Dissociative Disorders (DID) Therapists in Washington, DC

Hi! I'm a psychologist who has lived in the Washington DC area for nearly thirty years. I know that life in this region can be stressful, with traffic, high-pressure jobs, and interpersonal demands. I help people find ways to cope with these pressures and life's many challenges, including relationship concerns, self-esteem issues, self-defeating behaviors, emotional reactivity, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and life transitions. I believe that a therapeutic relationship offering confidentiality, safety, respect, curiosity, and a little humor, provides the most fertile soil for self exploration, healing, and growth.

Most people would change what is making them unhappy, if they could. I feel my job is to help you become aware of the parts of yourself that are negatively impacting you.I help you look at the patterns that are making you feel stuck. We work together to understand what prevents you from attaining a better relationship with yourself and your loved ones. I believe that all humans desire to understand and to be understood. I create an environment where you can just simply be yourself.

Looking for a therapist is difficult and can increase our already present anxiety and depression. Many of these feelings are constructed throughout our childhood and brought into our adult lives creating feelings of inadequacy or repeating patterns from our past that leave us stuck and unable to move forward. By creating a safe and trusting environment, where issues of trauma and anxiety can be freely discussed, I will assist you in becoming more fluid in your life so you can move forward in a more fulfilling direction. I believe psychic and emotional change happens through the relationship between the therapist and patient.

I treat individuals and couples who present with a range of needs, from debilitating eating disorders to mild anxiety and to issues that cannot be described in five words or less. I see the whole person rather than a group of symptoms with the recognition that people are complex and that most of us have difficulties in one or more areas of our lives. I work to help people become more integrated which, I believe, helps them lead more fulfilling lives. Life isn't so easy sometimes, but through insight change is possible.

At DBT Maryland, we believe that in order to grow and make changes in their lives, people need validation, support and practical skills. We strive to provide empathic, accepting and productive therapeutic relationships so you can feel safe while moving toward your goals. Each person's situation is unique and our therapy approach will be designed to meet your individual needs. Many of our clients suffer from problems of emotional dysregulation (borderline personality, PTSD, depression, anxiety & bipolar) most effectively addressed by a comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program.

My ideal client(s) are those struggling with both trauma and relationships. Trauma can deeply impact how we relate to others, whether it be experiences from childhood that have persisted in creating struggles over the life course, or impactful instances in adulthood a person still struggles with. I am especially interested in people who struggle with attachment issues in relationships. The ideal client is one who is receptive to change, can take ownership of their life, and has the capacity for self-reflection. They would be interested in creating a more fulfilling life for them, based on the meanings the create in their own lives.

Ready to heal from past traumas? Financial stress impacting your well-being and ready for change? Are you seeking deeper attachment in your relationships? I work with heterosexual & LGBTQ+ individuals and couples exploring ways to live that fully meet your needs. I help clients address & alleviate stressors as they explore & resolve past emotional wounds & traumas. I offer couples support to strengthen their relationships & resolve issues preventing emotional & sexual intimacy. I’m licensed in DC/MD/VA, practicing under the clinical supervision of Lisa Smith, LPC. My background includes Wall Street, the legal industry & journalism.

Satisfaction, joy and self-awareness are key elements to a fulfilling life. Although that seems easier said than done, I believe that we can find these elements with encouraging support and guidance. I am a committed, compassionate therapist who is ready to help you uncover your inner strengths to make the changes you want and live a more gratifying life. I believe that we all take a journey to find ourselves, but it becomes even more difficult when we are burdened by depression, addiction and/or trauma. Finding the right fit can help us get through difficult times, creating positive relationship is paramount to our happiness.

The warmth of genuine connection transcends the traditional therapist-client dynamic. As an experienced Mental Health Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist based in the DMV area with nearly a decade of dedicated practice, I offer a comprehensive range of competencies to support individuals on their journey toward healing and self-discovery. My expertise spans the following areas: Anxiety and Stress Management, Depression and Emotional Regulation, Self-Criticism and Inner Conflict Resolution, Suicidal Ideation and Crisis Intervention, Codependency and Boundary Setting, and Creativity and Authentic Connection.

As a psychiatrist and therapist, I offer both medication management and psychotherapy, fitting best mental health needs. I work with adolescents, adults and couples. I can help with the effects of traumatic experiences, with troubles of everyday living, interpersonal difficulties, sexuality, or infertility/adoption issues. I can help if you struggle with anxiety, depression, grief or with not reaching your goals. I assist couples in resolving painful, conflicted relationship issues. I also provide long-term therapy for self-exploration, and for changing complex personality patterns that make everyday life difficult.

Are anxiety, anger, alienation, sadness or confusion causing you to feel overwhelmed trapped or hopelessly thwarted in reaching your goals? Or do you feel a deep longing for change? The call to deepen your understanding of yourself, of others and your situation is often signaled by negative thoughts, painful feelings, or a work or relationship crisis. The opportunity to talk with someone who is accepting and takes a practical approach restores hope, rekindles desire, resolves conflict, and directs the flow of energy towards positive movement.

Are you dissatisfied with your life? Are you finding ways to compensate that do not serve you well, such as over- or under-eating? Do you have an unhealthy relationship with food? Or, do you have a medical problem that has a dietary component that you have difficulty managing? These problems can have an impact on many areas of your life: relationships, work, and the way you handle money. I will help you sort out your difficulties and help you on the road to feeling better.

Welcome! I am an adult psychotherapist, licensed as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). These credentials, coupled with nearly 30 years of related experience, allow me to address clients' needs holistically in individual, couples and group psychotherapy. Many individuals struggle with chronic pain, depression, anxiety, loss, addictions, and adjustment to change. My style is direct, compassionate and interactive and relies on evidenced-based practices. I am open to the LGBT community. I aim to help individuals and couples gain insight and make behavioral changes to enhance their lives.

With over twenty years of experience and many years of post-graduate training, I bring a wealth of experience and expertise to my work. My style is flexible, interactive and engaged; and, I tailor my work to the individual needs of each person.

Your treatment has a beginning, middle & end. I am trained and certified in many of the latest breakthrough treatments including EMDR and Brainspotting. I use these modalities because I have found them to be the most effective. The field of psychotherapy has come a long way since it began. We now know that it doesn't have to take as long as previously believed for permanent healing and change to take place. The term "neuroplasticity" refers to the brain's ability to change and rewire itself at any age or stage of life. Too often, clients participate in years of talk therapy and medication management without results.

I have tremendous respect for people who make the difficult decision to enter in to psychotherapy. I work collaboratively with older children, adolescents, and adults, in individual, couples, and family therapy. My goal is to explore collaboratively the troubles that have led them to seek treatment at this time. I try to provide a safe, non-judgemental environment, where one can develop insight to better understand and ultimately change behavioral and relational patterns that get in the way of happiness and fulfillment. I have extensive experience working with depression, anxiety, and trauma, as well as relationship difficulties and life transitions.

A patient wrote this to me: "You are someone who knows the song in my heart, and could sing it back to me when I had forgotten the words." In my over 27 years of psychotherapy practice, I have learned several things: one is, in meeting with patients, to clear my mind (at least to try hard!) of all the theories and clinical orientations I have absorbed and to allow my emotions, mind, body, and considerable life experience to be present in our interactions. [Please note that I do NOT accept CareFirst BlueCHOICE, just PPO and Federal.]

It takes courage to face emotional and relationship problems. With over 20 years professional experience treating clients and consulting to businesses, I specialize in helping people find and utilize their strengths and sideline their difficulties. With children and adults, I specialize in treating complex anxiety, attachment, and learning issues and developing talent and leadership. Once clients are freed from the crippling impact of excessive anxiety, emotional dysregulation, or self defeating behavior patterns, drawing upon Positive Psychology and Mindfulness techniques helps us identify and capitalize on personal strengths. Clients are able to heal - thrive - grow - bloom into excellence.

Are you looking for relief from stress, worry, insomnia, or low mood? Has your partnership lost its sparkle? Does your body feel on edge and exhausted? Life doesn’t have to be so hard. Let’s work together and achieve the goals that have been just out of reach. E-mail me today and let's schedule a free consult. During that consult, we will discuss your strengths & the barriers that have held you back. Together, we will develop a customized program to meet your exact needs. All of our programs include top-tier, evidence-based interventions, like EMDR, Gottman Couple Method, Cognitive Processing, and more. Call today to schedule!