As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) located in Dupont Circle, Washington, DC, I provide compassionate and affirming psychotherapy for individuals, couples, families and adolescents. I have specialized experience helping people who do not feel like they fit in – those who’ve been marginalized or dismissed based on their identities or experiences…

Feeling depressed, lonely, and hopeless are not unusual emotional experiences for many of us. Yet it is something we rarely talk about in public or with our friends. We read books – often in the solitude of our homes – which can be helpful. But books connect us in a different way then discussion. In an effort to destigmatize this part of life, I asked my personal Facebook friends for their thoughts on how they cope when they find themselves in difficult emotional states. Here’s the second installment of their lovely responses. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Anxiety & Stress, counseling, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, hope, self-love
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I so often write about dealing with depression, loneliness, hopelessness, and other difficult, dark times. I do this because we all go through challenging periods, but many of us rarely talk with our friends and loved ones about how we cope and find our way. Usually, I’ll write about the suggestions I give to clients, the ways my clients cope, or advice from other clinicians. This time, though, I’m doing something different, with the hope that this will be helpful as well. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Anxiety & Stress, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, healing, hope, self-love
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Trying to be authentic in this world can be hard. We feel pressured to conform…even by such simple questions as “How are you doing today?” – which we often answer with a pasted on smile and the word “Fine”. Some of us work in jobs we hate, fearful of what it would mean, what people would think, and how we would get by, if we changed careers. People in their 40’s and 50’s realize that they have much they still want to do, contemplate making changes, but don’t make them because they’re fearful that they will be seen as going through a “mid-life crisis” – a patronizing, and simplistic concept. Others are fearful to express their sexuality whether it is a same-sex attraction or a BDSM desire. And some present themselves as a gender that they know they really aren’t. Of course, the list goes on; I’m sure you could add your own ways in which you feel coerced  into “fitting in.”  Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Anxiety & Stress, authenticity, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, hope, psychotherapy, self-love, Therapy & Counseling
Posted Under | Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns, Relationships, Couples, Polyamory, Kink & Sexuality, Therapy & Counseling | No Comments »

For many transgender people, particularly those who identify on the gender binary, “passing” is of particular importance.  And this makes a lot of sense to me.  I understand the very real concerns about people on the streets, at the job, or in a restroom recognizing you as transgender. There can be powerful, negative repercussions when that happens.  Unfortunately, we see this all the time and even have an annual day of mourning to those whose lives are lost due to the fear and hatred of others.  However, I have seen in my work that passing also comes with some troubles. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: & Transgender Concerns, gender identity, glbt, lgbt, transgender, transphobia, transsexual
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I learn a lot from yoga.  I learn what my mind says I can’t do.  And what my body actually can do.  I learn that a regular physical practice keeps me grounded, or at least not as crazed as I am without it.  I also learn a few things that inform my therapy. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted Under | Alcohol, Drugs, & Other Addictions, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Grief & Loss, Relationships, Couples, Polyamory, Kink & Sexuality, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Yesterday was a cold, snowy day in DC.  I, along with a small group of intrepid yogis, attended a class on inversions and folds.  It was a great class – very inwardly focused yet challenging.  We did a lot of heart-openers, pushing our chests and hearts out, bending our upper backs and feeling very flexible – or not so flexible – depending on our individual situations. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: hope, therapy, wholehearted living
Posted Under | Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Therapy & Counseling, Uncategorized | No Comments »

That’s not an unusual statement to hear these days.  Whether it’s a celebrity discussing his porn addiction, or a partner of someone identifying as a sex addict – you have probably heard about this “epidemic.” Read the rest of this entry »

Posted Under | Alcohol, Drugs, & Other Addictions, Relationships, Couples, Polyamory, Kink & Sexuality | No Comments »

Confidence is something we all want.  In fact, we’re attracted to confidence in others.  But confidence can seem elusive for many of us.  I recently read Augusten Burrough’s self-help book – “This Is How”.  Now, I’m not much of a self-help reader.  For some reason, I find them confusing and simplistic.  But I really enjoyed Burroughs’ book.  Especially his take on developing confidence. Read the rest of this entry »

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I have heard that statement – or something very close to it – many times from my clients.  Many people are very uncomfortable with anger.  So uncomfortable that they will deny it exists.

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Posted Under | Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Therapy & Counseling | No Comments »

I’ve heard that statement many times from clients.  In fact, it’s not an uncommon complaint in the therapy room.  And it can be a difficult problem for people in relationships to tackle.  There’s often a hidden storage of fear, embarrassment, anger, and resentment keeping people from having the sex life they desire. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: relationships, sexuality
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