Psychotherapy

Many people encounter problems in their lives that they are unable to successfully resolve on their own.

Psychotherapy can be extraordinarily useful during these times. In psychotherapy, people develop a better understanding of themselves and the situation, overcome internal and external barriers to addressing their concerns, and develop the skills they need to successfully move forward in their lives.

Terry believes in the power of psychotherapy to effect positive change and is dedicated to helping others create satisfying and meaningful lives. Her goal, as a psychotherapist, is to offer a non-judgmental, supportive and caring environment where her clients can work through difficult emotions, improve their understanding of themselves and others, and strengthen their problem-solving abilities and coping skills. 

In collaboration with her clients, Terry will help clarify their goals for treatment and develop a treatment plan. Extensively trained in a variety of treatment approaches, she will individualize treatment to meet the unique needs of her clients. Throughout treatment, Terry is interactive and collaborative with her clients, continually reevaluating the treatment plan to ensure that the client is accomplishing their goals.

Terry provides individual, couples, marital and group psychotherapy in her practice. She is also available for consultations.

As adults age, they often find that they need help to manage their daily lives. This is a difficult transition for the older adult, who faces a loss of autonomy and independence. This is also a challenging time for the families of the older adult, who may not have the time or resources to effectively meet the needs of their loved ones. Fortunately, we live in a community with a wealth of quality services that can provide the help they need. The challenge is understanding how and when to use these resources.

Terry has over 25 years of experience working with older adults and their families. Upon meeting with you and your family members, she will help you develop a plan of care that optimizes the quality of life for the older adult while ensuring that their health and mental health needs are met. Terry will share with you her knowledge about resources in the community and help the older adult in your life work through the difficult emotions associated with getting older and utilizing resources.

If you or a loved one has been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia, you may feel confused and frightened about the future.  Receiving support, counseling and education is extraordinarily helpful throughout this journey.

At your first meeting, Terry will assess the needs of you and/or your family member and work with you to develop and implement a care plan.  She will help you throughout the course of the disease offering support, counseling, information and practical assistance with locating and accessing resources.  Consultations are provided on a one-time basis or as needed throughout the course of the disease.

Terry also specializes in providing individual psychotherapy and education to those in the early stages of dementia and to their care partners. Psychotherapy is provided to strengthen coping skills, work through difficult emotions, adjust to changes in lifestyle and in relationships, develop an understanding of the disease process and prepare for the future. Providing accurate and current information is a key component of her work with people who have dementia and their families.

Terry facilitates support groups for people with dementia and their care partners. She has provided groups for special populations, including a group for those with younger-onset dementia.

In the course of her career, Terry has worked with hundreds of people with dementia and their care partners.  She understands how challenging living with dementia is for both the individual and their families. She is dedicated to utilizing her expertise to individualize and optimize the journey for her clients.

Inspired by her passion for teaching, Terry has engaged in numerous educational opportunities throughout her career. She has provided professional trainings and seminars to social workers, care managers, home health aides, nurses, recreational therapists, assisted living staff, adult day care providers and support group leaders. In addition, Terry has conducted workplace seminars and taught classes for parents and for high school students. As a consultant for an employee assistance program, she conducted workplace seminars. She has also volunteered her time to provide community education programs for the general public. To date, Terry has given more than 300 presentations.

Her other educational activities have included appearances on radio shows, involvement in an award-winning television show on dementia, the delivery of a keynote address at an annual conference for the Alzheimer’s Association, and the publication of an article about caring for persons with dementia. In partnership with the National Association of Social Workers, she organized a two-day conference on dementia for social workers. Terry also developed a training manual and program for support group leaders, which resulted in a special recognition award from the Alzheimer’s Association.

Terry has been a supervisor and mentor to other social workers and has been on a number of advisory boards.

Currently, Terry serves on the Advisory Committee on Early Stage Dementia to the Alzheimer’s Association of the National Capital Area and is Co-Chair of the Continuing Education Committee for the Greater Washington Society of Clinical Social Workers. She continues to teach classes on parenting and provides trainings and continuing education programs for mental health professionals.