Existential Therapists in South Riding, VA

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (LSATP), and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) with 25 years of experience committed to helping children, adolescents, and adults learn how to achieve their potential.

"Without awareness, we are not truly alive" - James F. T. Bugental. The purpose of psychotherapy is to awaken the individual and increase insight through exploration of their life, choices, and resistance's. This examination is a personal journey and different for each person. Although difficult and challenging at times, it is a courageous endeavor that can lead to life long positive changes, new ways of being in the world, and a deeper meaning and purpose for one's life.

I regard much of 'psychopathology' as well-intended (but ineffective) efforts to contend with pain and fear, and to pursue needs and wants. So, in psychotherapy, I invite my clients to explore, identify, and take guidance from their emotional experiences, honoring their depression, anxiety, and other symptoms while finding more effective ways of living well. I also provide psychological and neuropsychological assessments.

Are you searching for peace and wellness? Do you feel anxious or depressed? Have you experienced stress or trauma from relationships with others or other life events? Have you been worrying about life transitions or other issues? Has physical illnesses caused pain? Do you have concerns or questions associated with aging or dying? Perhaps you have wondered about deeper meanings in life or your spirituality? I will compassionately listen to your unique situation and collaboratively work with you to assess your strengths and needs in developing a therapeutic approach to your life challenges. There is hope that you can feel better.

Over the last 10+ years I have focused my practice on working with individuals struggling with mental health disorders including mood disorders, anxiety, PTSD, and trauma, and have established practice with the LGBT population.

Feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, or uncertain about the future? You don't have to face these difficulties alone. Life can be confusing, but there is always hope and healing. Together, we can find peace, and discover solutions.

I believe that the therapeutic relationship is the most important factor in the growth and development of my clients. Within the therapeutic relationship, my clients can expect to be heard, supported, and encouraged as they work through their struggles to help them move forward. I have experience with all ages – children, adolescents, and adults. As a counselor, I provide services for individual, groups, and families.

I have over eight years of experience working with people from diverse backgrounds in a variety of environments. I work with individuals, families, and couples to provide help coping with the stresses of everyday life as well as crisis situations. If you are paying out of pocket, please ask me about my sliding scale fees. I look forward to meeting you.

‘What’s your story?’ I ask because the stories we tell ourselves and about ourselves can offer tremendous insight. Narrative counselors like myself explore client stories for behaviors, expectations, perceptions, and values which fail to align in effective ways. We believe these incongruences are responsible (both directly and indirectly) for the miseries and hardships that prompt therapy. The work of therapy involves deconstructing what doesn’t make sense and reimagining what remains. I enjoy working with anyone whose story feels ‘stuck’ and wishes to reimagine themselves anew.

You may have come here because something is not working in your life and you want it better or because you want more from life. I come with my training, my 30 years of experience as a psychotherapist, my many more years of life experience, my mind, good heart and my intention to heal. You come with your issues, your past, perhaps with your anxiety, depression, or guilt. You also come with your strengths, some of which you might not recognize, and upon which we will build. I believe we are equal as humans, just sitting different chairs. I look forward to working with you.

I am a Resident in Counseling approved by the Virginia Board of Counseling working towards becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. After a twenty-one-year military career I now serve as both a mental health therapist and advocate - committed to mental health initiatives and access across all populations. No matter the origin or circumstances- trauma, transitions, and the everyday challenges within our lives can be debilitating- keeping us from achieving the fulfilling lives we deserve.

I have been in the counseling profession for over 20 years. In addition to my private practice work, I have provided services in an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) setting, taught as an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University, been a Program and Case Manager for a health clinic devoted to HIV/AIDS patients and their families, been a case manager in therapeutic foster care, and worked as a counselor for an adolescent group home. Through these experiences, I have come to appreciate the diverse histories that people bring with them when seeking therapy.

We have a few openings for adults at this time. We especially have availability for morning appointments. I am an existential therapist dedicated to helping adults and children cope better with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, life events, loss, trauma, and more. My goal is to help individuals, children, teens, adults, and couples solve their problems. I also help people of all ages manage their trauma, relieving bad memories with EMDR and parts work.

People often seek counseling or psychotherapy to change and to resolve difficulties or problems. Seeking consultation is personal and it takes some courage to initiate contact. Sometimes the impetus comes from within; sometimes your circumstances or others close to you provide a nudge. Finding the 'right' therapist for you may take some exploration. Some people simply seek to talk privately about a subject or an issue. This may involve one's direction in life, career, management role, or decision-making. Some people seek to address deeply personal thoughts, emotions, behaviors, relationships, spirituality, or other concerns.

I am a licensed mental health professional with over 14 years of experience. I have counseled adolescents, individuals, and families, and am trained in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, mood, and personality disorders. I love what I do, and it would be my pleasure to work with you. Some of my primary modalities are CBT, DBT, REBT, existential therapy, and reality testing. I provide constructive therapeutic confrontation when necessary, but I also believe in building rapport and compassion with my clients in assisting them to reach their best selves.

I work with people experiencing stress, trauma, grief, burnout, and different types of transitions and losses. I have a special kinship for nurses, teachers, and caregivers of all kinds, and welcome and embrace diversity in all its forms. My clients are folks who have a curious attitude about themselves and are open and willing to explore making small, manageable changes in their lives that add up to long-term payoffs. My style is warm and empathic with a dose of good-natured humor.

Confused or surprised by your strong emotional reactions? Feeling alone in your relationship? Anxious or not good enough? I help clients work through current struggles & emotional pain by discovering the sources of relationship problems, anxiety, depression, anger, & insecurity so that you experience calm, freedom and ease in life. I can also help you learn how to manage moods & negative thinking patterns. Maybe you are reacting in ways you don’t understand, feeling overwhelmed or disconnected. We all have moments in our lives when we need support, as we are not meant to suffer alone.

Accepting new clients - The Center for Connection, Healing & Change was conceived as a sanctuary to facilitate joyful connection to ourselves and our loved ones. Our work focuses on the creation of secure, close, and satisfying relationships – within us and between us. We choose to specialize in relationships because we know the importance of satisfying relationships for our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Services explore the relationship we have with both ourselves and others; how well we can live with emotional ease, know who we are, ask for what we need, and access our resilience in moments of hurt or stress.