Couples Counseling Therapists in Washington, DC

Dr. Allison M. Bondanza is a Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist with extensive training in a range of emotional and behavioral health concerns. She specializes in providing evidenced-based treatment to an adult population for concerns such as anxiety, depression, work related stress, and relationship issues. Dr. Bondanza takes a compassionate and personalized approach to meet each client unique needs while creating a safe and trusting environment. She appreciates the vulnerable yet transformational relationship that can occur in counseling and believes that all individuals can positively benefit from self-exploration.

At moments of stress or transition, it can feel particularly useful to have someone with whom you can talk. Dealing with the effects of the pandemic has been complicated for many people, often leading to sudden, new-normals in life. I help my patients to address a wide range of issues, including: life changes, relationships, self-esteem, trauma, grief and loss, anger, aggression, depression and anxiety. Additionally, I seek to help my clients to know themselves more deeply.

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.

At the Capitol Hill Counseling and Resource Center, we know life isn't always easy. At some point, many of us need a little help to work through the challenges we face. Everyone has battles to fight and hurdles to overcome at some point. Whether you struggle with anxiety, depression, relationship issues or something else, there is hope. Initially, you may be hesitant to seek help thru therapy. Most people are, but when you do, you can be confident you are taking a courageous first step towards getting to a better place and a better you. We are ready to help you become the person you want to be. We offer help, healing and hope.

If you feel anxious, sad, overwhelmed or stuck, if you are frustrated by your family or relationships, navigating a challenging life transition or are worn out by disordered eating, my practice may be a good fit for you. My therapy style is collaborative, warm, and nonjudgmental, with room for humor. Together, we will work to improve your symptoms, gain a deeper understanding of your concerns and bring about lasting change.

With over 20 years experience, my goal is to help uncover your true potential with a solution-focused approach. While we can't change difficult situation, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges. We will rapidly change long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that hold you back from a more fulfilling and meaningful life. I offer support and guidance through challenging situations and help move you towards a new direction in your life. I can help you with self-confidence and self-esteem, with relationship issues, life transitions, stress management, anger management, depression, mood disorders, anxiety.

I believe that one of the ways in which self-awareness is achieved is through the sharing of one's story. Therefore, I strive diligently to create a safe space for one to share both the beauty and the brokenness of one's story with authenticity, genuineness, and integrity. When appropriate, I infuse spirituality and religion into my therapeutic practice; thus enabling my clients to articulate their feelings of dis-ease within the context of their faith. I have found this approach to be particularly effective in working with populations marginalized because of race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Welcome to my practice! Therapy can be a powerful tool in relieving distress, learning about oneself, and living a more fulfilled life. I believe that at the heart of successful therapy is a collaborative, open, and warm relationship . Through curiosity and acceptance, I help my clients gain more appreciation for their emotions and assist them in recognizing their strengths and identifying opportunities for growth. Additionally, I strive to help my clients obtain tools necessary to overcome roadblocks, which often keep them from reaching their full potential. I welcome the opportunity to work with clientele from diverse backgrounds and life stages.

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.

Clients with a strong desire to fix their relationships in the most profound ways fit well with my practice .This is true even if you don’t know what is wrong or your partner disagrees about what the problem is. The change is not just communication patterns but also underlying intense emotional distress or explosive patterns of expression. We address complaints such as lack of sex or affection or emotional withdrawal.We stop couples from divorce and fix communication problems by training partners how to best be supportive and to understand underlying psychological messages unwittingly communicated between partners.

I draw on more than 38 years of experience and learning in the practice of individual, group, and couples therapy, and I work with people of all ages and at all stages of life.

I have been a psychotherapist for over ten years working with diverse clients on an individual, group and couples basis. I am adept at working with persons who have intra- and interpersonal concerns. I assist clients with developing strategies and healthier coping skills to address the challenges of life. The theories, strategies and techniques I use in sessions are based solely on the needs of the client. My theoretical tool box can range from specific approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Psychodynamic to more Eclectic Approach.

Typically individuals come to psychotherapy for relief of emotional and psychological pain, which may take the form of depression, anxiety, self-defeating behavior, and/or unfulfilled relationships or goals, to name a few. Many can identify some past trauma, or perhaps some mistreatment that seems somehow connected. For others the reasons are more elusive, like a general feeling of unhappiness, perhaps with oneself or with others.I strive to help you verbalize your thoughts and feelings about what happens between us in our emerging relationship as a way of understanding your relationships in general.

We are born into mystery and we are on a spiritual quest to know ourselves more fully, to discover our life's purpose and to find our personal power. My therapeutic approach involves accompanying my clients on a journey of self-discovery and self-mastery. For, as Carlos Castaneda wrote, "We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong...the amount of work is the same." Ultimately, my goal is to be a mirror that reflects back to you your own innate goodness, strength and wisdom. We repeat what we don't repair. So, my job is to be a witness to your process of awakening the healer that's already present within you.

Welcome! I am passionate about working with adults, and couples who are exploring identity, relationships, anxiety, depression, transitions, loss, and trauma. My therapeutic approach is integrative, incorporating evidence-based and trauma-informed models and techniques to best support your needs. My style is active, collaborative with warmth and a splash of humor.

'We used to have such fun together; how can we get that back?" is a question many people have who come to see me. We all need help at one point or another in our lives. Seeking help for relationship struggles, sexual problems, anxiety, panic attacks, feeling depressed or 'stuck', is a great step forward towards feeling better. I've been practicing for 30 years, with expertise in helping people enjoy their relationships and lives again. I see people individually, in couples and in groups.

I believe that resiliency is in each of us. You may have tried multiple ways to create change for yourself and found it difficulty to break out of unhealthy patterns. These feelings may be affecting your work, relationships, or health. I have worked with many individuals and couples who struggle with creating change long term. Whether you've tried therapy before or this is your first time, deciding to step outside your comfort zone and try something different is the first step to a more fulfilling life.

People enter therapy for a variety of different reasons. You may be going through a difficult transition or grappling with life, relationship or work issues. You may be struggling with a mental health concern. You may be looking to promote personal growth or increase your own sense of well being. Whatever the reason may be, I can offer a confidential and safe environment to gain insight into your emotions and behaviors and take steps towards positive change in your life.

Is this your first go at therapy or you have had therapy before? Have your experiences impacted you, emotionally, psychologically and physically? I am here to help you identify and remove the barriers of trauma, depression, anxiety, addiction, family and relationship issues, life and career transitions and other life difficulties. It is my believe that the first step towards getting healing and dealing with life’s trials is seeking help, and we all have the innate power to heal and grow from difficult life experiences.