Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Alexandria, VA

I am a clinical psychologist in private practice formerly (pre-covid) in Old Town, Alexandria, VA; all sessions are now via secure telehealth. I provide consultation and supervision to other mental health professionals; and I consult to healthcare facilities. I have taught courses in trauma therapy, family therapy, and substance abuse counseling to graduate students in psychology and counseling. Although I specialize in helping people with issues of trauma , substance use, and relationship, people bring a wide range of concerns from personal growth to serious mental illness. I help people understand and change their life stories.

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.

Are you tired of feeling stuck? What if there was a path to heal and have the life you desire? You can develop the tools to form healthier relationships with yourself and others, and live the vibrant life you deserve. I know it is possible to break old patterns that are keep us stuck because I did the work in my 20s and 30s. In fact, the work was so profound, I went back to school to change careers and help others develop the ability to create their own thriving life. I've walked the walk and now have learned the skills to help others do the same.

Therapy is an unusual process; there is nothing like it in day to day life. You come to a professional who focuses solely on you, your past, your future, your health, your goals and your perspective. Whatever you have been through, whatever you are trying to become, my goal is to do everything we can together to inspire you, to help you realize you can, and to help you know deep down that you are worth it. I will facilitate your understanding of your emotional (or lack of emotional) responses. You will learn the tools you need to heal from the trauma learning of the past and move forward, free to engage in life on your terms.

I primarily meet with adults as individual clients, although I also have experience working with adolescents and families. My ideal clients are goal-oriented and eager to gain insight into the dynamics and forces that are causing them discomfort. I have worked with individuals who have experienced depression, anxiety, immigration stress, past and current trauma , eating disorders, grief, pregnancy, issues with acculturation and identity formation, and the general stress of living and functioning in a world that is often unkind to folks of marginalized identities.

We, at Alexandria Place Therapy, value authentic and genuine connection with our clients and their families. We believe this connection is the groundwork for all work we do with clients. Alexandria Place Therapy offers therapeutic services in Old Town Alexandria. Our clinicians have spent their careers working with children, adolescents, young adults and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, trauma and loss. Collectively, we bring over thirty years of experience to our work and aim to offer help in vulnerable times. Our experience and specialized training afford us the opportunity to tailor treatment to meet your unique needs.

My therapeutic relationship with you will quickly alleviate your emotional discomfort as well as help you grow as a person and develop new psychological abilities. I see your role as one in which you speak as freely as possibly. This is called “free-talk.” Important issues easily rise to the surface when we feel safe enough to talk freely about anything and everything. My job is first to listen and then to talk whenever I have a perspective that I believe will deepen your understanding of yourself. An effective therapeutic process brings about self-understanding that transforms your life and relationships.

I have worked with clients at the most vulnerable stages of their eating disorder treatment process since 2014. I have worked in eating disorder inpatient, partial hospitalization programs, and intensive outpatient programs as a Clinical Therapist, Program Manager, and Program Director. I specialize in the treatment of eating disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and trauma . I have opened my own private practice to help my clients with the initial stages of treatment and to be able to support them in maintaining long-term recovery in their real world.

We look forward to helping you heal from your past hurts and live the life you were meant to! Treating individuals (adolescents & adults), couples, and families dealing with: Trauma , Abuse, Dissociation; Addictions, Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) ; Body Image issues and Eating Disorders; Self-Harming behaviors, Anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders; Challenged family systems; Chronic illness; Dysfunctional relationships; Life transitions; Loss and bereavement; Relationship distress; Maternal Mental Health Issues; Self esteem; LGBTQ+ and sexual identity issues/struggles. Please see our website.

With more than twenty years of experience, I have had the opportunity and privilege to participate in the hard work that individuals, couples and families have done to lead fuller and more satisfying lives. I work with adults and families dealing with anxiety, depression, adoption, trauma , divorce, deployment, grief and loss. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Practitioner. In addition to therapy, I provide individual and group Clinical Supervision for Licensure.

Hi! Welcome! I’m so happy you are here! Counseling can be intimidating and it takes a lot of strength to take this first step toward the life that you want and deserve. I believe that one of the bravest things you can do is to understand your story. My role as a therapist is to create a safe, compassionate, empathetic, and non-judgmental space that allows you to explore, accept, and expand your story. Whether you are going through a change, finding ways to improve your relationships, or have been struggling with trauma all your life, I want you to know that you are not alone and life can be much better!

We all encounter moments in life that can create a ripple effect in the way we view and treat ourselves. These moments may exacerbate symptoms we would normally be able to manage or they may be the catalyst for something we have never experienced. The coping mechanisms we have used to survive in the past do not define us, and with the support of a good team, we can begin to learn new skills to help move us forward. Finding the right person to talk to can be a first step in finding a path to (re)discovering a more regulated and integrated self.

Sometimes we think of our life as a story with a beginning, middle and end. But life rarely feels this simple and linear. Our experiences change the way we view ourselves and the world around us especially when we endure pain and loss; our identity shifts, and the story we've told gets tangled up. It is normal to become disoriented and scared when we feel ourselves changing. Maybe we seem more lonely, less fulfilled, or lost. I see it as my responsibility to be a partner/guide for you so you feel more oriented, less alone, more able to recognize your innate strengths and ability to heal and to ultimately author a story of growth.

Are some of your past coping skills not having the same effect? In our sessions, we will focus on being present with our mind and body. Through this gained awareness, we will co-construct meaningful experiences. Sometimes we may need the space or support to tune into our needs, body and its reactions. Therapy can be a place to learn and cultivate that.