Trauma Focused Therapists in Bethesda, MD

Esteemed neurologist Viktor Frankl once said, "When we are no longer able to change a situation we are challenged to change ourselves." His words resonate with my approach to counseling which is insight oriented & geared towards promoting personal awareness, resilience & growth. In collaboration with my clients I work towards facilitating & supporting behavioral change utilizing an integrative approach based on client's needs, strengths & goals. I hold state licensure in both Maryland & Virginia as well as national board certifications including NCC & CCMHC. I am also a registered telehealth provider in the state of Florida.

Building a family, whether it be two individuals joined by love and respect, or the amazing addition of a child, is hard. It is normal for these life transitions to bring up feelings of anxiety, grief, sadness or confusion. I specialize in working with women, children, and families to address these big relationship and life moments. We partner together to work towards building stronger foundations for parent/caregiver and child relationships, creating safety, and finding and using skills that help us feel calm. We find hope and enjoyment in places that have been previously forgotten.

Welcome! Life's challenges come in many shapes and colors, and solutions are not one-size-fits-all. My approach is to help you in a way that works with your life and values. In practice, I integrate science-based treatment into my warm, compassionate style in order to help individuals and couples reach their goals. AT THIS TIME, I AM ONLY ACCEPTING NEW TRAUMA-FOCUSED CBT CHILD AND ADOLESCENT CLIENTS.

I work with individuals, children, families and couples. My areas of specialization include trauma, depression, anxiety, family conflict, social skills, and self-esteem building. My work is driven by the belief that all people deserve a safe, supportive, and empathetic environment to address life's challenges. It is my goal to build a collaborative working relationship with clients where the foundation of our time together is built on the inherent strengths of individuals and families.

I have over a decade of experience helping clients learn unique ways to manage the challenges associated with depression, anger, grief, trauma, and anxiety. Additionally, I enjoy supporting clients who experience challenges related to parenting children with mental health or special needs, co-parenting, foster care, adoption, pregnancy, and post-partum.

As a clinician, I am aware that the decision to seek guidance in resolving an issue, is a difficult undertaking. With this in mind, I provide a non-judgemental, safe and supportive setting in which to move forward. I am interactive and direct. I have 30 years experience working with adolescents and adults who have confronted and resolved issues with anxiety, depression, life transitions and trauma (physical, emotional, sexual), which have impacted their lives.

Starobin Counseling collectively offers over 30 years of experience providing counseling for children, teens, adults, couples, and families. We regard relationships as central to the therapeutic process and help people repair and strengthen their relationships. Some challenges in life are purely personal, but most problems express themselves in the intersections with other people. Therapy helps people understand feelings, listen to their best thinking, and helps people gain new or alternative perspectives. We help people strengthen their own vitality and repair difficult ruptures to unlock their capacity for meaningful connections.

Life is really hard sometimes. I can imagine that you are here because you are ready to get rid of the barriers standing in the way of you being your best self. Maybe you have found yourself in a funk that feels hard to get out of or have lost motivation to do things you once enjoyed. It may be that you feel you can't get out of your head or overwhelmed by everything going on in your life or in the world. Maybe you feel isolated or misunderstood. Perhaps you feel scattered or are having trouble focusing on what's important. I am glad you are here, and I believe I can help.

Authenticity, genuineness, and deep empathy form the foundation for the way I find connection with my clients. I come from a client-centered approach where unconditional positive regard drives the work we will do. I’ve always believed that people are as different on the inside as they look on the outside and it is my job to connect with that special uniqueness to best support your growth. I approach therapy with compassion, warmth, a sense of humor, and without judgement. My goal is to provide a safe and comforting space for you to process any struggles, big and small, while learning to increase happiness and decrease pain.

I specialize in helping individuals heal from the emotional wounds that can be created by traumatic experiences. I work with children, adolescents, and adults, meeting my clients wherever they may be in their journey toward healing. My theoretical approach is eclectic, rooted in relational, psychodynamic, and cognitive-behavioral theories. I prioritize being goal-oriented, having a clear treatment plan, and regularly measuring progress during therapy. I value your perspective on our progress and will invite your feedback regularly, as well as objectively measuring progress with standardized psychological measures.

All appointments are currently online via secured telehealth platforms. You are not alone! Symptoms involving trauma, anxiety, depression, and challenges with relationships often make us feel this way. Gaining insight, awareness, motivation, and tools to improve well being are my primary focus. This can be a difficult process but it can also be an enjoyable one. A relaxed, nonjudgmental environment will allow for work to be done that will last decades and permanently improve happiness.

Managing the tumultuous times of late childhood and adolescence is not easy. Your child or teen may be trying to figure out who they are, who they want to be, or even just how to get through each day. All of this is even more challenging if they are struggling with depression, anxiety, OCD, or trauma. I am here to help build important skills to manage difficult feelings and experiences and be a partner in having hard but important conversations. I see therapy as a way of having a better understanding of oneself, learning strategies for new ways of thinking and acting, and developing and working toward meaningful goals.

Therapy helps us cope more effectively with challenges and encourages growth even in difficult circumstances. A strong relationship between therapist and client can make the process significantly more enjoyable and productive. I strive to be genuine and authentic in sessions, incorporating humor and warmth to create a safe, nonjudgmental, and respectful space for support. Together, we will explore your ways of thinking in order to facilitate insight into your experience and gain new skills and strategies to create long-lasting, positive change in your life.

Overwhelmed by stress? Stress can be positive, motivating you to perform well. But chronic stress may cause irritability, difficulty concentrating, and fatigue. Having trouble getting along with others at work, school, or home? I can help you increase your resilience and improve your relationships. With skills and experience in trauma healing, I treat a variety of conditions, including depression and anxiety, as well as PTSD. I am certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and offer Written Exposure Therapy (WET), along with meditation and mindfulness practices.