Professional Counseling Intern
Seeking therapy is an act of self-love and a display of strength. Throughout life it is common to experience feelings of depression, anxiety and anger. untreated these feelings can lead to disruptions in your day to day life. It is my passion to help individuals and couples work through their experiences so that they may develop clarity on the “why” behind their thoughts, feelings and behavior.
As your therapist I will work in a collaborative manor with you to develop a tailored treatment plan that aims to increase your overall quality of life. I am intensively trained in psychodynamic theory; however it is my belief that there is no such thing as “a one size fits all” approach to treatment. For that reason, I take a holistic approach to therapy and incorporate a variety of treatment modalities such as, mindfulness, CBT, motivational interviewing and person-centered therapy. In addition, I am trauma informed and work with those that are experiencing symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. “ If the mountain were smooth it would be impossible to climb” I look forward to helping you reach more of life’s peaks.
LGPC
Leila’s approach to therapy is anchored in creating an identity-affirming, judgment-free space that cultivates deepened self-awareness, desired behavioral change, and overall personal growth. She utilizes a holistic approach with clients, drawing upon cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness techniques. Leila also recognizes the importance of processing the enduring influence of early relationships and experiences in her work with clients and highlights each individual’s unique resilience and strengths.
Leila has specialized training in providing therapy to LGBTQIA and allied populations. She works with diverse groups who have experienced trauma due to race or ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, and/or other forms of systemic oppression. Leila works with adults enduring a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, substance misuse, life transitions, interpersonal relationship concerns, grief and loss, and self-harm.
Leila brings genuine enthusiasm and a natural curiosity to each session. She believes therapy is not only a place for addressing life’s challenges, but also a space where one can celebrate milestones and growth. Recognizing that starting therapy can feel vulnerable and sometimes uncomfortable, Leila aims to be transparent and open to feedback throughout the therapy process. She offers free 30 minute initial phone consultations as well as limited weekday appointment times.
Leila is a licensed graduate professional counselor (LGPC) and a national certified counselor (NCC). She received her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from The George Washington University and completed her clinical practicum at Whitman-Walker Health and the GWU Counseling Center.
Email: Leila@mokshaliving.org
I work with young professionals and adolescents to help them through difficult times, such as transitioning to a new place, new job, or new relationships. I assist my clients understand their emotions and thoughts and work to bring deeper understanding of their sense of self.
By utilizing mindfulness interventions, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, I help my clients develop coping skills, boundaries, and techniques to help them feel grounded in the present time and reduce anxiety.
I work alongside my clients to create goals for their treatment plan that are meaningful to them. Together, we will address negative thoughts, behaviors, and utilize a multitude of techniques to help you heal and live a healthy and happy life.
While my background is working in cognitive behavioral therapy, I do utilize a range of methods such as mindfulness, solutions focused, and talk therapy. I have a background working with a wide range of issues such as depression, drug abuse, self harm, grief and loss, and medical and sexual trauma.
I offer free 30 minute initial phone consultations as well as weekend appointment times.
Alleviating symptoms of emotional distress (such as anxiety or depression) is only the 1st stage of healing. Once people heal, they automatically start to expand their perspective on what they truly desire to be fulfilled.
I help my clients to gain more fulfillment by empowering them to develop intuition into their own healing and fulfillment needs. My mission is to help people use emotional challenges as insight for self-growth and evolution.
My holistic approach shows people how to get more Balance, Connection and Trust in themselves and life path in order to heal from the past, open to presence and reinvent their future.
I offer a program of services to my client that combines psychodynamic coaching, online learning (videos, worksheets, practices and workshops) and holistic learning. This structured program supports client’s in being accountable to developing the path of their most fulfilled life, while empowering them to expand growth after our work is over.
10 years ago, I had hit a growth ceiling in the management roles I was employed in. 5 years later, I had built Moksha Living in Washington D.C from the ground up. Currently, I train leaders and entrepreneurs to take their lives to the next level by manifesting their calling. My mode of working with clients is predominantly coaching and NOT psychotherapy.
Michell was featured on Praise 104.1 Radio
E-mail: michell@mokshaliving.org
Being our best selves is attainable when we allow ourselves to get onto a path of peace, fulfillment, and self-awareness. I hold a passion for helping clients to do just that. I work with clients through a holistic and individualistic approach to support them in moving closer to their personal and professional goals. .
Being a young adult in a city can be difficult to navigate, I am here to help you on your journey of finding yourself, being in tune with your needs, and overcoming any past or present trauma that may be getting in the way of this.
I hold a specialty for supporting clients overcome anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, low career self-efficacy, workplace discrimination, relationship challenges, and so much more. My approach ensures that your needs and goals are the center of your treatment and allow you to get to the point where you are able to be your best self. In the past, I have supported clients through utilizing Problem Solving Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Practices, Trauma-Informed Care, Expressive Arts Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
Your healing is important, and I want to help you ensure that it is prioritized in your life. I offer convenient weekend appointments and am happy to speak with you on a free 30-minute consultation call to ensure you have what you need to kickstart your healing.
Email: Alyssa@MokshaLiving.org
Phone: (202) 660-1319 Ext. 704
Intimate relationships require a set of skills that you just don’t learn or use in any other relationship. This is why it’s essential for couples to learn not just how to get along, but how to navigate through differences, understand conflicts and repair following disappointments.
Couples who participate in this workshop will be able to:
Traumatic incidents such as a car accident, relationship betrayal/breakup, childhood abuse or sexual assault, can often feel stuck in memory in ways that keep us from feeling safe, happy and whole, even long after the event has passed. But what if there was a way to conquer that traumatic memory and move past it to the point that it no longer held you back?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful, innovative method of psychotherapy that is different from ‘Talk Therapy’. It helps reprocess these traumatic memories in a way that they lose their painful intensity, allowing you to begin to let go of negative beliefs about yourself and the world that are rooted in these memories. As this shift happens in recurrent EMDR reprocessing sessions, you begin to notice dramatic improvements in your life. Most clients describe it as feeling a distance from the memory, like it is finally in the past, allowing them to feel free to create more fulfilling lives.
EMDR is backed by rigorous research and is designated as an effective treatment for post traumatic stress by the American Psychiatric Association and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. It is effective in addressing a wide range of mental health problems such as:
– Post traumatic stress
– Complicated grief
– Anxiety and stress
– Depression
– Self-esteem issues
– Performance anxiety.
The process is rapid but can be intense for short periods during reprocessing sessions, therefore, we engage in relaxation skills training over a course of several sessions before reprocessing begins. Still, you need to be willing to rip the Band-Aid, metaphorically speaking.
Interracial couples have a history of resilience and thriving against all odds. Partners share a strong bond, with the potential to help each other grow and create a life with values, traditions and habits that are uniquely them. While most Interracial couples are aware of the reaction of the outside world to their cultural differences, they may be unaware of the impact of these differences on their interactions with each other or feel hesitant to explore this in times of distress or might not even know how to. However, understanding how your partner views the world, exploring their values and being curious about their reactions to different situations, arguments and conflicts, regardless of how different or similar these might be, is the key to fostering a deep connection and navigating challenges in a way that makes your bond stronger.
Interracial Couples Therapy at our practice is uniquely designed to help interracial couples create a fulfilling life together by developing a deeper insight into each other’s emotional experience, attachment needs and cultural journey. These skills will help you stay emotionally in-tune with one another and have culturally sensitive conversations to navigate practical issues and to create a stronger connection in your relationship.
Holistic psychotherapy adds the mind-body & soul/spirit connection to traditional “talk therapy” and “coaching”. Our holistic services pairs psychotherapy with a mind-body practice or service. Some example combinations include mindfulness+therapy, yoga+therapy, yoga+coaching, and/or meditation+coaching.
In addition to including the standard components of: intake, focus setting, and review of progress (I.e. treatment planning), holistic psychotherapy allows the client to access alternative means to developing intuition by using the body’s intelligence and sensory experiences.
In this process we move away from “goal attainment” and towards “Intentional Living”. Intentional Living explores the question of how you want to be or show up in your life, as well as how do you want to experience yourself and others across various roles and relationships.
Let’s face it relationships aren’t easy. Great relationships take work. The work that intimate relationships require takes a skill set that we don’t get to learn anywhere else in life.
Couples therapy and coaching is an opportunity to learn and practice skills that are specific to helping couples build communication, intimacy, and connection in their relationship while learning more effective ways to deal with conflicts and problems.
Yoga therapy is a healing art that bridges the ancient practice of yoga and healthcare. The therapy uses specific postures, breath practice, and meditation to develop insight about the self, behaviors, and core beliefs.
Transformation through yoga therapy occurs by cultivating attention and intention using three frameworks. A person gains power physically, emotionally, and mentally through shakti-krama, building strength, heightened concentration, and greater resilience. Chikitsa-krama taps into the ability to heal and protect the self, addressing specific health concerns, managing those that cannot be changed, and improving function. The third, and often most powerful principle, calls the practitioner to become comfortable sitting with the self as a curious and loving witness to the changing nature of the world, a principle known as adhyatmika-krama.
Through these processes, clients develop deep awareness of the effects of different actions on their minds, bodies, and psyches. This intuition attracts a person to seek out experiences that will feel truly beneficial. Yoga therapy offers significant benefits to anyone looking to deeply transform their life and resolve suffering from stress, chronic pain, addiction, anxiety, and other long-standing dysfunctional behaviors.
Psychotherapy refers to the concept of “talk therapy”. The process involves an intake where you and your therapist will develop a clear understanding of your background and current situation that prompted you to seek therapy. It is this understanding of your history and present life dynamics that a service plan is developed.
The service plan involves goals for the work you want to do in therapy as well as a framework for how you and your therapist will together work towards these goals. This plan may be written down or communicated verbally. It is progress towards these goals that determines the course of therapy. The approach that is used depends on the needs of each individual client. Some examples of therapy interventions include cognitive behavior therapy, psychodynamic therapy, narrative therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy.
Once goals have been reached, treatment will move towards the termination or step-down phase. The work of this phase is to integrate progress. In other words, understand what changes have occurred and how you made these shifts occur. The termination process explores how to sustain and build from the foundation that has been created in therapy. More time is encouraged between sessions so that you have the opportunity to practice and reflect on incorporating your work in therapy into your day-to-day experience.
Use our e-commerce service to make an appointment + pay online by credit card.
Our pre-marital and relationship enhancement uses Prepare-Enrich assessments and relationship tools
Couples using this program gain more understanding and less arguing. Confidence and clarity to talk about sensitive topics. Insight on how to support each other, enhance intimacy, and resolve conflicts.
Just as an athlete works with a coach to learn the best tools and habits necessary to achieve top-notch performance, a life coach provides the tools, action plans, and accountability necessary for individuals to achieve deeply fulfilling lives.
Coaching is different from traditional therapeutic approaches because it is future-oriented and directive. Coaching sessions will revolve around how to progress toward a positive future outcome. Time spent reflecting on the past will occur almost exclusively in the earliest stages of sessions. Once your coach has a clear idea of your vision for the future, she will help you refine this vision and develop an action plan to help you move in the direction of your dreams. Action plans will include a combination of cognitive and behavioral tools and will evolve each week as growth occurs. Each time you leave a coaching session you should expect to have a clear understanding of actions that you should take immediately in order to create positive movement.
Life Coaching is not just for individuals who want to establish a career, coaching has helped people increase their self-esteem and feel more joy in their lives. Thus, helping those who want to grow as leaders in any career.
Click here to make an appointment.
Hypnosis is very different than televised spoofs where people bark like a dog, quack like a duck, etc. These instances exemplify comedic exaggerations of a useful therapeutic process and phenomenon and are not realistic when applied to a treatment setting.
The hypnotic state is a relaxed state where the subconscious mind can directly receive suggestions without having to combat the barrier of the critical mind (thinking part of the brain). Subsequently, results can be achieved without having to go through the thinking, talking and analysis that behavior change often entails. Usually, a client presenting for hypnosis has an identified outcome for what they would like to attain as a result of this intervention. Some common examples of challenges that hypnosis addresses are:
Hypnosis is a completely conscious process. There is nothing that is suggested (said) that the client hasn’t already identified that they want.
Consultations offer potential clients an opportunity to meet with or talk with your potential provider to see if working with them is a good fit for you. Even if you aren’t sure what service is best for you, meeting with a member of our team can help you develop a plan that addresses your needs and wellness goals.
Click here to watch a video that will help you prepare for your consultation.
Dr. LaVerne is passionate about giving you the tools you can use to help realize your dreams. Regardless of where you find yourself right now, when you work with Dr. LaVerne, you will be uplifted to see your world in a whole new way, ready to experience joy in every area of your life. Her expertise is grounded in helping her clients to press through life’s challenges to get them to a place of triumph. She is highly effective at helping those in need of support during a challenging career transition or unexpected life event, serving them with a proven system that produces peak performance and significance, while strengthening an inner sense of purpose and resolve to accomplish set goals.
She has authored 20 books on personal, social, and global transformation and her top priority is to serve you to help you accomplish your goals in less time than if you tried to do it yourself.
Her dynamic techniques will help you to explore your deepest desires and what would make your heart sing. Dr. LaVerne specializes in a holistic approach utilizing neuro-linguistic programming practices that are designed to effectively re-wire your brain to help you experience a freedom from the limiting beliefs that block your progress. She received her doctorate from Palmer Theological Seminary where she studied dynamic systems theories which helps to inform her clients of the true integration of the “self” and those the powerful interconnectedness that exists. Once you can become aware of these deep connections, you will be more likely to experience a long-lasting total life transformation. She is the President of the International Association of Women – DC Chapter and is intrinsically determined to support women’s personal and professionally development. With 25 years of experience consulting and advising she is affectionately known as “The Transformer”; as a result of how her work has radically changed their lives. After decades of training, research, and experience, she developed some powerfully effective strategies that have produced amazing life changing results helping thousands to be at the top of their game…and more importantly, find joy in every area of their lives. She is passionate about sharing these powerful secrets with you! Connect with her now so she can help you get started on your journey to live the life you dream!
Dr. LaVerne is featured on:Transformational Consultant: Kristen White Interviews Dr. LaVerne Adams on “The Ripple Effect”
E-mail: drlaverne@mokshaliving.org
Dr. LaVerne Adams is truly passionate about helping others become their best self. She walked me through evaluating opportunities, prioritizing, setting goals, and sticking to a timeline. Throughout the process she was encouraging and honest. Even though our coaching sessions have ended, she still checks in periodically on my progress. Our sessions were invaluable and just what I needed.
~ Shanina G
Dr. LaVerne Adams hands down, as a Transformational Leadership Coach and Mentor, is a top-quality leader for communities and individuals in advocating for health, wealth and wellness! She has been on top of growing and developing great leaders, entrepreneurs, and individuals seeking to level up in business, relationships, and their careers! As a former coachee, she is truly a dream come true for me as she helped me to reach the next level of my success with her powerful coaching style.
~ Angela C
Erin is a passionate life coach supporting her clients in creating not only change, but genuine transformation, and a life they truly love. With complete acceptance for wherever they are on their journey, Erin offers her full compassion and humanity to her clients as they step into their own greatness and break through the patterns that are holding them back.
Erin is authentic, courageous and respectful, yet a straight-forward “truth teller,” integrating humor and compassion into every session.
Her clients have included professional men and women in the various fields of education, food service, banking, human resources, medical research, real estate, law, and telecommunications. Her contagious and deeply held belief is that anyone can have the life of their dreams; they only have to choose it.
Prior to establishing her coaching practice, Erin had 25 years of experience in the legal and non-profit worlds. She is a graduate of Clark University, Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Quantum Coaching Method, and Accomplishment Coaching. Erin is certified through the International Association for Health Coaches as well as the International Coach Federation.
A lover of travel, culture, and humor, Erin prioritizes time with her 2 grown daughters and never misses a date night with her husband.
Words can’t express how grateful I am for my experience with Erin as a life coach. Before I started working with Erin, I felt stuck in many areas of my life with no sense of direction or purpose. I wasn’t sure how to get out of the rut I felt I was stuck in. I felt comfortable with Erin from the very first call. I intuitively felt that her coaching would be able to help me move forward. Within 6 months of coaching, I went from feeling lost, stuck, lonely, heart broken, unmotivated, like there was something wrong with me, and no sense of purpose to feeling loved, confident, driven, and realizing that what I thought were flaws in myself were actually my super powers!! I’m improving in many areas of my life. Including all relationships and especially my relationship with myself.
Erin, thank you for your integrity, patience, and coaching to help improve the world. You have a great gift!
~ Jerry
E-mail: erin@Mokshaliving.org
We all have a unique journey in life and our resilience is as unique as our individual journey. By developing a deeper understanding of ourselves, our emotions, thoughts and experiences, we can begin to build upon our strengths and overcome our struggles. I work with adolescents and adults to help them overcome distressing cycles that make them feel stuck and empower them to find stability, create healthier relationships and live a more enriched life.
With compassion, empathy and gentle insight, I help my clients connect with underlying emotions and develop coping skills to deal with past trauma, difficult life transitions, loss, relational distress and mental health issues. While somatic trauma interventions, mindfulness and cultural sensitivity are at the core of my practice, I also integrate Psychodynamic Theory, Cognitive Behavioral interventions and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in my work with clients.
I also work with couples to help them reconnect and find their way back to each other when they are going through difficult life transitions, struggling because of past traumas or infidelity, finding it difficult to navigate family dynamics/ cultural differences, or dealing with mental health issues. I help couples work through underlying unspoken emotions to build a stronger secure bond and identify unhealthy relationship patterns using an eclectic approach that draws from Emotionally Focused Therapy and Structural Family Therapy.
Having a multicultural outlook, I also provide couples therapy to interracial couples to help them understand and overcome their unique relationship issues and help them integrate their cultural heritage to develop a unique, meaningful life together.
My specialty and passion is working with highly motivated young professionals seeking support with stressful life transitions, career/identity development, and interpersonal relationships. Many of my clients often seek therapy during periods of heightened anxiety, depression, and other mood-related issues, as well as to address past traumas and/or grief and loss. Additionally, as a holistic mental health practitioner, I will encourage you to develop a deeper understanding of the mind-body connection as a powerful tool to improve your daily life and wellbeing.
I understand and respect that psychotherapy is a significant commitment of your physical, emotional, and financial energies. Therefore, we will work collaboratively and efficiently together to identify meaningful treatment goals and options for healing, as well as address negative thoughts, behaviors, and other barriers that seem to keep you stuck.
Though I utilize several methods, my background in cognitive behavioral and solution focused therapies will inform my overall treatment approach. I have also recently received a post-graduate certification in Trauma Informed Clinical Practice. I offer free 30 minute initial phone consultations as well as limited weekday evening appointment times.
MAPP, RYT
Sara can help you achieve your happiest, most meaningful life. Most coaching clients are thriving in some areas of life, but feel they are lacking something important. Sara’s approach is to help you identify your most important areas for growth, and help you apply your natural strengths and values in new ways. After identifying what is most important to you, Sara will guide you through change by developing a clear & measurable plan for thriving. Sara is one of fewer than 250 people in the world to earn her Master’s degree in positive psychology – the science of optimal human functioning.
She studied with the field’s founder Dr. Martin Seligman, at the University of Pennsylvania, where she learned the ins and outs of human thriving. Sara will coach you through applying the science of happiness & fulfillment to your own life. Who can benefit from Coaching?
Sara was featured on the: Live Happy Now Podcast
“Voted Best Life Coaching in Washington, DC by the Washington City Paper”
E-mail: sara@saraoliveri.com
Sara is beyond amazing. I was looking for a professional who could help me address the dissatisfaction and overall feeling of being “stuck” in my life. I knew that I was looking for someone who could help me figure out how to thrive rather than merely survive. After reviewing the sites, yelp reviews, and testimonials of a number of other life coaches and therapists, I decided to reach out to Sara. I found her background in positive psychology particularly intriguing. It is a cutting edge field which actually studies optimal human functioning. Just what I was looking for! Today I can say this was one of the best decisions that I have ever made.
Sara is warm, approachable, and empathetic but also supremely professional and bright. She is an expert listener and has a way of helping you to remove the clutter to identify what is truly valuable to you. From that place, she helps you to set your own goals and achieve them. Having her in my life has been a blessing. I’m stronger and wiser from it and more prepared to follow my passion now.
– Arayle F.
Sara is a rare gem: she overflows with positive energy, enthusiasm and incredible insights about how to get the most out of life and its component parts (e.g., career transitions, relationships, family, feeling fulfilled day to day, etc.); and yet, she is also surprisingly grounded, real, honest and practical. I’m so thankful to have Sara to help me think about life’s greatest joys and biggest challenges, because she has her head in the clouds and helps instill confidence in me that my dreams really are possible, but she also has her feet on the ground to help me break seemingly impossible goals into doable steps and achievable milestones. Sara also cares so much about people and brings that strong caring and her accurate perception of people and situations to all of her interactions, allowing her to help people really understand what motivates them and what is important to them. In addition to the very beneficial one-on-one time I’ve spent with Sara, I attended one of her trainings on resilience this past year. I found it to be both informative and evidence based, but I also took away a lot of practical tips (i.e., there was a good balance of theory and practice). Whether it’s in a one-on-one capacity or through one of her workshops, you will be thankful you crossed paths with this excellent coach and human being!
– Caroline F.
Recipient of the “Voted Best Life Coaching in Washington, DC by the Washington City Paper”
