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Palesa Osie-Tutu, LCSW

Director Woodbridge

My name is Palesa Osei-Tutu and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years of experience working in the social work/behavioral health field. I was born in Lesotho by way of Ghana and grew up in Northern Virginia. I attended Virginia Commonwealth University where I earned my Bachelor's degree in psychology in 2001 and received my Master's in Social Work from Howard University in 2004. I enjoy cooking, eating, sightseeing spending time with my loved ones, traveling the world, experiencing different cultures and volunteering.

My passion has always been working with children and families. I enjoy supporting them as they navigate the stressors of life whether it is due to trauma, loss, adjustment difficulties, substance abuse, divorce, school difficulties, behavioral issues and various other issues that impact a family and the child's ability to be successful in all areas of their lives.

I have worked in social service settings, therapeutic foster care, school settings, Community Service settings as well as military and hospital settings through county and local government as well as the private sector and federal government. These experiences have allowed me to have a global perspective of the needs of children and families in the D.C. metro area. I believe that one of the bravest things a parent can do is trust a clinician to help their child get better or for a child to trust a stranger (me!) to support them and their family through difficult times.

I am experienced in TF-CBT, MI, CBT and use a strengths based model that focuses on family systems, cultural competency and the Afrocentric perspective that explores the person in their environment and the natural supports to include family and community to support them collectively for long term success. Over the years I have facilitated various types of therapeutic groups, conducted family therapy, couples counseling as well as individual therapy and believe in meeting families where they are. I believe that every encounter with another human being isn't coincidental. So with that philosophy in mind, I believe if we cross paths therapeutically, my role will be to facilitate impactful change and support your child and your family on the road to recovery as you define it.

Dr. Ronald Koshes, M.D., DFAPA

Ronald Koshes, M.D., DFAPA is a Board certified psychiatrist and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dr. Koshes served in the U.S. Army medical corps and is the former president of the society of American Military Psychiatrists and on the Board of Directors of the Veterans Writing Project. Currently, Dr. Koshes has academic appointments and professional assignments at George Washington University, and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. His numerous awards include The Meritorious Service Medal (U.S. Army) and the Excellence in Military Psychiatry Research Award (Society of Military Psychiatrists). Dr. Koshes has presented nationally and internationally on the topics of chronic mental illness and psychopharmacology, in addition to writing numerous articles, books chapters and book for publication. Several of his books chapters, and articles directly related to the Warrior-Patient Centric Healthcare Training (WCHT-PCHT) curriculum and include, “The Care of Those Returned: Psychiatric Illnesses of War,” Debriefing Following Combat,” Educating Health Care Workers in Combat Psychiatry.”

Dr. Koshes has worked for Youth For Tomorrow as a contractor over the past eight years treating individuals for medication management services who are currently receiving counseling services through Youth For Tomorrow. He currently works at both the Woodbridge and Manassas offices treating adolescents and adults.

Emmaculate Ndifor MSN, FNP-BC, PMHNP

Emma Ndifor is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a post Master's Certificate in Psychiatric- Mental health.  Emma completed her Family Nurse Practitioner degree at Maryville University in 2014 and earned her Postgraduate Psychiatry Mental Health certification from Liberty University in 2020. She has worked in a variety of settings, including Med-surgery, critical care, long term care and Memory support care both inpatient and outpatient practices. Emma’s interests include mental health awareness, preventative medicine and maintaining a holistic approach when treating acute and chronic mental health conditions. Nurse Practitioner Emma believes that mental health is intrinsically connected to all body systems and, therefore, it is most optimal when a holistic approach of care is embraced. 

Nurse Lydia Sharp, RN, BSN, MSN  - Woodbridge Office

Hello, my name is Nurse Lydia Sharp, I earned a baccalaureate nursing degree from the University of Virginia. I worked for over twenty six years as an active duty Army Nurse Officer. Once I retired, I decided to earn another Master’s Degree and my focus was nursing education. What to do next? Retired Army Nurse Officers must stay busy, so I initially volunteered to work for YFT Behavioral Health Services to understand how they service their community and school. On my journey, I discovered that BHS serves the community with two dedicated doctors, a team of dynamic therapists and administrative staff. The BHS team works in a way that focuses on providing intense patient therapy first and if needed includes medication support as deemed necessary. I provide medication: education, coordination, work to create policy to assist the organization with medication patient services. I am quality control to all things involving medication issues coordination and patient care.

Roni Rhinehardt, LCSW, COTAL, RYT

I am a diverse mental health provider with over 29 years of experience in the medical field in both the civilian and federal government sector. After graduating high school I enlisted in the United States Army where I found my passion of helping others. First as a combat medic and then after completing the occupational therapy assistant school, I truly realize how blessed I was to be able to work in a profession that I loved to go to every single day.

Knowing that I wanted to continue on with my educational goals, I gained a Bachelors of Social Science at the University of Maryland University College. Then after taking some time and reevaluated how I could serve my clients while I was working at Walter Reed Army National medical center and Fort Belvoir Community Hospital. I applied to Walden University in their Masters of Social Work program after realizing that I could use both my occupational therapy skills as well as clinical counseling skills to best benefit my clients and their family members.

I specialize in treating clients struggling with symptoms of anxiety, depression, sensory issues as well as providing those individuals with ADHD and high functioning ASD who lack social skills. I provide both the parent and child effective techniques to assist them in being the most productive and successful in life. As a holistic provider that practices evidence-based and integrative interventions such as using mindfulness and yoga practices as well as using neuro-biofeedback techniques using neurostimulation devices that have been proven an added bonus for my clients with mental health disorders. Recently becoming a certified yoga teacher, providing my clients with additional benefits to their mind and body. Lastly, I have developed and facilitated virtual and in-person groups such as social skills groups, mindset/anxiety groups and emotional regulation/yoga groups to best meet the needs of clients.

Alexandra Jones, MSW Supervisee in LCSW

Hi! My name is Alexandra Jones I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Virginia State University and my Master’s Degree Social Work degree with a concentration in Children, Youth, and Families from George Mason University. I am currently obtaining supervision to fulfill my role as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I utilize a variety of integrative approaches such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). I have enjoyed working with individuals and families from all walks of life. I excel in connecting with people in a way that would leave you feeling understood and I have the experience and skills to guide you to the place where you can understand your options for relief, growth, and change. Outside of YFT, I am a fitness enthusiast, I enjoy yoga, and I love going on nature walks. In addition to fitness, I enjoy connecting with my loved ones, cooking, and horseback riding!

Scarlete Davis MA, RIC

Scarlete Davis is a substance abuse/ mental health therapist here in the Woodbridge office. Scarlete is currently under supervision for licensure in LPC and CSAC. Scarlete obtained a bachelor’s in psychology from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania and her master’s in professional counseling from Liberty University. For the past 13 years her work has been in the mental health field beginning with residential counseling for Northwestern Human Services in Delaware County, PA. From there she obtained experience in intensive case management in Philadelphia and neighboring areas as well as Lehigh Valley section of Pennsylvania. Scarlete has worked as an intensive outpatient/outpatient substance abuse clinician, outpatient mental health therapist as well as an intensive in-home family-based therapist. Her client population has included but is not limited to children, adolescents, and adults. She has experience in facilitating individual, couple, family and D&A/ psych rehab group sessions.

Specialty populations include substance abuse and mental health due to the wide spread negative stigma that is faced at the societal and at times the service level of care. Scarlete has helped individuals in treatment with depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar, substance abuse and other mental health disorders through collaboration of services and by fostering a safe environment that allows for the transition of skills for healthy coping and forming agreeable cognitive patterns. Scarlete enjoys taking on an eclectic approach to counseling using a combination of evidence-based modalities that is individualized and designed specifically for the individual’s needs. The goal is always for the individual to reach an optimal level of independence and wellness to be productive members in a society we all share and are responsible for.

Melissa Rios, MSW, Supervisee for LCSW

I am bilingual in English and Spanish. I received my Master’s in Social Work with a minor in Military Social Work from Walden University. I started my journey in Social Work to help military families, children, and spouses understand that they are not alone. I offer an emphatic, non-judgmental approach to treatment in which my patients can feel understood and unconditionally accepted. I have over seven years of experience in various treatment settings, which include inpatient & outpatient psychiatry, foster care, and school systems. I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy, strengths-based approach, mindfulness, and solution-focused therapy. I integrate toys, art, and creativity to help engage my younger clients into therapy. I can work with adults, adolescents, and children by helping individuals function well within their family system. I do this by incorporating family systems therapy, educating individuals, and their parent(s) and/or guardian(s) to help create a home filled with love, healthy boundaries, and fun. My emphasis is to help empower the family as a whole and meet the client where they are at in supporting them with developing their goals throughout treatment.

I took a leap of faith and started my Doctorate in Social Work while I am also working on receiving supervision toward becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, traveling, fast cars, photography, and cuddling with my dog. Growing up as a military child, and now supporting my husband as a military spouse, wasn’t always easy. Life is challenging and therapy is a place where you can explore those challenges and grow from them. My philosophy in life is that I am here because I have been "Blessed to be a blessing".

Karen Artola 
Executive Assistant BHS

Ashley Duncan
Medication Assistant