August 2026 Roots & All: CCCC Newsletter
- Aug 4
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 5
Introducing CCCC's Newsletter - Roots & All
August 2026
In this issue: The Value of Group Therapy | July Highlights | Our Founder in Enterprising Women | Psychology Training Program | Therapist Spotlight | Experience Survey
The Value of Group Therapy
By Gina Sangster, LICSW, MFA, MSW
In addition to providing individual, couples, and family therapy for a wide range of concerns, our practice also has been actively developing a robust group therapy component. Among the groups we offer are: Mothers of Children 0 to 5; Psychotherapy for African American Women; Reflective Writing; plus, three groups focused on grief: Finding Gratitude in Grief and our Recent Loss and Early Loss groups.
Understandably, many people often feel skeptical about joining a therapy or support group. The prospect of sharing your most personal and vulnerable thoughts and feelings with people who start out as strangers seems hard to imagine. Despite these initial fears, as long as a good match is made between client and group – and this requires skill on the part of the group therapist – most people will derive great benefit from participating in a therapy or support group.
Being part of a group can help us feel less alone, can provide what we call a “corrective emotional experience” – the opportunity to practice interpersonal skills that were not accessible in prior relationships – as well as the chance to help others which can boost one’s self esteem. One final note: group therapy is also cost-effective, a selling point with our insurance partners!
July Highlights at CCCC
Photo 1: Supervisor & Supervisee Bonding (CCCC Staff Pictured Left to Right: Sydney Garlick, Eileen Vermilye)
Photo 2: Therapist Going Away Celebration (CCCC Staff Pictured Left to Right: Kacia Kriener-Putman, Dr. Barbara Brown)
Photo 3: CCCC in the Community at the Fox 5 Event (CCCC Staff Pictured Left to Right: Dr. Lakitha Owens, Zachary Khoury)
Photo 4: CCCC Tour at Kolmac (CCCC Staff Pictured Left to Right: Eliza Oppenheimer, Jess Kessler, Zachary Khoury)
Photo 5: Therapist Happy Hour (CCCC Staff Pictured Left to Right: Violet Adjei, Eileen Vermilye, Julia Dakich, Jess Kessler, Gina Sangster)
Check out our founder in the Summer 2026 edition of Enterprising Women!
Dr. Brown leads by example for accessible and culturally-competent care, rooted in community. Congratulations, Dr. Brown!
Psychology Training Program (PTP)
This month, we welcome a new group of externs and interns for our Psychology Training program. They will be working with us for nine months to gain clinical experience and expertise, and include students in both PsyD and PhD programs. CCCC provides supervised training in conducting therapy, opportunities to conduct psychological testing, and real experience with managing client caseloads. PTP is a wonderful opportunity for us to help new therapists grow into their roles, and we look forward to working with this year’s exciting group.
Therapist Spotlight
Meet our Clinical Director and therapist, Jess Kessler, LICSW!
Get to Know Jess:
When did you start your therapist journey and how long have you been a licensed mental health provider?
"I have been a licensed therapist since 2019, so seven years now! I am a career-changer; I decided to switch careers in 2016 as a result of growing intolerance to mental health care. I'd been thinking about being a social worker for a decade a that point. I've always been interested in how people's mind work. I also have a daughter with special needs, and she taught me that I need to do things in life that are important to me. She made me realize how important "finding my why" is, especially in my professional life. It is the foundation of self-care routine."
What brought you to CCCC?
"In February 2025, my colleague, Steven Nicholson (one of our lead therapists), informed me about CCCC and connected me to our founder, Dr. Barbara Brown. I connected with Dr. Brown instanteously, especially regarding the mission behind our work and therapy as a means for community wellbeing. I knew CCCC took a unique approach and I wanted to be a part of that."
What are some of your specialities?
"Most of my work is rooted in trauma and coping with trauma. My first job in the mental health field was working at Community Connections (right across the street from CCCC's DC office), helping those with several mental illnesses. Here, I worked directly with a tremendous amount of trauma clients and grew my practice as a trauma-informed and crisis intervention provider."
What do you find is the most rewarding thing about being a therapist and working with clients?
"Client growth is always incredible to see. Frankly, it's something that inspires me every day when I come to work."
How has your approach to this field/treatment evolved over time?
"My approach, as my practice has grown with me, emphasizes long-term treatment and its importance to resilence and continuty of care. I believe therapists should be committed to healing, no matter how long it takes."
Do you have a book or podcast that you would recommend to therapists and/or clients?
"The Tara Brach podcast has been a refuge for me. Her work as a psychologist and Buddhist influences my personal spirituality and practice as a mental health provider and advocate. She is super pragmatic and relevant. I love listening to her meditations when I'm feeling unbalanced."
Looking towards the future, is there any trend or new research in mental health that you are particularly excited about?
"I have been excited to see how attitudes towards mental health have changed. I was raised and grew up in a time where mental health was heavily stigmatized, which made seeking help difficult. I love that young people today are more open about their mental health struggles and asking for help."
What is a mantra or piece of advice you’ve relied on in your practice?
"The serenity prayer is a helpful mantra and tool for me to ground myself in my work and my personal life. I think its helpful for anyone struggling to let go of painful thoughts or experiences."
What are some of your hobbies or interests that you partake in during your free time?
"I enjoy knitting, reading, and completing puzzles. I am huge movie buff and escape in miscellneous celeb gossip. When I go out and about in DC, I love trying new resturants, going to art museums, seeing live music, and finding joy in the mundane things."
Want to help us make CCCC a better place? Please fill out this short survey on your experience with us thus far, as well as how we can improve!
Want to be notified of Roots & All Newsletters in the future? Click Here to subscribe!
Comments