Our Team

Bikash Sharma, MD | General Psychiatrist, Addiction Psychiatrist

Dr. Bikash Sharma is the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Certified General psychiatrist and Addiction psychiatrist.

His treatment approach is based on psychotherapy as the primary treatment, and medications are used to make such psychotherapy work better. He also uses psychotherapy to improve medications treatment quality and effectiveness.

Dr. Sharma’s has extensive experience in treating complex, treatment resistant mental health conditions. In his clinical practice, he evaluates and treats clients struggling with mental health diagnoses, who also have co-occurring other health issues like alcohol or drug addictions or general health issues.

Dr. Sharma’s philosophy as a health care provider is educating clients about their health conditions and current treatments, and their other treatment options, so that his clients are empowered towards self-care, in clinical decision making and more able to allocate available psychosocial resources.

Dr. Sharma’s clinical experiences include working as a Medical Director at a prestigious mental health hospital and drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers in the US. Dr. Sharma also has a unique experience to treat diverse immigrant population in Maryland DC Virginia metro area. Dr. Sharma recently received Nepal Medical Council certification as a General and Addiction psychiatrist.

His research interest includes health economics, effective mental health delivery models, mental health policy in low and middle-income countries, and digital therapeutics in mental health and drug and alcohol addiction treatments. He is motivated to learn and do important research on mental health and alcohol and substance use disorders in South- Asian diaspora living in the US.

Oluremi Akinlade, MD | Family Physician

Dr. Oluremi Akinlade has been in clinical practice for over 20 years. She is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Dr Akinlade is a primary care provider and patient advocate who takes great pride in providing personalized and excellent care to her patients. Her interests include general medicine, preventive health, chronic disease management, adolescent and women’s health.</span

Leila Malavite | Licensed Acupuncturist

Leila Malavite is a Doctor of Acupuncture and a licensed acupuncturist. She studied at the Maryland University of Integrative Health where she focused her final clinical studies on anxiety, insomnia, and ADHD. This ancient and evidence-based medicine of East Asia helps regulate and enhance the body’s natural self-healing abilities. Acupuncture harmonizes the body, mind, and spirit. Helping her patients in this way is her greatest passion. Dr. Malavite’s goal is to help patients reach their health goals and achieve greater states of peace and wellness. She focuses on the root cause of dis-ease and has been trained in 3 different types of acupuncture: Classical Five-element, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Channel theory. Treatments may also include moxibustion, cupping, tui na, zero balancing bodywork, and lifestyle recommendations.

Her experience is wide reaching and includes mental/emotional health, pain management, digestive health, chronic illness, women’s health, and immunity.

Dr. Malavite also offers telehealth services that may include guided acupressure, Qi Gong, personalized meditations, herbs, and Chinese nutrition.

Lawrence Rakhmanov (LCPC) | Counselor

“Hello and congratulations to you for taking the brave, but often difficult steps towards engagement in therapy. I thank you for considering me as a prospective therapist and hope that your decision-making process will be assisted with some background information about myself; as well as my areas of expertise. While I work primarily from a cognitive-behavioral perspective; I also integrate aspects of person-centered therapy, solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness into my practice. I work with clients who vary in presenting concerns, age (16+), and therapeutic needs. My overall approach as a psychotherapist is to remain dynamic and flexible. I attempt to meet client needs by tailoring treatment methodologies, and therapeutic approaches to their life experiences and styles of communication and understanding.

My primary areas of expertise include working with depression, anxiety, stress management, conflict resolution, interpersonal relationships, communication enhancement, trauma, and substance abuse. I’ve had extensive experience in applying these clinical interests within the contexts of individual, family, and couples therapy. My primary focus is to assist individual clients, families, and/or couples in developing insight, awareness, confidence, competence, trust, and vulnerability; as well as the ability to modify negative patterns of thought and behavior. My genuine goal is to serve as an effective resource to each and every one of my clients, and my ultimate desire is to help people find their paths to living healthier, happier, and more fulfilled lives”.

Rasmi Bhattarai PMHNP-BC | Psych Nurse Practitioner

Rasmi Bhattarai, PMHNP. During my 13 years of experience in the mental health sector I have always believed that a holistic approach is the best approach to treat, prevent and cure mental health problems. I have a masters in mental health counseling from Troy University and master’s in nursing, psychiatric mental health Nurse Practitioner from Walden university. I have previously worked with children, adults and the military population. In recent years we have come a long way in the mental health sector, yet the stigma remains in society.

I focus on psych education for my patient as well as family and make people aware of that mental health as its as important as physical health. Combining spiritual, physical and mental health, I am looking forward to serving a variety of populations.

Canicia Anyiatem | Psych Nurse Practitioner

I am a passionate Psychiatry Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I strongly believe in patient care with a focus on helping them attend to their clinical goals, install confidence in their ongoing treatment, and take responsibility in their treatment planning. I am compassionate about patients who are struggling with mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders. I have worked as a health care professional for over 10 years during which time I gained plenty of skills in patient care and rehabilitation.

My goal is to provide an evidence-based, culturally diverse, comprehensive, and thorough mental health assessment, diagnosis, patient and family-centered psychotherapies, medication management, and updating treatment plans in a timely manner to our adolescent and adult patients. I work with a diverse team of medical professionals to provide the best possible care to our patient population.

Below are some of the services I provide:

Opioid Use Disorders (Suboxone and Vivitrol treatment).
Alcohol Use Disorders (Vivitrol and other relapse prevention treatments)
Other substance use disorders
Adult ADHD (Executive dysfunctions)
Depression
Bipolar Disorder
Anxiety Disorder
Thought Disorder
OCD Anxiety
PTSD Disorder
Personality Disorder

Michelle Jones | Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Life can be challenging and the need for support and empowerment has never been more crucial. I am a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner providing psychiatric treatment including medication management. I received my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and my Master of Science in Nursing from Frostburg State University.

Throughout my 20 years of nursing experience, I have worked in general medicine, neurology, mental health, and addiction medicine. I found my passion while working in mental health and decided to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner to better help those seeking to improve their mental health and consequently enhance their quality of life. I also specialize in addiction medicine and desire to see people struggling be set free from the burden that an addiction can place on their life and relationships. While providing psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, medication management, and psychoeducation, I ensure that the client is always at the center of decision making.

I adhere to a compassionate and non-judgemental approach and am committed to providing high quality, evidence-based, holistic care. Life is a journey and as with any great journey, navigation is crucial. It is my honor to assist with navigating the rough terrain that may be holding people back from a mentally healthy and happy life.

Lisa H. Sowers (LGPC) | Counselor

I am grateful you are here. Going through life can include many unexpected twists and turns. Giving yourself permission to take this step in your journey to make a change in your life is not a simple decision. You have come to the right place. My goal as a therapist is to create an environment where my client’s desire to grow and evolve begins with expressing concerns and revealing aspirations for a better tomorrow.

I am a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor with experience in helping people with anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, and ADHD. I utilize techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy and a strength-based approach. My practice is based on compassion, respect and an appreciation of all clients’ background, culture, and abilities. I provide counseling to children, teenagers, and adults.

I have a Master’s degree in School Psychology from the University of Maryland and a second Master’s degree in The Science of Instruction from Drexel University. In addition, I am a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and a PATH Int. Certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. Most importantly, I enjoy helping clients overcome difficult challenges and take the necessary steps to make authentic and lasting changes in their lives.

We are specialized in treating different types of mental
health issues, alcohol addiction, substance use disorders and complex co occurring health conditions.