Ashburn Psychological Services

04/07/2025

Happy Fourth of July from all of us at Ashburn Psychological and Psychiatric Services. As we celebrate this day of independence and unity, we hope you find moments of joy, connection, and relaxation with your loved ones. Wishing you a safe, happy, and meaningful holiday!

20/06/2025

Happy 50th Birthday Jaws: Some Thoughts on Shark Anxiety

It’s been 50 years today since Jaws splashed onto the big screen and changed the way we look at sharks and the ocean. As a child psychologist, I’ve seen firsthand how media can shape young minds, and Jaws is a powerful example. The film’s terrifying portrayal of a great white shark as a relentless, calculating predictor led to “The Jaws effect,” a term coined by Dr. Christopher Neff noting a dramatic increase in shark phobia (galeophobia) and even a fear of deep water (thalassophobia). And that ethos of anxiety led to the making of so many other scary shark movies over the past several decades -- the Meg, Shark Night 3D, Bait, The Reef Stalked, 47 Meters Down Uncaged, etc., etc., etc.

While the fear of sharks certainly existed before 1975, Jaws turned it into a cultural phenomenon. Many people, including children and teens, began to believe that all sharks are dangerous and that shark attacks are common. In reality, shark attacks are extremely rare—your chances of getting attacked by a shark are less than your chances of winning the lottery! But the movie’s suspense, music, and imagery made the fear stick.

The result? Beach trips became stressful for many families, and some kids refused to swim in the ocean – and even swimming pools -- for years after seeing the film. Shark fishing also surged, harming shark populations around the world. The movie’s legacy is a reminder of how stories can shape our emotions and behaviors, sometimes in ways that last a lifetime.

So, how can you help your child or teen if they’re afraid of sharks and you’re heading to the beach this Summer? Try these four things:

First, talk openly with your child or teen about his or her fears. Explain that sharks are important ocean animals and not monsters. Most sharks avoid humans, and attacks are very rarely less likely than many everyday dangers. Sharing facts can help kids feel safer.

Second, encourage gradual exposure. If your child or teen is very fearful of sharks, start by looking at pictures or watching gentle documentaries about sharks. You could also visit an aquarium where your child or teen can see sharks up close in a safe environment. This will help to demystify sharks and show your child or teen that sharks are just another part of nature. Going into the water slowly or only partially is also a good way to dimmish anxiety and increase confidence.

Third, it’s okay to remind your child or teen to be cautious but supporting him or her not to let fear stop them from enjoying the beach or ocean is a good thing. Telling your child or teen about your own childhood fears, and how you overcame them, can also be helpful.

Fourth, if your child or teen’s anxiety is strong or lasting, consider reaching out to a mental health professional for extra support. Research has repeatedly shown that cognitive-behavior therapy is the best treatment approach for addressing anxieties and phobias.

Dr. Michael Oberschneider
Founder and Director

19/06/2025

https://www.ashburnpsych.com/understanding-and-addressing-bullying-a-guide-for-parents-and-caregivers/

Understanding and Addressing Bullying: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers For many children, bullying is more than just a difficult rite of passage or a phase. It can be a painful experience that can shape a child’s sense of self, influence their relationships, and impact their mental health well ...

17/06/2025

As a young adult...

Do you struggle with motivation to pursue school, personal goals or career aspirations?

Are you socially awkward and do you withdraw or isolate from family or friends?

Do you still live at home?

Is your sleep routine reversed or off?

Do you rely on your parents for financial support, decision-making and daily tasks?

Are you unhappy with how you’re living your life but lack realistic ideas or a plan to improve things?

Do you avoid responsibilities such as keeping your room clean, paying bills, scheduling appointments, managing your time or finances, or making long-term plans?

Do you spend endless hours with technology?

Do you struggle with low self-esteem, anxiety or your mental health in other ways?

If you answered “Yes” to these questions, you may be experiencing Failure to Launch Syndrome. To learn more about our Failure to Launch services, we invite you to click on the link here. To schedule a consultation, we can be reached at: (703) 723-2999 or info@ashburnpsych.com.

As a young adult… Do you struggle with motivation to pursue school, personal goals or career aspirations? Are you socially awkward and do you withdraw or isolate from family or friends? Do you still live at home? Is your sleep routine reversed or off? Do you rely on your parents for financial supp...

16/06/2025

Benefits of Early Diagnostic Testing for Children

Research has consistently shown that early diagnosis and intervention for neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism or ADHD leads to better outcomes in communication, behaviors, social skills, academic achievement, and emotional well-being. The earlier a child receives a correct diagnosis, with tailored support and care, the greater their potential for growth and independence.

Early diagnosis helps families and educators create personalized strategies that address each child’s specific needs, fostering confidence and resilience and growth.

Understanding a child’s diagnosis provides families with clarity, reduces uncertainty, and connects them to a community of support and resources.

Early and accurate diagnosis helps normalize neurodiversity and encourages acceptance, reducing stigma for children and their families.

To learn about our developmental testing, we invite you to click on the link here. To schedule a consultation with a child psychologist and evaluator at our practice, we can be reached at: (703) 723-2999 or info@ashburnpsych.com.

Children’s Developmental Testing Developmental testing examines and analyzes what an infant or toddler can and cannot do using a standardized set of questions, procedures and methods. The results of these inquiries can be quantified. This information helps parents and clinicians understand how a c...

11/06/2025

We are thrilled to announce that Erin Balanc has joined our practice!

Erin is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and Resident in School Psychology who works with children and adolescents. She is a skilled school psychologist with more than a decade of experience within the public-school setting. She specializes in delivering comprehensive psychoeducational assessments to evaluate students’ cognitive, academic, and emotional needs. Erin prioritizes helping parents understand their children’s unique learning profile in an approachable manner that focuses on developing strategies that best support their child’s learning and growth. Erin uses evidence-based therapeutic interventions to support children and adolescents in overcoming emotional challenges, developing coping strategies, enhancing emotional regulation, and building resilience to improve overall well-being.

EDUCATION: Virginia Polytechnic and State University, B.S, James Madison University M.Ed. & Ed.S. School Psychology INTERNSHIP/FELLOWSHIP: Loudoun County Public Schools CREDENTIALS: Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology, Nationally Certified School Psychologist TREATMENT POPULATIONS: Ch...

09/06/2025

Signs Your Child Or Teen May Have A Learning Disorder.

Learning disorders (such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, or dysgraphia) are different from AD(H)D but can sometimes co-occur. Signs may include:

*Difficulty learning to read, write, or do math at the expected age

*Trouble understanding or following instructions

*Poor memory for academic material

*Avoidance of schoolwork or reading

*Consistently low grades despite effort

*Problems with spelling, handwriting, or organizing written work

Signs Your Child Or Teen May Have AD(H)D.

Inattentive Signs:

*Easily distracted, trouble focusing on tasks or instructions

*Frequently daydreams or seems absent-minded

*Struggles to finish assignments or chores

*Makes careless mistakes, overlooks details

*Often loses or forgets things (homework, books, personal items)

*Difficulty organizing tasks or activities

*Appears not to listen when spoken to directly

Hyperactive Signs:

*Fidgets, squirms, or struggles to sit still

*Talks excessively or noisily

*Has trouble playing quietly

*Is constantly “on the go” or acts as if “driven by a motor”

*Gets up from seat when expected to remain seated

Impulsive Signs:

*Blurts out answers or interrupts conversations

*Has difficulty waiting for their turn

*Acts without thinking, may take unnecessary risks

*Interrupts or intrudes on others’ activities or games

Additional Signs in Teens:

*Disorganization, poor time management, missed deadlines

*Restlessness (may replace overt hyperactivity)

*Difficulty with relationships and peer interactions

*Mood swings or emotional outbursts

*Increased risk-taking behaviors

If you as a parent have any of the above concerns for your child or teen, Summer is an excellent time to have your child or teen evaluated. Having a psychoeducational evaluation and report done before the 2025-2026 school year will put you ahead of things if the evaluation identifies significant learning problems or AD(H)D.

We invite you to click on the link here to learn more about psychoeducational evaluations at APPS. We also invite you to contact us at: (703) 723-2999 or info@ashburnpsych.com to learn more about our evaluations and to schedule a consultation.

Psychoeducational Testing Services Perhaps one of the biggest challenges faced by educators is how best to teach students who present with difficulty learning. Even gifted children often possess an uneven set of cognitive abilities, which in turn could negatively affect learning and academic perform...

30/05/2025

We are thrilled to announce that Jamilette Bonilla, BCBA, LBA, has joined APPS! As a BCBA, Jamilette provides services for toddlers, children, adolescents, adults and families using behavioral approaches from Applied Behavior Analysis, including Discrete Trial Training (DTT) and Natural Environment Training (NET).

Jamilette also has a wealth of experience in collaborating with schools (e.g., by consulting in IEP meetings), and in working closely with special education teachers and other involved school personnel in supporting clients with developmental, social/emotional and behavioral challenges.

To learn more about Jamilette, please click on the link here. We invite you to schedule a consultation with Jamilette at: (703) 723-2999 or info@ashburnpsych.com.

EDUCATION: Northern Virginia Community College Associate’s Degree in Psychology and Communication (2017), George Mason University B.A. Psychology (2019), George Mason University M.A., Special Education, ABA Certificate (2022). INTERNSHIP: Compass NOVA ABA, Manassas, Virginia CREDENTIALS: Board Cer...

29/05/2025

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Mary Abraham has joined our practice!

Dr. Mary Abraham is a Resident in Clinical Psychology who is completing her licensure with the State of Virginia. She is an integrative clinician and tailors her therapeutic approach to match her clients’ strengths and clinical needs. She is experienced in working with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relational issues, trauma recovery, and substance use recovery. She strives to meet clients where they are and to accompany them in overcoming obstacles that impede their capacity to flourish in the circumstances of their lives.

With extensive training in the area of diversity factors relating to spirituality, Dr. Abraham specializes in the integration of religious and spiritual identity factors in therapy and especially welcomes clients to whom their faith and/or religious tradition is an important part of their lives. She is also particularly interested in working with those recovering from trauma, second generation immigrants, peri and postpartum women, mental health practitioners and graduate students, and veterans and military service members.

To learn more about Dr. Abraham, please click on the link here. If you like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Abraham, we invite you to contact us at: (703) 723-2999 or info@ashburnpsych.com.

EDUCATION: The Pennsylvania State University (Psychology-Neuroscience Concentration), B.S.), The Institute for the Psychological Sciences at Divine Mercy University (Clinical Psychology, M.Psy and Clinical Psychology, Psy.D) INTERNSHIP: Lebanon Veterans Affairs Medical Center CREDENTIALS: Doctorate....

28/05/2025

What is a Health Psychology, and what does a Healh Psychologist treat?

Health Psychologists, and behavioral medicine clinicians, work with a wide range of conditions, focusing on the psychological and behavioral aspects of health and illness. Some key areas they address include:

Chronic illnesses (e.g., diabetes, cancer, heart disease): Helping patients cope with stress, pain, and lifestyle adjustments.

Stress-related conditions (e.g., hypertension, headaches, gastrointestinal disorders): Teaching techniques like relaxation and cognitive-behavioral strategies.

Addictions (e.g., smoking, substance abuse, unhealthy eating habits): Assisting in behavior change and relapse prevention.

Mental health disorders linked to physical health (e.g., anxiety, depression, insomnia): Supporting individuals in managing psychological factors that influence their overall well-being.

Eating disorders (e.g., anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder): Addressing the psychological drivers behind unhealthy eating behaviors.

Pain management (e.g., chronic pain conditions, post-surgery recovery): Helping patients develop coping mechanisms and alternative approaches to pain relief.

Health Psycholigsts also work on preventative health—promoting lifestyle changes to reduce disease risk. Using the biopsychosocial model for evaluation and treatment, their goal is to improve overall quality of life by integrating psychological principles into healthcare. To schedule a consultation with a Health Psychologist at APPS, we invite you to contact us at: (703) 723-2999 or info@ashburnpsych.com.

Health Psychology Services Health Psychology is the application of psychological principles to a broad array of health-related problems. A great deal of research and clinical experience have demonstrated that biology, behavior and social context influence health and illness and that effective treatm...

27/05/2025

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Bradford Applegate has joined our practice! Dr. Brad Applegate is a highly trained clinical health psychologist with 25 years of experience providing assessment, treatment, and consultation across a wide range of clinical populations.

Dr. Applegate uses a case formulation approach to identify and understand client problems. He then collaborates with clients to determine appropriate goals and then employs evidence-based treatments to reduce symptoms, improve functioning, and attain peak performance. To learn more about Dr. Applegate, please click on this link. We invite you to reach us at: (703) 723-2999 or at: info@ashburnpsych.com to schedule a consultation with Dr. Applegate.

EDUCATION: Virginia Tech (BS, Psychology), Mississippi State University (MS, Experimental Psychology), Louisiana State University, (PhD, Clinical Health Psychology) RESIDENCY: Clinical Psychology, University of Mississippi Medical Center & Jackson Veterans Affairs Medical Center Psychology Residency...

25/05/2025

While Memorial Day, as a holiday, has become associated with the unofficial start of Summer, it’s most importantly a day of remembrance and reflection in honoring the members of the military who died during service for our Nation. We invite you to consider the many meaningful ways to pay tribute to our service men and women this weekend. You could donate in honor of a fallen hero in support of their family through American Gold Star Families (americasgoldstarfamilies.org). Living in the DC area, you could attend the National Memorial Day Concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capital, the Rolling to Remember motorcycle rally, the National Memorial Day Parade along Constitution Avenue or observe “Flags In” at Arlington National Cemetery. You could also visit National Mall Memorials, most notably, the National World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial and/or the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. Most of the abovementioned events are televised for those interested who can’t make it out. Here's a link to some of the events in our area:

https://www.washingtonian.com/2025/05/21/14-memorial-day-events-around-dc/

Even if you plan to stay home to enjoy the day with friends or family, taking a moment to be mindful of Memorial Day’s true purpose -- honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country is a good thing to do. We at APPS wish you a beautiful Memorial Day weekend.