CareFirst Therapists in Gaithersburg, MD

I enjoy working with adolescents and adults of all ages, but I have a particular passion for working with college students and LGBT individuals. I also enjoy working with folks with a variety of concerns including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, relationship issues, low self esteem, body image concerns and gaming addiction. With expertise in the treatment of eating disorders, I enjoy helping people develop a healthier relationship with food. I believe in using evidence based practices to achieve the most change in the shortest amount of time. Allow me to help you tackle your goals and gain more fulfillment out of life.

Thank you for visiting my page! It takes a lot of courage to ask for help, and you've taken the first step! I believe that virtually everyone can benefit from treatment. I treat a wide range of presenting problems, and I have significant experience working with adolescents and young adults with mood and anxiety disorders. I recognize that each client has differing needs and expectations from therapy, and I work to personalize treatment to each presenting issue. Typical clients tend to be high-functioning and motivated for treatment, and they seek help to enact tools that could benefit them in alleviating their distress.

As a result of COVID-19, all therapeutic services will be provided using Telehealth, by phone or video conference. Telehealth makes mental health care more accessible. It brings mental health care options to those with limited mobility, those who lack transportation, and those with limited mental health care options in their community. It also allows those who would ordinarily be reluctant to seek treatment because of the perceived stigma associated with receiving mental health care get the help they need. Flexible scheduling, evenings and weekends available, all from the comfort of your home, car, wherever you are.

Are you a child, adolescent, college student, or adult struggling with Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, OCD, or PANDAS/PANS? If so, you have found the right therapist. I work with children, teens, and adults on issues that impact their everyday life. With a focus on problem-solving, coping skills, and social skills, clients discover how to work through their symptoms and best manage their challenges. My treatment uses a "foundation approach" which involves finding the core issues behind a problem.

Accepting new clients in Maryland and DC! I am a Licensed Master Social Worker with experience working with clients in a variety of settings including inpatient hospitalization, residential treatment, outpatient treatment, and psychoeducational settings. I utilize multiple therapeutic approaches in my practice including frameworks like DBT, CBT, ACT, Motivational Interviewing, mindfulness, mind-body connection, holistic, systems focused, trauma informed, and person-centered modalities.

Mónica is a Latina, immigrant, licensed counselor who specializes in working with immigrants and communities of color. Mónica obtained her counseling degree from Johns Hopkins University and has focused her career on breaking down stigma around mental health and to normalize seeking help when life gets tough. Mónica works from a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach and borrows some techniques from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Person-centered Therapy, and Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Therapy (MBSR).

Mood swings, Guilt and shame, life transitions, avoidance, relationship difficulties, worry, trauma, difficulty concentrating and low self esteem are some of the reasons clients come to me for coping skills. We'll work to reduce the cognitive, emotional and behavioral impact of experiences, thoughts, behavior patterns and mood. Assertiveness and personal autonomy; resolution of early life and family of origin issues; increased effective communication; reduction in guilt, sadness, worrying, rumination, shame, codependency and improved self esteem are my clients therapeutic goals.

My passion is helping others find inner peace and happiness and working through whatever issues they are currently experiencing. I work through a multicultural lenses to help create a collaborative, client-centered, strength-based environment. I utilizes cognitive behavioral, dialectal behavioral and behavioral rehearsal approaches to allow for a safe and secure place for individuals have their needs met. I provide therapeutic services to young children, adolescents, and adults with a wide range of emotional and behavioral disorders.

I received my MA in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University of DC, formerly American School of Professional Psychology. My background before studying Psychology was as a pediatric nurse and later a family childcare provider in Germany. These 15 years of this practical experience, enriched my expertise in the field of individual therapy and counseling especially when it comes to children. Nevertheless, my education and professional experience over 7 years leading up to Licensure prepared me for providing therapeutic services to individuals of all ages. A sound clinical knowledge-base ensures proper diagnosis and treatment based on current research and methods.

Currently accepting new Clients! Life has many challenges which can be overwhelming to navigate. We provide a compassionate and safe environment for our clients to address these challenges openly without judgement. Our therapist are bilingual (Spanish) and will help you work through the barriers to optimum living, such as: stress, relationship issues, self-esteem, depression, substance abuse issue, complex trauma, grief and loss, and anxiety. We also provide parenting skills, premarital counseling, as well as career coaching.

Are you experiencing anxiety symptoms like panic attacks, social anxiety, excessive worry and/or sleep issues? Do you experience depression, low self-esteem, negative thinking, hopelessness and/or helplessness? Do you struggle with relationship difficulties in areas of marital, family, peer and/or other significant relationships? Or are you seeking support in overcoming and working through major life transitions?

**NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS** Welcome to your first step and a vital decision to choose you! Being seen and heard are undervalued in our society. Do you allow the space and care that you need to be whole? Pouring from an empty cup is difficult. I welcome individuals, couples, and families, whether seeking self-enlightenment, coping, better communication, or unity. Though implied in the text, I extend a special invitation to the men. We feel we always HAVE to be "ok," but we know better, fellas! Seeking help is a show of strength.

Accepting New Clients! Lisa is a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical & a board-approved clinical supervisor. With thirty years of eclectic clinical experience & eighteen years of behavioral health leadership experience, Lisa has helped a variety of people with diverse needs. This includes children, adolescents, adults, families, couples, parents, groups, communities, students, & professionals experiencing depression, anxiety, ADHD, stress, compassion fatigue, burnout, life changes, & workplace challenges. Empathy, compassion, trust, and unconditional regard are the foundation of the therapeutic relationship with Lisa.

Do you need help processing your past so you can thrive now and into the future? Perhaps you would like to break negative behaviors or thought patterns that affect your self-esteem or hinder your relationships with others? Do you have difficulty dealing with change, grief, or the stress of daily life? Our work together can help you overcome negativity, anxiety, and loss. We can work to help you find more pleasure and purpose in life, allowing you to flourish and build healthy connections with those around you.

Welcome and congratulations on taking your first step on your therapy journey! Finding a therapist can be so overwhelming, but I try to make the process as smooth as it can be. I offer a friendly, compassionate, and nonjudgmental environment where you can feel safe to share whatever issue is on your mind, however big or small.

Licensed in MD, VA, & PA. Are you a people pleaser? Do you avoid conflict? As a survivor of complex trauma, you may be highly self-critical, feel unlovable, or undeserving. You may have developed anxiety, depression, addiction, or relationship issues. In order to move forward, sometimes we have to work through difficult things. I want you to feel emotionally safe as you begin to connect the dots - working through your past and identifying who you want to become.