​Dr. Barry Ekdom, Ph.D.
​Clinical Neuropsychologist

​​Dr. Ekdom earned his Ph.D. at the University of Iowa, then trained for two years in Clinical Neuropsychology at the Department of Neurology at North Shore University Hospital, a Cornell affiliate, at Georgetown University Hospital. After three years at a local neurological clinic, Dr. Ekdom began his independent practice and became an adjunct faculty member at the George Washington Medical School, Department of Neurological Surgery. For over thirty years, Dr. Ekdom has been committed to and specialized in high quality diagnostic assessment and consultation with persons three years of age through the elderly. Dr. Ekdom's professional affiliations include the International Neuropsychological Society, the National Academy of Neuropsychology, the International Dyslexia Association, and the Epilepsy Foundation. 

---

---

Dr. Nicole Hashemian, Psy.D.
Clinical Neuropsychologist

​Dr. Hashemian earned her Masters and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology at the American School of Professional Psychology and earned her Bachelors degree majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Chemistry and Medicine from George Mason University. She has broad experience working with individuals with a wide variety of neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and anxiety-related disorders. Her clinical training includes a post-doctoral fellowship in neuropsychology in private practice and doctoral externships at the Children’s National Medical Center. Dr. Hashemian has presented on topics such as trauma and abuse, assessing and treating eating disorders, models of implementing behavioral healthcare, nurturing motivation and resilience in children with ADHD, and memory concerns and dementia in elderly populations. Her research interests include head injuries, ADHD, executive functioning deficits, learning difficulties, sensory processing deficits, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. She is well-versed in working with culturally diverse populations and is fluent in Persian (Farsi). Dr. Hashemian is a member of the International Society for Neuroregulation and Research (ISNR).

---

Dr. Joanna Luzzi, Psy.D.
Clinical Neuropsychologist

Dr. Luzzi earned her Bachelors degree in Psychology from Arizona State University (ASU) and her Masters degree in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York city. She then moved to the Washington, DC metropolitan area and earned her Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology. During this time, she completed her APA Accredited Internship (emphasis in Psychological Assessment and Neuropsychology) at the Washington Medical Group in Washington, DC. After earning her Doctorate degree, Dr. Luzzi completed a two-year fellowship in neuropsychology and had didactic training through the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC: 2-Year Neuropsychology Fellowship Seminar). Dr. Luzzi works with a diverse client population characterized by an array of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Multiple Sclerosis (MS), traumatic brain injury, dementia, and Parkinson's disease (PD). She has presented at the American Psychological Association (APA) and is a member of the APA as well as the International Neuropsychological Society (INS).

---

Rachel Stewart, M.A., NCC
THERAPIST

Rachel graduated from James Madison University with a B.S. in Psychology and obtained a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marymount University. She is now a National Certified Counselor and a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA) as a pre-licensed professional counselor. Her past experience includes administering specialized neuropsychological and psychoeducational testing and she now offers talk therapy at the Ekdom Neuropsychology Group. Rachel is passionate about supporting adolescents and adults who are experiencing challenges such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, self esteem issues, stress, interpersonal issues such as family and relationship conflict, and more. She primarily utilizes a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach while also incorporating mindfulness, person-centered internal family systems (IFS), and other therapeutic techniques in order to tailor her counseling to each individual, because no two people are exactly the same. Rachel's goal in therapy is to provide a non-judgmental and safe space for you to process through your emotions and feelings, while also including coping skills and psychoeducation.

---

Kiara Orbe, NTA, FDNP, RCPC, SEP
Integrative health specialist 

Kiara is a trauma-informed integrative health specialist, passionately melding nutritional therapy, advanced functional labs, and profound somatic techniques to pave the way for comprehensive healing. Specializing in aiding individuals grappling with chronic fatigue, digestive troubles, mental health imbalances and systemic dysregulation, Kiara’s methods are deeply rooted in her personal health odyssey. This journey illuminated the intricate bond between her emotional and physical being, revealing their inseparability. Trained with the NTA, FDN, RCPC, Pause Breathwork, SEI and The Embody Lab, Kiara empowers individuals to overcome chronic issues and lead fulfilling lives.

---

Denise Krantz, M.S.
Lead Neuropsychology Testing Technician

Denise graduated from The College of St. Rose with a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology. Prior to joining the practice in 2015, Denise worked on several research projects examining early childhood education programs in Washington DC public and private schools. In her current role as the practice's head psychometrist, she supervises and trains the testing technician staff and works with patients of all ages administering accurate assessments while ensuring that the testing process is an enjoyable one.

---

Madeline Williams, M.S.
​​neuropsychology Testing Technician & Brain Coach

Madeline graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Cognitive Science concentrating in Neuroscience and recently attained a Master's degree in Integrative Neuroscience from Georgetown University. Her past experience includes using research-based principles to improve reading comprehension in elementary aged children and transcribing the assessment and treatment of geriatric ophthalmic patients after conducting testing with ophthalmic imaging technology. Among Madeline's interests is learning how the brain develops the mechanisms to read and identifying effective strategies that close the gap in neuro-diverse students. Madeline has lived in Japan and Germany, experiences which she feels have enhanced her world view and created a passion for culture. In her free time, Madeline enjoys reading, keeping up with pop culture, and dog sitting. Madeline is excited to continue to gain experience and education in the field of neuropsychology and neuroscience subsets.

---

Christina st. clair, m.a.
​​neuropsychology TESTING TECHNICIAN

Christina is currently completing her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology, with a concentration in Neuropsychology, at Fielding Graduate University. She also earned a M.A. in Forensic Psychology from the University of North Dakota and a B.S. in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her prior experience includes conducting comprehensive neuropsychological assessments to assess for cognitive deficits associated with dementia and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Christina’s further experience involves conducting individual and group psychotherapy in private practice and in the complex trauma disorder unit at Dominion Hospital’s inpatient and outpatient TraumaSci Program. Christina also spent ten years in the U.S. Army Reserves, which shaped her current research interests, which focus on cognitive impairment associated with traumatic brain injuries, posttraumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, and separately, long-COVID. Christina holds memberships with the American Psychological Association (APA) and The International Honors Society in Psychology (Psi Chi).  

---

HANNAH CROCKETT, M.A.
neuropsychology testing technician

Hannah graduated with her B.S. and M.A. in Psychology with a concentration in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience from George Mason University. Her past experience includes helping children and adults improve various cognitive skills through brain training. Hannah is interested in the biological bases of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. In her free time, Hannah enjoys reading, crocheting, and spending time with her cat, Misa. 

---

Kinsey jarboe, B.S.
​patient intake & outreach coordinator 

​Kinsey graduated from The Catholic University of America with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a minor in Psychological Science. She has broad experience working in both elder care and childcare, having volunteered at the Children's National Hospital and a community serving adults with physical and intellectual disabilities. Kinsey has received certified nursing assistant training and is board licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As a research assistant in college, Kinsey worked on breast cancer research and  explored different aspects of cell morphology. As our patient intake & outreach coordinator, Kinsey hopes to make your experience with us a pleasant one and is excited for outreach and cooperation opportunities to elevate access to information and resources aimed at improving  mental health challenges in our community. 

---

GilliaN WEED, B.S.
​PATIENT INTAKE Specialist

Gillian graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and minors in Organizational Leadership and Sociology. At Virginia Tech, she pursued her interests in psychology through her role as a research assistant in the JK Lifespan Development Lab, which studies how different risk and protective factors can impact the mental health of children and adolescents. Gillian has also worked as a volunteer for Camp Kesem, an organization that works to support the mental health of children that have a parent with cancer. In her role here at Ekdom Neuropsychology Group, she hopes to effectively support the needs of patients and their families to help facilitate a positive intake and outtake experience.

---

​CHELSEA AHEARN-FEKETA, M.A.
DOCTORAL EXTERN

Chelsea is currently completing her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Washington, D.C. She has also earned a B.A. in Psychology and an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Veteran Services from SUNY Empire State College. Her prior experience involves conducting both psycho diagnostic and neuropsychological assessments to assess for a variety of psychological and neurological disorders. Chelsea is a U.S. Navy veteran and has a special interest in working with the military and veteran population. Her research interests involve mental health stigma within military leadership, military sexual trauma, post traumatic growth, and polytrauma. Chelsea holds a membership with the American Psychological Association (APA) and is excited and grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the field of neuropsychology at Ekdom Neuropsychology Group. 

---

​​Consulting Clinicians

Dr. Michelle Sullivan-Gast, Psy.D.
Clinical Neuropsychologist

Dr. Sullivan-Gast earned her Psy.D. in clinical psychology at the American School of Professional Psychology. She trained in neuropsychology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center prior to completing an internship and post-doctoral training in a private practice setting. Dr. Sullivan-Gast has extensive experience working with individuals of all ages, from the very young to the elderly. She is a licensed psychologist in the state of Virginia and has been with the practice since 2009.  ​

---

Dr. Ranon Cortell, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Cortell is a licensed psychologist in the state of Maryland.  He received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the Catholic University of America and completed his pre-doctoral internship at the Woodburn Center for Community Mental Health where he worked with clients of all ages and varied cultural backgrounds. Dr. Cortell conducts psychological assessments to evaluate learning, attention, emotional, and behavioral challenges and provide appropriate recommendations.