Moving Forward, PLC

Psychotherapy and Social Skills

• Individuals, Couples, Families and Groups 
• Children, Adolescents and Adults             
• Specialty in working with children, adolescents and families

Extensive work with:

• Anxiety, Divorce/Separation, Social Skill building, Trauma,  PTSD, ADD, ADHD, PDD, Tourette Syndrome, Addictions, Depression and Grief issues
• Educational Advocacy in both Fairfax and Loudoun County

Education:

The Catholic University of America, M.S.W.

The George Mason University, B.S., B.S.W., cum laude

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.

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

Biography:

Michele is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  She earned her Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work from The Catholic University of America and holds a Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Science from George Mason University where she graduated cum laude. Michele's graduate and undergraduate program gave her the opportunity to work with adolescents and adults in a variety of clinical settings including those who were under court supervision, who attended a private special needs school (in Alexandria, Virginia), and who were in group therapy for drug rehabilitation. While the Clinical Supervisor at an inner city non-profit in Washington, D.C., Michele supervised case managers and conducted individual and family therapy as well as social skills groups with court ordered at-risk youth. She has worked extensively with children and adolescents with Individual Education Plans. In addition, Michele was a School Guidance Counselor at a parochial school, in Alexandria, VA and created the program where she conducted class guidance lessons, individual therapy, small problem centered group therapy, and social skills groups with children. Michele has conducted individual psychotherapy in private practice with children, adolescents, adults and couples. She has also taught social skills individually and in groups to children and adolescents. Michele has conducted school observations to help parents and school administrators best accommodate children and adolescents with special needs. In addition, she has reviewed and advocated to school appointed Individual Education Plan (IEP) teams where she has made successful recommendations for an IEP to be put into place for clients.  Most recently, Michele is working on expanding her practice to include specific work with individuals and families who have experience trauma.  Trauma support groups are now being established.  She enjoys working with children, adolescents, adults and families. Michele has significant experience in working with issues relating to anxiety, trauma, depression, social skills,  separation/divorce, addictions, grief, anger management, compulsive behaviors (OCD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Conduct Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD),  Autism Spectrum Disorder (including Asperger's Syndrome), and Tourette Syndrome.

Associations

• GreaterWashington Society for Clinical Social Work
• National Association of Social Workers

Board Member

• Friends of the Alexandria Mental Health Center

Additional Training

• September 2008:  SASH National  Conference in Boston, MA
• Conference Spring 2007:  Traumatic Stress  by Bessel A. van der Kolk
• Summer 2007:  Play Therapy and Beyond:  Treatment Techniques and Strategies with Children and Adolescents.
• Spring 2006:  Group-0-Rama, A how to for different groups, Annandale, VA
• 2004-2005 Clinical Supervision by Marianne Walters at The Family Practice Center, Washington, DC; Individual and Family Therapy.