Find a Therapist in Brentwood, Maryland.

I work collaboratively with individuals to set goals and articulate areas of growth. I use cognitive and psychodynamic approaches to help you to: Understand and process the sources of distress, and Develop coping styles and behaviors to better manage that distress. Some issues benefit not only from talk therapy but also medication. I may recommend this combined approach of both psychotherapy and medication to help lessen distress. I have working relationships with area psychiatrists making this combined approach easier for the patient.

Psychotherapy is a most intense and intimate form of personal relationship--between therapist and client in individual therapy, between family members in couples and family therapy, and between group members in group therapy. My job as the therapist is to nurture and cultivate all of these relationships, as the magical healing that takes place always comes from these relationships. I have spent many years both as a psychotherapist and as a psychotherapy client--these have been the most important part of my preparation as a psychotherapist.

I use an evidence-based approach to therapy. This means that the techniques I use are proven to help you overcome your challenges, whether it be depression, anxiety, relationship issues, or life transitions. Together we will create a space where you can feel safe talking openly about your challenges, learning and practicing new skills, and getting genuine feedback. In our work together, I will help you untangle the confusing, complex emotions you may be feeling. We will explore and confront the fears, doubts, self-criticisms, and other thoughts that keep you up at night. No matter what you’re struggling with, we'll work together to help you feel better.

Psychotherapy is sacred work, and I hold a very safe and honest space for people to show up authentically. I use different modalities, but the most important factor is to have deep compassion and let the person know you care. Humor is essential, and there is as much laughing as crying in my office. I have been doing this work for nearly 30 years, and I am still in awe of the capacity people have to change.

Psychotherapy is an investment in your quality of life. Clients who seek talk therapy from me benefit from my gentle humor, sensitive suggestions, unique insights, and careful listening. We work together to reach your unique goals, whether they are about improving your work life balance, healing from past relationships, building a life that you are proud of, or learning about the ways you think and feel. I often incorporate helpful books or in-session tasks that expand our conversations and deepen the benefits of talk therapy.

You have inherent worth and value. My "Treasure Therapy" is a journey to rediscover that treasure. We are all interconnected as part of the same human “family” systems or fields. By increasing awareness of ourselves and others around us, and increasing our acceptance of ourselves and others, we are changed. Therefore, rather than trying to outright change you, my approach starts with mindfulness and paradoxical acceptance. Change is a byproduct of radical acceptance.

What is psychotherapy? Some people say “psychotherapy is the treatment to work on your personal situation”, and others say “psychotherapy is the place for you to talk about your problem and your therapist will work with you to figure out the better way to manage it” Well…both of them are correct. When you seek therapy, that does not mean you are weak. In fact, attending therapy is a brave behavior as you allow yourself to be vulnerable in front of another person (your therapist), and you are willing to touch on some undesirable characteristics about yourself and work on that. By doing so, you are getting closer to your true self and make your life more beautiful than ever.

My approach to individual psychotherapy comes out of my training and experience as a psychodynamic therapist. Psychotherapy focuses on inner conflicts and unconscious reactions as well as defenses that have built up in interpersonal relationships. My approach to psychotherapy is very relational. Most of our difficulties come about in the context of relationship, both early relationships and current relationships, and healing comes about in learning new ways of relating during the therapy hour.

Psychotherapy means different things to each therapist and to each person seeking therapy. What are YOU looking for? I’d love to talk with you about how we can make our relationship work for you. Do you prefer virtual or telephone sessions? Would you rather have a cup of coffee in the office? Or maybe you feel safest in your own home and would like to meet there. We are committed to providing what you need to grow and heal. Don’t be afraid to ask. That’s the first step toward growing into the person you were meant to be!

Many clients feel comfortable discussing their issues and working together with me to rethinking how they would like to change make changes in their lives. While we cannot stop thoughts, we can develop a plan to change negative thoughts into positive thoughts. I use talk therapy and mindfulness to help clients identify negative habits and develop new healthy and effective habits.

I provide individual and group psychotherapy that is focused on helping men and women cope more effectively with compulsive or out-of-control sexual behaviors or anger management. My approach to helping clients with compulsive sexual behaviors is multidimensional and is specifically designed to help you to heal yourself and your relationships. Psychotherapy for Anger Management is based on a model designed and developed by the National Anger Management Association.

I have twenty three years of experience providing psychotherapy to children and adults. I have worked with clients with the following issues: depression, anxiety, phobias, marital issues, ADHD, and relationship isssues. I believe all people want to feel content and happy. It is my job to help you feel your best. I use both talk therapy and experiential therapy to help you work through your feelings.

“The Golden Rule” can be a helpful guide to psychotherapy: treating others as you would like to be treated, with gentleness, pacing, and respect. If a counseling session is likened to conversing with a knowledgeable advisor on the doorstep of your home, psychotherapy can be like inviting that advisor into the “parlor” or “living room” of your inner world based on trust, at-ease-ness, and confidence in your advisor’s insight. My approach to psychotherapy is interactive and strengths-based, starting with cognitive (thought-based) or behavioral coping skills, and moving into awareness of family of origin themes and the impact of past trauma when needed to activate more enduring personal growth in the client.