Trauma Focused Therapists in Rockville, MD

I've been working with individuals, couples, and families for over seven years. I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma, survivors of domestic and sexual violence, parenting struggles, and families experiencing difficulties. My approach to therapy is Person-Centered, believing the therapeutic relationship is the foundation for creating positive change.

I use   Trauma Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to support adults experiencing difficulty with life transitions, grief and loss, relationship changes and challenges, identity experiences, trauma, mental health (chronic), dysregulated mood, and substance use.  I'll incorporate your values, identities, faith and cultural practices and belief systems. We will identify symptoms and implement long-term coping strategies that are practical for your personality and lifestyle.

As a Psychologist and Founder of Rockville Therapy Center LLC and Confident Kids Camp-DC Metro for Selective Mutism, I work with ages 3+ whose lives are affected by Selective Mutism and other Anxiety Disorders, Tics and Tourette's, OCD, and habits, such as hair pulling and nail biting. Treatment sessions are held in individual, family, group, and intensive therapy formats. I engage in ongoing communication with family, school, and community systems to foster collaborative relationships and optimize treatment success and quality of life. Learn more at www.therapyrockville.com or drscharfstein@therapyrockville.com or 301-245-6260.

Genevieve Diamond, LCSW-C, (she/her) has spent the majority of her life and professional career living in the DMV. Genevieve earned her Master of Social Work degree from University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2005. As a social worker, she has worked with persons of all ages around a variety of issues. While mental health care is Genevieve's strongest professional area, she has also worked in the fields of child welfare, clinical trials, medical social work, and supporting adolescents of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Work related stress including procrastination; patterns f seeking validation; frequent worry; trauma and intrusive thoughts; low mood including crying are some of the reasons clients come to me. We'll work to reduce the cognitive, emotional and behavioral impact of grief/loss; abandonment and rejections; life transitions; trauma; anxiety, depression and more. 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 clients gain the ability to regulate emotions, develop emotional resilience, communicate effectively, manage conflict and reduce the frequency, intensity and duration of mood changes, worry, sadness, shame, irritability, conflict, low self esteem and more. I use CBT, DBT, Solution Focused & Trauma Focused therapies, reframing, mindfulness, validating statements, reflection of feeling and meaning and active listening. We'll explore how past experiences affect current mood, thought patterns, relationships and more and move from making decisions out of habit to making more conscious and fulfilling choices. It's scary yet doable.

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.

Sometimes we go through experiences that plant the seeds of self-doubt and shame or leave us confused and grappling for answers. My goal as a therapist is to create a safe environment for you to be able to process the complexities of life by self exploration, to garner a deeper understanding of yourself through a holistic approach; taking into account the body, mind, spirit, and emotions in the quest for optimal wellness.

As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist I am passionate about the mental health of individuals struggling with Posttraumatic Stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. I have successfully helped children, families, and adults with adjustment difficulties, traumatic stress exposure, and other concerns that impact their daily functioning.

Making the decision to help a child or teen who is struggling academically, behaviorally, socially and/or emotionally may be the most important decision you make. I see each child/teen as a puzzle. Sometimes the pieces fit together perfectly and other times it is necessary to work really hard to find the right piece to complete the puzzle. I use a variety of techniques - play therapy, sand therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy. I believe that a child is part of a larger system, including parents, siblings, and schools. I strive to work with all aspects of a child's world.

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.

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.

My work consists of a collaborative exploration of your needs and hopes in a supportive and culturally sensitive environment. Past and present life adversaries often shape the way we feel and interact. Examining our unhealthy patterns and incorperating our strengths in a trusting therapeutic relationship, can elicit experiences of personal growth, living a richer life and increasing our propensity for healthy and adaptive relationships. I work well with a range of psychological needs and concerns; anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, relationship issues, self - esteem, life changing events and trauma are some of the areas that I welcome in our exploration.

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.

Dr. Renee DeBoard-Lucas is a licensed psychologist with over 15 years of experience treating trauma and anxiety in children, teens, and adults. She is passionate about using evidence based treatments because these treatments work and instill hope that people can get better! Dr. DeBoard-Lucas loves working working with kids, teens, and adults. She is nationally certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and has experience implementing Prolonged Exposure therapy. Dr. DeBoard-Lucas also provides Exposure and Response Prevention and Habit Reversal Training for OCD & Tic Disorders.

Welcome! I specifically enjoy working with individual adult women who have a history of childhood trauma, and are looking for more insight into their thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns. Maybe it seems like everything is against you, that life will never get better, or that everyone else seems to have it together except you. Perhaps you have struggled for a long time with controlling your impulses, relationships never seems to work out, and chaos and crisis seems to follow you wherever you go. By working through holistic and trauma focused lenses, I can help you make positive changes.

The decision to begin therapy and the process of finding a therapist can be challenging, but ultimately extremely rewarding. I am an experienced therapist who understands that the most powerful things in life are often the simplest: to listen attentively, whole-heartedly, and with openness and compassion. I am committed to creating a safe, comforting space where you feel free to be yourself.

I provide therapy in English and in Spanish. I have worked with children, adolescents and adults in a number of settings (schools, clinics, non profit agencies and due to the pandemic-teletherapy). Many of the clients I’ve seen, have worked through trauma, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, grief and loss as well as adjusting to other life transitions. I am also passionate about first and second generation Latino/a college experiences and life dilemmas due to engrained cultural norms.I also work with Individuals through pet bereavement.

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.