Stop and think about it! Do you feel anxious, unfulfilled, or have difficulty reaching your goals? Are you feeling depressed, perhaps experiencing suicide ideation? Depression is very difficult to manage on your own, and you won't have to when I am your therapist. Whether you are an adolescent or adult, you will have coping tools I will share with you during our sessions together at your disposal to help you feel more empowered and in greater control of your life. Would you like to become more self-aware? Our focus on mindfulness will facilitate your journey of self-realization.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist (PhD) who specializes in treating personality, sleep, mood, and anxiety disorders. As a preferred provider for the Virginia Health Practitioner Monitoring Program, I also have experience working with impaired professionals in high-level positions as well as psychologists and psychotherapists. I provide teletherapy (PSYPACT member) as well as clinical supervision for other mental health professionals. I completed my clinical training at Penn State and the University of Pennsylvania and have four physical office locations in the DC area (Arlington, Gaithersburg, Germantown, & Frederick).

We all can benefit from an objective, caring and trained professional who can effectively listen, identify key issues and help clarify options. I specialize in treating both adults, teens and families, and look forward to helping all who have finally decided to seek out the help of another and courageously take that first step.

Harvard-trained psychologist with 25 years of of experience in helping individuals and couples. I specialize in Intensive Short-term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) and the PACT model for couples. I enjoy helping people who may have had several psychotherapy or medication trials, but have not found lasting relief from symptoms. I am current Chair of the ISTDP Program at the Washington School for Psychiatry and former Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Authored "Treating Affect Phobia: A Manual for Short-term Dynamic Psychotherapy" (Guilford Press), and published numerous articles on psychotherapy.

I work with a broad clientele including children ages 10+, adults, families, and couples. Anxiety disorders are a strong interest of mine. I like to collaboratively identify multiple interventions with clients who have goals related to diminishing and managing anxious symptoms. Building a trusting relationship is also important. Ideally, clients will recognize that they have a strong ally in me. I appreciate working with clients interested in learning more about their diagnosis and related symptoms, exploring how they influence them personally and inter-personally, and generally educating themselves about their mental health.

Urban living has its unique challenges, which can lead to stress, depression, anxiety, feelings of emptiness, a sense of loneliness and other highly charged feelings and experiences. Are you in transition, a "transplant" to the area or maybe you have lived here all of your life? Are you having relationship problems...going through a break-up, separation or divorce? Are you experiencing difficulty in connecting with others? Maybe you are experiencing a crisis in your career, feeling mismatched-unfulfilled? Or are you feeling unhappy but can't figure out the source, the "why" you are feeling this way?

Reclaim Your Story. Let's take this liberating journey together. So often we allow the wants, needs, and expectations of other to dictate the path that we take in life, only to find out that what we really want is to be authentic. Your hopes and dreams are valid, they are truly yours. You can start that new business, change careers, walk away from an unhealthy abusive situation, walk in the gifts that you have to share with the world. Staying connect to those significant family and friends in this process of becoming comfortable being your authentic self can be challenging. But it is possible. It's time. You deserve it.

My approach to therapy is one that focuses on a collaborative relationship between therapist and client. Through a strong therapeutic relationship, I believe clients are able to work through their struggles in an emotionally, safe space that is nonjudgmental, honest and compassionate. The journey of working through struggle becomes an opportunity for growth and healing. Through the therapeutic process, we explore patterns and ways of gaining insight into struggles while also building practical coping skills for managing difficulties on a daily basis.

Life can be overwhelming and sometimes we get "stuck" and need help navigating our way through tough obstacles. Therapy helps people identify, evaluate and solve problems effectively. We will work together to set goals, examine difficulties and find realistic solutions that provide relief and clarity. I utilize a warm interactive approach to treatment and incorporate empathy, honesty, and a sense of humor to create a comfortable environment. Because the way we think impacts the way we feel, individuals are taught skills to identify, challenge and modify negative thinking. In my work with couples, I provide strategies to improve communication, manage conflict and solidify trust.

I practice from the belief that everyone can succeed if given the resources to do so, and I know that we all have a purpose to discover. A therapist’s duty is to empower. When done correctly, therapy can be a resource for self-awareness, better relationships, and happiness that extends beyond material things. I have been a clinician in various capacities since July of 2014 and I have considerable experience with trauma, attachment, and holistic treatment methods.

I provide services for adults male and females regarding substance abuse services via teletherapy.

I am the founder of both the Granato Group Integrative Counseling Services and the Federal Leadership Institute. For the past 20 years I have focused on providing high-quality and high-impact counseling and consulting services that utilize validated research and strength-based principles for individuals, community, the workplace and organizations. In addition, I have worked with many programs throughout the federal government, state, and local agencies to develop strategic plans and approaches, and managing culturally and functionally diverse teams to ensure programs are implemented with effective tools and techniques.

** AVAILABILITY --MARCH 2021** I use Emotionally Focused Therapy and AEDP to help couples stuck in repetitive, non-productive conflict. Focusing on couples' strengths and attachment styles, I help partners understand the normal ups and downs of attunement and misattunement, learn and practice mindfulness and emotional regulation, learn how to heal small and large ruptures and build deeper emotional and physical intimacy and trust. I have experience assisting partners repair their relationship after infidelity or breach of trust. If reconciliation is not possible, I help couples through the separation and divorce process.

*Currently Full* I strive to provide a space for my clients to share their authentic selves. Feeling understood and accepted as a whole person is one of the most healing aspects of psychotherapy. Through a collaborative and trusting relationship, I aim to provide holistic care and treatment which is tailored to each individual's needs and goals. I have experience treating clients who have a variety of presenting concerns and diagnoses including: anxiety, depression, bipolar, AD/HD, life transitions, and identity and relationship challenges. My primary goal is to guide you towards your vision of a full and meaningful life!

~ Counseling tailored to your Personality, from a Christian Perspective, & with a Neurobiological understanding of Lasting Change ~ I understand firsthand the courage required to ask for help. You are taking an important step in pursuing counseling today. ~ I use my understanding of personality types to tailor counseling to your specific needs. We are all unique, and my desire is to help each person become more fully whomever they are meant to be. I use my knowledge of the various strengths and weaknesses of each personality type to help you build on your strengths, and to have compassion for your weaknesses.

I am here to help. Do you feel as though nobody cares or even understands what you're going through? "Flowers need time to bloom. So do you". My style works to address the whole picture and fit your unique circumstances. I invite you to call or email me today. I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. Life doesn't have to be this way. I am here to help.

Ever wonder to yourself - why am I so unsure about everything I do? How do I know the decisions I make are rational or what’s best for me? Or maybe you fall in line with a thought like - what did I do last night and why did I make the choices I did? Perhaps you experience a feeling of shame or guilt that can only be described as deflating, crushing, or heavy. With this feeling you might have thoughts that you are not good enough or not worthy of friendships, wellbeing, or life itself. Do you find yourself pushing people away that care about you, leaning on unhealthy coping methods, or spending more and more time alone?

I am committed to helping individuals find the strength within themselves and to share that with those most important to them. Whether you are struggling with anxiety or depression, relationship difficulties, or life transitions, I always seek to assist you in finding the most effective way to help you achieve your goals and live a happier life. My orientation is interpersonal, psychodynamic and emotionally focused. I am very active in the therapy.

Are you dealing with stress, relationship issues, mood disorders, career/professional concerns, or life transitions? Are you feeling overwhelmed and imbalanced? When this happens, everything else suffers from your personal to your professional life, including how you feel. You may find it challenging to find the right therapist who can help you heal. Just know that you are not alone. It can be difficult to seek therapy, especially if you tried it before and felt like it didn't work. “One size does not fit all.” Our approaches are tailored to the needs of each individual to help you find long lasting solutions. We can help.

In my work with people of all ages, I use an integrated mind-body-relationship approach to address challenges related to trauma, attachment, transitions and disruptions, stage of life issues, depression, anxiety, and issues involving sexuality, identity, purpose, and meaning.