About Sharon Covington

Sharon N. Covington, MSW, LCSW-C
Mrs. Covington received her degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work and Community Planning in 1973 and is a Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work, with over 30 years of clinical experience as an adult psychotherapist and over 20 years working in reproductive medicine providing infertility counseling services. She is a nationally recognized leader on the psychological aspects of reproductive health problems and is widely published on the topics of pregnancy loss, stillbirth, infertility, and other reproductive health issues. Mrs. Covington is co-author and editor of the highly regarded text, Infertility Counseling: A Comprehensive Handbook for Clinicians and has contributed textbook chapters as well as clinical manuscripts to numerous other scientific and clinical publications. In addition, she has written Silent Birth: If Your Baby Dies, a patient booklet on pregnancy loss used by many hospitals nationwide. Her work has been featured in local and national publications such as The Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine, Savvy, ePregnancy, Web MD, Social Work Today, and Resolve’s Family Building Magazines. Mrs. Covington recently received a national honor from RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association, for her significant contributions in the field of reproductive medicine and to the infertile community.

Mrs. Covington is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Georgetown University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Washington, D.C. In addition, she is Director of Psychological Support Services at Shady Grove Fertility Reproductive Science Center and an associate investigator in the Section on Women’s Health Research, Developmental Endocrinology Branch of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at the National Institutes of Health. In 1981, Mrs. Covington co-founded M.I.S. (Miscarriage, Infant Death, and Stillbirth) support group in Metro Washington, D.C. She is an active professional member of Resolve, the National Infertility Association, and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), having been a founding member and past chairman of their Mental Health Professional Group (MHPG), as well as serving on the Executive Committee of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART).

To make an appointment with Sharon Covington, email info@covingtonandhafkin.com
or call 301-279-9030.

About Nancy Hafkin

Nancy Hafkin, PhD
Nancy Hafkin, PhD received her Doctorate in Psychology from The American University. For over 30 years, she has dedicated herself to the full time practice of providing psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and groups. She has supervised the professional and personal growth of students of psychotherapy for over 20 years.

Dr. Hafkin is a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and holds a Post-Doctoral Certificate from the Maryland Psychological Association in Conjoint (couples) Therapy. Instrumental in founding the Stepfamily Association of America, Dr. Hafkin has conducted research, written and lectured on the blended family since 1979. She co-wrote, “The Remarried Family and Infertility,” which appeared in the 1st Edition of Infertility Counseling: A Comprehensive Handbook for Clinicians. Her article, “The Difficult Former Spouse,” published in The Stepfamily Bulletin, was featured in the Washington Post and the Montgomery Gazette, and Dr. Hafkin was widely interviewed on this topic .

Dr. Hafkin sees couples who are experiencing marital issues including: Teaching couples about the unique stages of joining, recognizing the myths and realities of step-relationships, coping with AD/HD in the marriage, and helping to blend different cultural backgrounds and expectations. Articles include, “Good News for Stepfamilies,” “Children and Sports: A Natural Combination,” and “The Remarriage Ceremony.” Dr. Hafkin specializes in reproductive health issues of pregnancy loss and infertility and assists clients in family building and parenting. Additionally, Dr. Hafkin works with couples who are dealing with infidelity and rebuilding marriages.

Dr. Hafkin is a member of both the National Registry of Certified Group Psychotherapists and a regular attendee of the Middle Atlantic Group Psychotherapy Association, where training is ongoing and experiential. She leads both long-term psychotherapy groups and short term theme focused groups. She has taught group dynamics and mind-body techniques, and received advanced training in infertility at the Mind-Body Center for Women’s Health at Boston IVF.

To make an appointment with Nancy Hafkin, email info@covingtonandhafkin.com or
call 301-951-9002.

About Our Associates

Patricia Sachs, MSW, LCSW-C
Mrs. Sachs has worked with individuals, couples, children and families in hospital, university and private practice settings. She has been on the counseling staff at Shady Grove Fertility since 1991, and her special interests include counseling patients undergoing IVF, treatment for secondary infertility, as well as those using donor gametes. Mrs. Sachs is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in both Maryland and the District of Columbia, and sees patients in the Rockville office.

Carol Toll, MSW, LCSW-C
Mrs. Toll has an extensive background working with individuals, families, and groups. She has a special interest and expertise in issues related to women’s health, infertility, and cancer. On the counseling staff at Shady Grove Fertility Center since 1991, she has specials interests in donor issues, pregnancy after infertility and parenting.  Mrs. Toll is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in both Maryland and Virginia. Mrs. Toll sees patients in both the Rockville and Columbia offices.

Ellen Eule, MSW, LCSW-C
Mrs. Eule has worked extensively and in many settings, with individuals, families, couples and groups, since receiving her Masters of Social Work Degree from Catholic University in 1976. She has a special interest in relationship building, especially as it relates to couples and parenting, and in issues surrounding grief and loss, infertility, post-partum depression and adoption. Mrs. Eule is a licensed clinical social worker in Maryland and the District of Columbia and a Board Certified Diplomate in clinical social work.  She sees patients in Rockville and Frederick.

Cliff Chamberlin, MA
Cliff specializes in adolescent and young adult treatment. Issues include identity (sexual, religious, cultural), depression, medication/symptom management, anxiety and the effects of family problems, romantic relationships, college choices, and career decisions on the transition to independent adulthood. With recent training, Cliff is prepared to help individuals and couples deal with the psychological impact of infertility and pregnancy loss. He takes a client-centered, outcome-informed approach to therapy to ensure that each client receives the highest quality and best-suited care.

Michelle Hester, LCSW-C
Michelle worked in adoption for thirty years in a variety of settings and has worked with clients using reproductive technology for the past eight years.
Her particular interest is in short term work with clients who are trying to decide what course to take --- whether it is donor technology, adoption or remaining child free. She also has a strong interest in working with parents who are deciding how to talk with their child about their early story, whether that be through donor egg, donor sperm, or adoption. Michelle did her graduate training at the University of Maryland and at the Washington School for Psychiatry. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the District of Columbia and has an office in Upper Northwest Washington.

C. Lynn Maciolek, Psy.D.
Making a decision to begin the journey of therapy takes courage, commitment, and the willingness to change. It is not an easy decision, but well worth the effort with much to gain. I am a doctor of psychology and specialize in working with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and stress related conditions. I enjoy working with children, adolescents, and young adults. My approach is collaborative, strength-based, and multidimensional and I use a myriad of approaches such as cognitive-behavioral, family systems, and mindfulness based techniques. When working with children and adolescents, I use play and art therapy to help the expression of emotions that may be difficult to verbalize, and to develop positive coping skills. I will provide you and/or your child a safe haven to explore obstacles impacting the ability to succeed and to help make lasting changes in your daily life.

Erica M. Hanson, MSW, LCSW-C
Ms. Hanson received her Bachelor of Social Work from Syracuse University and her Master of Arts from the University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration.  She earned a diploma in Spanish Studies from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and speaks Spanish fluently.  She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia and sees patients in all locations.  Ms. Hanson has experience working with couples, individuals, and children in hospital, clinic, homecare, hospice, and agency settings. She has an interest in infertility and expertise in the areas of adoption, and grief and loss.

Erica Mindes, PhD, LCP
Dr. Mindes is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Virginia. She provides counseling, psychotherapy, and assessment to adult individuals, couples and groups. She has a special interest and expertise in infertility, pregnancy loss, PCOS, and third-party reproduction. Her other clinical interests include depression, anxiety, and interpersonal/relationship issues. She has completed advanced training in mind/body techniques, and has conducted research and written on the psychological aspects of infertility. She is a professional member of RESOLVE, a 10-year member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Mental Health Professional Group, and a member of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Mindes received her B.A. from The University of Chicago, and her M.S. and Ph.D. form Virginia Commonwealth University. She sees clients at offices in Richmond and Woodbridge, Virginia.

Tara Simpson, Psy.D.
Dr. Simpson is a licensed psychologist in Maryland. She has provided psychotherapy and assessment for adults dealing with depression, anxiety, grief/loss, body image, and interpersonal issues in varied clinical settings. Her special interests include providing counseling to individuals with concerns related to reproductive health, including infertility.

Dr. Simpson is affiliate faculty at Towson University and Loyola College in Maryland. She is a member of the mental health professional group of ASRM (American Society for Reproductive Medicine). In addition, she is a member of American Psychological Association and Maryland Psychological Association. Dr. Simpson sees clients in Baltimore, Maryland.

Laura Covington, LCSW
Laura Covington graduated with her Masters in Social Work in 2007 from Boston College. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and she has experience working with individuals and groups. Ms. Covington works with clients during difficult life transitions using various techniques, such as relaxation and cognitive behavioral approaches. She sees with children, adolescents, and adults around relationship issues, identity formation depression and anxiety. Ms. Covington works with her clients to understand the root causes of the problems and provides skills to be able to manage anxiety and depression. She has a particular interest in adoption, infertility, and pregnancy loss.