Existential Therapists in Kensington, MD

Bring your anxious, overwhelmed, burned out, unmotivated self over here and let's talk for a minute. Some days, just being a semi-functional human seems really hard. Add in some brain fog, irritability, sleep disturbance, loss of social connection, a global pandemic, sociopolitical upheaval, and/or interpersonal conflict and you may not be feeling your best. I'm here to provide the stability, support, and resources to help you become the most vibrant, authentic version of yourself. Whether you want to address a clinical diagnosis, have an existential crisis, smash the patriarchy, or just sleep better at night, I'm here for you.

As a cognitive-behavioral and integrative therapist, my goal is to help you uncover your true potential and lead a life that is worth celebrating. I am a woman of faith, grounded in Christian principles. I work with adults (individuals and groups) of many faith traditions and am respectful to all.

I have worked extensively with clients to help them address a wide variety of concerns, including: Depression and anxiety • Work-related stress • Academic concerns (learning issues, attention problems) • Time management and organizational skills • Grief, loss, and bereavement • Spiritual and existential issues, including crises of faith and integrating beliefs and values • Life transitions (e.g., entering / leaving the workforce; marriage and divorce) • Identity issues and experiences of bias, discrimination, and oppression • Sexual and gender-related concerns

I offer individual and group therapy, virtually and in-person, for grief and loss, anxiety and depression, life transitions, and spiritual issues ranging from the existential life journey to cult awareness and recovery. We all need support through the inevitable challenges of human life, and being able to talk with a counselor in a safe, empathetic, and nonjudgmental setting is essential to healing and strengthening our mental and physical well-being.

I have extensive experience treating our nation's uniformed service members and their loved ones, many of whom have faced circumstances like these: Combat and sexual trauma, Profound loss, geographic separation from family support, relationship distress, parenting challenges, depression and anxiety, cancer, issues with eating and body image, gender issues, and difficulty excelling professionally due to ADHD. I had specialized training in treating gender-questioning and transgender people. I have a post-doctoral master's degree in psychopharmacology, and can consult with other prescribing providers for best medication outcomes..

Do you feel trapped by circumstances beyond your control? Are you unable to escape negative thoughts? Have you forgotten why you made the decisions that led you to this moment? Talk therapy can offer a way forward. Therapy can be a safe space to catch your breath, to talk out ideas that feel strange or risky, and to devise a new strategy for reconnecting with your best self. I'll do my best to help no matter what you're facing but right now I'm especially enthusiastic about working with young adults and professionals coping with ADHD, men's issues, relationship issues, bipolar disorder, depression, anger management and anxiety.

I specialize in sex and internet pornography addiction. I work one-on-one with indivuals, couples, families, and those attracted to minors. My primary treatment goal is to help the sexually addicted individual overcome the addiction and find inner healing. Additionally, I work to promote healing within badly damaged intimate relationships. Initially, I aim to help clients gain immediate relief from the feelings of overwhelm and distress that brought them to counseling to begin with. Subsequently, I collaborate with clients to diagnose and heal the deeper sources and causes of their suffering and addiction.

I always seek to bring a passionate engagement to my work with individuals, couples and families. I specialize in helping people with relationship issues and am devoted to helping people develop deeply satisfying and fulfilling intimate and family relationships. I am especially committed to helping couples preserve their primary intimate relationship in the face of challenging life circumstances and relationship issues. I have helped couples in crisis come back from the brink of divorce, I have helped couples recover from the trauma of infidelity, and I have helped couples navigate the process of grief over a lost family member.

Through the support of therapy, people can live full and meaningful lives while managing mental health symptoms and the challenges they bring. Focusing on patient-centered goals, I will guide you in exploring anxiety and mood issues, cognitive distortions, behaviors that may no longer be serving you, and relationship patterns. We will work together to address your current challenges, with consideration of past experiences (where you come from) and identifying values to support motivation to change (where you want to go).

I provide art therapy, psychotherapy, and trauma therapy. Services are personalized in a compassionate supportive environment that encourages curiosity. Art-making is optional. Expressive and somatic techniques are woven into our dialogue to connect elements of your experience and promote regulation in the nervous system. Art provides a tangible way to work with inner experiences that neurologically integrates emotional, sensory, kinesthetic, spatial and cognitive levels of processing. No skills or experience are required.

The number one regret of the dying is "I wish I had the courage to be authentically me". Our experience of giving and receiving love in childhood, is the position from which we all begin- and also where people can get stuck. If you have read this far, you feel the pull to invest in improving the quality of your life, and put energy into where you can productively stretch and grow. The most important work of our lifetime is discovering how to accept, and deeply love ourselves.

Navigating transition or change can be HARD; I partner with you to help make it easier. Together we will uncover and explore patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting to help you feel better and live the life you want for yourself. In our work, I hope you feel heard, understood, and cared for. I acknowledge societal inequities in our work together, such as racism, sexism, and ageism. I hope to do all this while maintaining a sense of humor and not taking myself too seriously. I work with adults and older adolescents throughout the state of Maryland online, and I also provide "Walk & Talk" Therapy outside in Bethesda, MD.

By the time most people are looking to find a therapist, difficult feelings or challenges at work, school, or in relationships have been going on for a while. We each have a unique life story and many strengths, but life can also bring anxiety, sadness, and other difficulties. You may be discouraged, doubting that things can get better. You shouldn’t have to struggle to make it through each day or each week. I am a psychologist with 30+ years of therapy experience, who strives to build strong, collaborative therapeutic relationships. I am optimistic that we can work together on making positive changes in your life.