Valued Insight Counseling offers psychotherapy and consultations in a convenient, downtown Bethesda location.
Valued Insight Counseling offers psychotherapy and consultations in a convenient, downtown Bethesda location.
““Having negative thoughts and feelings means I’m a NORMAL human being.”
~ Russ Harris”
I take a empathetic and non-judgmental approach to therapy. I use a collaborative, strength-based approach, which means I believe that you already have everything you need for growth. A therapist can act as a guide to help you discover the unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors that keep you feeling stuck or avoiding life. You can learn how to practice self-compassion and strengthen the positive qualities you already have.
Coming from an integrative perspective, I use a combination of techniques and theories in my practice, depending on the needs of each individual. I most often use cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and interpersonal therapy.
I also utilize therapeutic interventions such as the practice of mindfulness, compassion training, meditation and breathing exercises. Mindfulness is the process of bringing one's attention to your experiences occurring in the present moment. Most of us are operating on automatic pilot, overwhelmed by daily stress, trying to avoid "negative" feelings, or engaging in unhealthy behaviors to numb ourselves. Mindfulness allows us to reclaim the fullness of experiences without judgement, and learn to engage with the present in new ways.
By practicing the skills and techniques outside of therapy sessions, the work we do will translate into real change. Therefore, I often assign practices to be completed between sessions such as meditation, journaling, written assignments, physical activity, and reading
"I love the way you are able to process/analyze things. Everything we discussed was very helpful. Thank you for your honesty and guidance, we appreciate you so much!"
"I just wanted to thank you for your kind words and our session yesterday. I feel especially grateful that we started working together when we did. For the first time in many, many years I truly do not feel alone in my grief."
"Amanda, I cannot begin to tell you how my life has improved in ways I never thought possible. I felt like I had this heavy weight on my shoulders, but you helped me learn what to do with it."
"Because of your work with our son he has learned how to talk about his feelings and share them with us. We are so much closer and have you to thank for that."