Staff

Dr. Hamel is a board certified licensed psychologist in both Virginia and New Jersey and has been in private practice for over 25 years. He holds a Diplomate in Behavioral Medicine and Professional Counseling from the International Academy of Behavioral Medicine, Counseling and Psychotherapy. He is also a licensed registered nurse and certified school psychologist. Dr. Hamel’s research interests include health psychology, training and supervision as well as corporate consultation.

Dr. Ivankovic completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology in Zagreb, Croatia, and her graduate studies at IPS. She has worked in a variety of areas, including helping abused children through an emergency line in Croatia, and psychotherapy for children and adolescents at Superior Court of the District of Columbia/Child Guidance Clinic. Her interests include psychological assessment and psychotherapy with children, adolescents, and adults suffering from depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, and characterological issues.

Valentina assists with IPS Center’s functioning and management while continuing her doctoral level studies in Clinical Psychology at IPS. Deciding to further pursue her interest in psychological assessment, she also works at the Dominion Center for Behavioral Health Services in Chantilly, VA, where she conducts psychological assessments to a variety of populations.

Stephanie graduated from The Catholic University of America with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Theology and Religious Studies. Before beginning her studies at IPS, Stephanie conducted educational testing on pre-school children throughout D.C.’s Charter School system. Her current academic interests include studying women with postpartum depression, while her clinical interests include working with adults, families, and children. 

Laura graduated from The College of William and Mary with degrees in Psychology and Theatre. Before postgraduate studies, Laura worked as the office manager and intake coordinator of a clinical private practice in Northern Virginia, and volunteered with Touching Humanity, Inc., a nonprofit based in Manhattan, helping children and adolescents suffering from Asperger’s syndrome acquire adaptive social skills. Laura’s clinical interests include eating disorders, body image issues, anxiety disorders, and characterological issues.

James received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisiana. He worked as a coding analyst with a medical billing company for two years before pursuing his doctorate in Clinical Psychology. James is married with a 2-year-old son with another boy on the way. He is trained in child, marital and adult therapy. His interests include treating individuals suffering from anxiety and depression, and researching social anxiety and courage.

Josh completed his undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Maryland. In 2008, he converted to Catholicism from Judaism. For the past three years, Josh has worked with children and young adults suffering from autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. Josh’s passion for working with the under-privileged developed while volunteering with the Missionaries of Charity in Washington, DC.  Josh’s interests include depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship problems, masculinity and the effects of pornography addiction.  

Elissa majored in Psychology and minored in Biology at Clemson University. After that, she worked with children suffering from autism, taught high school students in Haiti, and served as the In-Country Coordinator for Community Development for The Haitian Project. Her current research interests include virtue growth within the family, with a special focus on cultivation of the virtue of chastity in children. In the future, she plans to work in a group practice specializing in working with pre-adolescent children.

David graduated in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the Pontical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome as part of his seminary studies. After discerning it was not his call to be a priest, he worked as Dean of Students at Saint Thomas More Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is interested in adolescent and family psychology, and on education through the lens of Attachment theory.

Matthew completed a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts at Thomas Aquinas College in Southern California. Matthew’s clinical interests are focused on work with children, teens, adults, and couples. Over the years, he has come to appreciate an interpersonal process in therapy. Currently, he is working on a dissertation regarding the intersection of mindfulness and religiosity.

Helena graduated from Thomas Aquinas College. She was originally drawn to psychology from a desire to work with marriages and children. Having received her Masters, her interests have grown to include working with young adults, particularly college age and recent college graduates, as well as children and their families, who are experiencing chronic or fatal illnesses. Helena’s research interests include the role of emotions in both psychological difficulties and in happiness.