Psychotherapy and Social Skills

  • Individuals, Couples, Families and Groups
  • Children, Adolescents and Adults
  • Specialty in working with children, adolescents, families and groups
  • Educational Advocacy in both Fairfax and Loudoun County

How Can Therapy Help?

In therapy I use a variety of modalities to access the underlying issues or messages beneath ones physical symptoms. By creating a safe space, observing body language or methods of play, helping one to relax, asking good questions, we can begin to reveal unspoken experiences. I use this as the first mode of healing, through insight oriented therapy by means of talk or play. This body-mind communication is the first step in the healing process. Feelings assocciated with ones symptoms begin to arise. One might get sad, angry, tense, relaxed, anxious, powerful, weak, fearful, frustrated to name a few. By allowing those feelings to surface and begin to present in a therapeutic setting, this will help to release tension, and anxiety in the body. As I work with my clients I teach them to directly express the underlying issue through words, not symptoms. This creates an increase in the insight of the self, as well as increased self esteem and a decrease in physical symptoms.

How Can Social Skills Help?

Social skills training can increase ones insight into the non verbal behavior they project to others. Through the increased insight of reading others non verbal behavior, one is able to communicate more effectively. This allows one to become more engaged in individual conversation and joining into groups. We will work on how to say it and when to say it and what to say, eye contact, body language and what it says to you and others, active listening techniques and passive listening techniques. This work can increase your self esteem and confidence in all areas of life.

Please Call for an Appointment: 571.483.0306

*Most insurance companies reimburse clients directly for these services, when seen under the direct care of a clinical social worker.

Michele T. Cole, LCSW

Michele is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Social Work at George Mason University teaching advanced human behavior.

Michele has significant experience in working with issues relating to anxiety, separation/divorce issues, trauma, depression, social skills, addictions, grief, anger management, compulsive behaviors (OCD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Conduct Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (including Asperger's Syndrome), and Tourette Syndrome.