Couples Counseling Therapists in Alexandria, VA

I provide couple counseling and individual psychotherapy to adults and adolescents with presenting concerns, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, grief and bereavement. In therapy, I focus on the individual strengths and wisdom of each person in an effort to support and assist their ability to make positive, effective, and mindful changes in their lives. Through a collaborative and caring relationship , I aim to create a safe space in which individuals and couples can increase their psychological insight, rework coping strategies, grieve losses, process traumas, and increase their overall well-being.

I work with women and men facing tough life events like divorce, grief, relationship issues, career burnout, health crises. Sometimes it's an empty nest or retirement that has them questioning what their life purpose is now. These life changes and disruptions can leave you feeling depressed/sad, anxious, stressed, stuck or confused. Using a holistic approach, I can help you work through your unique challenges and move towards a healthier and happier life. My unique perspective and experience as both a licensed therapist and a certified coach, enables me to provide psychotherapy or coaching, depending on your situation.

Whether you want to lift your mood, improve relationships, overcome issues from your past, change behaviors that hold you back, or help your child to feel better - I look forward to helping you. Therapy can be a catalyst for change: to help you weather a storm, get out of a rut, tackle a challenge ... in short, to create the life you want to be living. I became a therapist, and created Catalyst Counseling Services, because I believe that when you're matched with the right provider - therapy works.

When things seem out of your control, it can be difficult to stay focused and feel empowered to make good decisions for yourself and create the life you want. If you are a capable, driven individual and you are wondering why you feel stuck, or unhappy, you are not alone. We all need help at times accessing our own voice, working through the ways we are stuck, and finding happiness through the choices we make. I am currently offering tele-health (secure video chat) intake, and therapy sessions for those needing extra support right now, and those not wanting to wait to seek help until after the COVID-19 situation has eased up.

People in distress are often wary of talking to someone who is a stranger. The first visit is generally fraught with anxiety. I am adept at teasing out the issues and helping a person (of any age) feel comfortable and understood. I expect that many clients will come to my office with a certain amount of ambivalence about engaging in psychotherapy. Generally, by the time they leave after the first visit, they are eager to return having felt a sense of relief and hope that they are going to be understood and "heard" in a unique way.

I am interested in cultivating a gentle curiosity, attentiveness and, if possible, a sense of humor in the clients I am privileged to meet. Our family experience informs the way we experience ourselves and how we make our way in relationships. I'm interested in exploring practical avenues for effecting communication that includes mindful awareness, appropriate boundaries and empathic connection. As reactivity is practically identified and calming is learned, I want to leaven the re-discovery or re-defining of a life narrative where, courage, integrity and joy are woven in. I want to encourage growth in those areas where healing is needed.

I use a nonjudgmental, holistic and person-centered approach to aid clients in developing healthy coping skills to deal with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, grief, relationship issues, life transitions and maladaptive behaviors. I help clients identify and utilize strengths to combat negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors in a warm, safe and nurturing environment.

I am a solution focused therapist who works with primarily adults. I am a clinician with Over The Rainbow , a practice that specializes in trauma informed care in beautiful Old Town Alexandria. My approach is eclectic and specifically tailored to the needs of each individual client. It is a journey we take together.

I thoroughly enjoy working with "emerging adults." Those who may be struggling to find their sense of identity and adapting to the greater demands and responsibilities of adulthood. Have you recently had a baby, and you're struggling with the transition to motherhood? With advanced training in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADS), I have a passion for working with women who are struggling to connect to their baby or finding it hard to feel like themselves again. I also enjoy working with couples and aim to help couples identify repetitive patterns of conflict and access emotions underlying the conflict.

Welcome to my therapy practice. We can all feel 'stuck' or overwhelmed at times, and our lives can be impacted by negative behavioral patterns, difficulty in relationships, and ongoing struggles with pain and suffering. Therapy is a process where, as partners, we move towards having a deeper understanding of yourself, your feelings and reactions, and your relationships. We will work to improve your ability to cope with challenges, to make progress towards personal goals, and to experience positive changes that allow increased satisfaction with self, life, and relationships. I look forward to starting this process with you!

Don't miss out on having the life you really want. Stop just surviving or slugging through, hoping that one day you get around to feeling good. Fast-forward to your future of having relationship happiness, career success, well-being, wealth, inner peace, etc. We don't just help you stop feeling anxious, depressed and stressed out, we empower you to have sustainable happiness. Yes, I'm saying we can support you in getting the amazing life you deserve. We haven't met yet, but you're worth it.

I view my engagement with individuals who are focused on building a life worth living as a core passion that supports a positive treatment experience. I enjoy working with teenagers, adults and couples who are navigating life issues that are preventing them from fulfilling their highest potential or accessing their best self. I also take pleasure in partnering with individuals on their journey as the therapeutic process can be just as enriching as the realization of the identified treatment goal.

I believe that developing a supportive, collaborative relationship with my clients is key to healing and growth. I work with kids, teens, and adults, but most of my clients are young people struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, and stress related to being gifted or twice exceptional (2e) while living in a competitive community. I also provide private schools admissions testing, giftedness and 2e assessments, ADHD evaluations, learning disability assessments, and other psychological testing. I tailor the treatment and testing process to meet the specific needs of each person I work with.

My belief in the therapeutic relationship as foundational for personal growth and change in individual psychotherapy motivates me to ensure a therapeutic environment that is both safe and validating. My style is collaborative and non-judgmental as I work in partnership with individuals to promote healing, foster strengths and move toward positive change.

At the Family Therapy Center of Old Town we provide mental health services to Individuals and families of all ages. Like the family physician, we will be there as needed when mental health issues arise within families and individuals. Using an integrative bio-psycho-social approach, we provide a comprehensive assessment, evaluation and individualized treatment plan for each client. We work together with each client to implement a treatment plan using the tools that will be most affective in reaching their goals.Together, we help our clients get "unstuck" and move forward to a healthy life balance.