Find a Therapist in Fulton, MD

I prefer my clients to feel like someone is listening to them, my environment is relaxed and nonjudgmental.

I like to create a safe and comfortable telehealth environment. In couple therapy, we will start by setting ground rules. In individual and couples work, you will not be judged but will be challenged at times.

If you are feeling stuck, anxious, sad, weird, depressed, triggered, or just... at loose ends, get in touch. Talking helps you figure out where you are, how you got there, and where you want to go. In a collaborative process, I will help you understand your thoughts and feelings, and I will help you clarify your direction and purpose.

At Laurel Fay and Associates, my colleagues and I are committed to providing you with a safe, caring environment in which we can address your unique situation. By carefully listening, I work to get behind the everyday surface of a situation to the underlying meaning. My systemic approach means I look to the dynamics between people rather than solely focusing on the internal workings of one person. Even in individual work, this approach can be helpful and empowering. I often use humor to gently but skillfully pinpoint specific issues and highlight areas of growth.

I began working in this field almost 30 years ago because I wanted to make a tangible difference in people's lives. Over the years, I have worked with countless individuals, couples, families, and groups to help them improve their quality of life. Through my experience, I have learned that: Although many may appear to be similar demographically in terms of age, race, gender, socioeconomic status, religion, etc., everyone brings hisher own individual histories to therapy -- histories that distinguish each client as a unique individual. As a result, I welcome all clients, and I recognize that each client will bring hisher own history and values to therapy. I commit to working within each individual's system of values as I try to help the individual draw from hisher history to improve hisher quality of life. My two primary metrics are: a) tangible improvements in an individual's life, and b) the individual's feelings and understanding regarding change and the process of change. Like physical therapists and coaches who are willing to challenge their athletes to perform at full potential, I am willing to challenge my clients to reach their full potential in life. But my guiding philosophy is: "challenge by choice" -- I will only as far and as fast as my clients are comfortable.

I strongly believe in your inherent ability to grow and change-- to survive neglect, hardship, and trauma and become stronger and more resilient. I help people find their strengths and learn to accept and even love their vulnerabilities. I teach coping skills and I listen intently.

David Sternberg, LICSW, has been a practicing psychotherapist in Washington, D.C., since 2002. He specializes in treating young adults (20s and 30s), who are experiencing anxiety, depression and stress related to major life transitions. At DC Talk Therapy, all 10 of our therapists specialize in working with young adults (20s and 30s) with anxiety, depression and relationship problems. In our practice, we have a substance abuse specialist, an OCD specialist and a therapist who works with the LGBTQ community. Since we opened our practice in Washington, D.C., in 2012, we've helped nearly 2,000 people live happier and more fulfilling lives. Our therapists use a variety of therapeutic approaches but primarily use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT focuses on modifying maladaptive or distorted thoughts about ourselves or the rest of the world as a way to change resulting feelings and behavior. Our therapists believe that psychotherapy can be tremendously rewarding, even life-changing. We see therapy as very much a collaborative process, so we ask clients for feedback throughout the process. We want the client's experience to be as valuable as possible. Our office staff answers the phone live Monday through Friday 9 am-5 pm and they can often schedule you an appointment within 2-3 business days.

I believe in the strength and resiliency of the human spirit and consider it an honor to work with people on a daily basis. My job is to create a safe and nurturing environment so that each individual feels comfortable and supported as they work on their personal goals. Everyone's goals are as different as the individuals themselves, and in order to honor that individuality, my approach is eclectic and personalized to each person. I always encourage and welcome feedback in order to continually ensure that the techniques being used are effective and keep progress moving in a positive direction.

If you are struggling in your relationships, navigating a major life transition, or feeling stuck in patterns related to substance or behavioral addictions, you are not alone. Many of the people I work with are thoughtful, capable adults who find themselves repeating painful relational dynamics or feeling disconnected from the life they want to be living. Therapy can be a powerful place to understand why—and to begin doing something different. I specialize in working with adults from diverse cultural backgrounds who want more fulfilling relationships and a stronger sense of self. Together, we explore the patterns that may be contributing to your needs not being met. I help you to increase awareness of how these patterns developed and how they continue to show up in your life today. Insight is important—but real change happens through new experiences. When appropriate, I connect clients to therapy groups where they can practice new ways of relating and receive meaningful interpersonal feedback in a supportive environment.

You are worthy of healing, even when your inner-critic says otherwise. If you are experiencing anxiety, you know that it is much more complex than excessive worrying. Often negative self-talk, guilt, self-doubt, and fear also run rampant, making it difficult to get through your day. On the outside, your loved ones or colleagues may think you have it together, but internally you are struggling. Trying to control everything around you - while at the same time feeling out of control leaves you exhausted and on edge. I help clients heal by reducing anxiety and restoring self-worth. When you work with me, we will uncover your strengths, process past wounds, and enhance your coping skills. I empower all clients’ growth by using a culturally-affirming, strengths-based approach. Modalities include CBT, DBT, and Psychodynamic Therapy. With me, you will get an inclusive space to grow, heal, and practice self-compassion. You don’t have to deal with anxiety on your own. I’m here to help.

Typically I work with clients who have unresolved trauma and is still stuck in problematic behavioral patterns. They have often done some "talk therapy" in the past but didn’t really find it that helpful. I use more experiential methods to help you make lasting changes that improve your quality of life, not just provide stabilization. I’ve found that talk therapy can be one of the slowest ways to do therapy, and that if you ignore sensory input from the body, then you’re only doing therapy from the neck up. Whether you’re facing new challenges or struggling with ongoing circumstances, you may be feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, helpless, or anxious. You may also have slipped back into unhealthy patterns of behavior that you worked hard to change. I take a collaborative approach to therapy, and I’ll tell you up front that I don’t have a crystal ball or magic wand! I believe that we each have a unique journey, and while I do have education and training as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Maryland, I haven’t lived your life, and I’m not an expert on YOU.

My philosophy and approach to helping clients is to do a thorough assessment and develop a treatment plan that is characteristic of that client and guide clients through therapy to healing. Each client has a uniqueness about them and my work is finding it and helping that client realize it and live in it. Perception is the key to understanding. Awareness is the key to realization.