Chronic Illness Therapists in Washington, DC

Life can be hard. A job relocation, challenging career or significant life transition can make it even harder. Maybe you feel alone, overwhelmed, hopeless or even damaged, and somehow stuck inside of these feelings. When navigating such painful feelings and life moments, it's easy to find yourself "going through the motions" — disconnected from yourself, the people closest to you, and your real purpose in life. If you find yourself in this unsettling space, remember: You don't have to figure it out alone. I work with people just like you — individuals and couples that often appear to have it all together but suffer in silence.

I am committed to providing a safe and welcoming therapeutic place where you can express feelings, find hope, make peace, while looking to make a change in your life. I believe you have the power to be your own best self and live a full and meaningful life. Together we can develop concrete solutions to empower you to build confidence in the person you were born to be or rewrite a better day. Change can happen to decrease anxiety, depression; planning increases productivity; and new options can be viewed to move away from negative choices. Relationships can improve by learning how to communicate effectively.

I specialize in working with adults with eating disorders and disordered eating, and the conditions that often co-occur with eating concerns such as anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and trauma. I also have an extensive research background in chronic fatigue syndrome (sometimes called myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS) and have worked on multiple NIH-funded studies; I am aware of the unique challenges faced by individuals living with ME/CFS and other poorly understood, stigmatized health conditions. I provide evidence-based interventions that are tailored to my client’s needs and progress.

Are you having a hard time dealing with the struggles and adversity in your life? Do you have a difficult time handling stressful situation and anxious moments? Are you in need of someone to speak one but are unable to articulate your feelings? If so, then perhaps therapy or some combination of different approaches might be right for you! We offer supportive and non - judgmental spaces to provide a client centered and strength based session. Our areas of expertise include: experiencing loss, depression, trauma, anger management, anxiety, low self esteem, medical and other mental health behavioral health challenges.

With one unexpected life event can come a flood of unforeseen changes and decisions. This is a familiar experience for family members of distant loved ones managing a loss to their former abilities and independence.

Dr. Schönteich is a Licensed Psychology Associate in DC and a post-doctoral resident in VA. She is equipped with extensive training in evidence-based treatment for anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, traumatic stress, social anxiety, and OCD. She also treats mood disorders, adjustment to life stressors, and emotion regulation disorders. Dr. Schönteich has a specialized interest in the treatment of symptoms related to infertility, fertility loss, and the perinatal and postpartum periods. She recently published a book, Struggling with Infertility.

Most people who come to see me express a deep longing to be fully met and valued as a unique person. They also wish to find their aliveness! My passion is to create a space for a complete integration of mind, body, emotions, intention, and spirituality. I work with your deepest issues, while also encouraging you to cultivate your innate strengths and a sense of personal greatness! Holistic psychotherapy also integrates the body - when appropriate! I use Core Energetics and other body psychotherapy modalities and integrate the latest neuroscience to help you find increased self-confidence, self-awareness, balance, meaning, pleas joy.

I specialize in working with individuals of all ages who are navigating illness, grief, loss, trauma, and professional burnout. My passion for supporting children, teens, young adults and families impacted by a life-limiting medical diagnosis is informed by the years I spent as a pediatric social worker. In my bereavement work, I support clients affected by all manner of death, with a particular focus on grief after the death of a parent, young child or sibling.

My priority is to provide you with a safe place to bring your truth. Together we will work to create strategies and interventions to ease the challenges you face. I believe that you are the most important person in the room, and should feel heard, felt, and affirmed. For many people long term illness or sudden changes in physical abilities can leave you with a sudden shock of where to go from here? There is the physical work to grow and rebuild, but also the emotional component of grief. Reflecting on past abilities, friendships, romantic relationships, and the anxieties of what the future may hold as you learn a new everyday.

I specialize in helping adults (and their caregivers) who are challenged by acute and chronic medical illness including cancer, transplant recipients and those with functional GI disorders. Within this area of expertise, it is common for a variety of concerns to arise including anxiety, depression, medical trauma, loss, grief, work/life balance and life transitions. My approach is consistently compassionate, flexible, interactive and supportive. You can expect to leave our sessions with strategies and tools that can be used immediately focused on your unique concerns.

Are you ready to re-engage with your life? All of us experience periods of challenge and darkness. Perhaps you've experienced the death of someone close to you. Or perhaps you're facing a life-threatening illness, or anxiety is keeping you stuck in an unsatisfying lifestyle. My goal is to help you find peace and purpose in every possible life transition and challenge. I want to work with you to uncover any negative patterns that may be getting in the way of your best life. Together, we will develop and implement a plan that will allow you to achieve your goals. A rich, full, satisfying life is possible. We can get there together.

I work with individuals and couples, as well as children, in both DC and Chapel Hill. I do best with adults who are educated or reflective: many are scientists, artists, health and business professionals, or psychotherapists, and some are not pursuing conventional achievement.Some see me for family or work problems, some for help dealing with a chronic health issue or a loss, some to change longstanding emotional and interpersonal patterns involving anxiety, anger, or intimacy. We may try quick and simple approaches first, because sometimes they work, but if not we can go more deeply into the individual's unique personal narrative.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of managing your physical and mental well-being? You're not alone. From navigating eating habits and weight concerns to coping with long-term medical conditions or sudden health setbacks, the journey can feel daunting. But here's the good news: we're here to help. Our team, based in Washington DC, specializes in bridging the gap between physical and mental health, and we understand what you're going through. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional, we're dedicated to providing the support and guidance you need to thrive.

As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, a trauma survivor, and someone with a chronic pain disorder; I approach the work that I do from a place of empathy and personal understanding. I have an intense passion for understanding personal identity and the way race, culture, class, and sexuality come together to form what we believe about ourselves and what we feel we can accomplish in our lives. Anxiety and trauma can live in our bodies - together we will create a relationship that fosters dynamic and lasting growth, tapping into undiscovered reserves of resiliency that will help navigate the past and prepare for a more hopeful future.

If you are in the midst of a daunting medical diagnosis or grieving a painful loss, I am glad you found my page. Perhaps you are caring for a loved one, and find yourself mentally and physically exhausted, or you're a healthcare professional and you're feeling overwhelmed. Or maybe you are about to embark on treatment for cancer and are struggling with a tangled ball of emotions. In my work with clients, I create a safe, compassionate space to unpack and explore these issues, and to be a companion on your journey toward healing, growth, and transformation. Whatever brought you here today: I am here to listen.

I specialize in working with adolescents and young adults facing a disruption within their lives, such as a serious illness like cancer, as well as parents, family members and caregivers who are affected by what their loved one is forced to endure. I also have extensive experience working with adolescents and young adults facing anxiety and depression due to life changes and emerging adulthood. Life is unexpected and, at any moment, we can be derailed from our path and forced to face unbelievable challenges. The stress and frustration that can accompany a traumatic situation can be overwhelming, terrifying, and exhausting.

My all virtual practice serves MD, VA, DC, MA and NM. I studied psychology at Harvard University, and earned a Masters in Marriage, Family Therapy from the University of San Francisco. I obtained my doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. I bring thirty-seven years of deep clinical experience, having worked in diverse settings including inpatient, outpatient, community mental health and crisis services. I have a particular interest in global mental health issues, have lived in many different cultures/countries and have worked extensively with the expatriot community.

Seeking help takes courage and resolve. Whether you are struggling or seeking self-growth, therapy can be an effective place to start feeling and living better. I will meet you with warmth and kindness and partner with you to reach your goals. ​I have been working in this field since 2005, and I find the best work is done when my clients and I build a strong alliance in the service of their growth.

Accepting new patients- I am a seasoned clinician with extensive experience as a therapist for adolescents, adults, couples, parents, and families from various cultural backgrounds. My goal is to team with clients to reach a better emotional place. Working with your personal strengths and specific goals, we can help you gain new skills to cope with and overcome your challenges. My style is collaborative and we can find solutions together. Success requires honesty, understanding, strong communication skills, and a willingness to work through difficulties. Often people shy away from getting help.