Find Balance with Evidence-Based Care

Targeted treatment for trauma, OCD, depression, panic, and anxiety disorders.

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Supporting trailblazers in the DC Metro area and 43 states nationwide | Bilingual services available in English and Spanish

Deciding to seek help takes a great deal of courage.

You might have decided to seek therapy emerges after having a major life change, like a promotion, a relocation, a break-up, or having a new member join your family. Or you might be someone who has been dealing with anxiety, depression, or intrusive thoughts for years, but can no longer wait for things to get better on their own. Or you might not be entirely clear what’s happening; you just know something feels off and needs to change.

If you find yourself:

  • Replaying perceived mistakes long after the situation has passed
  • Delaying tasks until the last possible moment, then pushing through exhaustion to meet deadlines
  • Engaging in rituals or reassurance behaviors to quiet anxiety, only for the doubt to return stronger
  • Feeling detached from activities you once valued
  • Experiencing decision paralysis or chronic second-guessing
  • Lying awake at night mentally preparing for problems that have not happened
  • Having waves of panic that feel physically out of control, even in the absence of immediate danger

You can benefit from targeted therapy to learn how to address these symptoms effectively.

These symptoms are not personal failings. 

These are common and highly treatable clinical conditions, often maintained by identifiable and persistent cognitive and behavioral patterns. 

Environmental, societal, or medical factors may also contribute to or worsen your symptoms, so addressing these external influences is an essential part of effective care.

I work with patients to address what’s happening internally while also considering systemic barriers that may affect your well-being. Together, we focus on understanding your symptoms and their treatment, leverage your personal strengths and available resources, and engaging in problem-solving to address barriers to your well-being. My goal is to help you gain clarity, stability, and a greater sense of control in your daily life. 

Conditions Treated

I provide tailored evidence-based treatment for:

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – hypervigilance, intrusive memories, avoidance
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – chronic worry, overthinking, tension
  • Social Anxiety Disorder – fear of negative evaluation, post-event rumination
  • Panic Disorder – sudden surges of fear, avoidance of bodily sensations
  • Health Anxiety – persistent fear of illness, body scanning, reassurance seeking
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – intrusive thoughts, compulsions, mental rituals
  • Major Depressive Disorder – low mood, loss of motivation, withdrawal
  • Insomnia – difficulty falling or staying asleep

Treatment is individualized, goal-oriented, and focused on measurable symptom reduction and functional improvement.

Please note that my practice is not equipped for crisis-level care, active substance use disorders, eating disorders, or unmanaged severe psychiatric conditions. If you need a higher level of care, I can provide guidance and referrals to appropriate resources.

What's the Therapy Process Like?

  • I work with patients to help them develop the skills to function as their own effective therapist.
  • I meet with first time patients for 50-minutes once a week while in the active treatment stage of therapy.
  • We taper down to every other week, and eventually monthly when achieving maintenance and preparing for termination.
  • The work we do in sessions includes actively learning about your conditions, the thoughts and behaviors that sustain the symptoms, and establishing new beliefs and skills to interrupt maladaptive cycles. At the same time, we build on what already works for you in your life (e.g., your social network, your positive habits).
  • We learn specific tools in session and set ourselves up for success by setting up practice between sessions.

What You’ll Learn in Therapy

  • You get a better understanding of your mood and the impact of your thoughts and behaviors on your emotions
  • You learn to identify  and challenge unhelpful thoughts by evaluating them critically
  • You plan for, and try new behaviors to improve daily functioning
  • You face feared situations gradually to reduce avoidance
  • You learn to step back from automatic reactions to gain perspective and build a healthier relationship  with your thoughts and emotions.
  • You learn to be aware, but not reactive, to your thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations
  • You practice present-moment awareness to reduce worry and rumination
  • You gain increased capacity for attention and focus

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is considered a form of CBT that was developed to treat emotion dysregulation and high-risk behaviors. However, it is now regularly incorporated in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders. DBT teach you to:

  • Learn to manage intense emotions with emotion regulation skills
  • Learn distress tolerance strategies for overwhelming moments
  • Try out interpersonal tools to help you meet your needs effectively and fairly
  • You learn mindfulness skills (see Mindfulness above).

Yes, I do! Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is considered a specialized form of CBT, designed specifically for the treatment of OCD.  In ERP:

  • You gradually face triggers that spark obsessions or fears
  • Practice resisting compulsive behaviors or avoidance
  • Break the cycle of distress and gain confidence managing anxiety

Training you to be your own therapist

A central goal of CBT is to help you develop the skills to function as your own effective therapist. To get there, we learn specific exercises and practice them consistently between sessions.

While I bring clinical expertise in CBT theory and intervention, you bring expertise about your experiences, patterns, and values. You get the most out of therapy by taking risks and trying out new things. CBT is big on Action Plans (a.k.a., homework) to help you practice implementing the skills learned in sessions. I check in with you regularly to make sure the material we cover is helping you get where you want to go. We want to make sure you succeed in meeting your goals!

Remote Services Nationwide

I offer telehealth appointments only.

I am authorized to provide psychotherapy to clients across all PSYPACT states*, allowing for flexible, remote sessions that fit your schedule.

For clients working or residing in Washington DC, Maryland, or Virginia, I am an in-network provider with Aetna. I will work with you to verify your benefits and process claims on your behalf.

For clients residing in all other states, I offer out-of-network services and provide Superbills for insurance reimbursement.

My fees are structured as follows:

  • $240 for the 60 minute intake
  • $230 for 55-60 minute sessions
  • $210 for 40-45 minute sessions

I accept all major credit cards as well as HSA/FSA debit cards.

Learn more about working with out-of-network benefits

*PSYPACT states include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Reach your Potential Without Losing Yourself

You don’t have to choose between your raíces and succeeding in academia. If you are feeling overwhelmed or isolated and are ready for a change, please reach out.

Let’s connect and build a sustainable strategy to stay productive without losing yourself.

To get started, schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if I’m the right fit for you.

Let's Begin

Call: 240 200 0842
Email: hello@potomaccbt.com