Emotionally Focused Therapists in Silver Spring, MD

Hello and welcome! Successful therapy is so often about finding the right “fit” between therapist and client. With over 25 years’ experience in providing therapy I have had time to master multiple approaches to treatment, which means that I can customize your treatment to fit your needs. I take a collaborative problem-solving approach to treatment, where we establish an alliance to facilitate beneficial therapeutic change. As a therapist I value your experiences, desires, and goals. A major focus of my therapeutic work is with clients with anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship problems.

I am a psychology associate at Kingsbury Wellness & Learning Group, a nonprofit serving the DMV area. I help teens and young adults overcome challenges related to identity development and interpersonal relationships, so that they can build their confidence and forge fulfilling relationships. I work with adults to help them recognize and overcome unhelpful patterns, so that they can address mental and emotional stuck points.

I believe that everyone has the capacity to accomplish their goals. My role is to help you uncover and understand the obstacles and trauma that are getting in the way of achieving what you desire, and then help you tap into your inner resources to succeed. With empathy and authenticity, I work alongside my clients to promote healing and discovery of their power to change. Whether you are experiencing symptoms related to anxiety, depression, grief and loss; problems with relationships, parenting, or self-esteem; or a general sense of disconnectedness – whatever it is – I recognize that therapy is self-work, and it's not easy.

I CAN HELP YOU HEAL YOUR RELATIONSHIP. PREMARITAL AND COUPLES COUNSELING. "Why does my partner overreact?" "Why do I get so triggered?" "How come the punishment doesn't fit the crime?" “Why can’t he be more supportive?” “Is anything I do ever enough for her?” While you are feeling hurt, you have an added layer of confusion. You simultaneously love your partner and even hope to stay in this relationship to keep your love, family, and dreams intact. You are torn in a tug-of-war of emotions and desire to feel understood, accepted, and embraced by your partner.

With a client-centered and trauma-informed approach, Amy fosters compassion while working with individuals, couples, and families across all age groups. Amy is deeply committed to enhancing relationships, guiding clients from discord and distress to connection and emotional security. With a background in Music Therapy, Amy also integrates mediums like music, art, and imagery to empower clients to articulate and navigate complex emotions. Whether confronting challenges like relationship issues, depression, anxiety, neurodiversity, or trauma, Amy offers support, guidance, and empathy on the path to healing and transformation.

Your decision to evaluate therapists today is a strong sign change is underway. I work to help individual adults and teens, couples, and families navigate relationship difficulties, behavioral issues, and unresolved emotional needs. My office is a place where clients can speak openly about their hopes, needs, and fears - with warmth, care, and authentic feedback in return. Our work can treat symptoms of grief, depression, anxiety, trauma, and addiction. Emotionally focused repair, cognitive insight, and concrete skills development can each play a role. My training emphasizes clients' experience in family, work, and other systems.

“I don't feel cared for.” “When I bring up the ‘hard stuff,’ I’m met with silence." “Whatever I give is never enough.” “We keep having the same fights.” “Why do I feel so alone?” If these statements resonate with you, I'm glad you've landed on my page. Navigating these struggles alone can be overwhelming. In couples therapy, I can offer effective and compassionate help for your relationship, tailored to meet the needs of your situation. Working together, we can develop the skills you need to move away from a cycle of conflict and frustration and move towards greater connection, communication, and intimacy.

The aftermath of trauma can feel both daunting and undefined. You may feel like you don’t know yourself anymore. The idea of who you are becoming may bring even more uncertainty. You may notice that your relationships are falling apart, causing you to feel isolated, yet still yearning for connection. I’m dedicated to providing you with a safe and non-judgmental space where you can start to make sense of it all. Slowly, you’ll learn to feel and identify emotions which will enable you to process your past. Eventually, your nervous system may find equilibrium again. Gradually, your body can learn to let go.

Are you tired of starting each day stressed, depressed or lonely? Taking the seemingly simple (but often difficult) step of asking for help is likely to decrease those negative feelings. I work with adults who are coping with a variety of issues such as depression, anxiety, anger, difficulties in their personal relationships, and challenges in their professional careers.

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.

Finding the right place for healing and transformation is the first step on your journey towards overall mental health and wellbeing. At Lotus Point Wellness, we work with all people throughout the lifespan and we take an approach that is holistic, collaborative, integrative and empowering. We believe in working towards anti-racism, anti-oppression, diversity, equity and inclusion. Through liberation focused therapeutic approaches, we work alongside you on your journey towards healing. We affirm, honor and respect all people in their own cultural/racial identity, gender identity, sexual orientation and/or neuro-diversity.

Adjusting to life transitions, interpersonal struggles, or needing to look inward are compelling reasons to seek therapy. As a therapist with 25+ years of experience, I establish a confidential, trusting relationship and help individuals, couples, and families cope and move forward. My therapeutic approach is collaborative and transparent, informed by advanced training in treating trauma, evidence-based Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), Accelerated Experiential Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Core Self Reclamation Therapy (CSRT) and family therapy.

Email is the best way to reach me- Hi there! Sorting through therapists can be overwhelming, and the right fit is so important. Trust your instinct on who you're drawn to. If that includes me, let’s chat to see if the connection is there! I approach counseling/psychotherapy as a collaborative journey of discovery, healing, and connection. If we work together, I will support you in accessing and using your inherent strengths and resilience. Moments will be hard, but the overall experience will feel safe and restorative. Together, we will identify and resolve the barriers interfering with your life-satisfaction.

Adjusting to life transitions, interpersonal struggles, or needing to look inward are compelling reasons to seek therapy. As a therapist with 25+ years of experience, I establish a confidential, trusting relationship and help individuals, couples, and families cope and move forward. My therapeutic approach is collaborative and transparent, informed by advanced training in treating trauma, evidence-based Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), Accelerated Experiential Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Core Self Reclamation Therapy (CSRT) and family therapy.

Invalidating experiences can teach us not to trust ourselves, which may result in feeling small, hopeless, and less than. I’m here to facilitate opportunities for you to access your inner wisdom and tap into your potential to grow and thrive. I use an interactive and engaging therapeutic process that moves beyond conventional talk therapy. Our work together is practical and collaborative: We build a safe and trusting environment so you can connect to your emotions from a place of confidence and clarity resulting in more fulfillment, ease of living, and healthy connection with yourself and others.

Often we wait until we have exhausted every measure before we seek professional help. You can start on your journey to healing, reconciliation, peace, and joy today. I believe that in times of adversity and struggle, we have the greatest potential for growth. It is often hard to see clearly how the difficulties we face will lead to positive changes, so instead we lose our way and get stuck in places of frustration, despair, and resentment. The change process is a journey-sometimes long and at times short. It is a process that gives us the opportunity to discover new ways of approaching our circumstances.

When you are looking for a therapist, that decision often comes during times of crisis. This loss of balance and connection makes it hard to make decisions or trust anyone. But as you take this first step, I will honor your trust with a relationship that is free of judgement and focused on finding your foundation. Whether you are coping with trauma, depression, stress, anxiety, life transition, relationship or marital issues, we can work together to make things better. I bring to the table a deep knowledge of a diverse set of treatment methods that allow me to tailor your therapy uniquely to your personality, challenges and life.

I’m Ongisa, a Couple and Family Therapist with a specialty in human communication. I work extensively with individuals and couples. I often find that communication breakdowns are at the center of unhappy relationships. Poor communication can leave partners feeling unsafe, misunderstood, and exhausted. If you’re currently experiencing distress or a disconnect in a relationship that genuinely matters to you, then I’m your person.

We all have a unique journey in life, as individuals and as couples, and I believe that our resilience is as unique as our journey. I work with clients to help them overcome distressing cycles that make them feel stuck and empower them to find stability, create healthier relationships and live an enriched life. Together we explore underlying emotions and find new ways of coping with past traumas, difficult life transitions, loss, relational distress and other mental health issues. While EMDR, mindfulness and cultural sensitivity are at the core of my practice, I also integrate Psychodynamic and CBT interventions.