Services for Adults & Teens

Young adults are between the ages of 18 -30. Although a lot of people assume that young adults are supposed to be carefree and enjoying life, it can be a very difficult transition into adulthood. Young adults can often feel misunderstood and judged by their parents who grew up in a different era. At times, young adults are uncertain about college choices, career paths, and life goals. I have worked with hundreds of young adults to help them gain the knowledge and coping skills to ease the transition from high school or college into the “real world” (PS: it’s never as scary as they think it is). They have the strength inside of them, they just dont realize it yet!

Navigating romantic relationships and friendships can be very difficult when you are young and inexperienced. The pressures of social media to look perfect is hard for both young men and young women. Women's self-esteem can be challenged by comparing themselves to others on social media. Being a young adult can feel very lonely (and the dating apps don't seem to help). If they are struggling with social anxiety or depression, it can feel painfully difficult to connect with others, make new friends, or put themselves out there in the dating world.

Unmanaged or undiagnosed ADHD can make it difficult in college and in new job situations. Undiagnosed autism in women can leave them feeling rejected and wishing others understood why they are so sensitive. Some women with ADHD have pre menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) which is a serious mood disorder that is hormone related.

I can help identify the correct diagnosis and treatment modalities both for ADHD and autism. If I need assistance, I know of many good psychologists who administer tests to determine an exact diagnosis and rule others out.

I enjoy teaching executive functioning skills to help people succeed with daily life (“let’s put that in your phone with an alarm to remind you daily of that task”). Finally, I have built a long list of resources for young adults to help with coping skills, job placements, and understanding the strengths and challenges of their unique personality/temperament.

Needing to find "your people" is so important for young adults. Everyone wants to feel like they belong. When people lack connection to others with similar interests and values… this can lead to feelings of hopelessness. Because young adults are still gaining life experience, it can be hard for them to trust that pain and uncertainty won't last forever, and that things can improve with time. This is where I come in to help!

This is also a time when some young people find themselves sliding into marijuana addiction and/or binge drinking There is a lot of shame and denial involved in addiction. This can lead to isolation and potentially becoming unsafe like driving under the influence, ingesting too much of a dangerous drug or suicidal ideations. I have helped many young adults get to a place where they feel ready to acknowledge they have a problem, and finally accept the substance treatment that they need. I have a lot of good resources once this happens to help them get and stay sober.

Sometimes it takes building a strong relationship with clients first, and then when trust is established, I am able to help.

Midlife adults are generally 30 to 59 year-olds. This stage of life can feel completely chaotic. Balancing work, relationships with friends and partners, parenting through the different stages of a child's development and managing aging parents, can leave a person exhausted and feeling unfulfilled. Your own needs often take a backseat to your child's.

Is your son going to make friends in middle school or is he going to get shunned for not being an “athlete”? Is your daughter going to get into the college that she has been dreaming about? These can weigh heavily on a parent’s mind and feel all consuming.

As a parent, it's natural to wonder if your child is “maturing” the way they should or if you're doing the “right” things to support them. When things don't go as planned, that uncertainty can turn into guilt, worry and sometimes sadness.

PARENTING THROUGH THE YEARS:

Becoming a new parent is grueling with sleepless nights and no free time. You begin to feel irritable and angry with your partner more than ever before. Postpartum depression /anxiety can feel like being overwhelmed with sadness and fear when you are expected to feel connection and joy. Sometimes you think that other mothers have it “all together” and that something is fundamentally wrong with you for not feeling excited and enthusiastic about your new role. I so clearly remember my son crying nonstop for the first three months of his life. I thought I was losing my mind!

Let me help you like I have helped many other women. I promise it will get better with the right treatment. I feel fortunate to know and collaborate with doctors that can help with female hormones and medications if appropriate. Sometimes you just need to talk about it with a trusting professional.

Babies and toddlers may not be able to talk back yet, but they communicate loudly in other ways through crying, sleep difficulties, separation anxiety, and biting and hitting others. While many of these behaviors are a normal part of development and often fade with time, young children still need gentle and consistent guidance, and age-appropriate tools to help them learn self-control. A dear friend once shared her experience with her three year-old son, whose speech was delayed. Her pediatrician explained that much of his anger came from not yet having the words to express himself, but reassured her that setting clear, appropriate limits when he hurt others was still essential. She later reflected that this guidance helped her do what was best for her son with confidence, free from guilt or second guessing.

When children are in elementary school and middle school, friendship issues and social skills deficits can become apparent for the first time and can feel heartbreaking for a parent. ADHD and/or learning disabilities are often (but not always for inattentive girls) noted by teachers for further evaluation. Girls can present very differently than boys with ADHD and often goes “unnoticed” because she is not disruptive to the class. People with ADHD are smart, creative and like to think out of the box. The school years can be difficult because of having to attend to subject matter that doesn't interest them. However, many people with ADHD become extremely successful adults.

Middle school can be an especially difficult time, as children work to find their place and friendships can shift quickly and unexpectedly. I have a wealth of knowledge, resources and coping tools to help you through this time.

The teen years can be challenging with marijuana and drinking and getting through tough social/academic situations in high school. Not being sure if you are being “too strict” or “too lenient” is hard when so many others have different rules for their teens. Feeling like your child is changing and that you don’t “recognize” them anymore can feel devastating. Often parents blame themselves or each other for their child's behavior. I can help you become a team with your partner to help your teenager, rather than feeling helpless and fighting.

Becoming an empty nester can feel like you’ve lost an important role in your life. Will they be ok? Will I be ok? Now what do I do with my free time? Do I even know my spouse anymore? It's normal to feel like you don't even know your spouse anymore because all of your attention has been on your children. This can be a time where people learn to reconnect and find new things to do with each other. For others, the children leaving the house, gives them the opportunity to leave a relationship that they have been unhappy in.

Mid life is also a stage when many people find themselves going through a divorce or reevaluating their relationships. Some people find themselves in affairs. This can be extremely painful and destabilizing whether you have been cheated on or a long term relationship ends for other reasons. Dealing with money issues, your children’s well being, and your own mental health during a divorce, is more than most people can or should handle alone. I’d be honored to help you find the path that feels right for you. Sometimes well meaning friends and family just cannot be as unbiased as a therapist can.

Lastly, women enter perimenopause in their late 30’s and 40’s with no information on ways to handle the emotional/physical turmoil that this can cause. I can help you to understand how that new fear of driving, vertigo, dry eyes and low motivation can all be hormone related and refer you to excellent practitioners in the field of female hormones. I’ve done all the research so you don’t have to (still going through it myself)! It feels so good to be able to help other women during this turbulent time.

Lastly, planning for retirement and anxiety around having enough money to retire someday can be tough. Unplanned or early retirement or job changes can also make this stage of life very challenging when so many people rely on you.

Affair ambivalence is the mixture of emotions that come with being involved in an affair. Some of the feelings are confusion, guilt, excitement, sadness, and uncertainty about what to do next. You feel stuck and both staying and leaving feel impossible. Maybe your affair partner promised you that things were over with their spouse and you believed them. You never imagined that you find yourself in this situation, and fear judgement by others if they found out. You are constantly hiding your relationship and wishing your life looked different. In therapy, we explore these feelings with compassion and clarity, helping you to understand your needs and move forward in a way that feels true to you.

As your therapist, my role is to provide a safe and nonjudgmental environment where you can speak freely and honestly, without fear of judgment. I have several years experience working closely with couple’s therapists on how to support people through this “secret” relationship that can feel agonizing yet somewhat addictive.

Divorce can be painful for the entire family, especially when the decision was not mutual or when you are trying to separate from someone who has difficulty letting go. During these times, having a knowledgeable and compassionate professional to talk with is essential. I have worked alongside experienced couples therapists and divorce coaches to help individuals navigate this difficult transition in a way that prioritizes emotional safety, healing and integrity.

Throughout the process, my clients gain greater self understanding and clarity about what happened in the relationship, allowing them to move forward with strength, intention and self compassion.

Having worked with children in the past, I also have the unique experience in understanding how children respond to divorce, and can help you to make it as easy as possible for them to understand and still feel loved and seen.

In addition, I can help you to communicate with a co-parent in a way that is healthy for you and your children.

I can work help support you and give you tools when dealing with an ex-partner who has erratic, mean or destructive tendencies.

I love teenagers (and I've had two of my own)! These "almost adults" are learning how to navigate a complex and often overwhelming world, and many feel relieved to finally have the space, support, and undivided attention of a warm, caring therapist. I have worked with adolescence for many years and feel grateful to be recognized as a recommended clinician by the pediatricians at Potomac Pediatrics in Rockville MD.

I frequently work with high school students who are struggling with mood concerns, anxiety, and ADHD. Growing up in the age of social media means there is little escape from pressure. Pressure to look a certain way, keep up with trends, earn "likes ", stand out, and succeed academically. In Montgomery County Public Schools as well as local private schools, expectations around grades and achievement can feel especially intense and, at times, paralyzing. When you add in afterschool activities, community service requirements, limited downtime to unwind, and the lack of sleep that many teen bodies desperately need, it's easy to see how a teenager can become emotionally overloaded and burned out. As parents, we want the best for our children, but feel helpless at times to know what to do for them or how to talk to them. Teens are usually the hardest on their parents because they know that their parents love them and are not going to leave them. A neutral therapist can be just the person to help a teen because the teen learns it is a safe space to say whatever is on their mind.

Teens with ADHD often face additional challenges with executive functioning and impulsivity, which can sometimes lead to risky decision-making. I enjoy helping teens learn how to pause, slow down, and take a break before making big decisions. These skills take practice, but meaningful change is absolutely possible.

Friendships and romantic relationships can also feel especially complicated during adolescence. Learning how to manage conflict, gain perspective, and set healthy boundaries takes time, guidance, and support. I begin by building a safe, trusting relationship with your teen and from there, we work together to strengthen emotional resilience, problem-solving, skills, and healthy boundaries.

I enjoy teaching teenagers executive functioning skills, which are mental skills that help us plan, organize, manage time, regulating emotions, and follow through on tasks. Some teens naturally develop these skills as they mature and others need help with ‘“tips and tricks” that help your teen get through their school day, effectively, learn how exercise helps with focus and mood, and different ways to organize and prioritize, work and fun.

Lastly, vaping nicotine and marijuana as well as binge drinking on the weekends, is a huge problem with teens today. I can help help motivate teens to rethink some of these dangerous activities as well as help parents on what to do if they find their teen is abusing substances.