Virtual Therapist in VA, DC + WA

As looking for services, you are probably encountering a wide variety of therapists with different degrees and titles.

Therapist - This is usually a catch-all title used by most.

Master Level Clinicians [ Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)] - These titles signify someone who holds a Master’s degree (2-3 years) and a Master’s level license that allows them to provide psychotherapy (i.e., group, couples, individual, etc.).

Licensed Psychologist (What I am!)- If someone is using the title of psychologist, this means they have received their doctorate (4-7 years of school/training) and have received their psychologist license from the state they practice. The doctorate degree often requires more hoops to jump through. They can provide psychotherapy (i.e., group, couples, individual, etc.) and psychological testing.

Psychiatrist - If someone is using the title of a psychiatrist, this means they have their Medical Degree and specialized in mental health. They can prescribe medications. Some Psychiatrists also provide therapy.

Other titles - There are a variety of certificates and training programs that allow clinicians to identify with a specific type of mental health treatment or specialty (i.e., psychoanalyst, eating disorder specialist, EMDR therapist, and more).

Some people experience a general sense of dissatisfaction with life – nothing is exactly wrong, but something isn’t exactly right either. Psychoanalytic therapy can be beneficial in digging deeper and understanding what is causing this general sense of unease in life.

I often hear people say they have done a lot of work around self-help – reading and attending workshops – but are struggling to really make a life that feels satisfying. I often see very successful people on the outside but very underdeveloped on the inside. This is mainly because they have not been allowed to attend to their internal experience.

I would love to help you discover what keeps you from experiencing the life you desire and do not believe you have to wait until there is a crisis or you are experiencing a depressive episode.

Therapy can be scary and anxiety-provoking, especially if you have never been before. You might also be someone who doesn’t even share personal information with anyone in your life, let alone a complete stranger. I have to say I love seeing people who have never been to therapy before.

I work psychoanalytically, which means that the process of therapy is driven by what’s on your mind. I will encourage you to share what thoughts come up when you are in the room with me. I will also ask you questions to deepen our understanding of your inner world. Sometimes we will venture into topics that might feel scary to talk about, but I will respect your comfort level, and we will go at your pace. I will say that I will also challenge you – you are paying me to experience change, and sometimes that comes from talking about things outside of your comfort zone.

However, I find that people are much better at tolerating complex topics than they realize. Most people find relief in sharing secrets they have kept inside. Having another person (aka me) witness the deeper parts of yourself is a compelling experience.

If you don’t have time for therapy, it probably is a sign you need therapy. Perfectionism, codependency, and low self-esteem can cause you to feel the need to overcompensate or maybe avoid what is happening inside by filling up your schedule, so you don’t actually have to be alone and look at yourself. Suppose you don’t have time for therapy. In that case, you probably don’t have time for attending to your own needs and are perhaps on the road to feeling burnt out and a generalized feeling of resentment/anger. I find that if someone really wants to make the commitment and is ready, they will find a way to work out.

That being said, I recognize that some people genuinely have very little time. Maybe they have to work multiple jobs to take care of a family, take care of sick family members, and so on. Despite these barriers, I would say you still deserve to prioritize your needs instead of constantly pouring out of an empty cup.

Symptom change can happen within the first 3-6 months. Deeper change can take years. It all depends on what you are looking for.

Some people experience a sense of relief after the first session. Sometimes people experience some relief but then start to venture into the mucky parts of their internal world and feel all the pain. This doesn't mean that therapy isn't working – actually, it's the opposite. You are venturing into the work that actually produces change. It probably took you a lifetime to get to the place you are now - untangling these patterns for change to occur will probably take some time.

Perfectionists, codependents, and low self-esteemers often want to quickly "fix" themselves, so they don't have to sit with the underlying feelings of shame. Unfortunately, there isn't a magic wand that we can wave that will allow you to avoid the more uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. BUT! There is hope. Your life doesn't have to be dictated by avoidance - I just can't guarantee it will be "quick."

I suggest giving it 3 sessions to see if we are a good fit. We are two different human beings coming together for the first time – it may take a couple of sessions for us to settle into the intimate space of therapy and find a grove. However, suppose something feels off for either one of us after the third session. In that case, it is most helpful to have an open conversation and discuss options moving forward.

I am a big advocate for mindfulness (I love HeadSpace), yoga, exercise, spending time in nature, self-soothing activities, and finding other activities you find rejuvenating. This might take some experimenting since you may not know what you actually enjoy. Still, I would say it's well worth the exploration.

Another crucial area is to attend to your physical needs. Things like undereating, alcohol, substances, caffeine, lack of sleep, dehydration, underlying medical issues (i.e., hypo- and hyperthyroidism, pre-diabetes/diabetes, etc.), and lack of physical activities are just some issues that can have a significant impact on your mental health. I would begin to assess these areas of your life and see what changes you can start making to take better care of your body. It may not solve all of your mental health issues, but it can most certainly help!