personal initiative.

Must also be knowledgeable about HIPAA regulations.

Compensation

Negotiable.

Administrative Holidays

Our physical administrative offices will be closed on the following days:

*Please note that although physical administrative offices are closed on the dates above, clinical services (counseling/medication management) will continue as scheduled unless canceled.*

Understanding ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ADHD affects people of all ages, but it is most commonly diagnosed during childhood, with the average age of diagnosis being around 7 years old. However, many people are not diagnosed until adulthood, and some may never receive a formal diagnosis.

ADHD is typically diagnosed through a combination of clinical interviews, behavioral observations, and standardized rating scales completed by parents, teachers, and other caregivers. A thorough evaluation may also include psychological testing to rule out other conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms. While there is no single test to diagnose ADHD, healthcare professionals typically use a set of criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to make a diagnosis.

Treatment for ADHD typically involves a combination of medication and behavioral therapy. Medications such as stimulants and non-stimulants can help improve attention and reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Behavioral therapy may include individual counseling, family therapy, or social skills training. Common therapy techniques and models used in treating ADHD include cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, and parent management training.

Only qualified healthcare professionals such as psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, psychologists, and licensed mental health professionals can diagnose ADHD. It is important to note that a diagnosis of ADHD does not necessarily mean that someone has a disability. Many people with ADHD go on to live successful and fulfilling lives with appropriate treatment and support. A diagnosis can provide a better understanding of an individual’s strengths and challenges and may lead to improved educational and occupational outcomes.

Summary

  1. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects between 5-10% of children and 2-5% of adults worldwide. (Polanczyk et al., 2007)
  2. The symptoms of ADHD are typically divided into two categories: inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)
  3. ADHD is often accompanied by comorbid conditions, such as anxiety and depression, which can complicate diagnosis and treatment. (Pliszka et al., 2019)
  4. ADHD has been linked to differences in brain structure and function, including altered activity in the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia. (Cortese et al., 2012)
  5. ADHD can have a significant impact on academic and occupational functioning, as well as social relationships and overall quality of life. (Barkley et al., 2008)
  6. ADHD is highly heritable, with estimates of the genetic contribution ranging from 60-80%. (Faraone & Mick, 2010)
  7. Treatment for ADHD typically involves a combination of medication, behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes. (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2019)
  8. Stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine, are considered first-line treatments for ADHD and have been shown to be safe and effective in reducing symptoms. (Storebø et al., 2015)
  9. Behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and parent training, can help individuals with ADHD develop coping strategies and improve their daily functioning. (Pelham & Fabiano, 2008)
  10. Early identification and treatment of ADHD can improve long-term outcomes and reduce the negative impact of the disorder on individuals and their families. (DuPaul et al., 2020)

References:

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2019). ADHD: Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 144(4), e20192528.

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Association.

Barkley, R. A., Murphy, K. R., & Fischer, M. (2008). ADHD in adults: What the science says. Guilford Press.

Cortese, S., Kelly, C., Chabernaud, C., Proal, E., Di Martino, A., Milham, M. P., & Castellanos, F. X. (2012). Toward systems neuroscience of ADHD: A meta-analysis of 55 fMRI studies. American Journal of Psychiatry, 169(10), 1038-1055.

DuPaul, G. J., Weyandt, L. L., O’Dell, S. M., & Varejao, M. (2020). College students with ADHD: Current status and future directions. Journal of Attention Disorders, 24(2), 161-171.

Faraone, S. V., & Mick, E. (2010). Molecular genetics of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Psychiatric Clinics, 33(1), 159-180.

Pelham, W. E., & Fabiano, G. A. (2008). Evidence-based psychosocial treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 37(1), 184-214.