What is a psychoanalytic approach?
It's an approach to treatment that takes into account the depth and complexity of being human. Psychoanalytic treatment allows an opportunity not only to consider what's happening at the surface of life but also underneath, inside one's mind, body, or spirit. This approach enables a patient and therapist to explore questions and experiences in ways that help make some sense of the surface and create room for thoughtful choices and for shifts in one's life. Psychoanalytic treatment is not about dredging up wounds of the past or wandering aimlessly in the present. Rather, it's a deliberate and generative approach that respects what's happening in the here and now and seeks to add insight, compassion, and capacity for growth.
Do you take insurance?
I am in-network with Johns Hopkins Employee Health Plan and process these claims on behalf of patients. For other health insurance plans, I am an out of network healthcare provider. I provide a monthly financial statement that has all of the information necessary to file for reimbursement from an insurance company if patients choose this route. It can be useful for patients to determine what kind of reimbursement their plan provides before beginning treatment so that necessary adjustments can be made during the Initial Consultation phase.
Do you offer reduced fees?
I offer sessions at multiple price points in an effort to make treatment accessible for patients at different levels of income and different kinds of life circumstances. Discussion of fees occurs during the Initial Consultation as well as throughout treatment as need arises in order that a satisfactory arrangment can be made to ensure the sustainability of the treatment. I reserve a limited number of appointments in my schedule for patients who require a nominal fee.
Do you offer teletherapy?
Yes, and I think it's helpful to talk about the mode of therapy (in person, using teletherapy, or hybrid) during the Initial Consultation and as needed. Each approach has limitations and benefits, this matrix can change throughout treatment.
What's the age range of your patients?
I work with young and emerging adults, adults in middle age, adults nearing retirement, and older adults.
Will you respect my values?
Will you provide a genuinely safe and supportive space for all of who I am?
I am interested in what patients show and tell me about who they are, what's important to them, as well as their thoughts and feelings about how we can address the needs that bring them to treatment. For example, I see people presenting with a range of symptoms and difficulties. As important, I work with patients from many different faith traditions, religious identities, philosophies and spiritual practices, as well as with people who identify as agnostic and atheist. I work with first and second generation immigrants to the United States. I work with patients who idenitfy as 2SLGBTQIA+. I see people with limited financial resources and with wealth and privilege. It may be helpful to know that I work with people with whom I share both similarities and difference.
What some of your professional interests?
It's an approach to treatment that takes into account the depth and complexity of being human. Psychoanalytic treatment allows an opportunity not only to consider what's happening at the surface of life but also underneath, inside one's mind, body, or spirit. This approach enables a patient and therapist to explore questions and experiences in ways that help make some sense of the surface and create room for thoughtful choices and for shifts in one's life. Psychoanalytic treatment is not about dredging up wounds of the past or wandering aimlessly in the present. Rather, it's a deliberate and generative approach that respects what's happening in the here and now and seeks to add insight, compassion, and capacity for growth.
Do you take insurance?
I am in-network with Johns Hopkins Employee Health Plan and process these claims on behalf of patients. For other health insurance plans, I am an out of network healthcare provider. I provide a monthly financial statement that has all of the information necessary to file for reimbursement from an insurance company if patients choose this route. It can be useful for patients to determine what kind of reimbursement their plan provides before beginning treatment so that necessary adjustments can be made during the Initial Consultation phase.
Do you offer reduced fees?
I offer sessions at multiple price points in an effort to make treatment accessible for patients at different levels of income and different kinds of life circumstances. Discussion of fees occurs during the Initial Consultation as well as throughout treatment as need arises in order that a satisfactory arrangment can be made to ensure the sustainability of the treatment. I reserve a limited number of appointments in my schedule for patients who require a nominal fee.
Do you offer teletherapy?
Yes, and I think it's helpful to talk about the mode of therapy (in person, using teletherapy, or hybrid) during the Initial Consultation and as needed. Each approach has limitations and benefits, this matrix can change throughout treatment.
What's the age range of your patients?
I work with young and emerging adults, adults in middle age, adults nearing retirement, and older adults.
Will you respect my values?
Will you provide a genuinely safe and supportive space for all of who I am?
I am interested in what patients show and tell me about who they are, what's important to them, as well as their thoughts and feelings about how we can address the needs that bring them to treatment. For example, I see people presenting with a range of symptoms and difficulties. As important, I work with patients from many different faith traditions, religious identities, philosophies and spiritual practices, as well as with people who identify as agnostic and atheist. I work with first and second generation immigrants to the United States. I work with patients who idenitfy as 2SLGBTQIA+. I see people with limited financial resources and with wealth and privilege. It may be helpful to know that I work with people with whom I share both similarities and difference.
What some of your professional interests?
- I have worked with survivors of sexual violence, alone and with their allies - including members of a conservative Mennonite community in Western Maryland.
- I have worked with people diagnosed with cancer, with active disease and in remission from symptoms. I have presented to patients, families and staff affiliated with the Ullman Foundation (Baltimore), Hope Connections (Bethesda), the Smith Center for Healing & Arts (Washington, DC) and Innova (Fairfax).
- I have advanced clinical training in helping people transition to and maintain active recovery from substance use. I have expertise to offer as people use subtances to try to manage other underlying difficulties in their lives. Patients and I are able to discuss the use of referrals for specialized or intensive treatment for substance use disorders as needed.
- I have provided clinical support to patients and their families as they receive palliative and hospice care. With them, and with nurses, aids, social workers, and doctors of their supporting interdisciplinary team, I have helped people face final months, weeks, and days with dignity and the kind of comfort that helped make possible what was most important to them. I have been present with many people at their time of death, and with their loved ones before, during, and afterwards. Private practice as a therapist allows for extended support, sometimes over years, as well as space for intimate, sometimes seemingly impossible, conversations.
- I am a writer and have served as faculty for the program, New Directions: Writing with a Psychoanalytic Edge.