Solution Focused Brief (SFBT) Therapists in Columbia, MD

‘Change is constant’… but that does not mean it is easy. Deciding to make personal changes to enhance your quality of life is the first step. Therapy can provide support and perspective, through obtaining greater understanding and healing. As a result, personal growth occurs. Jillian Parente is a licensed clinical social worker, board-approved social work supervisor, board-approved counseling supervisor, peer recovery specialist supervisor, and an Adjunct Professor, with over 8 years of experience, specializing in women’s issues, such as trauma and perinatal mental health (including, but not limited to pregnancy and postpartum).

Are you feeling overwhelmed or unsure? Does your child seem to be worrying more than usual or struggling with school? Are you and your partner having trouble communicating? Facing challenges with anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationships, school, work or home can feel like an incredibly lonely struggle. But you are not alone. I know that deciding to seek therapy for yourself, your child or your family takes tremendous courage. I believe taking that step is a sign of strength and hope.

I am currently licensed at the clinical level (LCSW-C) to practice social work in Maryland. I utilize a direct, yet warm and affirming approach in therapy. Each client is unique and I work hard to assist clients in achieving his or her treatment goals through Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Solution- Focused Therapy. Much of my work focuses on Mindfulness and supportive therapies.

I have experience creating supportive therapeutic relationships with individuals, couples and family systems; challenged by depression, anxiety, trauma, infidelity, intimacy issues, family distress and other concerns.

Imagine Wellness Counseling Services helps young and middle aged adults who are experiencing work stress, anxiety, relationship issues, or uncertainty since COVID-19 get back on track through a psychological ( psychotherapy; i.e. strengths- based, solution focused) and social/lifestyle (community resources and holistic-based referrals) approach.

Do you want to practice more self-compassion and raise self-awareness? Do you want a space where you can process everything going on in your life? Do you want a space where you can be yourself and be met with compassion and genuineness? Whether you are from a culture where going to therapy isn’t viewed as okay or are being encouraged by loved ones to try out therapy; thank you for considering me to be your therapist. We will work collaboratively and tap into your strengths, further develop your coping skills, increase your insight, and achieve your goals.

I am here to offer professional, supported, guided and solution-focused insight into life's many challenges. Through a variety of therapeutic approaches, I can help you with parenting, depression, anxiety, pre-marital and marital issues, as well as many other of life's obstacles. I am very empathetic, but I will also challenge you as appropriate. After all, I want you to be your best self.

I provide a safe, warm, and welcoming environment for individuals to do difficult therapeutic work. I specialize in treating anxiety disorders, depression, perinatal mental health disorders, relationship issues, self-esteem issues, and supporting individuals through life transitions. My clients have benefited from my individualized and integrated treatment approaches. I have been successful in utilizing a combination of CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), strengths-based therapy, brief solution-focused therapy and other mindfulness-based approaches to address difficult issues.

I am a licensed counselor with over 15 years’ experience, with additional specialized training in Telebehavioral Health or "on-line therapy." Through empathy and dedication to individualized care, I strive to put clients at ease. Clients describe me as "approachable, insightful, non-judgmental and caring." Through a solution-focused approach it is my goal to help you learn new practices to change old habits and hurts, to help you THRIVE!

As a therapist, I am committed in addressing issues interfering with life satisfaction and to help you achieve healthier, more rewarding relationships and greater awareness. I believe you possess what it takes and my aim is to assist you in achieving your goals. I work with children and adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, anger, mood disorders, and self-destructive behaviors such as substance abuse and suicidal & non-suicidal self-injury. I also work with couples for premarital, relationship & life transitions issues and divorce counseling.

I specialize in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders in children, adolescents and adults as well as behavior problems in children and adolescents. I also treat those who have experienced trauma. I utilize cognitive behavioral, behavior modification, relaxation, and solution focused therapies to help clients achieve a better life. My treatment approach is to listen carefully, develop treatment goals that are important and achieveable for the client, build on the client's current skills and help to develop new life skills as well as helping the client to achieve life balance.

Starting with a new therapist can be a daunting experience for those who have never done it before and even for those who have. Finding the right therapist that you connect with and can build a great relationship with is key to not only making a change, but also to feeling heard and accepted. I do my best to ensure clients feel comfortable to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe environment without judgment. Taking these first steps can be hard and I seek to make this process easier and less daunting for you. (Not currently accepting insurance for couple's therapy)

Let's keep it real. Self work is difficult. Yet, you realized that you want to do things differently in your life. Keep going!! You want to once again experience happiness, a sense of control, a sense of peace, but are unsure how to get those things back. At times the picture seems blurry. It is difficult to see hope or even positives in lieu of emotional distress. Let me help you to clearly define the change you want to make to live a life of fulfillment. Through self-exploration we create hope, define our preferred future, and lessen fear. Add in a strong therapeutic relationship, and together, we create real change!

Let's be honest. Most of us have something that we could use additional help navigating. I'm passionate about providing support to teens and adults looking to gain awareness, understanding, and skills to manage life changes, interpersonal relationships, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, grief, and PTSD. My clients describe wanting to see sustainable change in their lives and are open to challenging their beliefs and disrupting current behavioral patterns to achieve that change. Additionally, I have a special interest in working with populations who are marginalized including racial/ethnic, sexual, and gender minorities.

With the demands life makes on us, sometimes it becomes too much. The same way we go to the doctor for physical ailments, sometimes we need assistance managing our mental and emotional wellbeing. Do you need support as you balance the many roles you have in your life? Have you noticed your physical health being impacted by the stress? Maybe you've had huge milestones or life events happen and are having a hard time adjusting? Or maybe you've been hearing buzz phrases like 'self care' and are wondering what that looks like beyond home spa days?

You are so brave for stepping up to the plate to improve your life; to attain greater balance, achieve your goals, enhance your self-assurance, learn your strengths, and to feel empowered to live fully! I love working with adults who struggle with trying to manage it all. Between work, parenting, relationships, socializing with friends, and maintaining a meaningful spiritual life, many adults are just plain exhausted. You desire to feel greater peace with it all and to start enjoying life again. I see you and I hear you, and I cannot wait for us to work together so you can discover your needs and finally meet your goals.

As a licensed master social worker, I draw from a variety of frameworks with a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by using a strengths-based and empowerment approach. I specialize in working with clients who have issues related to transitions into adulthood, indecisiveness, self-esteem, and developing healthy relationships. I collaborate with clients to help them develop effective coping mechanisms, and accomplish personal goals.

Ashley works primarily with adults. She has most commonly worked with anxiety, lgbtqa+ affirming, social anxiety, self-esteem, couple's counseling, health and wellness, and family/relationship issues in an individual therapy setting. Ashley finds the great outdoors, health, wellness, and creative ideas therapeutically helpful.

“Some people survive and talk about it. Some people survive and go silent. Some people survive and create. Everyone deals with imaginable pain or life hurdles in their own way, and everyone is entitled to that, without judgement…” My ideal clients are individuals seeking to reach clarity and change. Willingness and vulnerability are necessary for any change. Ideal clients embrace vulnerability to explore areas that are causing disrupt in daily functioning and willingness to work toward resolutions to alleviate barriers to life fulfillment.