If this describes your experience, then you know how important it is to find a therapist who doesn’t pathologize your kind of loving.  Finding a therapist who is affirming, sex positive, and informed of polyamorous and open, non-monogamous relationships is key to working on your concerns, even if the concerns are unrelated to your love and sex life. 

I’m such a therapist.  I know that there are infinite ways people can express their love and desires. I also know that our hearts and libidos can be open to many people.  I am glad to work with you on your relationships concerns or anything else.  You wont be pathologized for your desires or relationships.

If your looking for a therapist in Dupont Circle, Washington, DC, feel free to call me at 202/460-6384 or email me at Mike.Giordano.MSW@gmail.com.

Why is this important to therapy?  Because it takes a great deal of courage, insight, and mindfulness to be able to admit that you feel bad about yourself, especially when it’s predicated on your racial or ethnic origin.  We know that we should be proud of ourselves.  Admitting that this isn’t always the case can make a person feel very unsafe, weak and shameful.

But, sometimes, admitting to our inner secrets helps.  It helps relieve stress.  It helps us put our private thoughts and feelings in perspective.  Keeping shame inside begets anger, depression and other behaviors that aren’t authentic to our true selves.  Shining the light on shame makes it lose its power.  Therefore, if shame, depression, and self-doubt are familiar feelings to you, consider seeing a therapist or counselor you can trust.  It may make a difference.

If you’re looking for a therapist in Dupont Circle, Washington, DC, feel free to contact me at 202/460-6384 or Mike.Giordano.MSW@gmail.com.

With that, you’d think that coming to see a therapist would be a relief.  And it can be.  But it’s not easy.  Trust between partners and spouses needs to be rebuilt.  And this is only done by taking risks and becoming vulnerable.  And it’s so different from seeing a counselor or therapist on your own.  Then, you only have to get comfortable with the therapist.  When you come with your partner or spouse, you have to address your discomfort and mistrust with him or her.

However, just by showing your willingness to be vulnerable with your partner, you’re demonstrating a desire to change.  Opening yourself up and claiming your own problematic behaviors, words, and actions - rather than simply blaming the other - can make a big difference. 

For couples counseling and relationship therapy in Dupont Circle - Washington, DC, contact Mike Giordano, LICSW at 202/460-6384 or Mike.Giordano.MSW@gmail.com.

As a kink-aware and kink-friendly therapist, I don’t make an issue of your sexuality if it’s not an issue for you.  If, for some reason, it is a concern, I will explore that with you too.   I also provide relationship counseling, as you try to become more compatible in your desires and expressions. 

Whether you see me or another therapist, you have a right to a kink-friendly & aware therapist.  For more information on kink-aware therapists visit www.ncsfreedom.org/index.php?option=com_keyword&id=270.

If you prefer to work with a kink-aware therapist, call me at 202/460-6384 or email me at Mike.Giordano.MSW@gmail.com to set up an appointment.

As a psychotherapist, I’m grateful to Mr. Solomon for this understanding of depression.  Clients who are grieving a loss often wonder if they’ve entered into depression.  There’s no clear line that someone crosses.  In fact, to become clinically depressed, a person doesn’t even have to experience a loss - sometimes Mr. Solomon’s “Noonday Demon” just arrives. 

Anyone who’s struggled with depression or grief can attest to their power.  They can alter our thoughts, actions, ability to feel joy…even our experiences of authentic sadness can be affected.  Sorting this out can become imperative.  Each person has a different need.  The woman who lost a mother to cancer might need a place to cry, especially when she feels like everyone else has moved on.  The man with major depression might need a therapist for support and encouragement in making it through the week, maintaining his medications, and in simply sticking with life. 

If you’re living with depression or grief, consider talking with a therapist.  We can help.  In fact, studies suggest that therapy combined with medications is more effective than either on their own.  You might find that it is time well spent. 

For an appointment with me, call 202/460-6384 or email me at Mike.Giordano.MSW@gmail.com.

Unresolved trauma can make it difficult for folks to be in relationships.  When you’ve experienced one of the greatest violations of trust, it makes good sense that your response to someone wanting to be close would be to flee.  That’s called “self-protection.”  The problem is that protecting yourself this way also prevents you from being in a loving, caring relationship.

One way I’ve helped folks overcome this conditioning is to identify it, accept it without judgement, and challenge the behavior when it comes up.  For example, I worked with a man who thought that the woman he was dating was great.  However, he kept wanting to break-up.  The intimacy was terribly difficult.  He kept thinking that she would hurt him.  With a close eye to his past experience and gentle approach with himself, he understood that this was a legacy of sexual trauma from his childhood.  He was then able to take it slowly and continue with the relationship.  While he ultimately found that she wasn’t the right person for him, he still felt good that he discovered that on his own terms…not based on the fears stemming from sexual abuse.

If this sounds familiar to you, perhaps it’s time to work with a therapist or counselor.  For more information on my services in Washington, DC, call me at 202/460-6384 or email me at mike.giordano.msw@gmail.com.

Akaya, one of the survivors featured in the book, tells us that she “made a decision to heal.”  No longer did she, or any of the others featured in the book, want to live in the fear, depression or unhappiness they were feeling.  While it took great courage to work through such difficult, painful memories, these folks did it.  They were able to experience love again.  Love of themselves - free from shame and guilt.

If you feel like it’s time to address past sexual abuse or rape, you might find inspiration in this book.  If you too make the decision to to heal, I suggest you find a therapist you trust.  While you’ll most likely be afraid, you are worth the effort.  And remember… courage can’t exist without fear. 

To schedule an appointment for therapy in Washington, DC, contact me at 202/460-6384 or Mike.Giordano.MSW@gmail.com.

Here’s how I understood it…therapy, counseling, and mindfulness (also known as self-awareness) can help us with difficult emotions and destructive thoughts.  What we can learn from these practices is to identify our difficult feelings and thoughts, while not attaching to them.  In other words, with time, your mind becomes like the sky.  It’s a beautiful day.  No worries.  Then, a cloud passes by.  Perhaps several clouds.  They might linger for some days, or blow over quickly.  But, the beautiful sky exists underneath the clouds.  They stay, make their noise and pour their rain, then dissipate. 

When you can envision your mind like the sky, you can return to the belief that there is serenity and peace somewhere, even when it’s not immediately obvious.  One thing to remember, though, is that mindfulness and psychotherapy are gentle, forgiving practices.  When you aren’t able to believe in the shining sky, you can learn to be easy on yourself.  No one’s perfect.  Don’t beat yourself up for not being “enlightened.”  And so, like the sky, you have good days and bad days.  That’s just the way it is.

To explore psychotherapy’s benefit, call Mike Giordano in Washington, DC, at 202/460-6394 or email him at mike.giordano.msw@gmail.com.

How can you be present when you’re so angry?  One way is to try to “stay on your partner’s island.”  When your partner or spouse is speaking his or her mind, practice listening and understanding - staying on her or his island rather than swimming off to your own.  Most likely you’ll be thinking of your response, ready to fire back your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.  Tell yourself that you’re seeking to understand.  If it’s a mutual relationship, your partner can do the same. 

If the situation is too charged to listen this way, perhaps you need to schedule another time to discuss the concern.  During this time, gather your thoughts, speak with an understanding, supportive friend, and try again.  Connecting when you’re angry and hurt is difficult, but often worth the effort.  And remember, this is difficult work, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re not successful.  It’s a practice, not a perfection.

If you need more practice, perhaps a therapist or counselor can help.  Call me at 202/460-6384 or email me at mike.giordano.msw@gmail.com if you’d like to explore couples counseling.

As you know, living everyday in a dominant culture that marginalizes and diminishes can be a catalyst to boldly be who you are, proudly, without any excuses.  At the same time, the daily stress can be wearing.  Some clients have told me about their experiences feeling judged or out-of-place in the office, being misunderstood or even stigmatized by others, or just being aware - consciously and subconsciously - of the stereotypes and judgements that exist. 

When folks tell me these stories, they feel some release.  I know one woman, African American, single mother, and student in a predominately white college, who felt judged and typecast as an underachiever in her school.  While she came from a prosperous family, she found herself taking on the stereotype as truth and performing below her abilities.  She then wondered if the things people were saying about her were true.  By exploring these experiences, beliefs, and thoughts, she was able to put those comments into a perspective which allowed her to experience her authentic self.  She began to live into that truth. 

Perhaps not everyone has such experiences - but some folk do, sometimes inflicted by people you know and trust.  And whether it’s with me, another therapist, or a trusted friend or family member, speaking of it, while difficult, can provide relief and strength.

For a consultation or to schedule an appointment, email me at mike.giordano.msw@gmail.com or call me at 202/460-6384.