Elderly Persons Disorders Therapists in Silver Spring, MD

I have had over 30 years of experience helping adults develop the tools they need to overcome life's challenges and live full and meaningful lives. Having worked with individuals 18 to 104 years old, I believe that people have a tremendous capacity for growth and change at any stage of life. During the course of my career I have successfully treated people suffering from depression, anxiety and relationship difficulties. My other areas of expertise include geriatrics, dementia , caregiving, life transitions, chronic illness and grief and loss.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". For many people therapy represents a first step toward changing their lives for the better. Life's challenges and unexpected obstacles can create stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship conflict. I work collaboratively with individuals, couples and families to help them weigh options, increase self-awareness, change destructive habits and pay closer attention to their feelings and behaviors. My office provides a warm, compassionate and non-judgmental environment that allows clients to feel safe and to genuinely express themselves.

I specialize in working with families, couples, groups, and individuals. I treat children as young as three, have experience with school phobia, adoption, blended families, gender issues, gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals, and the challenges of elderly . I am experienced working with psychoses, severe post traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, and problems of every day life. I have special expertise working with the LGBTQ+ population, with adolescents, sexual development, severe mental illness, post traumatic stress disorder, and physical illnesses.

I believe that every person has a desire to improve his or her quality of life, and it is my responsibility to assist those seeking help with that task. I do so by working with the client to develop attainable and measurable treatment goals, while dissecting all facets of the presenting problem. My approach is one of deep exploration with the aim of, in conjunction with the client, developing solutions that can be applied in the immediate and long term. My training is in crisis stabilization, grief support, and substance abuse with co-occurring mental health issues.

I'm a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Maryland and retired school psychologist in the District of Columbia. Served as an adjunct professor at the University of the District of Columbia in the Psychology and Counseling Department. Worked as a clinical psychologist with addictions, mood and anxiety disorders, and behavioral stress reduction at both outpatient and inpatient Military Treatment Facilities. My clinical expertise: clinical, psycho-educational, and comprehensive evaluations as well as treatment of child and adolescent behavioral problems, and mindful meditation.

I have been joyfully practicing psychotherapy for over 30 years in the greater Washington, D.C. area. I have a general practice and specialize in depression, bipolar disorder and addictions/recovery/co-dependency issues. I work with chronic illness and specialize in diabetes. My preferred modality is individual and couple's therapy. I enjoy my clients immensely and feel a great deal of satisfaction in helping people better their lives, alleviate depression and resolve painful relationship issues.

My practice is a mixture of traditional counseling, coaching, and social work case management. Many people come to me because of a specific issue like job stress which is causing anxiety and disrupting family life. Or maybe you are just looking to find sustained and meaningful employment in a challenging economy. Or perhaps you have been affected by our current political climate and need someone to help process your feelings.Whether you fit into these catagories or related mental health issues, I would like to hear from you.

I believe in creating a safe and trusting environment where you can express yourself. Whether you are trying to work through your feelings or mindset on a particular matter; or navigate a difficult relationship or challenging situation: It is possible for you to learn how to do this. By learning how to respond and solutions that work, you can regain hope and a sense of control. You will be able to move toward what really matters to you. In addition, you will be able to make meaningful and constructive changes that will help you reshape your quality of life and reach greater fulfillment.

I work with adults struggling with depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, life’s transitions, and a host of existential issues inherent to the human experience. If you are looking to be heard, seeking meaning in your life, coping with life’s challenges in a safe and confidential environment, welcome to my culturally competent private practice.

My goal is to help patients learn to be responders and to be in charge of themselves. Throughout treatment, a functional medicine approach is employed. Care collaboration is valued. Patients with cognitive, emotional, and behavioral challenges benefit from a variety of cognitive behavioral, neurobehavioral, and psychophysiological modalities. Patients with such conditions as emotional and physical trauma, chronic pain, addictions, brain injuries and disorders (autism, Asperger's, ADD/ADHD, motor and balance challenges, for example), sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression are treated. Individuals with neurological, autoimmune, metabolic, endocrinological, and other complex medical conditions find that the treatment modalities promote healing.

My clients are adults, usually midlife or older. They come to me for help with a variety of issues, including: life transitions, parenting, caregiving, or relationship difficulties, mental distress such as depression or anxiety, alcohol or drug problems, or a desire to resolve past traumas. I am comfortable and experienced with clients who want to strengthen their own spiritual resources in therapy and welcome diversity of all kinds.

My ideal client is the individual who is motivated to change and possesses an ability to actively engage in therapy.

Living with purpose, meaning and happiness calls for self-compassion as you work to heal and grow. I believe we each have the innate ability for personal development that is enhanced when we are in a safe and supportive relationship. It can be hard to ask for help so I work to establish a strong, trusting relationship where needs, experiences and goals can be explored and worked on without fear of being judged. I work with adults experiencing a broad range of concerns including anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, relationship issues, attention/concentration issues, and changing life circumstances.

As humans, we experience pain, loss, or difficulties in our lives as individuals and in our family relationships. We make our best efforts to cope, adapt or resolve these trying experiences on our own. But sometimes, we get stuck or they are too great to endure alone. I believe the therapeutic relationship is a safe place, free of judgement, invested in exploring, healing, and growing. Together, we can work on the interpersonal, emotional, psychological, and spiritual issues that hinder you and your relationships from reaching full potential.

I have had a lifetime of working w/all ages & types of people: physically, cognitively, developmentally & emotionally challenged children/ adolescents/adults & their loved ones; individuals struggling w/difficult life transitions & w/mood, trauma, abuse, loss, grief & relationship issues. I work from a strength-based perspective, w/respect for client self-determination, helping clients identify & achieve their goals & build their strengths. Together, we will therapeutically work to create & follow a plan for your success.

Are you curious about having a more spiritual or mind-body connection? I provide a warm and compassionate space for healing. Sometimes life can be very stressful or scary with so many unknowns. It can be very lonely during these current times. These current collective energies can bring up past hurts or trauma and a lot of anxiety about the future. Contact me if you are wanting to heal and shift these energies in your life.

My practice focuses on providing supportive counseling to individuals, couples, and families struggling to cope with the challenges surrounding the end of life, serious illness, and grief. I work with a range of clients, from those newly diagnosed with a life threatening illness, to those struggling to cope with the often difficult effects of medical treatment, to those grieving the death of a loved one, whether the death was anticipated after a long illness or the loss was sudden and unexpected.

Alexis Powers (MS, LGPC) is a licensed counselor focusing on the treatment of adolescents and young adults, and in life adjustment for older adults utilizing cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for the treatment of depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, AD(H)D, and adjustment disorder, She also offers the opportunity for clients to vent about life’s disappointments and difficulties. Her background also includes work in a local school system, as well as in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Dr. Walton is dedicated to working with communities, organizations, and individuals to develop applied solutions to challenges affecting vulnerable and marginalized populations. Her professional experience includes working within international humanitarian organizations, the legal arena and doing this work living on every continent except Antarctica. Dr. Walton is passionate about systems and the people who function in them. She is a wife, a mother, a caregiver and a daughter of immigrants.