Approach
At District Psychotherapy, I work with young and middle-aged adults (primarily those in their 20s, 30s, and 40s) in D.C., Virginia, & Maryland. My clients are often navigating challenges like depression and anxiety, major life changes, or simply seeking greater fulfillment in their lives. Whether you’re coming to therapy in the midst of a crisis, or you’re looking to understand yourself on a deeper level, counseling can be a place where you begin to feel more grounded, capable, and connected.
My Specialties: Areas of Focus
I work with adults who are navigating various emotional, psychological, and relational struggles. Below are the primary areas where I offer support:
Anxiety Therapy: I help clients manage the stress of generalized anxiety, social anxiety, perfectionism, panic, and chronic worry. My approach combines evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness to create lasting relief.
Depression Treatment: Supporting individuals through the emotional fog of depression or burnout, I guide clients toward renewed motivation, emotional energy, and a deeper sense of self-compassion, helping them rediscover their purpose.
Counseling for Men: I offer a non-judgmental space for men to explore topics such as vulnerability, emotional expression, personal identity, and relationship challenges—empowering them to embrace their authentic selves without shame.
OCD Treatment: For those struggling with obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, I utilize proven methods like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to help break cycles and regain control.
Career Counseling: Navigating career stress, transitions, and burnout, I help individuals clarify their professional goals and manage the emotional demands of their work lives, ensuring they maintain a balanced and fulfilling career path.
Trauma Therapy: In a supportive, compassionate environment, I assist clients in processing unresolved trauma and building trust in themselves, fostering resilience and long-term healing.
Grief Counseling: Grief is complex, and I walk alongside clients as they process loss, find meaning in their experience, and integrate their grief into their lives in a healthy way.
Positive Psychology Therapy: For those who are generally doing well but desire to further enhance their personal growth, relationship satisfaction, and overall sense of well-being, I provide guidance to help you live intentionally and thrive.
Finding the right therapist is by far the biggest hurdle to therapy. 57% of new clients quit after one session. I offer consults to ensure we’re a fit.
What I Believe
I believe therapy should be both effective and human. In my experience, meaningful progress can often begin within the first weeks of therapy – you won’t have to lay on a couch for years without seeing any results. I’m an active and engaged therapist, not a blank-faced nodder, and I blend proven techniques with a genuine, down-to-earth approach. I also believe therapy should be a transparent collaboration. You are always welcome to ask what I’m thinking or why we’re doing something in sessions – I want you to feel informed and empowered in the process. Finally, while we tackle serious issues, I believe therapy can at times be positive, rejuvenating, even enjoyable. Sharing your challenges with a trusted professional can actually feel relieving (maybe even a little fun!) as you start to see new possibilities for your life.
How I Work: Integrative & Evidence-Based
My therapeutic approach is eclectic, meaning I tailor our work to your specific needs rather than using a one-size-fits-all method. In practice, this means I draw from a variety of evidence-based and compassionate treatment modalities that promote insight, change, and healing. Here are some of the approaches and techniques that inform my work:
Humanistic Therapy: A person-centered approach that emphasizes genuine understanding, empathy, and seeing you as more than a diagnosis – focusing on your capacity for growth and self-direction.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A practical, goal-oriented therapy that helps you notice and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, which can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress.
Internal Family Systems (IFS): An approach that helps you explore your “inner family” of different parts (for example, an inner critic, a caretaker, or a protector part). By understanding and healing these parts, you can achieve greater inner harmony and self-compassion.
Psychodynamic Therapy: A reflective approach that looks at how your past experiences and unconscious patterns might be influencing your present life. By gaining insight into early relationships and habits of thinking/feeling, you can break free of patterns that no longer serve you.
Mindfulness Meditation: Incorporating mindfulness techniques to help you stay grounded in the present moment. This practice can increase emotional regulation, reduce stress, and teach you to respond to difficult feelings with greater calm and clarity.
Positive Psychology: An approach based on the science of well-being and happiness. Instead of focusing only on problems, we also identify and build on your strengths, cultivate positive emotions, and work toward a more meaningful and satisfying life – not just the absence of symptoms.
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT): A therapy that helps you become more aware of your emotions, learn to express them in a healthy way, and use your emotional experiences as a guide. This approach can be especially useful in improving relationships and addressing unresolved feelings.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): A modern cognitive-behavioral approach that encourages you to accept difficult or unwanted feelings rather than fighting them, while also committing to actions that align with your core values. This can help you move forward even when life is painful or uncertain.
Attachment-Based Therapy: An approach that explores how your early life attachments and relationships (for example, with parents or caregivers) may be affecting your current relationships, self-esteem, and trust in others. Understanding these patterns can help you develop more secure and fulfilling connections now.
No matter which techniques we draw from, my focus is always on building a strong therapeutic relationship with you. Research consistently shows that the quality of the client-therapist relationship is one of the biggest factors in successful therapy outcomes. I strive to create a space where you feel genuinely heard, understood, and respected.
My Credentials
As an seasoned therapist in D.C., I’ve built a reputation for creating strong, trusting relationships and helping clients achieve real, lasting change. Whether you’re facing anxiety or depression, navigating a life change, or seeking deeper self-understanding, I bring warmth, insight, and evidence-based strategies to support your goals. Clients often note how quickly they feel safe, understood, and empowered in our work together.
Clients and peers alike describe my approach as grounded, supportive, and considerate. Many new-comers to therapy share that they felt at ease right away. This consistent feedback shows up not only in session, but also in testimonials—several which are featured on my homepage—highlighting the trust and outcomes people experience.
I bring a strong foundation of clinical training and experience to my work, including a prior career in finance. In addition to over a decade of experience as a psychotherapist, my credentials include:
B.S. in Finance, Penn State University
Master of Applied Positive Psychology, University of Pennsylvania
Master of Social Work, University of Pennsylvania
Certificate from the National Group Psychotherapy Institute (Washington School of Psychiatry)
Former Director of Clinical Intelligence at Twill Health (Happify)
My work has been featured in The New York Times, Self, VeryWell Mind, and other national outlets.
Finding the right DC therapist is a critical, but often confusing decision. To make sure we’re a good match, I offer free 30-minute video consultations. These conversations give us both a chance to connect and ensure you feel comfortable moving forward.