Catherine Peterson, LCSW, PLLC Catherine@Petersonpractice.com 703.682.2123

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I am offering teletherapy during COVID-19.

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I am offering teletherapy during COVID-19.

Send a Message

Catherine Peterson, LCSW, PLLC

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My Therapy Practice

I work with individuals and couples struggling with anxiety, stress, worry, sadness, depression and trauma. By providing a compassionate and safe therapeutic environment, clients can learn to better understand themselves and their relationships. Clients can also recognize their inner strengths and develop new skills and techniques that they can use to maintain their sense of well-being long after they leave therapy. 

Catherine Peterson, LCSW, PLLC

Treatment Areas

Treatment Areas

Treatment Areas

 I help clients find the power within themselves to overcome issues related to anxiety, depression, stress,  challenging relationships, grief and loss, trauma, PTSD, maternal mental health, parenting and addiction.   I am trained in trauma-informed techniques that connect the mind and body. In addition, I have an extensive history working with the military community. 

Skills Focus

Treatment Areas

Treatment Areas

 My focus is to help individuals and couples heal and develop new skills.  I use a psychodynamic, strengths based approach and a variety of techniques including cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness training, emotionally focused therapy (EFT) & EMDR.   

Therapy

Anxiety, Depression, & Grief

Anxiety, Depression, & Grief

Anxiety, Depression, & Grief

Anxiety, fear, sadness, and depression are some of the most common and uncomfortable emotions that we can experience at some point in our lives. Through therapy and treatment, I am able to help you achieve greater self-esteem,  build healthier relationships, and make the changes needed to live your best life. 

Trauma & PTSD

Anxiety, Depression, & Grief

Anxiety, Depression, & Grief

Many individuals can experience symptoms associated with painful and traumatic circumstances. Anxiety, fear, and hopelessness are a few emotions that can linger post traumatic events. I can help you overcome these symptoms and guide you through the process of grief and healing. 

 

Relationships

Stress Reduction

Stress Reduction

Relationship counseling can be beneficial to couples who are looking to strengthen their emotional connection. Therapy sessions are a supportive place to better understand feelings of disconnection and distress.     

Stress Reduction

Stress Reduction

Stress Reduction

We live in a busy and demanding city and many people live with chronic stress.    I use tools such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and compassion focused therapy techniques to help you learn skills to experience more joy, energy and motivation.

Contact Us

I am here for you

Please contact me with questions.

Catherine Peterson, MSW, LCSW

405 North Washington Street, Suite 102, Falls Church, Virginia 22046

Catherine@petersonpractice.com 703.682.2123

Hours


Tuesday: 8am-7pm

Wednesday: 7am-1pm

Friday: 8am-4pm (Friday hours starting in September) 



Closed Saturday,Sunday,Monday & Thursday

About Us

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Catherine's CV & Trainings

 Catherine Peterson, LCSW, PLLC

Psychotherapist

405 N Washington Street, Suite 102

Falls Church, VA 22046

Office:(703) 682-2123

Catherine@petersonpractice.com

License 

Commonwealth of Virginia: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (License No. 0904004587)

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

Therapist

Brickel & Associates, LLC

Alexandria, Virginia

June 2016-March 2020

Therapist

Step-Family Support Group

Arlington, Virginia

2007

Therapist

Department of Behavioral Health, Walter Reed Army Medical Center

Washington, D.C. 

2001-2004

Therapist

Deployment Health Clinical Center, Walter Reed Army Medical Center

Washington, D.C.

2000-2001

Therapist

Mental Health Clinic, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System

Seattle, Washington

1998-2000

Substance Abuse Social Work Fellow

Addictions Treatment Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System

Seattle, Washington

1997-1998

Therapist and Research Assistant

Evergreen Addiction Treatment Center

Seattle, Washington 

1998

Therapist

Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Bedford, Massachusetts

1996-1997

Guardian Ad Litem

Marlborough Court

Marlborough, Massachusetts

1995-1996

Special Education Teacher

Teach for America, Welsh High School

Welsh, Louisiana 

1993-1995

PRESENTATIONS AND HONORS

Fostering Trust and Rapport through Empathy and Validation for Veterans with Unexplained Physical Symptoms; Uniformed Social Work Conference, “2001: A Social Work Odyssey” San Diego, CA; January 2001.

The Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) Homeless Study; VISN 1 Homeless Conference, Bedford, MA; July 1997.

EDUCATION

Master of Social Work

Boston College, 1997

Bachelor of Science, Psychology

James Madison University, 1993

ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

Emotionally Focused Therapy Externship, Kathryn Rheem, Ed.D., LMFT,  International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy, Live Online,  September 22, 23, 25, 26, 2020.

The Craft of EMDR Therapy: Taking it to the Next Level, Deany Laliotis, LICSW, Live Online, September 12-13, 2020. 

Treating Anxiety Disorders in Children & Adolescents, Paul Foxman, Ph.D., Live Webcaset – Fully Interactive, March 26-27, 2020

High-Functioning Autism:  Proven & Practical Interventions for Challenging Behaviors in Children, Adolescents & Young Aduts, Cara Marker Daily, PhD, BCBA, Licensed Pediatric Psychologist, Live Webcast-Fully Ineteractive, January 31, 2020

30 Years of Trauma Therapy, Dr. Mark Schwartz & Lori Galperin, LCSW, Harmony Place Monterey, Live Webinar, January 17, 2020

Imago Relationship Therapy Part 1 “Imago Fundamentals”, Imago Relationships International Distant Learning Event, Nedra Fetterman, PhD, Gene Shelly, M. Div, Herb Tannenbaum, Kobus van der Merwe, BD, May – July 2019

Tele-Mental Health Symposium: Laws, Ethics, Technology and Practice Implications for Therapist, Maryland CEU Insititue, Rockville, MD, June 28, 2019

Mental Health are for Transgender/Gender Diverse Youth CE Workshop, Children’s National Hospital, June 6, 2019

Compassion inquiry: Therapy with a Biopsychosocial Perspective on Mental and Physical Illness, Gabor Mate’, MD.  Psychotherapy Networker Symposium, Washington DC. March 22, 2019

The Myth of Normal in an Insane Culture, Gabor Mate’, MD.  Psychotherapy Networker Symposium, Washington DC. March 22, 2019

Restoring Resilience, Pain, Suffering, Inertia, and Recovery, Dr. Jerome A. Lerner, M.D.,  Webinar, February 20, 2019

Impasses and Challenges in EFT, Dr. Rebecca Jorgensen, Online, December 19, 2018

EMDR Basic Training, Mary L. Froning, Psy.D., Trauma Institute & Child Truma Institute, Washington D.C., September 22-23, Oct 6, 20-21, 27-28, November 17, December 15, 2018  

Working with the Neurobiological Legacy of Trauma, Janina Fisher, Ph.D., Webinar, September 18, 2017-June 18, 2018 

From Pornography to Intimacy: Changing the Triggers for Sexual Arousal, Dr. Mark Schwartz, Harmony Place Monterey, Livecast Webinar, May 4, 2018

The Missing Peace: Men and Trauma, Dan Griffin, MA, Meridien Behavioral Health, Annapolis, MD, March 16, 2018

EFT Stage 2-3: Deepening Engagement & Consolidation, Dr. Rebecca Jorgensen, Online, June 13, 2018.  

EFT Stage 1:  Reachign De-escalation, Dr. Rebecca Joregensen, October 5, 2017.

Core Concepts and Interventions in EFT, Dr. Rebecca Jorgensen, Online, August, 6, 2017.

Ethical Principles in the Practice of Virgnina Mental Health Professionals, Allan Tepper, J.D. Psy, D., Live Webcast-Fully Interactive, February 22, 2018. 

Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Assessment, Treatment & Advanced Clinical Practice, Karen Kleiman, MSW, LCSW.  The Post Partum Stress Center Post-Graduate Traning Program, Rosemont, PA. December 1 & 2, 2017

Treating Postpartum Depression, A Trauma-Informed Perspective, Robyn Brickel, MA, LMFT,  The Ferentz Institute, Pikesville, MD.  October 20, 2017

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Webcast, Pat Ogden, PhD. Turf Valley Resort & Confernece Center, Ellicott City, MD.  October 13, 2017 

Mindful Self-Compassion Core Skills Workshop, Kristen Neff, PhD, & Chris Germer, PhD, American University Washington College of Law, Washington, DC. October 6-7, 2017

Narrative Sand Therapy:  A Therapist’s Emotinal Experience, The Ferentz Insitute, Pikesville, MD.  June 6, 2017

Using Parts Work to Overcome Resistance, Calm the Inner Critic, and Help Trauma Survivors Self-Acutalize, The Ferentz Insitute, Pikesville, MD. May 1 & 2, 2017

Tools for Hearling the Heart that Hurst:  The Therapeutic Use of the Puppets and Dolls Across the Life Span. The Ferentz Insititue. Pikesville, MD.  April 19, 2017 

A Three Stage Approach to Incorporating Expressive and Creative Therapies, The Ferentz Insitute, Pikesville, MD, February 28, March 8, March 28, 2017

The Challenge of Treating Complex PTSD, Mary Jo Barrett, MSW & Linda Stone Fish, MSW, PhD,

Psychotherapy Networker, Washington DC, 2017. 

The Vulnerablity and Courage in Psychotherapy, Brene Brown, PhD, LMSW, Psychotherapy Networker, Washington DC, 2017.

Rising Strong, Brende Brown, PhD, LMSW, Psychotherapy Networker, Washington DC 2017.

Enhancing Neuroplitiscity, Linda Graham, MFT, Psychotherapy Networker, Washington DC 2017.

Shame and the Disowned Self Janina Fisher, Ph.D. Psychotherapy Networker, Washington DC 2017.

Psychotherapy of the Heart, Joan Borysenko, PhD, Psychotherapy Networker, Washington DC 2017.

Diathesis Stress Model of Addiction: Etiology of Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders, Darryl Inaba, Pharm D, CATC-V, CADC III, February 2017

State-Dependent Memory, Perception, and Communication: How We All Get It Wrong, Stan Tatkin, PsyD, MFT, January 2017. 

Advanced Level 1 Truama, Advanced Psychotherapy Training and Education,  Lisa Ferentz, LCSW-C, DAPA,  Pikesville, MD Fall 2016

Treating Adolescent Substance Abuse and Trauma, Robyn Brickel, M.A., LMFT, & Denise Tordella, M.A., Pikesville, MD October 2016 

Healing Affairs Using EFT, Rebecca Jorgonsen and Dr. Scott Woolley, August 2016

Maternal Mental Health 101, Joy Burkhard, July 2016

Working Intensively with Complex Truma and Dissocociation Clients, Dr. Maggie Phillips, June 2016

Ego-State Therapy:Working with Early Life Trauma Through the Body, Dr. Maggie Phillips, June 2016

Developing Inner Attachment to Heal Child Parts, Dr. Janina Fischer & Dr. Maggie Phillips, June 2016 

Anxiety Disorders in Children & Adolescents, Recognizing & Treating the Emerging Epidemic, Paul Foxman, Ph.D., Bethesda, MD, May 2016

Cognitive Therapy for Dementia, Effective Evaluation & Therapeutic Interventions, 

Peter R. Johnson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Reston, VA 2016

Know thy Boundaries:  Ethical Attunement in an Age of Informality, Mary Jo Barrett and Linda Stone Fish, Psychotherapy Networker, Washington, DC, March 2015

Ethics:  Necessary and Essential Information for Mental Health and Related Healthcare Professionals, Lois A Fenner, R.N., M.S., Attorney at Law, Fairfax, VA 2016

Emergency Mental Health:  Assessment & Treatment, Arlington, VA September, 2014

Healing Your Heart After Grieving, David Kessler Fairfax, VA 2014

Brainstorm, Daniel Siegel, MD, Psychotherapy Networker, Washington, D.C., March 2014

Brain Science and Psychotherapy, Rick Hanson, Ph.D., March 2014

The Power of Full Engagement, Diana Fosha, Ph.D., Psychotherapy Networker, 

Washington D.C. March 2014

Heal Your Heart After Grief:  Help Your Clients Find Peace After Break-Ups, Divorce, Death and Other Losses, David Kessler, Fairfax, 2014.  

DSM-5 in Plain English, Kenneth Carter, Ph.D., ABPP, Alexandria, VA 2013

Emergency Mental Health: Assessment and Treatment, Tim Webb, MAEd, LPC,

Alexandria, VA 2013

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness, Richard Sears, PSYD, MBA, ABPP,

Alexandria, VA 2013

The Nuts & Bolts of Legal and Ethical Practice, Edward Zuckerman, Ph.D., Alexandria, VA, 2012

Attachment Theory in Clinical Practice, Daniel Siegel, M.D., Psychotherapy Networker, Washington, D.C., 2012

Trauma, PTSD, & Grief, Linda J. Schupp, Ph.D., Arlington, VA  2011

Beyond Pills, Effective Treatment of Depression, Michael Yapko, Ph.D., Psychotherapy Networker, March 2010

Tapping Spiritual Resources for Healing, Froma Walsh, Ph.D., MSW, Psychotherapy Networker, March 2010

Social Work Ethics & the Law: Complex Issues in Social Work Practice, March 2010

Yoga & Mindfulness, Judi Moolten, MSW, RYT, YC, Arlington, VA 2010

Energy Psychology in Disaster Relief, David Feinstein, Ph.D., Psychotherapy Networker Symposium, Washington, D.C., March 2009

Helping “Blended” Families Thrive- Patricia Papernow, Ed.D., Psychotherapy Networker, Washington, D.C., 2009

Treating Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers, Karyl McBride, Ph.D., LMFT, Psychotherapy Networker, Washington, D.C., 2009

A Family’s First Year with Cancer, David Treadway, Ph.D., Psychotherapy Networker, Washington, D.C., 2009

Embracing Life in the Face of Death, Irvin Yalom, M.D., Psychotherapy Networker, March 2008

Healing Night: Treating Sleep & Dream Disorders, Rubin Naiman, Ph.D., 

Psychotherapy Networker, March 2008

Strategies for Positive Aging, Robert Hill, Ph.D., Psychotherapy Networker, Washington, D.C., March 2008

The I in the Storm, Richard Schwartz, Ph.D., Psychotherapy Networker, Washington, D.C., March 2008 about your business here.

Crisis Resources

Road

If you or someone you know is presently unsafe or experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911.

If you are in crisis, don't hesitate to reach out to one of these resources: 

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:  1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433)
  • Crisis Text Line:text "START" to 741-741
  • Self-Harm Hotline:  1-800-DONT-CUT (1-800-366-8288)
  • Veterans Crisis Line:  veteranscrisisline.net
  • Family Violence Helpline: 1-800-996-6228
  • National Crisis Line for Anorexia and Bulimia:  1-800-233-4357
  • National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency Hope Line: 1-800-622-2255


Copyright © 2020 Catherine Peterson, MSW, LCSW - All Rights Reserved.