Therapy for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in Washington, DC
Finding a therapist can be harder when you need someone who is comfortable adapting the way therapy happens, not just the things you talk about.
I provide individual psychotherapy for adults with intellectual disabilities. People come to therapy for many reasons: anxiety, grief and loss, relationships, loneliness, difficult experiences, changes at home or work, questions about independence, or wanting to understand themselves better.
Therapy can involve conversation, art-making, or both. I adapt how we work based on the individual person and how they communicate, process experiences, and express what they are thinking and feeling.
In person in Northwest DC and virtual throughout DC
Therapy that can adapt to you
Sometimes it's easy to know that something is wrong but harder to explain exactly what you're feeling or why.
We can slow things down, use concrete examples, come back to something more than once, or find another way of exploring it when words aren't enough.
The way we work doesn't have to look exactly the same from one person to another.
Reasons you might come to therapy
Maybe you've lost someone important and are having a hard time with the grief. You might be lonely, worried about something, struggling with a friendship or romantic relationship, or feeling left out.
Something may be changing at home or at work. You might want more independence or more say in decisions about your life. Something difficult may have happened that you want help understanding. Or you may simply want a place where you can talk about your life and what's important to you.
Therapy can give us a place to understand what is happening and find ways of responding to it.
Conversation, art-making, or both
Some clients prefer to talk. Others find that making art gives them another way to explore an experience, communicate something, or show something that is difficult to put into words.
We might draw, paint, use collage, or work with other materials when that feels useful. Art is always optional, and no art experience is needed.
Some sessions may involve art and others may not. We can move between different ways of working depending on what is useful to you.
Parents, caregivers, and other support people
A parent, caregiver, or other support person may sometimes be helpful in therapy.
With your permission, they might help me understand something important that's happening in your life, help with communication, or assist with practical parts of participating in therapy.
At the same time, you are my client. You should have a meaningful voice in what we work on and in deciding how other people are involved.
We can figure out together what kind of involvement is helpful while still making sure that therapy is a place for you.
Is individual psychotherapy the right fit?
My practice is best suited to adults who have some interest in exploring what they're experiencing and who can participate meaningfully in an ongoing individual therapeutic relationship.
There isn't one particular way you need to communicate or express yourself. During a consultation, we can talk about what is bringing you to therapy, what helps you communicate and participate, what kinds of support are useful, and whether working together seems like a good fit.
Experience that informs my work
I have worked with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in clinical and community settings, including people with Down syndrome.
That experience, together with my training as an art therapist, has given me experience adapting how therapy happens while keeping the work centered on the individual person and what matters in their life.
Practical information
In person
Sessions are available in Northwest Washington, DC, near Tenleytown.
Virtual
Telehealth is available for clients located in Washington, DC when virtual therapy is clinically appropriate and accessible for the individual.
Sessions
Individual sessions are 45 minutes.
Fee
The fee for individual sessions is $225.
Insurance
Aligned Art Therapy is an out-of-network practice. I can provide documentation for clients who wish to seek reimbursement through their insurance plan. Coverage and reimbursement vary by plan and provider eligibility.
Fees & FAQ →
Looking for therapy for yourself or someone you support?
You can request a brief consultation to tell me a little about what you're looking for, ask questions about how I work, and see whether working together might be a good fit.