Individual Therapy

Individual Therapy

Tailored one-on-one therapy for children, adolescents, and adults

Individual Therapy is a collaboration between an individual and a therapist. Psychological Wellness Services clinicians work with children, adolescents, adults and seniors to explore aspects of their client’s life and coordinate with each client to outline the best treatment. Psychological Wellness Services offers individual counseling for a variety of concerns – past trauma, overwhelming feelings, anxiety, grief, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), relationship issues, obsessive compulsive disorder, painful memories, or behaviors – and each form of treatment is designed to help our clients confront barriers specific to their needs. Below is a list of therapeutic approaches we use to guide our clients through successful treatment:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Dialectic Behavioral Therapy
• Exposure Response Prevention Therapy
• Family-Systems Therapy
• Solution-Focused Therapy
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Our psychotherapy office services the greater Arlington Virginia area. We also offer couples and marriage counseling, group therapy and life transitions therapy. Ready to begin your journey? Get in touch.

Anxiety

Coping with the uncertainty and uneasiness of the future

At some point in our lives, we have all experienced feelings of anxiety, as this is a normal response to stressful situations. However, for some people, the constant worry does not go away once the stressful situation subsides. People with anxiety may experience racing thoughts, a sense of hopelessness, fatigue, and depression. Feelings of anxiety can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, schoolwork, and relationships. There are several different types of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder

Acquiring the skills needed to create a more productive life

As defined by the National Institute of Health, Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a brain disorder marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. Inattention means a person wanders off task, lacks persistence, has difficulty sustaining focus, and is disorganized; these problems are not due to defiance or lack of comprehension. Hyperactivity means a person seems to move about constantly, excessively fidgets, taps, or talks. In adults, it may be extreme restlessness or wearing others out with their activity. Impulsivity means a person acts in the moment without first thinking about the consequences, which may have high potential for harm; or a desire for immediate rewards or inability to delay gratification. An impulsive person may be socially intrusive and excessively interrupt others or make important decisions without considering the long-term consequences.

Betrayal

Initiating the healing process and restoring the ability to trust again

Sometimes people think betrayal can only occur when a person is unfaithful. However, betrayal can happen by someone other than one’s spouse. People can experience betrayal from a parent, sibling, friend, or employer. Feelings of betrayal include: disrespect, disappointment, and devastation, along with many other emotions.

Depression

Providing hope during a time of despair

As with any mental health condition, people with depression or who are going through a depressive episode experience symptoms differently. For some people, depression may last a few days, and for others, a few months. For some, the episode may have begun after a significant event. Depression changes how a person functions in their day-to-day activities by causing changes in sleep, appetite, and concentration. Some people feel unable to make big or small decisions, they feel fatigued, and lack interest in things they once found enjoyable. Some people experience depression with physical ailments such as headaches or upset stomach.

Grief

Getting through the motions of loss

Feelings of grief are assumed to occur after somebody has experienced a death. However, these feelings can occur after a person experiences loss. The loss can be due to a death, the ending of a relationship, and loss of identity.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Implementing new patterns and behaviors each day for a healthier life

People with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) may have symptoms of obsessions, compulsions, or both. These symptoms can interfere with all aspects of life, such as work, school, and personal relationships. Obsessions are repeated thoughts, urges, or mental images that cause anxiety. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors a person with OCD feels the urge to do in response to an obsessive thought. Not all rituals or habits are compulsions. People with OCD generally can’t control their thoughts or behaviors, even when those thoughts or behaviors are recognized as excessive and cause significant problems in their daily lives. Symptoms may come and go, ease over time, or worsen. People with OCD may try to help themselves by avoiding situations that trigger their obsessions, or they may use alcohol or drugs to self-medicate. Although most adults with OCD recognize what they are doing doesn’t make sense, some adults and most children may not realize their behavior is out of the ordinary.

Perinatal Depression / Anxiety

Accepting and embracing the challenges of motherhood

This is more serious than the “baby blues” many women experience after giving birth. Women with perinatal depression and anxiety experience full-blown major depression, OCD, and/or anxiety during pregnancy or after delivery (postpartum depression). The feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that accompany perinatal depression may make it difficult for these new mothers to complete daily care activities for themselves and their babies. Some new mothers are paralyzed by the thought of having to make decisions. While some new mothers may have a difficult time feeling connected to their babies, other mothers have a difficult time being separated from their babies. It can be very difficult juggling being a mother, a spouse, an employee, a friend, and an individual.

Perfectionism

Understanding and overcoming the need for perfection

Perfectionism is not a clinical diagnosis. However, many of the patients we work with at Psychological Wellness Services come in describing their need for things to be perfect. Some patients describe themselves as having a Type ‘A’ personality. For some people, their perfectionism is something they are incredibly proud of because it has gotten them to a place of success. However, there is a side of unhealthiness that comes with this trait. Patients experience feelings of unhappiness and perfectionism can carry with it destruction, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and anger issues.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Navigating through past trauma and recurring pain

As described by the National Institute of Health, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that develops in some people who have seen or lived through a shocking, scary, or dangerous event. It is natural to feel afraid during and after a traumatic situation. Fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to help defend against danger or to avoid it. This “fight-or-flight” response is a healthy reaction meant to protect a person from harm. Nearly everyone will experience a range of reactions after trauma, yet most people recover from initial symptoms naturally. Those who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they are not in danger. Not every traumatized person develops ongoing (chronic) or even short-term (acute) PTSD. Symptoms usually begin early, within 3 months of the traumatic incident, but sometimes they begin years afterward. The course of the illness varies. Some people recover within 6 months, while others have symptoms that last much longer. Re-experiencing symptoms may cause problems in a person’s everyday routine. The symptoms can start from the person’s own thoughts and feelings. Words, objects, or situations that are reminders of the event can also trigger re-experiencing symptoms. Things that remind a person of the traumatic event can trigger avoidance symptoms. These symptoms may cause a person to change his or her personal routine. For example, after a bad car accident, a person who usually drives may avoid driving or riding in a car.