Robyn E Brickel MA, LMFT, LLC

09/05/2025

If you’ve been thinking about starting therapy—or returning to it—this is your invitation. Brickel and Associates is currently accepting new patients in the Alexandria, VA area, offering in-person psychotherapy tailored to your unique needs.

Our approach is trauma-informed, meaning we consider your full life context and past experiences as we support your healing journey. Building or supporting safety and stability is the first step in all of our work. Trauma can affect relationships, self-esteem, and emotional regulation, and understanding this context allows us to provide care that feels safe, respectful, and effective.

We know that starting therapy can sometimes feel intimidating. We know that it can also be an empowering step toward understanding yourself better, developing coping skills, and building resilience. At Brickel and Associates, we meet you where you are and work alongside you at a pace that feels manageable and supportive.

If you’re ready to explore therapy in a compassionate, trauma-informed space, we invite you to reach out today. Your well-being matters and taking the first step can open the door to meaningful growth and healing.

09/04/2025

A recent article by colleague, Annie Wright, LMFT, reflects on a lifelong struggle with overfilled to-do lists, tracing the habit back to childhood ambition and early experiences of scarcity and instability. From meticulously planned school days to launching a therapy center with a newborn at home, she describes a pattern of over-scheduling as both a coping mechanism and a source of perceived safety. Rooted in fears of inadequacy and financial insecurity, this relentless busyness has become an ingrained part of her identity, illustrating how productivity habits can be tied to deeper emotional and relational histories. Learn more, https://ow.ly/FXgM50WPjF0.

Okay, I need to be completely honest with you about something that's been running my life since I was old enough to own a neon-colored Lisa Frank planner.

09/04/2025

Trauma can shape how we view relationships and our tolerance of what we accept, sometimes leading us to stay in situations that don’t serve our well-being.

Do you find yourself holding onto people who treat you poorly or fearing the loss of someone, even when they have hurt you? Often, this fear stems from past experiences of betrayal or abandonment. The challenge of setting boundaries or advocating for yourself isn’t a reflection of your worth, it’s a learned survival strategy that once helped you navigate the world. Recognizing this pattern is the first step toward healing.

Accepting mistreatment can unintentionally reinforce the belief that you don’t deserve better. This can lead to unfulfilling relationships, anxiety, and feeling unworthy. But you deserve love, respect, and connections that honor your value.

Trauma-informed therapy provides a safe space to explore these patterns, rebuild self-trust, and develop healthier boundaries. Through this work, you can foster self-compassion and create relationships rooted in respect, understanding, and genuine connection.

Healing is a journey, and it’s never too late to prioritize your well-being. You are not alone, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. https://ow.ly/Nfsi50WPjEo

09/03/2025

Do you find yourself either avoiding others or feeling panicked at the thought of being alone? Many trauma survivors experience this “all or nothing” pattern—isolating for safety or seeking constant company out of fear of solitude. Both are coping strategies developed in response to past experiences, and it’s important to know that you’re not alone.

For those who grew up feeling let down by the people meant to protect them, relationships can feel risky. Solitude can feel safe, even if you secretly crave connection. Or you might fill your calendar with obligations, seeking companionship, even if it doesn’t fully meet your emotional needs. These extremes can lead to loneliness, anxiety, and unhealthy coping patterns.

The good news? You can reshape these patterns. Learning to live in the “gray area” allows you to experience connection without losing yourself. Trauma-informed therapy can help you navigate your emotions, build self-trust, and cultivate genuine relationships.

If isolation feels heavy or social interactions feel overwhelming, reaching out for support can help you find balance. Together, we can explore ways to embrace the middle ground and create a life filled with safety, joy, and authentic connections. https://ow.ly/o8P550WPjCe

09/02/2025

As we age, alcohol poses greater health risks—even for light or occasional drinkers. Reduced muscle mass, lower water retention, and slower metabolism mean older adults feel intoxicated faster, increasing the risk of falls, cognitive impairment, and chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and dementia. Alcohol can also interact dangerously with prescription and over-the-counter medications. Experts recommend that adults 65 and older limit drinking to no more than one drink per day and seven per week, pay attention to their bodies’ responses, and consult their doctors about safe consumption.

We also know that for healthy aging, moderation, or abstinence, remains the safest approach. Learn more, https://ow.ly/Puab50WPihQ.

Alcohol can present health problems for even light or occasional drinkers.

09/02/2025

We look forward to Robyn Brickel returning to the office on Tuesday, September 2! After a well-deserved break, she looks forward to reconnecting with our patients.

However, we want to remind everyone that it may take her a bit of time to catch up on emails and tasks, and we sincerely appreciate your understanding as Robyn gets settled back into her workflow.

09/01/2025

Today, we celebrate the hard work, dedication, and resilience of everyone who contributes to our communities. Labor Day is more than a long weekend—it’s a time to honor the achievements and struggles of workers throughout history and recognize the impact each of us makes every day.

Whether you’re working in an office, caring for family, pursuing your passions, or navigating multiple responsibilities, your efforts matter. They drive progress, support others, and help build the world around us.

Take this day to rest, recharge, and reflect on all that you’ve accomplished. Your work deserves recognition—not just today, but every day.

Wishing you a safe, relaxing, and well-earned Labor Day!

08/31/2025

As we wish it was easy to continue the growth of the last few years of openness and celebration in the LGBTQ+ community, it’s important to acknowledge that while progress has been made, the journey toward true acceptance, equality, and understanding is ongoing.

This advocacy is more urgent than ever. The unknowns of our current government and political climate threaten the hard-won rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, creating fear and uncertainty for many. At Brickel and Associates, we stand with the LGBTQ+ community and believe everyone deserves to live openly, safely, and authentically without fear of discrimination or losing basic human rights.

One of the most powerful ways to show support is through education and action — attending workshops, reading literature by LGBTQ+ authors, having open conversations, and learning about the unique challenges the community faces. Supporting LGBTQ+ organizations, shopping from LGBTQ+ owned businesses, and showing up for local initiatives also makes a direct impact.

As we celebrate the resilience, creativity, and courage of LGBTQ+ individuals, let’s commit to being active allies. Together, we can work toward a future where acceptance is the norm, equality is protected, and everyone feels safe to be their authentic selves.

08/29/2025

Many people struggle to understand the differences between consensual s*x versus s*xual abuse or assault, and trauma can make this even more confusing. At Brickel and Associates, we want to make one thing clear: s*xual violence is never your fault. S*xual violence is not s*x, it is abuse. S*x requires consent. Consent requires free will. Without it, no matter how your body responds, it’s abuse.

Trauma survivors often experience “arousal non-concordance,” where the body reacts physiologically even when the mind does not consent. This can create shame, confusion, or self-blame—but it does not mean you wanted or enjoyed what happened. Your body’s responses do not decide consent; you do.

Popular culture and media can blur these lines, but it’s important to recognize that consent, choice, and power are what make s*x healthy and safe. Children cannot consent, and adults cannot consent when incapacitated, coerced, or under duress. Anything outside of clear, freely given consent is abuse.

Self-compassion is essential in healing. By understanding the difference between s*xual assault and consensual s*x, survivors can release misplaced guilt, reclaim bodily autonomy, and move toward meaningful, safe, and pleasurable s*xual experiences. You have the right to say no, the right to say yes, and the right to be believed.

Learn more by visiting our blog, When Is It S*x, and When Is It S*xual Abuse or Assault? https://ow.ly/ppT650WJBTt

08/28/2025

Do You Know Your Attachment Style? Your early experiences with caregivers shape how you relate to others as an adult. Attachment is the emotional bond formed in early childhood, typically between 10 and 20 months, based on how your parents responded to your needs. Learn more about your attachment style by visiting https://www.attachmentproject.com/.

Online courses with renowned attachment specialists to start healing the past. Enroll today and access our award-winning treatment.

08/28/2025

Virtual therapy vs. In person therapy, which is better?

While virtual therapy offers convenience and accessibility, in-person sessions remain the cornerstone of trauma-informed care. At our Old Town Alexandria practice, being physically present allows for a deeper connection, better observation of body language, and co-regulation of emotions, elements that are harder to achieve online.

Although we find the most benefit with in-person care, we know that virtual therapy is valuable for those with mobility limitations, illness, or during extreme weather. We enjoy the ease of in-person care making emotional cues easier to read and connections more immediate. In-person therapy allows for thorough assessments, embodied experiences, and real-time support, making it especially effective for trauma survivors.

The act of showing up in person also reinforces commitment to healing. Commuting and dedicating time to therapy provides space for reflection and emotional processing, creating a more meaningful experience overall.

At Brickel and Associates, we prioritize in-person care while offering virtual sessions when necessary. Begin your journey toward growth and connection with us in Alexandria, VA today.

08/27/2025

At Brickel and Associates, we believe every story deserves to be seen through a trauma-informed lens, not just the successes and headlines, but the lived experiences that shape who we are.

Watching Billy Joel: And So It Goes reminded us of the resilience behind the music. Beneath the accolades — six Grammys, decades of iconic songs — lies a complex history of loss, abandonment, betrayal, depression, and survival.

Music was Billy Joel’s lifeline. It was how he made sense of the chaos, expressed what words couldn’t, and connected when trust felt impossible. For many trauma survivors, creativity isn’t just art, it’s survival.

The documentary doesn’t tie his story up neatly. Instead, it shows a man holding both joy and pain, still learning, still growing. That’s what real healing looks like: the ability to carry sorrow and joy side-by-side, to set boundaries, to rebuild trust, and to find meaning even in the messiness.

We see the same courage in our clients every day — people learning to live fully while honoring their past, finding safety, expression, and connection.

Billy Joel’s story is a reminder: trauma is not the end of the story. Healing has no deadline. And joy is not the opposite of pain — it’s a vital part of recovery.
And so it goes.

If you’re ready to start your therapy journey, reach out to us to schedule an appointment at our Alexandria, VA office. https://brickelandassociates.com/and-so-it-goes-a-trauma-informed-reflection-on-billy-joels-journey-through-pain-and-joy/