Authenticity is an essential component of the therapeutic environment. I strive to create spaces for individuals to feel safe, heard, seen, and empowered.

I am Gifty Pampuru. My focus is on working with individuals who struggle with anxiety, depression, phase of life issues, trauma and spiritual issues. I use Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, Internal Family Systems. I mostly work with adult population who struggle with anxiety, life stressors, depression, and trauma. I definitely want my client to feel comfortable with me. I do not believe that counseling has to be all serious. As we learn to pair negative moments with positive ones, I utilize humor, jokes, lived experiences (funny and tense). There are times, I have to be direct with clients (differs with clients). It was a long cherished dream since my young age to be a counselor because I was inspired by the counselors who lead our prayer group. While working as a mental health nurse and attending to my clients, I always wanted to do more that just nursing care. Of all the options, counseling was the only career I could do and though it was a long journey, I am glad I undertook it. I include the client in setting their goals. Sometimes the clients are aware of what they want to work on and other times, they need assistance. Client can expect a warm atmosphere with positive regard. They will be listened to and will be included in all decision making. At the end of the intake, they will be assisted in creating a care plan aiming towards the goals they want to reach and set their schedule.

If someone is struggling with today's news and events, surviving a difficult upbringing, or wrestling with issues of identity, the best thing they can do for themselves is to find that safe, affirming space that allows them to speak freely without fear of judgement. My goal is to provide the emotional, physical, and affirming space for that very thing to happen. My clientele consists of students, mental health professionals, veterans, seniors, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. I hold master's degrees in trauma informed counseling and the arts. Sometimes individuals have a block and the words are difficult to find. A more creative process can often reveal nonverbal cues and metaphors that can deepen understanding and healing. I help clients use imagery, symbolism, and creative expression to uncover meaning and insight. I currently work with individuals ages 8 and up, I have worked with anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, grief and loss, life transitions, and trauma-related issues. I bring creativity, compassion, warmth, and a genuine desire to provide affirmation, and occasionally humor to foster a safe, affirming, and empowering environment.

Many people come to therapy because they are tired of surviving. They may be struggling with the effects of trauma, grief and loss, relationship challenges, anxiety, depression, or life transitions that have left them feeling disconnected from themselves and others. I believe our struggles make more sense when they are understood within the context of our life experiences, relationships, and the environments that shaped us. The ways we learn to trust, protect ourselves, connect with others, and understand our worth are often influenced by experiences that occurred long before we recognized their impact. My approach is trauma-informed, attachment-based, and culturally responsive. I work with individuals, couples, and families to explore patterns that may no longer serve them, heal unresolved wounds, strengthen relationships, and build a greater sense of clarity, connection, and purpose. I integrate EMDR and other evidence-based approaches to help clients process difficult experiences while developing new ways of relating to themselves and others. Therapy is not about fixing what is broken. It is about understanding your story, recognizing your strengths, and creating space for healing, growth, and meaningful change.

I am approved EMDRIA consultant. I provide a warm, empathic environment that allows you to explore the issues that have brought you to therapy. After this exploration I work with you to gain insight to the issues whether it be feeling "stuck" in the past, suffering with depression or anxiety, or a relationship, work or college concern. With this knowledge I work collaboratively with you to see you move to a place of action, to either process old memories that are keeping you "stuck", or to learn new skills to help you move forward. . I believe there is always hope and change is possible.

I believe that the innate nature of human beings is to survive and be well, and that varying degrees of life experience and trauma create psychic structures that inhibit that natural process from occurring. My job is to help client's develop compassionate awareness for these structures that are no longer functional in their lives and help them to build tolerance for the underlying feelings being protected by these structures. And ultimately to help client's choose and develop healthier more functional thoughts, feelings and behaviors to expand their well being, life satisfaction and treat themselves with loving kindness.

Youth Crisis Residents provides short-term, stabilization-focused behavioral health treatment for adolescents and transitional-aged youth experiencing acute mental health symptoms, substance use concerns, or significant functional impairment. Our goal is to reduce crisis intensity, restore safety, and support youth in returning to home, school, and community with a clear, individualized plan. Our program provides partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) mental health and substance use services for adolescents (12-17) and transitional-aged youth (16-25). Services are offered virtually or in person in Maryland.

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with one of our therapists, please use the contact form on our WEBSITE www.imaracounseling.com and a member of our intake team will be in touch with you within 24 business hours. Unlike many other practices you reach out to, we will respond and do our best to schedule you with someone who can assist you.

Do you get extra nervous around other people—especially new people or people that you do not know very well? Do you find yourself overthinking everything you say because you are worried about saying the "wrong thing"? Or after a conversation, you replay the entire conversation in your mind and get stuck on worrying that you embarrassed yourself? Perhaps there is a social activity that you would like to do, but you avoid it due to how anxious it makes you feel? Everyone can have experiences like these sometimes, but if you find that anxiety about interacting with other people is interfering with your life, then social anxiety may be the cause. If so, then I can help: I specialize in working with people who are struggling with social anxiety. First, we'll do a thorough assessment just to make sure that social anxiety is the best explanation for what you are experiencing. If it is, you will learn to identify and challenge the thoughts and beliefs that are feeding into your anxiety, reduce the power of your thoughts and feelings, gradually confront the very situations that are making you feel so anxious, and move toward your values. By doing this, you can start to feel better. While that does not always mean that your anxiety will completely go away, it means that the anxiety will likely be much more manageable—you will be able to do more of what is important to you and actually enjoy it. To help determine whether working together would be a good fit, the next step is to schedule a free, 15-minute phone consultation—no pressure, just a conversation. You can schedule online by going to my website, send me a message (best way to reach me), or give me a call. I will get back to you very quickly, usually within 24 hours!

Our own minds can multiply, confuse, and perpetuate the inevitable pain in life, or heal us to greater joy, love, and creativity. I will work with you to master your imaginative creation and to steer toward the life you choose with effective strategies. Building on your strengths and the best parts of your life, we will work together to resolve your problems and fulfill your highest dreams. Tools: I have an exciting new tool in my tool box: Accelerated Resolution Therapy. It is so new that it is not among the modalities on this website but it's been around long enough for research to validate it as "evidence based." Most soldiers with PTSD have gotten good results and have completed therapy by the 3rd session. I am so thrilled with the helpfulness of A.R.T. that I have worked to become a trainer in this method. Find out more about it online. Please see my own website (above) for a link. MindBody Health: I am fascinated by how our minds relate to our bodies and vice versa. Two areas of research demonstrate how strong the connection is. 1. Adverse Childhood Events are correlated with major health problems later in life. And 2, excessive negative stress is often followed by illness. The first can be transformed using Accelerated Resolution therapy. You have resources now that can be brought to the child who experienced trauma. The second, stress, can be relieved, in many ways to protect and care for your body. Together, perhaps we will create self-hypnotic recordings to align the power of your mind with the health of your body. Some health problems, such as allergies to pets and airborne substances, seem to respond especially well to this approach. We are only beginning to know the extent to which our minds can affect our physical health. For me, there is enough evidence to direct the powers of my mind toward healing from any illness - in addition to taking advantage of the wisdom of my doctors.

From my perspective life is about learning and growing. We have continual opportunities to learn and grow. Sometimes this means accepting ourselves and our situation with more realistic expectations- grieving or forgiving ourselves or others. Sometimes this means making a conscious choice about how we want to live differently and having the courage to make the first steps in that direction. As my mentor therapist used to say---- a therapist's role is to comfort the discomforted and discomfort the comfortable- we need both at different times. My role is to help guide you and walk with you in your journey. Thank you for the privilege and honor of walking with you and helping you navigate life in more balanced and authentic ways!

These are 6 areas of therapy that I'm passionate about and in which I specialize. I'd love to work with you if: 1) you struggle with anxiety or depression 2) need help with relationships or a betrayal, 3) have experienced something traumatic or suspect you have unresolved trauma 4) are grieving the loss someone or something 5) need help recovering from an addiction, or 6) are going through a crisis of faith or want to grow spiritually. My counseling style is active, engaging and collaborative, using an approach that integrates proven therapeutic concepts and techniques. My graduate degree in Counseling is from Johns Hopkins University. I am a licensed professional counselor in the states of Maryland and Pennsylvania, a Nationally-Certified Counselor and a Board Approved Supervisor in Maryland. I am also a member of the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors of Maryland. My continuing education includes certifications in couples work, trauma and supervision. To make sure we're a good fit for each other, please email me or visit my website to schedule a free phone consultation. From there, we'll meet online on Zoom, which my clients have found to be very convenient and effective. I look forward to speaking with you!