So many of us are taught that to be sad, lonely, unsure, or vulnerable is to be weak. True strength is having the courage to show up as our authentic self. Only when we show up can we experience real connection. This requires letting others see us when we’re feeling overwhelmed, angry, ashamed, or misunderstood. And it requires being brave enough to accept help. Whatever your story, it deserves to be heard. When we share our story in a safe space, it becomes easier to own its painful parts so we may gain the freedom to live the life we want. "The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I change." -Carl Rogers

You are here because you are feeling unhappy, angry, worried, anxious, panicked, or full of self-doubt. Or you are a couple in need of direction and guidance to work through conflicts. I have found that fear is often the unrealized dynamic that gets in the way of fulfillment and happiness in many areas of life. Are you experiencing a recent transition, stressor or crisis that has brought about pain or confusion, or maybe you are struggling with a longstanding challenge? Therapy is a means to uncovering existing strengths, and to gaining insights and new skills to help overcome the fears that often accompany these challenges.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with 5 years experience in community mental health providing therapy to children and adults. My areas of focus include parental identity development, gender and sexuality, intimate relationship growth, and ethical non-monogamy. I enjoy helping individuals, couples, and families find compassionate and strengths-focused ways of looking at themselves in order to create the change they want for themselves.I am interested in helping parents to-be and parents at all stages create their own versions of healthy, fun, and realistic parenting in today’s hurried and stressed society.

Reaching out for help is difficult, but giving yourself the opportunity for emotional healing is an incredible gift to offer yourself and your loved ones. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and anger can surface from a multitude of stressors: relationships, work, parenting, or a difficult past resurfacing in your present life. I work with people to help create meaning out of difficulty and embrace a healthier life. Through identifying and coming to grips with fears, we are better able to know ourselves so we can connect in healthy ways in existing relationships, as well as build valuable new ones.

If you found my profile, you have taken the first step in building a better you. Everyone could use someone to talk to, a different perception regarding the dilemma you are facing. Self-empowerment comes from within. We can work together to build on your strengths, strengthen your weaknesses and reach your highest potential, while also building on your self confidence and self-esteem. I bring 20+ years of experience using an array of techniques and strategies to include mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and cognitive behavioral strategies.

Sometimes you wonder if anyone really knows you, the real you, the authentic you. Maybe you have had negative experiences that communicated to you that it wasn’t safe or okay to be your full self. Sometimes you wonder if you even know yourself. You might find yourself behaving in situations in ways that don’t totally make sense to you. You may notice that you respond in ways that were effective at one point in your life, but are no longer serving you. Perhaps you feel sadness, shame, loneliness, or fear and realize that something needs to change.

*Currently accepting new clients* I have worked with a variety of clients ranging in age from 4 to adult. I specialize in children and adolescent work as well as college age students. I have worked with individuals and families experiencing anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, school issues, to name a few. I believe in the importance of involving family members when appropriate and maintaining contact with other systems involved. Although I am formally trained in CBT (cognitive behavior therapy), I am able to tailor my therapeutic style to the unique needs of the client.

It can be hard to be a woman or a girl with strong opinions. Maybe your family didn’t appreciate your speaking up about what you saw. Or perhaps you weren’t accepted because you weren’t the perfect size or shape, or color. The upheaval of the world has made it more difficult for you to thrive in ways that you used to. The stress, the sadness, the eating troubles, the isolation—they are all getting to you. It’s time you get more support.

Life can present us with many different challenges. We are confronted with stress and negativity on a daily basis. At times it may feel too overwhelming to cope with it all. Perhaps you are seeking treatment to cope with a loss, to manage anxiety or mood swings, or are struggling with a difficult relationship. Therapy provides you with a safe, supportive and healing environment to explore your innermost thoughts and feelings without fear of judgement. I practice using a psychodynamic approach, also known as insight-oriented therapy. I also utilize other approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness.

Are you overwhelmed with your depressive thoughts that have influenced your ability to focus on things in life? Are you tired of the different medications you have taken and getting side effects again? Are you annoyed with yourself because you have more self-doubt and self-critical thoughts than having self-compassion and confidence? Are you mad at yourself because you have tried to feel better, but just don't seem to make it work? With integrated approaches, we can talk about those brothering situations, and with Brainspotting we can help get a new understanding of your feelings.

J. Pope & Associates, LLC was created to contribute to the betterment of mental health & wellness while improving the functioning of children, youth, adults and families. In addition, our services are tools used to effectively decrease the prevalence and incidence of mental illness, emotional disturbance, and social dysfunction. We strive to provide compassionate solution focused treatment to the inner city and surrounding areas by strengthening communities, building positive relationships, and promoting emotional wellness.

In my practice I provide a safe and trusting environment where you can share your story without judgment. I will help you come up with the necessary tools to face everyday's challenges. I utilize a strengths-based perspective and an individual approach to treating clients. With the use of guided imagery and other modalities you can learn to be the driver of your destiny.

Nobody ever said that change was easy - but here you are looking for change. You realize that you can't continue doing the same thing over and over again with no results. But where do you start? Who can you trust? Who is going to listen? Well you have come to the right place. If you are ready to make real change from a life of depression, anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, anger, and grief then give therapy a try. I am here to help you find lasting peace, happiness, hope, truth, strength, direction, and self-worth. Let this be the year that you see true change!

I AM CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS! I work primarily with individuals who are having difficulty with regulating emotions, having problems with communication with others, having difficulty in their relationship(s), have a history of partner abuse and familial trauma, and individuals who are having difficulty with tough situations and are using ineffective coping (drugs/alcohol, spending, self-harm, sex, etc.). I provide a non-judgmental, safe space to speak freely about past trauma and current stressors.

Please note that I only respond to email. Please contact me via email once you’ve submitted your Psychology Today request.

The journey to be your best self is too important to take alone. So it would be my pleasure to help guide you to a better, clearer tomorrow – mentally, physically, and emotionally. My approach as a psychotherapist is one of understanding where you are now, and then working together to reach the place you desire to be. We’ve all walked a unique life path and had different experiences that shaped us, so my approach is not cookie-cutter at all. I believe in hope, inspiration, and the power of the individual. We are stronger than we realize, but the key to mental clarity and emotional well-being sometimes remains elusive.

Let’s talk about sex. Often an area of discomfort or awkwardness for people, my goal is to help people become more comfortable with themselves sexually. By normalizing sex as a natural part of the human experience, I help people see that much like taste in food, sexual desires and pleasures can change throughout life. My training in Clinical Sexuality allows me to help couples and individuals in both the relationship dynamics and the physical aspects of their relationships. Having an understanding about where clients want to go helps me tailor their therapy sessions to help move the relationship to a positive and fulfilling place.

Everyone goes through difficult times in their lives. My goal is to help you become the best version of yourself and assist you in achieving goals that are important to you. I can provide a safe and non-judgmental space to discuss things that may be difficult to verbalize. My focus is on clients age 14-40 who may be struggling with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, borderline personality disorder, life transitions, relationship issues, and family issues. I use an eclectic approach rooted in a variety of evidenced based practices.

There are times in life when it is difficult to believe that we will ever reach our dreams, hopes, goals, or have the future for which we had hoped. We may be feeling stuck, lonely, and unable to develop or access our wisdom and strengths. Too often, challenging life situations or decisions made in the past tend to have a lasting effect on our lives. I believe that everyone has the capacity to grow, change and heal our relationships with ourselves, our significant others, and those around us.

I have been a behavioral health professional for 28 years and a licensed and certified clinical social worker in Maryland for 21 years. I have worked in a variety of settings which include psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers, outpatient programs, treatment foster care, special education/school settings, managed care organizations and employee assistance programs. I thoroughly enjoy working with older adolescent and adult clients who are seeking help in removing obstacles to their pursuits of fulfilling lives. I have a strong developmental perspective in helping clients gain insight and set their own paths.