Family Therapy in Ellicott City, MD

If you are looking to understand your struggles in relationships or in dealing with anxiety and depression, I provide a means of healing from urgent pain and distress associated with the daily struggles of life and relationships. As human beings we are in need of consistent support and therapy can provide a safe, trusting environment for sharing our concerns and fears and facilitate growth in relationships and other areas of our lives. It allows us to feel empowered and more independent. Psychotherapy can enrich our understanding of ourselves and can enhance the quality of our lives.

Seeking out therapeutic services is healthy for our mind/body/soul connection. Just as we go to the gym to keep our bodies healthy, or puzzles to keep our mind sharp, we go to therapy to keep our connection between our mind/body/soul. Further, relationships are the center of connection: how we relate to others (family, friends, coworkers,) and the relationship we have with ourselves. It is my privilege to sit with you (or your family members) while we navigate the roadblocks and successes that make your life experience uniquely yours. It is my hope that in through this exploration and work, we can improve your relationships.

Many changes occur across the life span. Some changes are more difficult to manage than others. I encourage your exploration of the change process and openness to accepting the challenges in your life. I will partner with you and assist you with developing mindfulness strategies and techniques to help you move through your experience. Whether you are dealing with grief and loss issues, depression and anxiety, under achievement in work and school, or adjusting to changes in marriage or significant relationships, I can help you recognize and utilize your strengths to empower you to meet the changes in your life.

Occasionally, everyone experiences periods of emotional turmoil and stress. Do you have times when you feel in the dumps, depressed or just want to talk over issues that trouble you? Seeking outside help and support is important to helping you improve your mood, increase self-confidence and stabilize your life. During periods of emotional distress, it is important to have a trusted professional to talk to.

Individuals with history of complex medical conditions, traumatic or non-traumatic brain injuries, chronic pain, dementia, or other neurological conditions may experience changes in cognitive, behavioral and emotional functioning. I am passionate about helping these individuals adjust, cope, and function effectively in their daily, occupational and social pursuits. Using a personalized approach, I am committed to understand each client's unique needs and empower them to work through complex situations within an open, supportive environment to achieve their highest level of functioning and quality of life possible.

As a licensed social worker and therapist, I believe that all people deserve healing. I have years of experience providing counseling and support to adolescents, adults, and families at Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland. In our sessions together, I implement a holistic approach with an emphasis on your individualized healing and empowering you to focus on your strengths. I offer a safe, non-judgmental, and welcoming space to help you navigate, process, and grow through life’s many facets.

I support adults, both young and old, in navigating lifes challenges that bring about anxiety, depression, grief, and feeling overwhelmed. I employ a person-centered, individualized, strengths-based approach to help each client achieve his or her identified goals. I describe myself as your rearview and side mirrors, able to capture what may not exist right in front of you, allowing a full integration of your mental health needs.

I provide a relaxing, comfortable atmosphere where people can grow and learn more about themselves. Those who are in crisis or simply need to talk about life changes can benefit. I'm known for providing objective feedback and insight. The tools I provide can be used for personal or professional growth and development. Whether I'm with an individual, a family, conducting a seminar or professional coaching; I never judge, and my clients are always respected. Whether in person or on the phone, I am a good asset, or tool for anyone who is ready to make a change.

Welcome! I'm Joanna. I work with adolescents (16+) & adults, most frequently young adults. I particularly enjoy working with transitional issues - changes in school, jobs, family, relationships, identity, etc. Often, my clients are dealing with depression, anxiety, substance use, trauma, and/or interpersonal conflict. I value working with folks with a range of backgrounds, races, faiths, genders, sexualities, and lifestyles. My work sees people through a systems lens, recognizes the oppressive barriers to mental wellness, and encourages reflection on cultural impact. My ideal client is open minded, patient, and motivated for change.

Feeling alone in your journey to grow your family? Feeling overwhelmed and emotional following the birth of your baby? I work with individuals and couples learning to navigate this often confusing and emotional journey of infertility as well as postpartum depression and anxiety. I can walk with you through these hard times, helping you to manage stress, nurture your relationships and make challenging decisions.

I specialize in treating clients enduring the following symptoms: anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, body image issues, financial stress, career transitions, social injustice, relationship trauma, family transitions, family conflict, and parenting issues.

Accepting New Clients: It is often a challenge for someone to make the first step and seek out mental health services. I am cognizant of that and provide my clients with a safe, and non judgmental space. I accept adolescent and adult clients, providing individual and family therapy. My areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, ADHD, relationship issues and personality disorders.

My ideal clients are exploring the early stages of recovery (from addiction, trauma, childhood/family of origin issues, codependency) or ready to dig deeper to build upon the healing work they've already done. They are curious about themselves and their place/purpose in the world and their relationships. They are looking for a safe space to discover, heal and grow. I love to work with those who are contemplating sobriety for the first time, or wanting to break free of a chronic relapse cycle. I believe understanding how our childhood relationships, belief systems and coping skills impact us as adults is a vital part of healing.

We work hard WITH you!

Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, stressed, stuck, going through a divorce, or having any other problem in your life and you feel like you need help, you can reach out to me. I can help with depression, anxiety, PTSD, self-esteem, co-dependency, stress and many other Mental Health Issues.

Relationships are the cornerstone of our lives. When our connection to others—and ourselves—is suffering, we in turn suffer. Perhaps you’ve been feeling out of step with your feelings and suspect that events from your past may be contributing to your difficulties relating to others currently. Maybe you've been feeling disconnected, stuck, or misunderstood in your marriage, and the loneliness is draining you. Maybe you have started to recognize that family dynamics from childhood have been impacting communication in your current relationships. No matter the context, you long for real and meaningful connection with the ones you love.

When working with me, you can anticipate feeling empowered to leverage your strengths, build resilience and find meaning through challenges. I work with children, adolescents, and adults, many of whom need help with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, panic attacks, PTSD, grief, ADHD, family issues, and coping with disease and disability. You may expect me to offer an inclusive, family-centered approach to care that also considers the role of the human-and-animal bond. Clients that notice the most growth working with me are those seeking increases in self worth, communication skills and emotional regulation.

I’m a licensed clinical social worker. I’m able to provide virtual therapy services across the states of Maryland and Virginia. I’m fluent in both Farsi (Persian) and English and competent in Middle Eastern culture, as well as the mainstream culture.

It can be a difficult decision to talk to someone about your problems. I can help people understand their relationships with others and cope with challenges in their lives. I believe that we have solutions to help ourselves and we need to find ways to discover them.