CareFirst Therapists in Gaithersburg, MD

Psychotherapy can be very helpful to many people who find life more difficult than they would like it to be. Starting psychotherapy is not easy and I will help you navigate appropriate treatment choices. When you come in, I will listen carefully to what you are going through. It is important for me that you feel safe and respected. Together we will try to understand your challenges and begin to make helpful changes. You will not be labeled. We will figure out the goals of treatment and work towards your goals at your own pace.

Are you consumed with worry? Struggling with a life transition? Suffering a loss? I specialize in supporting the wellness of women, and girls, who are coping with anxiety, ADHD, life transitions, grief, and loss. On the journey of life, the only constant is change. I will partner with you as you navigate life's changes, practice kindness toward yourself, and find your joy.

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.

Creating a space that is safe, non-judgmental, and supportive for my clients is my utmost priority. Navigating through painful emotions can be a solitary journey, but together, we can embark on a path of healing and discovery. My approach is holistic and collaborative. At the heart of successful therapy is a robust therapeutic relationship between the therapist and the client, which I believe is a cornerstone for a lasting and transformative experience. Understanding our history offers us profound insights into unresolved issues and internal conflicts.

As a psychotherapist with a traditional as well as holistic practice for over 24 years, I provide a warm, supportive environment for you to overcome any personal or relationship challenges you may be experiencing. You can feel better about yourself and your relationships and feel more in control of your life. . If anxiety or depression affect you, counseling can make a difference. Traumatic past experiences such as assault, abuse, loss or rejection may impact your sense of well-being and I provide specialized counseling that can help. If you're feeling lost or stuck, you can get re-energized.

I will ALWAYS remain open for in person appointments throughout the pandemic! For the latest in appointment availability and wait list times, take a moment and visit my website at www.guidingprinciplesllc.com! Guiding Principles Counseling Services was founded on the belief that people can change, and must tap into their inner strength and moral compass to guide them toward change. Here at Guiding Principles I foster a warm, comfortable, compassionate and nonjudgmental environment, where a client can begin to emotionally unpack their concerns, and leave with specific cognitive behavioral tools to utilize in their everyday lives.

Amelia Hutchins, LCSW-C, is a licensed clinical social worker who has expertise working with adults, adolescents, and children from different backgrounds in terms of race, ethnicity, culture, religion/spirituality, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Amelia is also specialized in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief/loss, relational difficulties, and difficult life transitions. Amelia's ultimate passion is to help you fulfill your mental wellness goals and needs.

We'll address and resolve distressing experiences, symptoms, relationships, behaviors and thoughts that affect your mood and functioning. You'll develop skills to identify feelings; assert needs; manage conflict in relationships; reframe irrational thoughts; regulate emotions; replace dissatisfying behaviors; increase distress tolerance; improve interpersonal skills and more. Teens and young adults work with me to gain insight and learn long term coping strategies to improve anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, OCD tendencies and more. Using a collaborative process, we will build a flexible and dynamic plan for you.

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.

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?

Hey, I'm glad you're here. Acknowledging that you need help or desiring change is a brave step, I commend you for taking it. Sometimes, life can feel overwhelming & we all need someone to help us navigate life's daily stressors that come our way. I want to be that person for you, to help you unpack & find healing from whatever you may be facing. Whether you're dealing with stress from work, relationships, disappointment, spirituality concerns, tired of doing the same things & feeling stuck & want to build better communication, reconnection, and healthier relationships or any other challenge, I'm here to support you on this journey.

Loneliness and anxiety are pervasive in our society today. Many of us feel overwhelmed with the stressors of daily life and that overwhelm is compounded by depression, anxiety, past trauma, abuse, or current marital and parenting difficulties. We long to not feel alone anymore and to talk with someone who can understand and help.

Leen is a dedicated and compassionate licensed master of social work who possesses a wealth of experience working with individuals from diverse age groups, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Through her extensive service to varied populations, she has developed a versatile and adaptable approach to her work, ensuring that each client receives personalized and effective interventions that address their unique challenges. Guided by the person-in-environment theory, Leen recognizes the profound impact that an individual’s broader context has on their well-being.

Our interpretation of events can be inaccurate and can hurt us. You will have no regrets tomorrow by giving yourself a chance to live today. I believe Life is always worth living. Whether you are hurting, stressed out, overwhelmed or feeling stuck emotionally because of bad relationships, dysfunctional family systems, school, work, past traumatic experiences, there is hope. Come and share your thoughts and feelings, clarify them and put things in perspective. Unearth maladaptive behavior patterns, develop coping skills, make decisions about change and get the best out of life.

Welcome. Therapy is a place to reflect on your life, relationships, and behaviors. It is a place, free of judgement and biases where you and I will work together to understand what motivates your choices and behaviors. We will discover your unique goals and individual path to a more peaceful and fulfilled life. Together, will work towards change by managing unwanted thoughts and behaviors and identifying coping strategies to help you navigate a variety of life's challenges.

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.

I have extensive experience working with clients in a variety of clinical settings, and I believe Telehealth is an important tool to meet clients where they are, in safe place, and without judgement. I utilize multiple therapeutic approaches in my practice including frameworks from DBT, CBT, ACT, Motivational Interviewing, mindfulness, mind-body connection, holistic, systems focused, trauma informed, and person-centered modalities. During the initial session, we will review your therapeutic history and any experiences, symptoms, and environments that present conflict or challenge. From there we will forge a path forward.