Psychologists

Dr. Louis Mateus, Psy.D.

Dr. Louis Mateus, Psy.D, LPC

• Philosophy: Dr. Mateus believes that the aim of therapy is to assist patients to feel better and to be empowered with increased awareness of themselves and their life situation. This leads to the gaining of skills which can lead result in a more satisfying life. Dr. Louis Mateus’ style of therapy is person centered and draws from evidence-based treatments: Cognitive Therapy, Rational Emotive Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Psychodynamic and Family Systems Orientations.
• Education and Training: Dr. Louis Mateus’ clinical background includes training and work experience conducting psychotherapy, evaluations and psychological testing in inpatient and outpatient settings (including both clinical and forensic settings), and involving diverse clinical populations from adolescents to older adults.  He has treated patients with severe and persistent mentally illness, anxiety and depressive disorders, adult survivors of prolonged childhood abuse and survivors of single incident trauma, patients dealing with grief/bereavement, recovering from substance abuse, and those with behavioral problems.  He has also treated couples and conducted family therapy.
• Clinical Areas of Expertise: Dr. Louis Mateus’ interests and specialties are: treating adults and adolescents (starting at age 13) dealing with depression and anxiety disorders, trauma (abuse and single incident), anger, grief, relationship difficulties, the impact of family of origin relationships in patients’ current functioning and how to overcome them, adjustment difficulties during life transitions across the life span, managing symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and alcohol abuse appropriate for an outpatient setting.  He does some couples and family therapy.  He does psychological evaluations to clarify diagnosis, inform course of treatment, and assist in setting up accommodations in education and work settings.  In addition, Dr. Mateus is of Portuguese background and speaks fluent Portuguese. He is interested in conducting therapy in both Portuguese and English with patients from diverse Portuguese speaking backgrounds.
• Services offered: Dr. Mateus provides individual, couples, and family psychotherapy. He does psychological evaluations to clarify diagnosis, inform course of treatment, and to assist in setting up accommodations in education and work settings when and where indicated. Dr. Mateus sees adults and adolescents starting at age 13.
• Favorite quote: "I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow. I learn by going where I have to go." - Theodore Roethke

Dr. Niral Patel, Psy.D.

Dr. Niral Patel, Psy.D, LPC

• Philosophy: Dr. Patel strives to be collaborative with clients and create a safe environment to promote growth and foster a strong rapport, which she believes is essential to the therapy process. She believes in the importance of integrative work to address issues in different aspects of a client’s life. Additionally, Dr. Patel aims to provide clients with the tools needed to empower change in their daily life and address their goals.
• Education and Training: Dr. Patel is a clinical psychologist licensed in the states of Virginia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. She completed her doctoral degree at an APA accredited institution, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Washington, D.C. 
• Clinical Areas of Expertise: Dr. Patel enjoys working with the adult population in treating mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, ADHD/ADD, panic disorders, interpersonal conflict, adjustment issues and life transitions, and personality disorders. She primarily uses cognitive and behavioral techniques to help clients, while integrating dialectical, acceptance based techniques, and other therapies in my sessions.
• Services offered: Dr. Patel provides individual therapy to adults. She does psychological evaluations to clarify diagnosis, inform course of treatment, and aid in a person's development through a personalized treatment plan.
• About Me: In her free time, Dr. Patel enjoys spending time with loved ones, reading, and trying out new food recipes. She also enjoys caring for and curating her indoor plant collection.

Dr. Andrea Wheeler, Psy.D.

Dr. Andrea Wheeler, Psy.D, LPC

• Philosophy: In terms of psychological evaluation, Dr. Wheeler works to the best of her ability to make her patients feel comfortable during the oftentimes anxiety-provoking testing session. She empathizes with assessment clients’ concerns and testaments throughout the evaluation process. Dr. Wheeler uses the data gathered from the clinical interview and test results to provide accurate diagnoses with appropriate treatment recommendations. She takes this information and formulates it into a comprehensive report for patients to read and understand and take to their necessary providers. Dr. Wheeler meets with patients for feedback sessions regarding the results of the evaluation and aims to present the data in an understandable manner and answer patients’ questions that may arise in the session.
• Education and Training: Andrea Wheeler, PsyD, LCP attended The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP), an APA accredited institution, where she earned her Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in January 2023. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, in Psychology from Newman University in May 2017 and achieved her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology at TCSPP in August 2020. Dr. Wheeler joined Dominion Center for Behavioral Health Services (DCBHS) initially as a psychological extern in August 2018, then was hired on part-time in August 2019 while completing her schooling. She completed her APA accredited internship at CapitolHill Consortium for Counseling and Consultation as part of the Mid-Atlantic Internship Consortium. She then returned to DCBHS full-time as a postdoctoral fellow from April 2023 through April 2024 under the supervision of Cristiana VanVeelen, PhD. Dr. Wheeler became a fully licensed clinical psychologist in May 2024 and continues to practice independently at DCBHS.
• Clinical Areas of Expertise: Dr. Wheeler has worked in private practices with experience in both therapy and assessment. She primarily specializes in psychological evaluations for diagnostic clarification and treatment recommendations. Dr. Wheeler works with ages six and older and most clinical presentations for psychodiagnostic evaluations, including (but not limited to) mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD, phobias, OCD, trauma-related disorders, personality disorders, and insomnia.
• Services offered: Dr. Wheeler conducts comprehensive psychological evaluations and testing for children, adolescents, and adults to clarify diagnosis, facilitate treatment, and aid in the development of treatment recommendations.

Dr. Karena Wilson-Plater, Psy.D.

Dr. Karena Wilson-Plater, Psy.D, LPC

• Philosophy: Every client is a unique individual. Dr. Wilson-Plater believes in creating a safe and nurturing environment where individuals can feel safe to explore their unique challenges. She also believes in empowering individuals to recognize their strengths in order to take control over their lives and to achieve personal growth. Dr. Wilson-Plater utilizes an integrative therapeutic approach incorporating strategies and techniques from various theoretical orientations to fit the client’s individual needs.
• Education and Training: Dr. Wilson-Plater is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. She received her doctorate and master's degrees in Clinical Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in Washington, DC. She completed training at a children’s trauma center, a state psychiatric hospital, a community mental health center, and a correctional facility. Dr. Wilson-Plater also has experience completing diagnostic assessments and developing behavior intervention plans for those with developmental, psychological, and intellectual disabilities. She is trained in the use of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is passionate about working with victims of trauma. In addition to her role at DCBHS, she serves as a psychologist with DC Public Charter Schools. Dr. Wilson-Plater also teaches courses in Theories, Assessment, and Diagnosis & Treatment at one of the local universities.
• Clinical Areas of Expertise: Dr. Wilson-Plater has extensive experience providing clinical services to children, adolescents, adults, and families. She specializes in psychological evaluations and testing, behavioral problems, trauma, marital problems & family discord, depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. She utilizes various therapeutic approaches to include psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, family systems, play therapy, EMDR, trauma-focused therapy, and dialectical-behavior therapy.
• Services offered: Dr. Wilson-Plater conducts comprehensive psychological evaluations and testing for children, adolescents, and adults to clarify diagnosis, facilitate treatment, and aid in the development of treatment recommendations. She also provides individual and family therapy to children, adolescents, and adults.