Intellectual Disability Therapists in Washington, DC

Hi! I am MaryCatherine Balcom, a Licensed Graduate Social worker (LGSW) located in the DMV. I have extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults. One of my key strengths lies in my ability to establish a trusting and nonjudgmental rapport with my clients, especially with children and adolescents. I believe in fostering an environment where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to express yourself authentically, however that might look for you!

Understanding the causes of anxiety, depression, and other types of psychological suffering by increasing self-awareness is the key to navigating life's challenges. With years of experience in clinical practice and academia, I've had the privilege of assisting individuals from various walks of life in navigating their psychological challenges. My approach to therapy is based on empathic attunement, fostering self-awareness, and empirically supported approaches tailored to the needs of each person. I am committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their thoughts and feelings openly.

With 50 years of clinical experience, a Duke U. Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, I am an empathic, results-oriented psychologist. My specialties: relationships, anxiety, depression, stress reduction, intimacy, trauma & abuse. I work with adults, adolescents, & children in individual, couple, family & group therapy. I counsel in Spanish, French & Japanese. I've authored 4 books on intimacy & relationships & hold FREE monthly Zoom workshops on Mindfulness, Creative Movement & Relationships using guided imagery & music. My licensed associates and I serve MD, D.C. & VA. My interactive audio flyer is available at AacCounseling.com. Call me.

I specialize in neurodiversity-affirming assessments for autism, ADHD and mental health for children and adults. Clients often come to me seeking testing for the first time or as a second opinion after feeling misunderstood by other clinicians. My goal is to understand more about your unique lived experience and neurodivergence, get you the right diagnosis, and help you get connected with the resources that you need.

Ideal clients are those who are looking for help and feel ready to challenge themselves and are ready for change. Issues of happiness, fulfullment, identity development, sexual orientation, gender, addiction, anxiety, depression and psychosis are some of the typical things clients bring into treatment.

My approach to therapy is to partner with you and your family to create an individualized and goal-directed treatment plan. I can help you uncover your strengths and use the skills you already have to make lasting changes. You will experience a warm, genuine, playful, and humorous treatment approach.

Are you experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety or just stress from everyday life? I specialize in therapeutic intervention and treatment that address these symptoms and other factors complimentary of everyday stressors. Whether its vicarious trauma via news, grief, politics, parenting, work, depression, anxiety or trauma, I welcome anyone to join talk therapy. The goal is to work through, understand and navigate whatever may be disrupting your persona and/or quality of life. Please don't hesitate to reach out to begin the journey of healing.

I am a compassionate, board-certified licensed professional counselor. I learned about one of my favorite quotes at summer camp as a child. "For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up." As a counselor, this quote still resonates with me. My approach is to help you "up" with your challenges through compassion and collaboration. Together, we can develop an individualized, personalized, and comprehensive plan to move forward through difficulties in your life.

Life can constantly challenge our sense of self and confidence. I strongly feel that everyone is exactly who they ought to be. Each individual has strengths, and they can be difficult to identify when you’re struggling with your mental health. In my nearly 15 years of experience, I have worked with individuals who are experiencing every level of mental illness from its most disruptive forms to the day-to-day challenges. I have supported people in even the heaviest places recover, find a life of hope, and reaffirm their purpose.

Are you a parent of a child, teen or young adult struggling with big emotions that take over your child's body? Does your child have trouble leaving the house, nervous about new situations, have excess energy, feel low or experience mood swings? Are you a young adult entering a new phase or overwhelmed with today's pressures of work, family, friends and relationships? Are you looking for a clinician that can connect with you and understands the pressures of today? With a background in therapeutic and specials education school settings, we use creative tools to connect with you and your child to support you.

Follow Dr.Laura.D on Instagram for Psychology Tips...While 20% of Americans have a diagnosed mental health illness, 100% of us have Mental Health! As a Positive Psychologist I, Dr. Laura DiCesare, and my Associates empower our clients with the tools to tap into their internal strengths and resources. Learning about our brains and how they work is necessary to finding more balance in life. Are you experiencing stress, anxiety, or sadness? Are you feeling alone or like no one truly listens or understands? Is there trauma from your past that is holding you back from the life you want? Then let's get started (licensed in 34 States!

Accepting New Clients! I work with individuals experiencing life changes big and small. A hard loss, new baby, scary diagnosis, or big move can all be sources of stress and can bring up lots of emotions. I specialize in helping you find and re-find your identity after change. My practice is a safe place to talk about and work on the hardest parts of change and stress. I work with new parents, new grads, medical staff, caregivers of all kinds, and anyone feeling overwhelmed with life right now. Reaching out is the hardest part, you have made it this far and I am excited to walk with you the rest of the way.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges? Are your emotions, or a complicated relationship, weighing you down? Are you interested in finding creative solutions to your problems? If so, perhaps counseling, art therapy, or some combination of the two might be right for you! I offer a supportive and non-judgmental space where you will learn to take charge of your thoughts, emotions, and actions while practicing better self-care and improving insight. My areas of expertise include trauma, HIV, diabetes, depression, anxiety, multicultural and LGBTQ+ concerns, existential dilemmas, spiritual concerns, and grief and loss.

I have an extensive and unique clinical experience with more than 15 years in inpatient and outpatients settings. I have helped many individuals with assorted emotional problems, including PTSD, mood and adjustment disorders, grief, anger, ADHD, and borderline personality disorder. I also serve as a mental health consultant for childhood and early childhood programs in Fairfax where I provide play therapy for young children with emotional and behavioral problems and parents' consultations.

I specialize in neurodevelopmental disorders, and have conducted over 1,000 assessments. My assessments identify both strengths and support needs, and focus on helping you become the most independent and healthy version of yourself.

Thank you for your interest in my profile. I work with clients who need support, a clearer understanding of themselves and their environment, and are ready for change. Clients struggling with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, PTSD, grief, schizophrenia, bipolar, and personality disorders, as well as relationships, career support, aging, and other daily life issues are great candidates for therapy with me. I see individual clients of any age (however under the age of 16, parent/caregiver collaboration is required), families, and couples. I offer a kind, supportive approach, with plenty structure and self-empowerment.

Welcome! I offer services primarily related to assessment and consultation for children and adults. Evaluations are comprehensive with a focus on various domains of functioning including intellectual, academic, executive functioning, attention, and mood/personality to best understand strengths and areas for improvement. Evaluations are provided for diagnosis of ADHD, Autism, and other neurodevelopmental conditions using evidence-based instruments. Additional areas of testing include learning problems/disabilities, admissions testing, college accommodations, and memory and cognitive decline.

Well, hello. I am glad you decided to meet. Let me pour you some tea or coffee and let’s discuss what is on your mind. Sometimes it can be pretty difficult to seek out help. Especially for those who either thought they didn’t need it or were convinced that their issues are manageable. That often occurs with members of the LGBTQ+ community. Regardless, you took the first step, as difficult as it may have been. As a next step I want to work with you and build trust. Once that has been established and you feel comfortable, we can address the items that cause you concern.

Has your child's school told you they need to be tested? Have you been rejected for a job and need to be re-tested to demonstrate you actually do qualify? Has your therapy hit a dead end and your therapist needs diagnostic clarity to take you to the next level? My practice was designed to address each of these concerns and more. Testing and evaluation opens up doors to school services, better job opportunities, and in some cases, can help the courts better understand your side of situations. Together, we can use your testing results to help you navigate these systems even more effectively. Not offering therapy at this time.