Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Falls Church, VA

likes to play soccer, and listening to classical music

My passion lies in supporting children, teens, and young adults navigate through daily life stressors via a collaborative and supportive therapeutic environment. I have an extensive background in working with individuals who feel overwhelmed or defined by their life stories, those navigating trauma, and individuals experiencing relationship issues, mood disorders, anxiety, and/or depression. When I am not counseling or doing assessments, you can catch me reading, journaling, listening to music, swimming, traveling/ visiting sanctuaries/endangered animals, and/or spending time with family and friends.

You're the one people call when things fall apart. You're good at it — steady, competent, the person who knows what to do. And somewhere along the way you stopped having anywhere to put your own stuff.

So you can run the meeting, hold the crisis, answer the phone at 2 a.m. — and still not be able to make yourself open the mail. Competence and collapse live together far more often than anyone admits out loud.

I work with adults carrying that particular load: substance use and recovery, emotions that arrive at full volume with no dimmer switch, thoughts of self-harm or not wanting to be here, and the specific erosion that comes from caring for other people for a living. Helpers, clinicians, parents, first responders — people whose exhaustion doesn't have an obvious place to go. I work with teenagers too, often the ones in families like these.

My style is direct, warm, and collaborative. I'm not going to nod quietly for fifty minutes. We'll find what's actually driving things, build skills you can use on a Tuesday afternoon when it counts, and I'll tell you honestly what I'm seeing. You set the pace. I'll bring the structure.

I believe that therapy can have a great impact on one's life. If one is motivated, one can resolve problems, feel better, and address past hardships. I have over thirty years of experience helping clients achieve their goals in a supportive and safe environment. I am fluent in both English and Spanish. I received my undergraduate degree from Stanford University and my Masters of Social Work from Columbia University. I have resided in both the United States and Latin America. I look forward to working with each and every client, in order that they may reach their happiest self possible.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, grief, trauma, relationship stress, or family boundaries? I support adults with anxiety, depression, OCD, postpartum concerns, trauma, PTSD, grief, substance use, and relationship challenges. I especially support daughters of narcissistic mothers and people navigating estrangement or no contact. I welcome all races, genders, identities, LGBTQIA+ clients, and neurodivergent adults, including those with ADHD or ADD. As a licensed clinical social worker with over a decade of experience, I offer warmth, empathy, and respect for how identity and life shapes what you carry.

I have been providing therapy for about eight years and work with women and adolescents. As an LPC in Virginia and a teacher, I bring experience working with many different personality types. My approach is trauma-focused, person-centered, and solution-focused, with experience supporting clients around addiction.