EIN #: 20-0108493
Contact Us
Core Services
(202) 745-0073
Day Program
(202) 737-6191
General Inquiries:
info@mcclendoncenter.org
Medical Records:
records@mcclendoncenter.org
Day Program Referrals:
DayProgramReferrals@mcclendoncenter.org
Grab Your Dancing Shoes: McClendon Center Goes Beyond Your Typical Talk Therapy Session
Dance Movement Therapy is part of the Expressive Art Therapies, and although it is not necessarily intended, it can often become a dance party.
Here at the McClendon Center’s Day Program, which has grown considerably since resuming in-person services this past June, it continues to be a treat to witness clients connect, experience, and express themselves creatively through movement and dance.
Dance Movement Therapy provides the space to explore the emotional, cognitive, social, and physical aspects of the body without the requirement to talk — though we do encourage it! Plus, it’s a great opportunity to positively interact and engage with peers through play.
“There seems to be a sense of liberation each client experiences from the beginning to the end of a session,” says Aisha Shabazz, the Director of Day Services, “It continues to be a pleasure witnessing clients who were once hesitant to attend Dance/Movement Therapy transition to attending a session at least once a week.”
DMT and other creative arts therapies are unique in helping people to express themselves and progress in ways not possible through more traditional talking therapies. Research supports the effectiveness of these types of therapies in helping people alleviate anxiety and depression, increase focus and foster expression, recover from traumatic events, and lead happier, more fulfilling lives.
At McClendon Center, we pride ourselves on coming up with innovative ways to facilitate healing that centers the individual and their own modes of creative expression.
Becoming your best self requires embracing your individuality and not letting anything or anyone stymie your happiness.
McClendon Center Appoints Dr. Samuel Allen as Medical Director
Dr. Allen is a proven clinician who brings significant experience advocating for vulnerable and at-risk populations in Washington, DC, Egypt, and his native England
McClendon Center, a nonprofit mental health services provider that has served the District’s residents for over 40 years, is pleased to announce that Dr. Samuel Allen has been appointed as its new Medical Director.
Dr. Allen is a proven clinician who brings significant experience advocating for vulnerable and at-risk populations in Washington, DC, Egypt, and his native England.
“Dr. Allen is a thoughtful, compassionate, and experienced leader,” said Tony Boswell, McClendon Center President and CEO. “He understands that recovery starts with the whole person and is best achieved when done in partnership, meeting the individual’s goals — a philosophy and approach that is integral to our work. We are thrilled to welcome him to the McClendon Center family and look forward to him helping us to build upon our longstanding tradition of excellent care.”
Dr. Allen joins McClendon Center after completing his psychiatry residency at Georgetown University Hospital, where he served as Chief Resident. He attended the University of Sussex for his undergraduate studies and received his medical degree from St. George’s, University of London.
As Medical Director, Dr. Allen is responsible for the psychiatric health and wellness of McClendon Center’s clients, the Center’s assessment and prescribing processes, and is the ultimate clinical decision maker for the agency. He also provides direct services for the Center’s clients, supervises all psychiatry staff members, and is the agency’s administrative representative for psychiatry.
Welcome Dr. Allen!
Sheandinita Dyson Named Chief of Staff at McClendon Center
Dyson is an experienced compliance leader with a demonstrated history of leadership in the behavioral healthcare industry
WASHINGTON — The McClendon Center is pleased to announce that Sheandinita Dyson, who has served as the organization’s Director of Compliance and Training for the last four-plus years, has been named Chief of Staff.
“Shean brings tremendous heart, passion, and experience to the chief of staff role,” said Tony Boswell, McClendon Center President and CEO. “She is a highly engaged, effective, and respected leader who understands our organization and our work inside out. I am confident and excited for the Center to continue to benefit greatly from her wisdom, insight, and thoughtful, strategic approach. There is no one we’d rather have in this role.”
Sheandinita is an experienced compliance leader with a demonstrated history of leadership in the behavioral healthcare industry. She has been with McClendon Center since February 2008, beginning her tenure as a Community Support Specialist, before quickly assuming a supervisory role as Team Leader. Her portfolio has included overseeing compliance for the Center since 2014.
Sheandinita served as the Center’s interim President, showcasing tremendous leadership of the organization during a six-month period of transition beginning in January 2021.
In the Chief of Staff role, Sheandinita is responsible for strengthening existing services, leading key strategic initiatives, and supporting the Center’s President and CEO in the development and day-to-day management of organizational operations.
Sheandinita received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Howard University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Social (MSW) from the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
McClendon Center Awarded Behavioral Health Accreditation from The Joint Commission
The Center has been accredited by the Joint Commission since 1999, a prestigious credential not shared by any other behavioral health provider in the District of Columbia.
McClendon Center is thrilled to announce that it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Behavioral Health Care and Human Services Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with the highest national standards for safety and quality of care.
The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective behavioral health care.
“As a private accreditor, The Joint Commission surveys health care organizations to protect the public by identifying deficiencies in care and working with those organizations to correct them as quickly and sustainably as possible,” says Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and chief nursing executive, The Joint Commission. “We commend McClendon Center for its continuous quality improvement efforts in patient safety and quality of care.”
“This achievement is a testament to our staff who every day bring passion, talent, and heart to the work we do to improve the health and quality of life for residents of the District,” said Tony Boswell, McClendon Center’s President and CEO. “The accreditation process ensures the Center’s programs and services are putting our clients first, and are as responsive as possible to the needs of our community – even amid the most difficult of years. I’d like to especially recognize the leadership of Michael Burt, our Director of Quality Improvement, and Caitlin Apo, our Clinical Director, each who played pivotal roles in this great accomplishment.”
The Center has been accredited by the Joint Commission since 1999, a prestigious credential not shared by any other behavioral health provider in the District of Columbia.
For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website
McClendon Center Appoints Anthony O. Boswell as President and Chief Executive Officer
A proven, compassionate leader and advocate, Boswell will lead McClendon Center’s efforts to support and empower District of Columbia residents living with mental illness
WASHINGTON — McClendon Center, a nonprofit mental health services provider that has served the District’s residents for more than 40 years, and its Board of Directors are pleased to announce the appointment of Anthony O. Boswell as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2021.
Boswell is a proven and compassionate leader and advocate for the marginalized with a three-decade track record of successfully working with and to the benefit of underserved communities in the healthcare, human services, education, legal, government, and nonprofit sectors.
He is McClendon Center’s first President and CEO and the first person of color to lead the organization since its founding in 1980. Boswell succeeds longtime Executive Director Dennis Hobb, who retired earlier this year following a 17-year tenure at the Center. He will build upon a strong foundation established during Hobb’s tenure, which has seen the Center recognized on multiple occasions by the Department of Behavioral Health as the city’s highest-rated provider.
“We are excited for Tony to continue and build upon McClendon’s long history of providing high-quality, compassionate, and innovative care for those in our community living with mental illness,” said Steve Lucas, Chair of McClendon Center’s Board of Directors. “Tony is a highly respected leader and coalition builder who the Board believes can lead McClendon into a bold new era while maintaining our reputation as a top-rated, client-centered agency. With Tony as our new CEO, we can meet the ever-evolving needs and challenges facing the District.”
Throughout his career, whether in a legal, compliance, or business leadership role, Boswell’s unique ability to build and sustain critical partnerships with a diverse set of stakeholders has proven to be a difference-maker.
Boswell began his career as a healthcare attorney before serving in various leadership roles spanning corporate and government service, and the international and not-for-profit business sectors. He brings extensive experience advocating for vulnerable populations, including youth living in poverty and marginalized people with behavioral health needs.
Most recently, Boswell served as Executive Director for a national mental health provider overseeing providers in Springfield/Worcester, Massachusetts, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Washington, D.C.
“I am tremendously humbled and honored to join the McClendon Center and carry on its rich history of providing life-changing care and support to the greater Washington community,” said Boswell. “We are in the midst of a mental and behavioral health crisis exacerbated by COVID-19. We need to continue to ensure the most vulnerable among us get the help they need. I believe strongly in the Center’s people and purpose, and I am confident in its ability to meet the current challenges and help our communities emerge from this period stronger, safer, and more confident than ever before.”
Drawing upon a successful national track record and deep local expertise, Boswell is well positioned to advance the Center’s vision of growing into the region’s preeminent provider of behavioral and mental health services.
Since 2019, Boswell has served as Chair of the District of Columbia Behavioral Health Association’s Board of Directors. He has been a member of the DCBHA Board for each of the past three years, previously serving as Board Treasurer from 2018-2019.
“On behalf of the DCBHA, we could not be any more pleased to learn about Tony’s appointment as the new President and CEO of the McClendon Center,” remarked Mark LeVota, Executive Director of the District of Columbia Behavioral Health Association. “As the current President of the Board of Directors of the Association, Tony is well-known to our membership and his many strengths as a leader have been on full display amid the many challenges we have all faced over this past year. The Center has been a member of the Association since its earliest days, and we are grateful to see it take this important step in its next chapter of growth.”
Among his many aims, Boswell will seek to spearhead a systematic expansion of McClendon’s services and impact to additional populations, such as children and youth, as well as those with substance use challenges.
“In our ever-changing healthcare environment, it is essential that we always continue to innovate and strive to find new ways of effectively caring for those in our community,” added Boswell. “As a highly-respected industry leader, I believe the Center has a tremendous opportunity to build upon its client-first culture, expand its footprint, and deliver solutions to the significant community health need across our region. I am grateful to join such a dedicated staff and look forward to getting started.”
Boswell earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law and holds a Master of Education degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as his bachelor’s degree from Stony Brook University. Boswell and his wife Kay-Ann have two children.
About McClendon Center
Founded in 1980, McClendon Center is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, community-based health provider in the heart of Washington, DC. For over 40 years, it has provided critical programs and services to District residents with mental and behavioral health challenges, empowering them to live more independently and enjoy an increased quality of life. McClendon Center is certified as both a Core Services Agency and a provider of Rehabilitation/Day Services. It has been accredited by the Joint Commission since 1999, a prestigious credential not shared by any other behavioral health provider in the District. McClendon Center provided life-changing services and care to more than 5,200 DC residents who turned to it for help in 2020.