Therapists in McLean, VA

Historically, you've succeeded at just about everything you do. But whether you are a senior executive, a professional athlete, or a stay-at-home mom, we all eventually hit a wall. The anxiety becomes intense enough that we think others are starting to notice. The depression gets harder to beat on our own. Someone uses the word "addiction" for the first time. We all want to excel at work and feel connected at home, but sometimes we just feel stuck.

Perhaps you are struggling with anxiety or depression. Maybe you are adjusting to a new life change, seeking to achieve balance, or have experienced trauma. It may feel like the past or future is running the present. Together, we can achieve your goals so that you can feel better and connect to your authentic self.

I have experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings including individual and group therapy. I have strong experience in working with adolescents and young adults struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, body image, school avoidance, interpersonal/relationship issues, trauma, and life transitions. I am bilingual and am able to provide services in Arabic, as well as English. I carry a strong foundation in person-centered therapy where I provide my clients with warmth, authenticity, and a safe environment.

Life is made up of transitions, some expected and some unexpected. Responding to these transitions can often be challenging and result in unwanted feelings or symptoms. My approach to treatment is to work collaboratively with you to understand your concerns, the underlying precipitants, and build upon your strengths to develop strategies to overcome and manage these challenges. I cannot overestimate the power of really listening and providing a safe space for you to express your concerns, however awkward, uncomfortable, or upsetting. I strongly believe that everyone has the capacity to change and instilling hope is integral to that change.

We often find ourselves seeking help when something is wrong, but I work with families and children to help them see what is right. I believe that humans are fundamentally creative, innovative, compassionate, and fully capable of accessing their joy. The therapeutic process is not one size fits all, nor will it be successful when the therapist calls all of the shots. My clients are the experts, and I work collaboratively to find the best approach to achieve growth.

Hello and welcome. Finding a therapist can be a daunting process as you search for a person who will meet you or your family's needs for counseling expertise. To aid with this, here is a mini bio of my practice and training. Please see my website, www.kristahummer.com for further information. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist that works with children, adults, families, and couples to aid in growth, healing, and life transitions.

All of us need help from time to time, and I love my work as a therapist providing individual and family counseling. I am experienced in working with children and adults, and my focus is on providing a safe and supportive environment. I utilize insight-oriented approaches including cognitive-behavior therapy, sand tray techniques, and play therapy. I also co-lead social skills and process groups, My background in home-based crisis counseling and critical incident stress debriefing lends itself to working with those who are in crisis or have suffered trauma.

Whether you are an adult, adolescent, or a child, life can be full of surprises and changes. Sometimes these surprises and changes are welcomed and embraced, while other times, they can be unexpected and difficult to navigate. Therapy can be a helpful avenue to unpack the curiosity, emotions, and uncertainty associated with these transitions.

Being a young adult or teenager comes with challenges that previous generations struggle to understand. Maybe you're experiencing stress from a difficult life transition or finding where you fit in our rapidly changing world. Therapy can help you navigate these challenges, and I'd love to help make the process more approachable, even if this is your first time pursuing therapy. We'll discuss concrete ways to reach your mental health goals, and enjoy the confidence that comes with deeper self-knowledge. You're worth investing in, life is too short to be spent wishing things were different.

Melisa Atkeson, LCSW is the founder of Wise Mind Psychotherapy, PLLC, a private practice in McLean, VA, that provides treatment to adolescents, families, and adults. She has a particular interest in people who experience their emotions intensely and have difficulty managing them in healthy ways. Melisa understands that the best predictor of positive therapy outcomes is the relationship between client and therapist. She pulls from a variety of evidence-based approaches and offers a comfortable and friendly environment for clients to improve their ability to understand and cope with their feelings.

There are many reasons why you may be seeking help at this particular time in your life - struggles with depression, anxiety, trauma (PTSD), low self-esteem, a painful loss, grief, difficulties in relationships, or other challenging life transitions. I work with patients to break free of roadblocks that have kept them stuck and to cultivate stronger relationships, feel less alienated and alone, and more empowered and confident.

All my life I have been fascinated by peoples’ stories. It's been my privilege over more than forty years to hear the stories of my clients, as we meet together to understand their concerns and together develop treatment goals that will facilitate personal growth in their lives. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I see adults, both individuals and couples. Exploring family of origin dynamics and understanding the impact those dynamics may have on the client's presenting concerns allows a more thorough approach to treatment. My style is collaborative, empathic, practical, and interpersonal.

Welcome to my practice and thank you for your interest in my work. My goal is to ensure that you receive quality care in a confidential and therapeutic environment. With nearly 20 years of professional work history, I am skilled in the assessment and treatment of individuals suffering from mood disorders, interpersonal issues and learning difficulties. It is my goal to work collaboratively with you to ensure optimal health and wellness.

An awareness of our inner state of being and how to connect with the stillness is an important part of our journey to wellness and well-being. I offer this to all of my clients. I am a licensed clinical social worker with 22 years of experience working with children, adolescents and their families in residential treatment, outpatient behavioral health and hospice care. I have also worked with adults providing individual, couples therapy, and hospice care. For 10 years, I have worked with military families in the D.C. area addressing issues around military life, deployment, resilience, and mental health.

I am a professor (University of Illinois, currently: Georgetown Medical School) and in private practice. As a teacher of tools, skills and strategies, my clients quickly learn new, more effective behaviors to reduce discomfort and be more successful. My approach is not so much placing a label on people but in offering ideas for what they can DO NOW and in the future to learn and implement new successful behaviors. I enjoy working with mood, anxiety, anger and behavioral problems for all the ages. My approach is pragmatic, behavioral and usually is short-term to achieve well-defined results.