About us

Our Vision

To create a community of healthy and engaged members working to enhance their lives, bonds and personal and professional satisfaction, one person at a time.

Our Values

Core Wellness strives to treat each person with compassion and respect. We believe in maintaining the highest quality professional services catered to each person’s individual needs with a focus on respect, understanding and measurable outcomes. We celebrate multicultural awareness and value each individual’s contribution to society.

We believe in giving back to the community. We donate 10% of all company revenue to support local and national causes which promote social justice, fight poverty, enhance education and lend support to those in need.

From the moment you contact us you will see how our caring and respectful staff handles your questions with sensitivity, confidentiality and professionalism.

Our team

Dr. Michael Freedman, MSW, PhD, LCSW-C

Clinical Director, Therapist, Supervisor, & Mindfulness Guru

Licensure: LCSW-C, supervisor, addiction counselor
Specialty Training: mindfulness, addictions, domestic abuse
Experience: 36 years of clinical and school based counseling
Joined: 2018 (founder)

Dr. Michael Freedman is a licensed clinical social worker and supervisor with over 36 years of experience. He earned Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education, and a Masters and Doctoral degree in Social Work. He is additionally certified in Chemical Dependency and is a team leader on the Baltimore County Public School Traumatic Loss Team. Dr. Freedman also received rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva Keter HaTorah in Israel. He has been with Baltimore County Public Schools for the past 32 years as a social worker, crisis interventionist, and school counselor. Prior to that he was a psychoeducator in the Forbush School at Sheppard Pratt Hospital

Dr. Freedman has presented at state, national, and international conferences on a variety of mental health issues. He is certified as a Clinical Supervisor by the Board of Social Work Examiners. He is a Field Instructor for University of Maryland Baltimore and Morgan State University, and was a Teaching Assistant at University of Maryland School of Social Work. He has been consulting with families for many years and ran a MASK group for parents, with acting out teens, in Baltimore. Dr. Freedman has worked with Project Shofar (Project CHANA) and served as the clinical director of the Shield of David Recovery Center.

Dr. Freedman is the founder and clinical director of Recovery Counseling Center, LLC since 2010. His mission is to provide evidence-based professional counseling services to clients in need based on offering effective up-to-date interventions, a convenient location, flexible hours, multicultural sensitivity and by accepting insurance. Dr. Freedman and his wife, Dr. Janice Freedman, a dentist, are Baltimore natives, who are passionate about family, wellbeing and community activism.

Dr. Freedman and his associates look forward to speaking with you about working together.

Dr. Joseph Tropper, PsyD, MS, LCPC, NCC

Director of Operations, Clinical Therapist, & Creative Advocate

Dr. Joseph Tropper holds a Doctorate in Psychology, a Masters in Mental Health Counseling and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (Maryland) who ascribes to the humanistic approach in psychology which celebrates each person’s uniqueness and autonomy. He integrates cognitive-behavioral techniques to help each client reach his or her goals in the realm of thoughts, feelings and actions. Joseph works with clients to achieve a deep understanding of the process of self-growth and to implement lasting changes. He has been Director of Operations at RCC since 2014 and works tirelessly to advocate for each client’s needs with promptness and professionalism. He has completed an externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples. He is trained in EMDR for trauma and fears. Joseph is an active community member who enjoys spending time with children and family, reading, jogging and exploring scenic destinations.

Elizabeth Faas Hughes

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
CRNP, PMH-BC, RN, BFA

Joined: 2021

Elizabeth Faas Hughes  is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, who has been caring for children and adults for over 15 years. Her clinical style is friendly and direct; her prescribing is grounded in evidence to deliver safe, effective care with minimal side effects. Finding the right medication and/or lifestyle adjustments that work best for each individual is the main focus. She is a passionate mental health advocate who specializes in the treatment of PTSD, ADHD, mood and anxiety disorders.

Connie Meyerowitz, MSW, LCSW-C

Clinical Therapist & Inspiring Listener

Licensure: LCSW-C
Specialty Training: Chemical Dependence
Experience: 5 years of mental health counseling, case management
Joined: 2018

Connie Meyerowitz, MSW, LCSW-C is a licensed clinical social worker who integrates a strengths-based and client-centered perspective throughout her work. She counsels children, adolescents, and adults struggling with anxiety, depression and many other challenges. Connie listens to her clients and their specific needs in order to develop achievable goals. Using DBT and ACT, Connie empowers her clients by engaging them in meaningful dialogue in order to grow in their self awareness, understanding and acceptance. Connie has been a clinical therapist at RCC since 2015 and is invested in supporting every individual by tailoring counseling to their specific needs.. She holds a certification in substance dependency counseling. Connie enjoys spending time with her family, exploring new places, as well as cozying on the couch with hot cocoa.

Ina Schwob, MSW, LCSW-C

Clinical Therapist

Education:

Ina Schwob, MSW, LCSW-C is a licensed clinical social worker who graduated with a masters of social work from Wurtzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. She counsels children, adolescents and adults suffering from behavioral issues, anxiety and depression. She employs therapeutic self-healing, reflective and creative techniques in order to empower her clients to become more in touch with their unique inner strengths and capabilities. Ina also specializes in treating victims of trauma and abuse. She is certified as a trauma therapist. Using a strength-based approach, she affords clients the opportunity to explore their past in a safe,non threatening environment in order to discover a healthy and hopeful future. She is a compassionate, insightful, goal-oriented therapist who facilitates self growth and a healthy potential. Ina enjoys spending time with her family, engaging in outdoor activities and relaxing with a good book.

Beth (Batsheva) Hartstein, MSW, LCSW-C

Therapist & Play Therapy Specialist

Beth (Batsheva) Hartstein, MSW, LCSW-C, is a licensed clinical social worker and Certified Play Therapist who graduated from University of Maryland School of Social Work where she completed her Masters degree. She is an empathic and passionate therapist, who strives to work collaboratively with her clients to craft effective and meaningful interventions for achieving success, and learn essential tools which will serve them throughout life. Beth specializes in working with children and adolescents, and works with adults as well. She utilizes a holistic, person-centered approach, with an emphasis on expressive therapies including play therapy, sand tray, and art therapy. Play is the language of children; Beth uses it to effectively reach and facilitate the growth of the children she works with. DBT and CBT are also part of her practice, and Beth uses these modalities to help clients to overcome their challenges and achieve their goals. Beth believes that therapy should be tailor-made to fit the needs of each person, and strives to meet each client where they are so that they can gain the most from the therapeutic process. In her spare time, Beth enjoys being with her family and friends, shopping and baking delectable desserts.

Shai Meyerowitz, MSW, LMSW

Child and Adolescent Therapist

Education: Master’s in Social Work

Shai Meyerowitz, MSW, LMSW is a Licensed Social Worker at the Master’s level. He attended Long Island University and majored in child and family welfare. He conducted extensive research in ADHD interventions to motivate and inspire children with ADHD in school and daily living. Shai treats ADHD, anger management, social skills challenges, anxiety, and bullying issues. He gives children a therapist whom they are excited to spend time with and he provides a safe place and the skills for them to work through whatever challenges come their way.

Dr. Sue Futeral

PhD, LCSW-C, C-EAT

Education:  PhD, LCSW-C, C-EAT
Joined:  2019

Dr. Sue Futeral, PhD, LCSW-C, C-EAT, is a two-time graduate of the University of Maryland, School of Social work, earning both her Masters and PhD degrees there. She has won two awards from the University of Maryland, 50 heroes of Social Justice and Outstanding Social Worker, Alumni Association.

Sue works for the BCPS system as a school social worker and has been serving the EAP population for over twenty years offering counseling and CISD (critical incidents stress debriefing) as well as teaching courses in Expressive Art Therapy, time management, negativity in the workplace, coping skills, ethics, and smoking cessation.

Dr. Sue, a Baltimore native, is as an Adjunct faculty for SDUIS. She is a licensed clinical social worker with 30 years experience in teaching, research and clinical practice. She earned her BA at Goucher College, and her MSW and PhD from the University of Maryland. She has a second doctorate in addictions counseling, focusing on drugs, alcohol, sex, food and gambling addictions. She holds certifications in techniques that include: hypnosis, art therapy, music therapy, and psychodrama.

In the past twenty years she has taught courses in ten colleges and universities from undergraduate introductory work to supervising graduate students in the field. She offers many workshops to professionals on topics such as Expressive Arts Therapy, Stress management, time management and communication skills.

Sue has worked in general, special and alternative education in schools through MANSEF, Maryland Association of Non-Public Special Education Facilities, Harford County, Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Her clinical work includes individual, couples and family counseling. She specializes in working with folks in their work settings who get stressed out!

Sue is married and has three adult children. Sue has one cat as well. Sue plays violin, piano, trombone, recorder, and many percussion instruments. She enjoys drawing, painting, sculpting, clay and crafts such as knitting.

Support Staff

Rachel Cohen, BA

Administrative Assistant

Education:

Rachel is a personable and caring team member who aims to assist all clients and their needs. She is organized and efficient and helps Recovery Counseling Center run smoothly throughout the day. She is happy to help you in any way she can, just ask.