PCC is a pastoral counseling center specializing in individual, couples and family therapy. PCC maintains office space in Lexington Park, MD and Lusby, MD.
Founded in 1983, PCC has grown from a small practice with 3 or 4 part-time therapists to a practice group of therapists with combined experience of more than 40 years. Currently, two of our therapists have more than 20 years experience as marriage and family therapists. Another has more than 10 years hospice and bereavement counseling experience and is working toward licensure as a marriage and family therapist. As well, we have a graduate counselor working toward licensure as a professional counselor. Our counselors have provided more than 3,000 hours of counseling two of the past three years.
OUR COUNSELORS
Betty Joanne Scott, LCMFT, CCDVC
Betty Joanne Scott serves as Executive Director and Therapist at the Pastoral Counseling Center. Betty Joanne is married, a mother and grandmother. Her undergraduate degree is in Secondary Education. Betty Joanne spent several years working in the health care industry and with various disability groups. With her husband, Arthur, she trained in both Marriage and Family Therapy and Pastoral Counseling in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Betty Joanne's love of learning about her world and all that is in it, enhances her work as therapist and supervisor. Betty Joanne utilizes her skills as an educator, researcher and advocate to support individuals and families in the difficult transitions of life. Out of her experience in health care and work with disability and chronic illness, Betty Joanne has a passionate desire to assist clients with chronic health issues to develop strong patient advocacy skills. Her group focus includes issues of separation/divorce/co-parenting, domestic violence and women in life transitions. She works to foster safety in community and relationships, through self-care and safety planning. Betty Joanne is also certified by the State of Maryland to supervise Marriage and Family Counselors and Interns.
Education
-
BA in English /Secondary Education from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY
-
MTS & MTh in Pastoral Counselling from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario
-
License, Certifications & Awards
-
Certified Supervisor Marriage and Family Therapist and Interns, State of Maryland
-
Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT), State of Maryland
-
Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
-
Clinically Certified Domestic Violence Counselor (CCDVC) through the National Association for Forensic Counselors (NAFC)
Professional Activities
-
Joined the Pastoral Counseling Center of St. Mary's, Inc. in 2003
-
Serves as Executive Director and Counselor
Arthur Scott, LCMFT, CCDVC
Arthur serves as Clinical Coordinator for PCC. In his therapeutic work with clients, he supports individuals, families, children and adolescents in the difficult transitions of life. In this work, Arthur focuses on modeling and developing healthy relationships to support individuals and families in life transitions. Arthur bases his clinical work in the understanding that relationships offer emotional and spiritual healing. Arthur works with victims of abuse and with abusers. He focuses on fostering a sense of safety in community and relationships, emphasizing self-care and safety planning. He has facilitated premarital seminars.
Education
Education
-
BA in English & Religion/Philosophy from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY
-
MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY
-
MTh in Pastoral Counseling from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, ON
License, Certifications & Awards
- Certified Marriage and Family Therapy Supervisor, State of Maryland
-
Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT), State of Maryland
-
Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
- Clinically Certified Domestic Violence Counselor (CCDVC) through the National Association of Forensic Counselors
-
Joined the Pastoral Counseling Center of St. Mary's, Inc. in 2003
-
Ordained minister in Free Methodist Church of North America with more than 10 years of pastoral ministry experience
Sharon Wright, MS
Sharon is an Engineer at Patuxent River Naval Base and pursuing her passion to work with and counsel adolescents. She is a graduate level counselor at the PCC working toward licensure. Her areas of interest are working with children and at risk teens to assist them to work through their emotions and to understand their feelings. She also enjoys working with families and groups.
Education
-
BS (Electrical Engineering), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
- MBA (Business Administration), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
-
MS (Clinical Community Counseling), John Hopkins University, MD
License, Certifications & Awards
- Certificate (Alcohol and Drug Counseling), College of Southern Maryland, La Plata, MD
Professional Activities and Memberships
-
Joined PCC in 2012 as Intern
-
Remained As Graduate Counselor
Heather Wolfe, MS
Heather's background includes mor than 10 years as a Hospice counselor specializing in traumatic loss. Heather is pursuing her first love in counseling and her passion to work with and counsel children, adolescents and families. Heather is a Graduate Counselor at PCC working toward full licensure in the State of Maryland. Heather trained as a Marital Family Therapist at the University of San Diego. Heather is married and is the mother of an adolescent and two young children. Heather's professional interest areas are in helping individuals and families develop practical coping skills to deal with grief and loss, marital issues and difficult life transitions. Heather enjoys teaching parenting skills and and is passionate about helping families cope with the aftermath of divorce. She focuses on helping clients manage depression and anxiety through growth of self-awareness and insight. Heather is highly experienced in group facilitation with people of all ages.
Education
-
BA (English), Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA
-
MA (Marital Family Therapy), University of San Diego, San Diego, CA
License, Certifications & Awards
-
LGMFT pending
Professional Activities and Volunteer Memberships
-
Joined PCC in 2014 as Graduate Counselor
-
SMCPS Student Activity Leader and Volunteer
-
Participant in Healthy St. Mary's Partnership Behavioral Health Action Team
Brittanny Petrzala, BA, MA
Brittanny has been a St. Mary's County resident for over 20 years and lives locally with her husband of five years. She loves dogs and has two of her own at home. Brittanny enjoys interior design, fashion, yoga, concerts, movies and sporting events.
She completed her Master's degree in Professional Marriage and Family Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Brittanny is a Graduate Counselor at PCC. She spent three years as a military spouse and is familiar with military culture and families and has a keen interest in supporting members of the military and their family members. As a case manager, she has also worked with clients who have been diagnosed with a variety of mental health disorders. Brittanny believes strongly in the incorporation of proper physical health care as an essential component for maintaining mental health. She is familiar with the impact that the struggle with physical diseaseon mental health.
Brittanny's passion and interests are in working iwth families and couples through premarital, marital and family counseling. She has great compassion for others and their struggles. She works diligently to companion with her clients through their personal journeys to gain understanding and hope amidst life's struggles.
She completed her Master's degree in Professional Marriage and Family Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Brittanny is a Graduate Counselor at PCC. She spent three years as a military spouse and is familiar with military culture and families and has a keen interest in supporting members of the military and their family members. As a case manager, she has also worked with clients who have been diagnosed with a variety of mental health disorders. Brittanny believes strongly in the incorporation of proper physical health care as an essential component for maintaining mental health. She is familiar with the impact that the struggle with physical diseaseon mental health.
Brittanny's passion and interests are in working iwth families and couples through premarital, marital and family counseling. She has great compassion for others and their struggles. She works diligently to companion with her clients through their personal journeys to gain understanding and hope amidst life's struggles.
Education
-
BA (Psychology), St. Mary's College of Maryland, MD
- MA (Marriage and Family Therapy), Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
License, Certifications & Awards
- LGMFT pending
- Member American Association for Marriage and Family (AAMFT) 2014
- CPI Non-violent Crisis Intervention Training Certification August 2011
- Psychiatric RehabilitationTraining, certified November 2008
- St. Mary's County Mediation Training (St. Mary's County Mediation Center), September 2008
Professional Activities and Memberships
-
Became Intern in 2014, now working toward Maryland Licensure
- Big Brothers Big Sisters Program Mentor 2014
- SMCPS substitute teacher since 2013
- PCC Volunteer beginning 2010