Our Therapists

Teresa Lear, PhD, LMFT
Dr. Lear is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Virginia and Delaware. She has a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Somatic Psychology and Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology. Dr. Lear is a graduate of a two-year postgraduate fellowship in Infant-Parent Mental Health at the University of Massachusetts-Boston. She is the Executive Director of the Center for Attachment & Trauma Services, Inc. and is certified in non-profit organization development.

Dr. Lear is a certified Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (“EMDR”) Clinician. She has specialized training in working with parents of children who have been diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder. She is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (“ART”), Brainspotting, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (“DDP” or attachment-focused family therapy), Emotional Freedom Technique (“EFT”), Theraplay, as well a variety of trauma- and attachment-focused interventions. Dr. Lear is also trained in the treatment of perinatal mood disorders, infant massage, and the Newborn Behavioral Observations System.

Dr. Lear conducts attachment/bonding/parental capacity evaluations, trauma assessments, and she has testified as a subject matter expert in over a dozen jurisdictions across the United States. Areas of expertise include attachment, trauma, human lactation, and infant-parent mental health. Dr. Lear works with couples, individuals of all ages, and families with adoptive children or children in foster care. Please contact Dr. Lear via email at terri@familyattachment.org.

Donna Brooks, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), earned her master’s in counseling from the Townsend Institute, Concordia University, Irvine California. Donna served in the armed forces and is a veteran, and CATS is proud to have her serve on our staff as well. Donna is a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT). She conducts academic therapy and intervention for children diagnosed with Dyslexia and specified reading disorders. Donna brings a unique skill set and is trained in the Basic DIR/Floortime (Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based Model.) This method provides an intervention program tailored to the unique challenges and strengths of children with neuro-developmental and neurobiological differences and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Donna is a Certified Facilitator using the FASCETS (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Consultation Education and Training Services) Program. Donna helps parents understand the day-to-day challenges at home and in school for children who were exposed to drugs and alcohol. She can provide an understanding that is unique to help parents specifically understand their child who may experience cognitive delays, executive functioning, language, memory, adaptive behavior, and affect regulation challenges and provides real-time practices to best support the parent and child. Donna’s passion is to help families with children and young adults affected from the exposure of drugs and alcohol while in utero and have neurobehavioral differences. Donna also conducts therapy for individuals experiencing attention deficit disorder (ADHD) and Anxiety. Donna uses movements to help individuals’ re-pattern their nervous systems and build their window of capacity to experience calmness and connection with self and others. Donna is a Certified Professional surrounding betrayal trauma for partners of sex addicts from The Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists (APSATS). She helps couples struggling with intimacy and attachment disorders. Donna is a Certified Neurobiology and Attachment Practitioner for the Biology of Trauma. Donna is a certified practitioner of the How We Love (HWL) method to help couples get “unstuck” in their attachment patterns to include couples who have addiction in their stories. Donna is certified as a Basic Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) Practioner and is trained in EMDR and FLASH. Donna is trained in the Family System Trauma (FST) Program. Donna is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner allowing clients to release trauma stored in their bodies while also incorporating movement through the body to help organization. Donna has a passion for helping children and families create loving and lasting bonds while giving the tools to help families succeed. It is only through secure attachments that we can grow and flourish. You can email Donna at donna@familyattachment.org.

Sarah Gulinski, MA, Supervisee in Clinical Social Work, earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Widener University where she focused on trauma-informed clinical practices. She has experience working with a variety of populations of all ages but has a knack for connecting with youth and young adults struggling with ADHD, strained family relationships, trauma, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Sarah also has a passion for helping parents who want to break the patterns of dysfunction caused by generations of trauma in their own family, but feel lost, stuck, and/or discouraged. Sarah’s post graduate training includes 80+ hours of Attachment & Trauma-Focused Therapy, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, EMDR, Brains = Behaviors, and Neurofeedback. She is also certified in the Safe and Sound Protocol, and the Focus Program by Unyte + Integrated Listening Systems. Sarah celebrates the inherent goodness of each client and parent, and uses genuine connection, curiosity, mindfulness, storytelling, music, art, humor, and evidence-based “brain hacks” to empower clients and their families to heal, grow and connect. Sarah’s Clinical Supervisor is Bethany Vanderbilt, LCSW. Email Sarah at sarah@familyattachment.org.

Rachel Tuchrello, MSW, LCSW Supervisee in Clinical Social Work, earned her Master's Degree in Social Work in 2019 from Arizona State University where she focused on trauma-informed care and best practice clinical application. She has a background in Emergency Services; assessing and supporting individuals of all ages experiencing an active mental health crisis. Rachel brings an empowering client centered approach to the clinical team at CATS. Rachel is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and Trauma Focused CBT. Rachel is passionate about supporting clients in processing afflicting life experiences to allow their mind and body to heal. Rachel uses a strength based approach while tailoring the therapeutic process to each individual's specific needs. She believes sessions should provide a self guided, structured time for individuals to connect with themselves and identify areas of need. Rachel has experience providing services to those affected by depression, anxiety, trauma/loss, attachment disruption and challenging relationship dynamics. Rachel's Clinical Supervisor is Bethany Vanderbilt, LCSW. Email Rachel at rachel@familyattachment.org.