Our Providers

Biography

Experienced Interpreter with a history of working in in medical, government, corporate, post-secondary, graduate, platform, conference, performing arts, political, Deaf-blind, K12, and community settings.

Strong social science professional with an M.A. focused in Applied Sociology from University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Education

• B.S., Signed language Interpreting, The University of New Mexico , 2009
• M.S., Applied Sociology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2017
• Postgraduate Interpreting Certificate, American Sign Language, University of Arizona, 2010.

Certifications and Memberships

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID)

Biography

Dr. Emily Loeb joined ACES in 2019. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Rochester and her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from the University of Virginia. She completed her internship in clinical psychology at WellSpan Philhaven in Mt. Gretna, PA where she worked with children and adolescents on an inpatient unit as well as in outpatient offices. Her prior training experiences include crisis intervention, psychological assessment, and outpatient therapy.

She has particular interests and training in cognitive behavioral therapy, therapy informed by attachment theory, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, and trauma. She also enjoys working with clients who identify as LGBTQ+.

Services include psychotherapy for children and adolescents for issues relating to anxiety, depression, family stress, life transitions, trauma, OCD, and grief and loss.

Education

• Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, University Of Virginia, 2018
• M.A., Clinical Psychology, University Of Virginia, 2013
• B.A., Psychology, University Of Rochester, 2010

Certifications and Memberships

American Psychological Association (APA)

Biography

Dr. Tuerk joined ACES in the fall of 2019. She is a faculty member and clinician at the University of Virginia, where she teaches and supervises doctoral students in the Curry Programs for Clinical and School Psychology.

Previously, Dr. Tuerk worked at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston as a clinical psychologist providing evidence-based psychological treatment for children, adolescents, and multi-problem families.

Dr. Tuerk specializes in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for children (DBT-C), adolescents, and their families. This treatment creates a “change-ready environment,” where caregivers support their child’s learning of strategies to reduce emotional dysregulation and behavior dyscontrol. She is a trained consultant for Multisystemic Therapy with expertise in parent training and treatment of co-occurring child maltreatment and parental substance abuse. Dr. Tuerk’s therapeutic approach is behavioral and goal-oriented, with an emphasis on multisystemic interventions to improve family functioning. Dr. Tuerk is licensed to practice clinical psychology in Virginia and South Carolina.

Education

• B.A., Psychology, Columbia University, 2002
• M.Ed., Clinical and School Psychology, University of Virginia, 2003
• Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, University of Virginia, 2007
• Pre-Doctoral Psychology Internship, University of Medicine and Dentistry, 2006-2007
• Post-Doctoral Scholar, Family Services Research Center, Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 2007-2008

Certifications and Memberships

• American Psychological Association (APA)

Biography

Michelle Benedict, MA has a master’s degree in contemplative education from Naropa University. Her life-long passion is to help others, particularly children. Michelle is a certified teacher in the state of Virginia with an endorsement in earth and space science, and geography. She has taught in a variety of public school settings. She teaches mindfulness techniques at Aligned Clinical and Educational Services, PLC to help people improve their emotional regulation and increase their overall wellbeing.

Licensure

• Virginia Teaching License

Biography

Dr. Lauren Carter joined ACES in 2016. Prior to ACES, Dr. Carter began her career as an elementary school teacher in Charlotte, NC. To acquire more experience working with students facing behavior issues and their parents, she earned a master’s degree in Applied Developmental Psychology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. During this program, she focused on developing trauma-sensitive discipline strategies for elementary-school children. Next, Dr. Carter earned her PhD from the Clinical and School Psychology at the University of Virginia.  As a doctoral student, she primarily worked with children and pre-adolescents across multiple environments, including school, an outpatient center, and an in-patient state hospital.

Dr. Carter’s time at ACES is split between conducting psychological assessments and delivering therapy services. She administers a wide variety of assessment measures to help make sense of a child, adolescent, or adult’s behavior (ADOS-2, NEPSY-II, D-KEFS, Rorschach with R-PAS scoring, etc.). She is licensed as a school psychologist through the VA Dept. of Education.

Dr. Carter takes an active role in local and state organizations that promote antiracism efforts. Along with Dr. Lemite and Ms. Warner, she helps lead the ACES Aligned & United for Black Lives group. She is also a board member for the RISE Foundation in Waynesboro, VA (https://riseorg2018.com/rise-foundation-1) and sits on the Diversity Committee through the Virginia Academy of Clinical Psychologists. During her free time, she loves to be outside, read, and spend time with her family.

Education

• B.A. Elementary Education & Linguistics, College of William and Mary, 2006
• Ed.M. Risk & Prevention, Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2009
• M.Ed. Educational Psychology, UVA, 2011
• Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, UVA, 2016

Other Licensure

• VDOE-licensed School Psychologist
• VDOE-licensed Classroom Teacher for PreK-6

Biography

Dr.  Hanumantha has worked as a resident in clinical psychology with ACES since 2012, providing comprehensive assessments and individual psychotherapy for children and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing. Dr. Hanumantha has extensive prior experience in the field and is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia in the Psychology Department and the American Sign Language (ASL) Program, a position she has held since 2012. Dr. Hanumantha is also a member of the Disabilities Access Committee and the University’s Diversity Council.

Dr. Hanumantha remains passionate about diversity and multi-cultural issues and has been active with education, advocacy and leadership on a local and national level. Expanding on her prior experience in research with Visual Language, Visual Learning (VL2), she taught research methods to local professionals in the Philippines on a project for Discovering Deaf Words through the United States Agency for International Development. Dr. Hanumantha has been invited to serve on the boards for national organizations, such as the Diversity Strategic Team of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), Deaf Women United (DWU), and Global Reach Out Initiative. In 2009 Dr. Hanumantha co-founded and was a team member for the Deaf Youth Camp of Color. She continues to volunteer and share her experiences in an effort to empower others for success, always motivated to expand the access and well-being of people from diverse backgrounds.

Education

• B.S. Biology, George Mason University, 2000
• M.S., Administration & Supervision, Gallaudet University, 2005
• M.A., Clinical Psychology, Gallaudet University, 2005
• Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, Gallaudet University, 2008

Biography

Dr. Lemite joined ACES in 2013, working with children, adolescents, and young adults who have learning, attention, and communication problems. Dr. Lemite has particular expertise in the cognitive and academic development of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. She can assist parents in navigating through the special education system, school-based intervention teams, and Section 504-plans for accommodations.

Dr. Lemite started out as a classroom teacher in elementary schools.  In 2004 she began her life dream of becoming a school psychologist and has worked in Henrico County Public schools and Chesterfield County Public Schools for over 15 years.

In 2020 Dr. Lemite transitioned to work full time at ACES but continues to provide psychoeducational assessments for deaf and hard of hearing children using listening and spoken language in schools throughout the state of Virginia as a member of the Virginia Network of Consultants (VNOC) collaborating with local school divisions serving students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

In addition to advocating for children and adults with special needs, Dr Lemite continues to maintain awareness of and space for diverse cultures, influences, and perspectives as they intersect with individual  wellbeing. She is a trained Yoga Instructor and integrates this practice into therapy sessions.

Education

• Ph.D., School Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, 2003

• M.A., Early Childhood/Elementary Education, Hofstra University, 1992

• BA., Psychology and Education, College of New Rochelle, 1989

Certifications and Memberships

• Nationally Certified School Psychologist
• Virginia Department of Education School Psychologist 
• American Psychological Association, member
• Virginia Association of School Psychologists, serving on Social Justice Interest Group
• International OCD Foundation, member
• Member of World Professional Association for Transgender Health , WPATH certification pending
• Integral Yoga Academy Registered Yoga Teacher – 200 , August 2017

Biography

Dr. Locke-Downer joined ACES in 2014 and enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults who are experiencing difficulties such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, body-focused repetitive behaviors, behavioral problems, and social concerns. She uses a cognitive-behavioral treatment approach, with family and school consultation as important treatment components. Consultation with physicians, psychiatrists, and other treatment providers is also welcomed. Dr. Locke-Downer provides in-office and telehealth appointments.

Dr. Locke-Downer has been a practicing clinical psychologist since 2003, when she joined the faculty in the Clinical and School Psychology Program in the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. Dr. Locke-Downer became Director of the Curry School’s Center for Clinical Psychology Services, the training clinic for doctoral students in the Clinical and School Psychology program. Over the course of eleven years, Dr. Locke-Downer’s work included supervising doctoral and postdoctoral trainees in psychological assessment and psychotherapy, teaching clinical seminars, and working with clients for assessment and therapy.

Education

• B.A., Psychology, Wake Forest University, 1996
• Ph.D., Clinical-Community Psychology, University of South Carolina, 2002
• Predoctoral Internship, Medical College of Virginia’s Virginia Treatment Center for Children (VTCC) 2001-02.
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children, 2002-03.

Certifications and Memberships

• American Psychological Association (APA; www.apa.org)
• Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT; www.abct.org)
• International Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation (IOCDF; www.iocdf.org)
• PSYPACT authorization (www.psypact.org)

Services

• Psychological testing for concerns about attention, behavior, relationships, social skills, mood, problem solving, cognitive functioning, learning, executive functioning, memory, independent living skills, and mental health.
• Assessments for Autism and Developmental Disabilities (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Second Edition, ADOS-2)
• Multi-Disciplinary Team Assessments
• Educational testing for accommodations for standardized tests (SAT, ACT, GREs, etc.)
• Consultation for complex diagnosis, developmental issues, and treatment planning

Biography

Dr. Plesko-DuBois established Blue Ridge Psychological Services, PLC in August of 2010 in order to provide comprehensive assessments to children, adolescents, and young adults. In 2013, Blue Ridge Psychological Services, PLC expanded into Aligned Clinical & Educational Services, PLC in Crozet, Virginia to offer a wider range of multi-disciplinary and collaborative clinical services.

Dr. Plesko-DuBois worked at the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind in Staunton, VA from 2002 – 2011 in various roles. She served as the school psychologist from 2002-2009, providing comprehensive assessments, clinical supervision, consultation for program development and data analysis, as well as group or individual counseling. Dr. Plesko-DuBois was the Director of Clinical and Educational Supports during the 2009-2010 academic year, supervising the delivery of all clinically related services, the behavior management team, transition services, school counseling and specialized health care planning. From 2010 – 11, Dr. Plesko-DuBois worked as a part-time psychologist assisting with the admissions process and the VSDB Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Project.

Since 2004, Dr. Plesko-DuBois has been a member of the Virginia Network of Consultants (VNOC) supporting local school divisions with services for their students who are deaf or hard of hearing.  VNOC was created by the Virginia Department of Education, in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health, and the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Plesko-DuBois has also enjoyed teaching as an adjunct professor at the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. She taught psychopathology to graduate students in counseling and clinical psychology. In the past, she has also worked at the Center for Clinical Psychology completing comprehensive psychological assessments.

Education

• B.A., Psychology, Biology Minor, Wake Forest , 1995
• M.A., General & Experimental Psychology, The College of William & Mary, 1997
• Psy.D., Clinical Psychology, The Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology sponsored by The College of William & Mary, The Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk State University, and Old Dominion University, 2002
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Virginia Treatment Center for Children (VTCC) at the Medical College of Virginia, 2003

Certifications and Memberships

• American Psychological Association