Some emotions can be too complex or difficult to process alone. Distress can develop over time from daily life, when navigating relationships, and possibly as a result from unacknowledged childhood experiences that resurface. These memories and present challenges can cause significant frustration and disorientation for an individual. Feelings of hurt, distrust, and a loss of direction may be accompanied with these events as well. However, it does not mean that these negative emotions are indefinite. Through the help of counseling services, an unique opportunity emerges where an individual can share their thoughts and feelings with an unbiased party whose purpose is to provide care to match their unique needs.

As a counselor, my role is to assist individuals in understanding, communicating, and processing the difficult emotions that are just under the surface, but that unfortunately create barriers in our relationships. I will help foster awareness of your own needs through reflective exercises, mindfulness, skill acquisition, and combating cognitive distortions. I believe that we all hold the answers within ourselves to what causes us distress, but the challenge comes with discovering them. Counseling is a partnership and my purpose is to guide individuals towards reaching their mental health goals and strengthening their relationships.

While I am equipped to help with variety of presenting mental health concerns, my experience and expertise is specialized to health anxiety, depression, relationship conflicts, career changes, and life transitions. Through my work with individuals and couples, I have learned that the therapeutic relationship can offer a meaningful parallel to other personal relationships in our lives. In this way, we can broach conflict, practice having difficult conversations, and express vulnerabilities to then extend to others outside the therapy room. Many relationships can benefit as a result of investing and growing into this process. I aim to foster an environment that is authentic, caring and approached with an open mindset.

In order to optimize the development of my professional counseling identity, I am required by the state accreditation board to receive clinical supervision from a licensed professional counselor. Dr. Monica P. Band, LPC (DC & VA), CRC, NCC, ACS, CCC, is serving as my sole and primary onsite supervisor for the duration of my residency.

Mindfulness
Humanistic
Existential
CBT
Emotion-Focused

“I am going to move forwards, because going backwards isn’t an option and standing still is not enough.”
— Stacey Abrams

e: ahahn@mindfulhealingcounseling.com
c: 571-310-2329