Couples Counseling Therapists in Dupont Circle, Washington, DC

I view therapy as an invitation to bring awareness to the here and now. For many of us, we press forward, through, and over difficult feelings when they arise in our daily lives. Often they show up as unwanted thoughts or images. They not only fill us with dread, but we will go to great lengths to avoid them. On the other hand, what if moving toward our feelings actually reduces the influence they have over us, allowing us to attend to the very things we value, thereby creating meaning and purpose in our lives.

Beginning therapy can be a difficult step. But if you find yourself stuck, repeating the same ineffective, undermining coping mechanisms and unable to manage your emotions, then it might be time to start working together to help you identify more effective and constructive approaches to achieve your goals.

I am a clinical psychologist practicing for over 15 years. I have a lot of experience treating men and women facing a wide range of difficulties including depression, anxiety, low self esteem, relationship issues, work stresses, and life transitions. I have training in various treatment modalities including psychodynamic, CBT, and DBT and tailor my treatment to your needs. In general, I try to understand the origins of the problem and teach practical techniques for making improvements. I have a warm, interactive and collaborative style and will work with you to make positive changes in your life.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist working with couples , adults, and families. It is my belief that a warm and compassionate environment in therapy, in conjunction with problem solving and a growth-oriented attitude lead to better quality of life. The goal is to understand the thought and behavior patterns that can damage one's happiness and create problems in relating to others; and to replace them with healthier ones. My therapy services address issues ranging from stress and anxiety to depression, anger, relationship and communication problems, self-esteem, identity, and grief/loss.

Welcome to my practice! I specialize in working with adults who struggle with anxiety, racing thoughts, sadness, perfectionism, not feeling "good enough," family of origin and multicultural issues, relationship challenges, and life transitions. As a former college soccer player, I also have a special interest in working with current and former athletes, who may need support with things like anxiety, mood concerns, managing transitions (ex. from high school to college sports), burnout, team dynamics, injury, life after sports, and balancing multiple demands.

Anxiety and depression are concerns for people of all ages and frequently contribute to feelings of stress. I work closely with individuals whose struggles are getting in the way of developing safe, loving relationships and achieving objectives as well as those who are facing major life transition and feeling overwhelmed. Providing a warm, supportive relationship , I work with clients to identify and change patterns of behavior that are troubling them. For all of us, within the context of major stressors and recent or distant traumas, opportunities are present for identifying and building on our strengths.

Dr. Parkhurst's practice frequently centers on self esteem and identity development issues, especially, but not necessarily, as they relate to sexual orientation. Depression, anxiety, obsessiveness, relationship problems, and intimacy issues characterize the types of concerns with which he is often presented by clients. His competencies include couples counseling , parenting and child development issues, and academic concerns as counseling issues. He also has considerable experience in learning and cognition, and in career development from his years of counseling and training within the educational system.

I create an environment that helps clients explore both the internal and external barriers to their healing and growth. As a psychologist I pull from working with diverse groups of people and assist on issues of trauma, grief, loss, relationship difficulties, wellness and health. To me, therapy is best when it's a mix of approaches that are used strategically to create a nonjudgmental and empathic atmosphere. My style is both warm and thought-provoking, and I actively collaborate with and support those with whom I work.

Are anxious thoughts causing your thoughts and feelings to spiral? Does the mention of conflict make your stomach churn? Are you just overall feeling stuck? These problems are complex and painful, affecting your emotions and your personal and professional life.

There are times that you might feel stuck in patterns that make life feel unsatisfying and empty. Maybe you feel depressed, anxious or in chronic pain. You may be negotiating a relationship or trying to adjust to a new job. Psychotherapy allows you the space to understand how your past and present intersect and what gets in the way of living life to your fullest while also helping you to tap into your inner resources. My approach is collaborative, thus giving you the space to reflect carefully. I work with you to develop better coping skills and help you to understand & manage complex feelings of anxiety or sadness.

I work with a wide variety of clients in individual, couples , group and consultation formats.I provide a relationship that promotes respectful, direct expression of our unique human frailties and strengths be they happy, angry, fearful or sad. Psychotherapy is a potent elixir for change. The 'contents' of life provides for each of us at times a 'wild-ride', a 'lazy day', or somewhere in between. I help my clients with the 'process' of life to stay connected with their Self and others. If all goes well in the individual or couples therapy, most of my clients matriculate into a group psychotherapy process to further their growth.

What's wrong with this relationship ? The same problems keep on repeating time after time. So what does a study of psychology reveal? A well-trained and experienced psychotherapist can help to shine a light into the dark unconscious places which shroud the mysteries. This helps to bring the issues into consciousness, and once there, allows you to work with them. This work involves change. There may be many underlying issues including: mental states of anxiety and depression, an addiction, anger, lack of trust, various stressors, poor communication, extended family interferences, and more.

Having witnessed and participated in twenty years of clients' progress, I have great confidence in this powerful process. We all want to feel optimistic and enjoy our lives, with minimal stress, doubts, anxiety, depression, and confusion. Most of us have strong and centered parts that were buried or muted as a result of trauma, loss or other painful experiences. Learning to empower these healthy parts helps us manage inevitable difficult thoughts and feelings more calmly and effectively and to enjoy healthy relationships. Depending on individual situations, short term therapy or Skype sessions may be possible.

I collaborate with patients to help them understand and resolve problems they experience with regard to: personal and work relationship difficulties, self-esteem concerns, depression and anxiety, unresolved grief and loss, sexual and intimacy conflicts, work and achievement inhibitions, parenting problems. Increased intellectual and emotional understanding of these problems often helps the individual develop more successful and rewarding approaches in dealing with day to day realities in adult life.

Therapy helps us cope more effectively with challenges and encourages growth even in difficult circumstances. A strong relationship between therapist and client can make the process significantly more enjoyable and productive. I strive to be genuine and authentic in sessions, incorporating humor and warmth to create a safe, nonjudgmental, and respectful space for support. Together, we will explore your ways of thinking in order to facilitate insight into your experience and gain new skills and strategies to create long-lasting, positive change in your life.

If you're worried about your future, struggling to stay positive, fed up with work, longing for more joy, wondering whether to stay or leave, irritated all the time: I can help you. You don't have to stay "stuck." We'll work together until you get clear and move forward. Over a long career I've helped hundreds of individuals, couples and families navigate difficult situations, painful losses - and even welcome, but (who knew?) surprisingly challenging successes: graduating; getting married; becoming a parent; finally landing a job. Find Testimonials to my help on my website, https://www.heatherwilliamslicsw.com/.

I am a board-certified psychotherapist. In my practice I work with individuals and couples , using psychoanalytic psychotherapy and analytical psychology. It is my goal to create a warm and supportive environment in which to work with my clients to heal relational wounds and other forms of trauma. I support clients in their process to gain deeper self-understanding and to foster personal growth through self-compassion. Together we can explore new ways of understanding old patterns of behavior.

I specialize in adult psychotherapy, including anxiety, depression, self-esteem, substance use, trauma, relationships, and LGBTQ issues. It can be hard to experience hope when we feel stuck in old patterns of thinking and feeling about life, ourselves, and our relationships. This can lead to feelings of stress, confusion, unhappiness, or disappointment. I work to help individuals and couples to examine these patterns and to explore and experiment with new ways of thinking and acting, which in turn can have dramatic impact on how they are feeling.