Psychological Wellness Services, PLLC, Arlington, VA (2025)

06/13/2025

Josie and I passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. 🐾

That little blue ribbon represents months of practice, patience, and trust-building—and it holds more meaning than I ever expected.

The CGC isn’t just about sit, stay, or walking nicely on a leash. It’s about self-regulation. About staying calm in unfamiliar, overstimulating environments. About trusting your handler even when you’re unsure. It’s emotional control under pressure—and let’s be honest, that’s something most of us are still working on.

Training Josie has required me to stay present, grounded, and consistent—especially when things weren’t going smoothly. And if you’re a therapist or patient (actually, if you’re human), that might sound familiar.

Because whether it’s a dog managing distractions or a human navigating anxiety, trauma, or relational pain—the process is rooted in:
Psychological safety
Emotional regulation
Trust in the process
Practice over perfection
Little steps over huge leaps

Josie didn’t earn that ribbon because she’s naturally mellow (she’s not 😅). And I’m not a professional dog trainer. We got here because we showed up again and again. We practiced when it was hard. We took breaks. We learned from setbacks. We kept going.

That’s what therapy is, too.

Not a quick fix. Not perfect ex*****on. But a commitment to keep returning—to ourselves, to our work, to the uncomfortable growth that creates real change.

Josie’s on her way to becoming a psychiatric service dog for ADHD/OCD—and today was a huge step in that direction. But more than that, today reminded me that healing is never about mastering control—it’s about deepening trust.

05/29/2025

Clarity. Depth. Real change.
That’s what we offer in therapy—
and now, it’s what you’ll find on our website, too.

✨thrivewithpws.com is live.✨
And it’s so much more than a digital facelift.

This space was built for you—
→ The individual who’s tired of spinning in the same patterns
→ The couple who loves each other but is stuck in painful cycles
→ The person navigating big decisions, big feelings, and big change

We designed every page with intention:
Clarity over fluff
Depth over surface solutions
A simpler, more aligned way to take the first step into therapy.

Finding a therapist shouldn’t feel like guesswork.
You shouldn’t have to dig through jargon to know if we’re a fit.
You deserve to feel seen—even before you walk through our door.

Whether you’re ready to start therapy, figuring out if your relationship can be saved, or just looking for support that doesn’t sugarcoat the hard stuff…

We built this site for you.
For the version of you who’s ready to stop surviving and start actually thriving.

And I didn’t do it alone.
While my patients turn to me for clarity and direction, I needed the same when it came to finding the right words.

That’s where bigmouthcopy came in.
This mighty team helped me bring my voice, values, and vision to life in a way that is truly me.
They didn’t just help build a website—they helped tell the story of what this work really is.

💻 Visit us at www.thrivewithpws.com
Let’s make this the moment things start to shift.

05/13/2025

They’re still breathing.
Still walking through the world.
But the version of them you knew… the relationship you needed… the future you hoped for and were promised—it’s gone.

Maybe they changed.
Maybe you finally saw who they kept showing you they were.
Maybe the relationship became unsafe.
Maybe you started to believe the patterns and not just their words.
Or maybe they just didn’t show up in the way they promised and you the way you deserve.

Grieving someone who’s still alive is brutal. Grieving the relationship you thought was going to be your forever, is heart wrenching.
Because there’s no funeral. No closure. No rituals.
Just this quiet and painful ache.

If you’re in that space right now, I want you to hear this:

You’re not dramatic.
You’re not weak.
And you’re not alone.

Letting go of someone who’s still here takes a level of courage most people will never understand.
It’s grief. It’s love. It’s loss.
And it’s valid.

05/04/2025

After 14 years of practicing in Arlington —I’m packing up the space that has held so many chapters of my life and the lives of those I’ve had the honor to sit with.

This space has seen me through seasons of becoming—personally and professionally. It’s where I started to find my voice as a psychologist and build my confidence. Where I became a mother. Where I navigated heartbreak, growth, grit, and grace—just like the people I’ve worked with.

Now, I’m stepping into a new chapter. One marked by big transitions in my own life and in my work. And while change can feel daunting, it’s also sacred. It reminds me of the courage my patients show every day—sitting with uncertainty, choosing growth, and allowing transformation to take root.

With this move comes a new space, a fresh energy… and yes, a new couch. One that will soon carry its own stories of healing, laughter, tears, and quiet breakthroughs.

I may be leaving these four walls, but the work—the heart of it—comes with me. And I’m so grateful for every moment, every story, and every soul that’s shared this space with me.

Here’s to the next chapter.

04/24/2025

Manifesting is Only Half the Equation

It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that if you just think positively or visualize hard enough, your dreams will magically land in your lap. Manifestation is powerful—don’t get me wrong. But the real secret? It’s what you do after you set those intentions.

You still have to show up. Do the work. Take the uncomfortable steps, even when you’re tired, scared, or doubting yourself. The universe can open doors, but you’re the one who has to walk through them.

Dream big. Manifest boldly. But remember: the life you want is built, not wished into existence. Put in the work. That’s where the magic really happens.

You can manifest your dreams all you want, but it’s your effort and action that turn them into reality.

04/17/2025

To my friends, family, patients and the incredible parents raising autistic and neurodivergent children—

I see you.
I see the fierce love you pour into your kids every single day. The strength it takes to advocate, protect, nurture, and celebrate them exactly as they are. You are warriors—exhausted, yes, but unrelenting in your devotion. And your kids are incredible humans— not broken.
And I will not stay quiet in the face of ignorance.

RFK Jr.’s recent comments about autism aren’t just disappointing—they are harmful, dehumanizing, and wrong. Suggesting that autism is a “tragedy” or something that needs to be “fixed” isn’t just ableist—it’s a slap in the face to every neurodivergent person and the people who love them.

To my autistic friends, patients and family members—
To my ADHDers, AuDHDers, dyslexic thinkers, sensory-sensitive souls, and all who live and navigate the world differently—
You are not broken. You are not less. You are not a warning sign for society.
You are valuable. You are needed. You are exactly who you need to be.

I will always stand on the side of neurodiversity, inclusion, and truth.
And I want to be very clear: I will not tolerate or entertain comments that support this harmful rhetoric. If you feel differently, keep scrolling. This will only be a safe space.

I am here to protect, uplift, and honor neurodivergent voices—not silence them.

04/15/2025

You’ve probably heard the phrase “two steps forward, one step back.”
Or maybe you’ve said, “I feel like I’m going backwards.”

Here’s the thing: you’re never actually going backwards. You are never able to go back.

Even when it feels like you’re repeating old patterns…
Even when it looks like you’re stuck in the same fight, the same fear, the same place—
You are not the same person.

Because now?
You’re recognizing the pattern.
You’re noticing what used to be automatic.
You’re aware of something you couldn’t even name before.
That alone is growth.

Every “setback” brings new perspective.
Every tough moment gives you insight.
You don’t return to square one—you return with more clarity, more wisdom, more self-trust.

You’re not going backward.
You’re moving forward in a spiral.
You may pass familiar ground, but now you’re seeing it with new eyes.

It might take time to make the changes that create the new patterns, set the boundaries and put distance between your “older” you and who you are becoming, but it will happen.

04/13/2025

In a healthy relationship, you should not feel…

Confused all the time
Like you’re walking on eggshells
Unworthy of love
Afraid to speak your truth
Responsible for their emotions
Like you’re “too much” or “not enough”
Anxious when they’re in a mood
Like you’re constantly apologizing
Alone
Drained from doing all the emotional work
Pressured to ignore your needs
Like you’re the only one growing
Ashamed for asking for your basic needs to be met
Unsafe—emotionally, physically, or psychologically
That they are always the victim
That they always have something wrong
Apologizing to keep the peace
Thinking of the perfect wording before having a conversation

If you’re feeling these things—it’s not love, it’s survival.

Healthy love doesn’t come with constant self-doubt.
It doesn’t punish you for being human.
It’s not supposed to hurt like that.

You deserve more.
You always have.

04/12/2025

You can be wildly in love with someone…
Believe with your whole heart that they’re “the one.”
Feel chemistry, connection, history, even destiny.

But if their love consistently hurts you—
That’s not healthy love.

If you’re anxious more than you’re at peace…
If you’re constantly trying to earn their warmth…
If their version of “love” makes you question your worth—
That’s not love you’re meant to stay in.

Love isn’t supposed to hurt. Love isn’t even supposed to be constantly hard.
It’s not supposed to make you feel invisible, or small, or hard to love.
It’s not supposed to be a cycle of highs and lows that leave you emotionally wrecked.

Even if you love them.
Even if you wanted it to be forever.
You can love someone deeply and still choose to walk away.

Walking away will probably be one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. It can hurt like hell for awhile. And that is normal. That is not a sign that you need to go back. The pain of walking away will be temporary when compared to the long term pain you would have by staying.

Because real love?
It feels like safety.
It feels like being seen, chosen, and respected.
It doesn’t ask you to shrink yourself to keep it.

04/01/2025

April marks the start of a new season—longer days, fresh blooms, and a sense of renewal. But just because nature is waking up doesn’t mean you have to be in full bloom too.

This is your reminder that growth isn’t about constant productivity. It’s about honoring where you are right now. Maybe you’re feeling energized by the change in season, or maybe you’re still shaking off the weight of winter. Both are okay.

As we step into this new month, take a moment to check in with yourself:
✨ What’s been weighing on you?
✨ Where can you offer yourself more grace?
✨ What small thing would help you feel more grounded?

Spring isn’t about forcing growth—it’s about creating the conditions for it to happen naturally. So, whether you’re in a season of rest, healing, or change, you’re exactly where you need to be.

03/29/2025

Self-help books can be powerful. They give language to your experience, offer tools, and sometimes spark those “aha” moments that stay with you for years. But let’s be honest - When you read a self-help book, you’re filtering everything through your lens—your past, your beliefs, your wounds.
But here’s the catch:
That lens can be distorted.

Therapy? It’s interactive. It’s not a set of strategies written for the masses; it’s a relationship built around you. Your history. Your patterns. Your blind spots. The things you’re too close to see on your own.

Books can teach.
Therapy can transform.

A book won’t stop you mid-sentence and gently ask, “Do you notice how you just minimized your own pain?”
A book won’t sit with you in silence when you finally say something you’ve never said out loud.
A book won’t track your progress over time and remind you just how far you’ve come when you’re ready to give up.
A book won’t say “Hey… I think you misunderstood that.” Or “You’re using this tool to shame yourself—let’s look at that.”

Books are amazing tools. But therapy is a process. A living, breathing, evolving experience that meets you where you are—and walks with you where you want to go.

If you’ve read all the books but still feel stuck, you’re not broken. You’re just ready for more than information.

You’re ready for connection. For insight. For change that actually sticks.

And that’s where therapy comes in.

Psychological Wellness Services, PLLC

06/13/2025

05/29/2025

05/13/2025

05/04/2025

04/24/2025

04/17/2025

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03/29/2025

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