Family Therapy in Annapolis, MD

Are you feeling hopeless and powerless? Have you lost interest in activities you used to enjoy? Do you feel dejected and trapped when you are alone and with others? Do you get test anxiety or find it difficult to start new relationships? Are you easily irritated and angered? Are you in need of support after experiencing the loss of a relationship or a loved one? Do you and your partner feel stuck in your relationship? Do you want to learn how to face challenges without fear? Do you want help with discovering how to live your best life?

Hi, I'm Shawna! Congratulations on taking the first step towards making some life changes. I understand because I've been there. Sometimes we all need a little support in achieving our goals. That’s just fine because life can be overwhelming. Often we just need a bit of guidance finding the answers that are already inside of us and that’s when coaching can be helpful. The coaching process works well in any area of your life you want to develop or change. The hardest part is taking the first step.

I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and young adults who struggle with ADHD, mood fluctuations, managing emotions, problematic behaviors, as well as anxiety and depression. My approach in working with children/youth is to include families in the therapeutic process as their best and highest support. My goal in working with clients is for them to have a better understanding of themselves and have the necessary tools to make adjustments for improved growth and development. I also work with parent(s) to strengthen their parenting skills and reduce conflict in the family system.

I am a counselor and psychotherapist working with adults ages 21 and above as well as couples. My training and experience includes a broad range of mental health conditions. I use an integrative and strengths-based approach to therapy that emphasizes cognitive change and emotion-regulation. My style in working with clients is interactive and educational. Client goals are central to the therapy process.

Finding happiness within ourselves and our relationships may seem unattainable at times. We are often faced with painful thoughts, emotions and behaviors that intercede, leaving us feeling disconnected and alone. My therapeutic approach allows clients to feel safe in order to explore these painful emotions and gain an understanding in how they affect client's self-worth and interpersonal relationships.

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and founder of the Annapolis Child and Family Therapy Center. I specialize in working with children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples with a wide range of mental health and family relationship concerns. Problems I treat include depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, tics, Tourette's, adjustment problems, noncompliance, anger/aggression, trauma, disruptive behavior, and family and couple relationship difficulties. My approach is collaborative and I view all of my clients as equal partners in the treatment process.

My practice is built on teaching and supporting people who want to; reduce and manage their stress-worry-anxiety, improve their mood to move toward their authentically happier selves, improve their relationships with family -friends-co-workers, are going through life transitions and want to use it to be better aligned with where they want to be in their life, manage the flood of events in the world that are impacting their thoughts and feelings, people who are hard workers and care for others but then find it difficult to have time left over for their own self-care on a regular basis.

As a fellow parent, I understand that there is no greater pleasure than to see your child happy and healthy. But excessive worrying, relentlessly demanding OCD rituals, the fear of vomiting, social anxiety, and self-harming behaviors like hair pulling and skin picking can rip away the joy of childhood and bring anguish to the family . I am a warm, compassionate, and very active cognitive-behavioral therapist with many years of success in helping children and teens recover from these challenges. I work as a team with parents, including them in at least part of every session.

I am an Annapolis based clinical psychologist. I am also a wife, mother, daughter and friend. I see teens and adults struggling with many issues, including: work/academic, anxiety,depression/mood, sports, health issues and relationship problems. I believe that it's a psychologist's job to collaborate with clients on areas of change. We should nurture, challenge and ultimately become unnecessary.

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who is dedicated to helping others have the life of their choosing. As a part of my training, I completed a doctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital. Currently, at the Annapolis Child and Family Therapy Center, I work with children, adolescents, and their families to navigate a range of problems. Problems that I treat and evaluate include depression, anxiety, ADHD, adjustment problems, anger/aggression, trauma, and family difficulties. I take a collaborative and individualized approach in the treatment process and value input from all members.

Infidelity, Sex addiction, Compulsive Porn use and other compulsive sexual behaviors can wreak havoc on ones own life, and leave a wake of pain, betrayal and trauma in the lives of those who are connected with them. If you are a man or woman who relates to this chaos, we are very aware of the shame, pain and confusion you may be feeling. If you are the partner, wife or family member of this individual, we understand the betrayal, trauma, confusion, anger, despair that may be how you are feeling.

Language & words matter. We define ourselves & our worldview with our words. How do we talk to ourselves? What does our inner critic sound like? Is that voice in your mind coming from you, or someone else? Is that voice supporting your goals, or keeping you stuck? The voice in our head and the words it speaks to us are habitual; it can cause a negative cycle if not explored. Therapy is an opportunity to engage in a healing relationship with that voice in your head. I am here to support you, guide you through that journey, and help break that negative cycle.

Exhausted, sad, angry or overwhelmed? When in the throes of negative feelings, it’s often easy to forget that they serve as signposts for boundary violations or unmet needs. Just as hunger, cold and other uncomfortable sensations shift to a sense of comfort or satisfaction when the need is met, emotional distress likewise transitions to a sense of fullness, wholeness or connectedness whenever the needs which underlie it are met.

I have practiced psychology in the Annapolis area for almost 29 years. Currently I have offices in Annapolis and Kent Island. The slogan you will see in my telephone directory ads is: "Life's too Short to be Unhappy.'' I live by this slogan and encourage patients to do the same. I do my best work with patients who are motivated to make changes and who are open to a direct approach. I always provide input to patients and encourage interaction with the goal of solving problems. I work with adults of all ages and adolescents. I have enjoyed many successful treatment outcomes.

When you meet with me, you will feel immediately comfortable. I am very good at helping you to figure out what the challenge is and to provide the support you need for change. I am a child/adolescent specialist. I connect exceptionally well to children and teens and have helped many experience better lives. I have over 17 years experience in practice and have had much success. I am looking forward to meeting with you and finding out how I can help you have a stronger and more positive family and to help you, as an individual, attain your goals.

I have worked in the field of substance abuse and mental health since 2014; extensive experience working with athletes, adolescents, college students, and young professionals. Most recently I've worked with parents, families, and couples to help manage the emotional struggles of the family system. I'm wrapping up my credentialing as a Certified Arise Interventionist so I can share my passion with families coping with a loved one's addiction. Ideal client's might be teenagers who are feeling stuck, college aged males who are unsatisfied in life or family members needing support with boundaries and detachment.