Therapists in 20016

My practice is devoted to providing psychotherapy for older adolescents and adults from diverse walks of life. I treat clients who suffer from anxiety, depression, unresolved trauma, loss, grief, and other sources of seemingly unmanageable distress. I also help clients navigate specific life transitions -- for example, to a new school, job, relationship, or parenthood. Finally, I welcome clients who are experiencing relatively diffuse, general discontent and searching for greater fulfillment with respect to their health, relationships, education, job career, or creative endeavors.

We a group psychotherapy practice comprised of clinicians who provide compassionate counseling and therapy services, using a team approach, to meet the diverse needs of busy Washingtonians. We love to support families or people individually in their journeys to live healthier and more well lives. Our team includes graduate student interns, provisionally-licensed clinicians, fully licensed clinicians, and an executive leadership and life coach.

My work is grounded in the centrality of the therapeutic relationship and the knowledge that the mind and body are interconnected, and thus home to our emotions and our history, as well as a source of healing and growth. I will work with you to gain self-understanding, self-acceptance and self-esteem, healing from trauma, anxiety, or depression, and to strengthen your resources using a somatic, relational, and expressive approach. My work is informed by multicultural and community-based professional and academic experiences in the US and abroad.

Clients come to me when they are dissatisfied with their lives and/or overwhelmed by a situation or stressor. I view therapy as a collaborative endeavor and work together with you to develop a treatment which incorporates your strengths, needs and life experiences. I also respect your wish to work on a specific area of concern short-term and/or to address a variety of complex issues over time. During the treatment, my clients report that they feel safe, supported and challenged by me, and that their lives are highly enriched by the experience. (See actual reviews by clients at Healthgrades.com.)

Results-oriented, compassionate and "Relentless work ethic" are words patients have described me. I take a "whatever it takes empathic attitude" serving patients suffering from depression, psychosis, eating disorders, substance abuse disorders, and family dysfunction. I spent my most of my career practicing in DC's Ward 7 and Ward 8 servicing DC's most vulnerable lower income populations. I have experience with The Department of Behavior Health as a crisis supervisor, ACT clinical supervisor and a Child/Adult psychotherapist.

I am a masters prepared psychotherapist with years of experience in therapy, yoga, and mindfulness. I will be your support, educator, coach, cheerleader, and guide on the journey. Every journey begins with one step, even if you don't know where you're going. I'll meet you where you are, with compassion and without judgement. I offer an individualized, solutions-focused approach to treatment, combining CBT with mind-body practices to improve outcomes. My goal is to provide tools that empower you to meet your goals; building skills to take care of your whole person and move forward toward the life you want.

​Trauma does not discriminate. It can happen to anyone no matter their circumstances. Fortunately, there are also treatments that can help. In my 20 years of experience, I have born witness to the incredible resilience of individuals who have experienced trauma and firmly believe that recovery is possible. I have expertise in working with survivors of all forms of trauma including (but not limited to) service members, veterans, journalists (JTSN certificate), childhood abuse, chronic invalidation, developmental trauma, intergenerational trauma, immigration-related trauma, race-based trauma, and interpersonal violence.

Welcome! Beginning therapy can be a difficult first step, but it often leads to important insights and tremendous personal growth. Therapy is not a one size fits all model. Our approach ensures you will receive the treatment that is right for you. Whether you're looking to address issues from the past or current life challenges, you don't have to do it alone. Our goal is to create a safe and warm therapeutic environment that makes you comfortable sharing.

I am passionate about helping people facing relationship struggles that manifest as anxiety, depression, and difficulty with intimacy. My experience and training (EFT: Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy, Imago, PACT) taught me that most emotional challenges are tied to how we function in our personal relationships. I've been told that my real strength is helping people feel safe and reflective enough to recognize, think through, and either accept or change the way they approach the relationships that matter most. I enjoy a collaborative with my clients and couples, working together to make meaningful changes.

In addition to my work with creative and ambitious adults, I work with young children and adolescents to increase harmony, pleasure and satisfaction in life. I treat people who are underachieving in work or school despite clear talent; overachieving in work or school yet at a high price; people who are highly anxious; people who feel hopeless about change; people who are trying to achieve greatness in sports or career; and people who know they deserve so much more but for whom it feels elusive. Let's strengthen your capacity to hear yourself better so your relationships and creativity can continue to flourish.

Are you feeling anxious? Stuck? Having trouble with your spouse, children, parents, friends, colleagues? Things are just not right? Why do it on your own? You need somebody objective and non-judgmental to bounce things off of. Making the decision to call a therapist is tough but it can really make a difference in how you feel and operate in this world. I have been a therapist for over 40 years and I know it really works. My style is warm, interactive and caring and I'm ready to help you tackle your problems.

"Help! My stress is over the top!" Have you found yourself thinking this? Are you facing difficult circumstances? Is stress from events in the world, or concerns about oppression and privilege, affecting you and/or your relationships? Is it harder to meet your commitments to family, friends, and/or groups and causes you care about? I specialize in helping adults, adolescents and families draw upon their strengths, solve problems, and develop new understanding and new skills.

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.

My goal is to help patients learn to be responders and to be in charge of themselves. Throughout treatment, a functional medicine approach is employed. Care collaboration is valued. Patients with cognitive, emotional, and behavioral challenges benefit from a variety of cognitive behavioral, neurobehavioral, and psychophysiological modalities. Patients with such conditions as emotional and physical trauma, chronic pain, addictions, brain injuries and disorders (autism, Asperger's, ADD/ADHD, motor and balance challenges, for example), sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression are treated. Individuals with neurological, autoimmune, metabolic, endocrinological, and other complex medical conditions find that the treatment modalities promote healing.

Picking a therapist to work with can be overwhelming. Feeling comfortable and understood by your therapist is critical. During our first session we will explore what brought you to me. Together we identify your struggles, develop a treatment plan, discuss whether you feel comfortable with me, and that our plan makes sense to you. I am a Licensed Psychologist with over 20 years of experience. A certified IMAGO, Gottman, Equine Assisted and Diplomat in Sex Therapy, we will talk openly and candidly about your life. Together, we will explore your concerns, past and present and mindfully identify changes for you to consider.

Georgia O'Keeffe once said, "To create one's own world in any of the arts takes courage." Our practice has both art therapists and counselors (licensed in MD and DC), we understand the courage it takes to create a better life for yourself using comprehensive care. In addition, the integrated healing and creative processes provide a holistic approach to personal expression, growth and development. Whether your goals are managing depression, anxiety, and/or stress, enhancing your relationships, or creating a greater sense of stability and control in your life, we are confident we can provide you with the guidance and support you need.

Seeking therapy is often part of a painful journey. Things a person did on their own for their mental health & to connect with others have not worked. Sadness & fear interferes with their work & relationships. For some people seeking therapy, alcohol & drugs provide temporary relief from suffering; however, those behaviors sometimes cause further damage. It’s hard for them to accept compliments & they feel uncomfortable in their own skin, even after achieving things that are supposed to be fulfilling. They meet interesting, loving people, & they find it very hard to get close to them, leading to more isolation.

I believe everyone has the ability to learn new ways to cope and view their personal situation differently. Therapy is a place where you can access your most authentic self and allow the therapeutic process to guide healing. Through creating a safe, comfortable and trusting environment clients will be able to share honestly and receive genuine feedback. My approach is supportive and client centered. You are the expert of your past and together we will explore patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviors to establish improved ways of being and building relationships with others to help shape your future.

I am Founder and Director of the Capital Institute for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Since 2003, the Institute has been a leading provider of research-proven treatments and compassionate care. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be effective for a number of problems, including: depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), hoarding, phobias, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, insomnia, chronic pain, personality disorders, and relationship problems. Studies find most patients in CBT have significant reduction in symptoms and distress.