Family Therapy in Annapolis, MD

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.

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 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.

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?

Welcome! Specializing in Individual and Couples Psychotherapy for over 30 years. Trained at Columbia, Harvard, and University of Michigan, with Post-Doc. Trainings in Psychoanalysis, Sensorimotor PT, Imago, EFT, and PACT Couples Therapy. These Models are powerful, brain based approaches which achieve the following goals: increased safety between couples or family members, interruption of destructive cycles of relating, improved emotional regulation and less reactivity. Used also for Individuals! Secure attachment bonds are created with interpersonal psycho education, Imago Dialogue, and shared agreements for caring and safety.

Welcome! I understand that, since you are searching for a therapist, you are looking for answers and renewed hope in a difficult season of your life. I am here to help and look forward to meeting you. I have worked with clients experiencing a variety of issues and trauma including sexual abuse, domestic abuse, and grief and loss for about 20 years. I also value marriage and the family and want to help couples work through their issues and see them grow in their ability to communicate and resolve the conflicts that are bound to happen in relationships.

I am a provider for ValueOptions Military OneSource working with veterans and their families, am trained in EMDR for treatment of anxiety, PTSD and related issues, and work with couples based on John Gottman's (Gottman Institute) and Susan Johnson's (Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy) treatment approaches. 35 years of experience as a private business owner/manager, 28 years of counseling experience, a loving marriage and parenting/grand-parenting experience informs my work with adults and couples. I work in private practice in Annapolis and Silver Spring and formerly as a clinical supervisor and therapist for Catholic Charities.

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 been working within a medical pediatric practice for the duration of my career, and as a result see a number of children and adolescents in the Maryland and Washington DC area. Treatment with this population generally focuses on developmental, behavioral, academic, social, and family issues. I also see a number of adults on an outpatient basis and greatly value this aspect of my practice as well. Anxiety, depression, loss, and relationship issues are the primary focus of my work with adults, adolescents, and children. If you are planning to use health insurance please indicate whom your provider is.

My ideal client is anyone who is seeking to make positive changes in their life. I am an active therapist who collaborates with my clients. I believe in research about "what works". I also believe it is my job as a therapist to adapt my approach based on the needs of each client. Given my extensive background in couples, family and parenting work, I bring a wholistic approach to working with my individual clients. I am compassionate, hard working, and determined to help you assess the root causes because I believe a good understanding of the problem leads to a good understanding of the solution!

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.

In life there are many awesome and beautiful things to see and do, but there are also many challenges and pain in life. As I have worked with youth and families for over 15 years, I have come to understand that deep down everyone wants to thrive through being loved and to love others, but that often hurt and pain from our younger days place us in a position of just surviving. My hope is to help youth, families and couples to heal from these wounds to move toward thriving.

I am a licensed clinical social worker since 1978 with an active practice in Annapolis and the surrounding areas as well as the Eastern Shore. I provide counseling services to adult, adolescents, and children who are experiencing life changes due to marital discord, divorce, or the death of a loved one and I assist families heal from disagreement, emotional pain, trauma, loss and change through the use of individual, couples, and family therapy .

Feeling stressed? Got the blues? Having a lover's quarrel? Are the children misbehaving? We can help! We utilize Brief, Solution- Focused therapy, as well as other modalities, to help you overcome whatever obstacle you are currently facing.

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.

Do you often find you and your partner fighting the same fight over and over again? Do you fear if the relationship will ever be what it used to be? Or are you concerned that your child or teen is struggling to connect with others and feel confident in themselves? It is my goal to help you, your partner, or your family create the life you have been longing for. I want to give you the tools and teach you the skills to help you get unstuck, improve communication with one another, and build self-confidence and trust to obtain life and relationship satisfaction.

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.

Deciding to begin therapy is a big step and I am so happy that you did! I believe in creating a non-judgmental atmosphere throughout the psychotherapy experience, and I work hard to maintain a safe space for all. I see each client as a unique person, and I tailor my approach to meet your needs. While working with me, you'll be treated with compassion and respect. I will do my best to help you find your way. I believe that you will find me very easy to talk to, very easy-going, and authentically interested in your story of life. I will work to engage you in a way that matches your personality, putting you at ease with this process.