Aimee Caramico
Psy.D., LCP, Co-Founder
she/her
I have been providing psychotherapy in a private practice setting for years and find it to be the most satisfying way to connect directly with my clients and my community. I enjoy working with clients and seeing them grow over time, moving towards a life that makes them feel more fulfilled. One of the moments I cherish most is when my clients are able to build self-acceptance and have more compassion for themselves.
My extensive training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy allows me to help my clients gain perspective and become more present in their lives and their relationships.
How I work:
I specialize in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a mindfulness-based behavior therapy that focuses on helping clients live fulfilling and meaningful lives even with the struggles of everyday life. I offer a collaborative approach that helps to guide clients toward their goals through fostering insight and acceptance while also reducing avoidance behaviors. I believe that every person has a natural internal strength that I seek to foster through empowerment. My ultimate goal is to help clients drop the struggle and live a valued life so they can manage the inevitable ups and downs of the human experience on their own.
Who I work with:
I am a general psychologist in that I work with all mental health and stress-related issues including life transitions, relationship issues, mood and anxiety disorders, chronic pain, and grief. I have a particular interest in grief and loss, as well as anxiety disorders, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
More about me:
I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology- Loyola University in Maryland and my Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. I am the Past-President of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Sciences. I provide supervision to our doctoral-level externs and enjoy supervising students and early career psychologists. I also enjoy providing consultation for clinicians and practices interested in learning more about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Jennifer Spatzer
Psy.D., LCP, Co-Founder
she/her
I’ve worked in a wide range of clinical settings and with disorders across the continuum of mental health. I have specialized experience working with clients in the more acute and severe stage of mental illness. I approach my clients in a collaborative and caring manner and establish an environment of acceptance, warmth, and respect.
I help my clients achieve insight into their psyche, behaviors, and emotions as well as developing self-acceptance and efficacy. I strive to guide and empower my clients to utilize courage, compassion, and humor to achieve the goal of taking control of their mental health and achieve sustained well-being, growth, and healing.
How I work:
I focus on connecting and getting to know my clients by gaining a deep understanding of the impact of major life events, relationships, passions, and culture as well as their unique nuances and quirks. This approach enables me to artfully select and weave together techniques from the myriad of psychological approaches that I use to create a novel treatment for each client. I am very action-oriented in my sessions operating from cognitive-behavioral philosophy with a strong influence from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Who I work with:
My typical client ranges from chronically mentally ill to acutely mentally ill or those persons who just experienced their first psychotic break or manic episode. I also work frequently with teens, connecting with them as they navigate the angst, excitement, and missteps that occur within the process of coming of age. Likewise, I enjoy assisting young adults as they navigate their 20’s and achieve the relevant life goals of developing an authentic self, creating healthy relationships and boundaries, figuring out their career path, and establishing a balanced and diverse lifestyle.
More about me:
I received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Biology from George Mason University. I moved to NY and obtained a Masters in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College in Criminal Justice. After several years working in the criminal justice field, I returned to school and received a Master’s in Clinical Psychology followed by my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at The Professional School of Psychology at Argosy, DC.
Rachel Painter-Acors
M.A., LPC
she/her
I've worked in various clinical settings over the past eight years, including community mental health, school-based therapy, and outpatient therapy. Throughout my time in these settings, I've worked with a wide range of individuals who have been deeply impacted by trauma due to family conflict, instability, and hardship. I have specialized experience working with trauma-related mental illness and attempt to create a brave space for clients to process their most vulnerable experiences.
I enjoy being creative and collaborative with my clients while acknowledging each individual's intrinsic value and worth. I strive to provide an inclusive environment for my clients, giving empathy, acceptance, and empowerment to help them overcome shame and the overwhelming ways their trauma impacts their lives. I also acknowledge the systemic influences that bring my clients to therapy and aim to understand and advocate for my clients.
How I work:
I focus on first building a trusting relationship and utilizing an integrative approach to select a treatment modality that best suits my client's treatment needs. My therapeutic style comes from a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and family systems framework. I come alongside my clients in session, operating from cognitive-behavioral philosophy with influences from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Attachment-Based Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I am formally trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and Trauma Sensitive Yoga and incorporate this somatic work into sessions with my clients.
Who I work with:
My typical client ranges from children as young as 5 to adults as old as 60, who have experienced chronic, complex trauma to acute single-episode trauma. I also work frequently with children and teens, connecting with them as they navigate learning to regulate their emotions during periods of stress. Furthermore, I have extensive experience working with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, family conflict, and self-harming behaviors.
More about me:
I lived and gained experience in Columbus, OH, before relocating to Washington, DC. I received my Bachelor's Degree from The Ohio State University and my Masters's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Ashland Seminary. I started my career providing intensive in-home therapy and transitioned to Nationwide Children's Hospital, where I was embedded in a Columbus City public high school. I'm incredibly passionate about taking my skillset outside the office and can often be found engaging in and developing community care practices.
Molly Rosenstein
M.Ed, LGPC
she/her
I have experience working with clients in both a community mental health agency and private practice setting. My diverse career settings have given me the chance to work with clients from varying backgrounds and life experiences. As a therapist, I understand that the decision to pursue therapy can be a difficult one. Thus, my goal is to create a warm, comfortable, and non-judgmental environment where clients can feel safe to explore their experiences, emotions, and behavioral patterns.
I prioritize working at a pace that feels comfortable for each individual client as I understand that experiencing vulnerability or revisiting difficult experiences can be overwhelming. While everyone has the tools within themselves to flourish, life experiences can make it challenging to connect with those strengths and abilities. I see my role as a guide, helping clients create more meaningful, satisfying lives, as they envision it.
How I work:
As a therapist, I aim to assess and support client’s needs by drawing from various evidenced-based practices. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, person-centered therapy, and mindfulness–based interventions. My therapeutic style can be described as conversational, warm, and exploratory. I implement authenticity and humor (when appropriate) to foster an emotionally safe, and supportive environment that invites client collaboration, as they explore a range of thoughts and emotions. Whether a client is seeking support for a specific issue or aiming for more broad personal growth, I am here to walk alongside them with empathy, compassion, and a commitment to genuineness.
Who I work with:
I have experience working with clients across all age groups, as they navigate a wide range of mental health and interpersonal challenges including anxiety, depression, self-esteem, trauma, and challenging relationships and/or family dynamics. I have a special interest in helping adolescents and young adults as they work through the many transitions and challenges that arise during this pivotal time.
More about me:
I received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Studio Art from Tulane University. I later obtained my Master’s of Education in Community Mental Health Counseling from Loyola University Chicago. Shortly after I relocated to Washington, DC to continue working within the mental health field. I am passionate about ending stigma related to mental health and increasing the availability of resources designated to improving mental wellness for the public. I work under the supervision of Sadiqa Long, LPC.
Max Levine
M.A., Doctoral Extern
he/him
As a fourth-year doctoral student in clinical psychology, I’ve had the opportunity to work in a variety of clinical settings during my training, including outpatient community mental health, residential programs, and school-based therapy. I’ve worked with clients across the lifespan, from teens struggling with the challenges of adolescence to older adults navigating life transitions and age-related difficulties. I enjoy getting to know my clients and collaborating to find approaches that fit their unique personalities and experiences, avoiding “one-size-fits-all” methods. At the core of my work is empathy, care, and respect as we work together to find a path forward for whatever my clients are struggling with.
How I work:
My clinical approach is strongly informed by my doctoral research, which focuses on developing methods for integrating a variety of therapeutic approaches into a single, cohesive treatment plan. No one style of therapy works for everyone, so I draw from multiple modalities to meet clients where they are and craft a personalized approach that resonates most with them. I am most influenced by psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and mindfulness-based therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Fundamental to my practice is the belief that, regardless of the techniques used, therapy simply doesn't work without a strong, trusting connection between therapist and client, where empathy, genuine care, and a sense of safety are at the forefront.
Who I work with:
I’ve worked with clients across all age groups, addressing challenges like anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, and identity issues. I focus on tailoring my approach to each individual, whether they’re navigating life transitions, seeking a deeper sense of purpose, or working through more severe and complex mental health concerns. I have a particular interest in the treatment of depression and ADHD.
More about me:
I received my bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University, and my master’s degree in clinical psychology from the Wright Institute. I am currently in my fourth year of doctoral training at The Wright Institute working towards my PsyD. Before pursuing a career as a psychologist, I worked for many years as an art teacher and ran my own small business teaching privately around the district. I strive to blend the creativity, flexibility, and improvisational nature of my art background with the scientific rigor of evidence-based clinical psychology to offer a well-rounded and holistic approach to therapy. I work under the supervision of Dr. Aimee Caramico.