Frequently Asked Questions

It's not so much a question of need as of whether you would benefit. If you are regularly having thoughts, behaviors, or feelings that are causing distress, interfering with achieving your goals, disrupting your daily life, or damaging important relationships, then you should seriously consider seeking professional help. Problems can arise as the result of a specific life stressor (death, relationship problems, job loss), or can stem from old conflicts or ongoing personality traits.

A major survey, conducted by Consumer Reports, found that the vast majority of people  who sought psychotherapy considered it helpful, made progress on the issues that brought them to therapy, and felt that life was more manageable thanks to their treatment.

This is a difficult question to answer. It depends on the severity and longevity of the problem, your motivation for change, your current life circumstances, and your goals for treatment. Many people seek a brief course of treatment to get "unstuck" from a specific problem. By brief, think 6 to 10 sessions. For more severe or chronic problems, longer treatment is recommended. Some people continue in treatment even after the original problem that brought them is resolved. This may be because they decide they generally find the process helpful in managing their life, or they uncover deeper goals for themselves that they want to work on.

The right match comes down to competence and chemistry. You may be seeking, or have been referred for, a specific type of treatment (e.g. cognitive behavioral therapy or psychodynamic therapy), so you'll want to confirm that the therapist can work in that way. The therapist should be a licensed professional with competency in treating your particular problem. Most therapists have special areas of expertise and other areas that they do not work in. Ask the therapist if they have experience treating the problem you are struggling with. Do they seem to have a working knowledge of current and relevant research? Finally, chemistry is critical -- do you feel comfortable talking with the therapist, do they interact with you in a way that feels helpful, do you feel heard and understood?

I have a PhD in Clinical Psychology from George Mason University. My research focused on moral emotions (shame and guilt), self-esteem, and narcissism. I have a bachelor's degree from The Johns Hopkins University.

Prior to starting my private practice, I worked at The Women's Center in Vienna, Virginia, Georgetown University's Counseling Center, UVA's Counseling and Psychological Services Center, and UVA's Learning Needs and Evaluation Center. My experiences included both therapy and psychological assessment.

Currently I work with individuals (18+) struggling with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive

disorders, depression, ADD/ADHD, and trauma. I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement

Desensitization and Reprocessing). I have a strong and continuing interest in current clinical research and research-based treatments, particularly mindfulness-based interventions.

Yes, I provide a safe and welcoming environment for individuals of all gender identities and sexual orientations.

Many people prefer or need to use their health insurance to cover psychotherapy. Terms, limitations, and financial obligations vary by policy. I am an in-network provider for Medicare, and Sentara/Optima. If you are on one of these plans, you would be responsible for your copay/co-insurance amount and any deductible required by your plan. I will file a claim with the insurance company for the service and, once it's processed, bill you for whatever portion of the balance is your responsibility.

If you don't intend to use insurance, or I am an out-of-network provider for your insurance,

you would be responsible for paying my out-of-pocket fee. Payments can be made by cash, check, or Zelle, as I do not process credit card payments. I can usually file claims with your insurance company as an out-of-network provider, sparing you the paperwork. In the rare cases where that doesn't work, I can provide you with a monthly statement which you can submit to your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement.

The first step is to email me to check availability and then schedule an initial appointment. During this  appointment (45-50 minutes) I'll want to get to know you a bit, find out about what brings you to therapy, gather relevant background information, and get an overview of your current life situation. At the end of the appointment, I can answer any questions that have arisen for you, share my thoughts about your situation, and discuss how we might work together. Then it's for you to decide if you want to pursue treatment with me.