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Therapy With Angela

My Philosophy
I believe that when we are out of alignment with ourselves or with our partners, our system (body, mind, spirit) lets us know. Sometimes our system uses the language of depression. Sometimes worry and anxiety. Sometimes anger or sadness. Sometimes aches and pains.

Our internal system provides us feedback if we listen. Every behavior, belief, or symptom makes perfect sense when we slow down long enough to understand it. From a developmental stand point, at one point in time, this way of being was the best or only option for our survival. If it wasn’t, we wouldn’t have used it for so long.  Sometimes, however, our behaviors, beliefs and symptoms no longer serve us. I work to help you realign to a way of being that works in current time. I help you get unstuck.

 

Clinical Training

I am a Clinical Fellow of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. I have completed advanced training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT), all empirically validated treatment approaches for adult individuals and couples.  

I have received training in mindfulness practices, interpersonal neurobiology, and intuitive guidance, all of which I draw upon to inform my clinical practice. I am skilled at attuning to clients and adapting my approach to provide the best fit possible.  

 
 

Treatment:

The number of sessions needed for successful resolution varies from client to client. I believe my job is to work myself out of a job as quickly and effectively as possible. We start with a 15-minute intake call in which you tell me about your interest in therapy. If it feels like a good fit over the phone, we schedule our first session.

In the first few sessions, I will learn more about you and together we will begin to refine your goals for therapy. Based on your goals, I will design a treatment strategy tailored to your specific needs. Typically, clients (individuals or couples) start with weekly or bi-weekly sessions.

Consistency is important in the beginning so we can gain momentum in the work. As we progress, time between sessions can increase. Some clients find resolution in a period of weeks or months. Others take longer. Some “finish” and come back from time to time for a tune up.  If I believe I am no longer serving you effectively, I will provide you with referral suggestions.

 
 

Specialties & Interests

 

Around the issues of...

Individuals & couples:

  • Depression, sadness, grief

  • Anxiety and worry

  • Stress

  • Spirituality

  • Trauma

  • Intimacy and desire

  • Life transitions

Couples:

  • Communication

  • Building Emotional Intimacy

  • Affair recovery

  • Life transitions

  • Parenting

  • Premarital counseling

  • Marital enrichment

 
 
 

Office hours:

Monday 10:00am to 7:00pm
Tuesday 10:00pm to 4:00pm
Wednesday unavailable
Thursday 10:00am to 5:00pm
Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm

Payment Info:

Note that the fee for treatment is $230-$250 per hour, payable at each session via check, cash, or credit card (cash or check preferred).

I do not participate in insurance plans but will provide you with a bill you can submit to your insurance provider if allowed.

 

*Please Note: If you have timing needs outside of what's listed above, please contact me to make other arrangements by special appointment. There is limited flexibility M-F only.

 
 

Location:

 My office is located at 405 North Washington Street, Suite 101, Falls Church, VA 22046. 

It is at the intersection of Lee Highway (Route 29) & Columbia Street. It is exit #69 off of I66. 

 
 

Testimonial

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When you have been battling depression for over 40 years, it’s very easy to feel that there will never be any relief. I had worked with numerous therapists over the years with limited success, but still clung to the hope that I could find a way out of depression.

When I met Angela, I found someone who helped me believe that not only could I survive my years of depression, but actually thrive. By asking probing questions, allowing me time to really dive into my thoughts to discover my own answers and gently prodding me to probe deeper, she provided a safe place for me to grieve for all the years I lost to depression and was my faithful cheerleader as I worked to overcome traumatic events and years of low self-esteem.

She has continued to help me examine, question, then reframe my negative thoughts and work on seeing the positives in my life. With her understanding, insights, and guidance I have finally been able to realize that I have the power to change my life. I definitely believe that “when the student is ready the teacher will appear”. Angela was the exact teacher I needed.
—Margaret

In August 2016, I hit an extreme low in my life that I believed there was no crawling back from. I felt shattered, worthless, and in a completely broken and anxious state. I met Angela at that time, and she got to know ME, the way I processed life, and the journey that lead me to her. I found her energy and presence calming, encouraging, and safe. She immediately started giving me what she called “tools” for my “toolbelt”, and for me, that made perfect sense (made sense to this engineer brain).

They were small in the beginning but I started to use those tools, and the anxiety started to dissipate. She continued to added more tools to my tool belt. She showed me how to be more kind to myself and giving me the ability to begin to eradicate the negative self criticism. She taught me to understand my automatic reactions to situations and events, and “rewire” my brain to process them differently. This truly began to alter my reactions to situations that arose in my life, and once negative reactions slowly became positive.

Every tool she provided, she encouraged “homework”. She let me know that I needed to keep these tools handy every day, and not just in my sessions with her because this was a process (a journey). Her approach made sense to me…it blended processes and procedures, with the emotion that was so overwhelming me. Some days the work was painful, but I can honestly say that those tools helped put back together the shattered and broken person I was.

After a year, I am now a stronger, more confident, kinder and a more joyous person, with a little light shining through the cracks. This journey still can be challenging, but I know have survived the worst and can get through anything now, because I have the right tools that Angela has graciously given to me.
— Pam