Therapist in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland
Welcome! I’m Brendan.
he/him/his
Licensed Master Social Worker
Specializing in EMDR, IFS & Somatic Experiencing
Serving clients in DC, Virginia & Maryland
This can be a space where you feel more like yourself again.
You’re not malfunctioning…
you’re adapting in ways that make sense.
The ways you’ve learned to move through the world often began as protection. Family systems, relationships, school, work, and culture all shape what it has felt safe to express, hold back, or carry alone.
In our work together, the goal is not to get rid of those adaptations, but to understand them with compassion and create more room for relief, choice, and connection.
Who I Help
I work with teens and adults who are struggling in relationships, with themselves, or with the weight of what they have had to carry. This may show up as anxiety around decision-making, a harsh inner critic, shame, conflicting feelings, or feeling stuck.
Together, we work toward a shift from “What is wrong with me?” to “This makes sense, and I can do something different.” Our work is personalized, relational, and paced with care. I have had the honor of working with clients from many different countries, ethnicities, sexualities, gender identities, and religions. I believe therapy must make space for the realities of the world we live in and the impact of systems that harm, exclude, or target people based on race, gender identity, disability, and other lived experiences. These realities are not separate from therapy. They are part of the context we work within.
Therapy can be a place where you feel more supported, more validated, and more connected to your own knowing. I do not position myself as the expert on your life. I listen, I believe you, and I support you in the work we do together. You are in the driver’s seat. I am alongside you.
What Therapy With Me Feels Like
Every client who walks into — or logs into — session has a unique experience. Still, clients often share some common themes.
I’ve been told:
“I don’t have to bring a filtered version of myself to our sessions.”
“I feel like I don’t have to worry about being too much here.”
“You take accountability when you make a mistake, and not many people do that for me.”
“You respect my choices and don’t push me to do things that don’t feel right for me.”
There is often laughter in session, too — sometimes at the same time as tears.
My approach may be a good fit for:
People who have spent a long time suppressing themselves in relationships
Teens and adults wanting to heal the impact of past and present experiences
Clients interested in extended sessions that allow more time for healing and integration
People looking for deeper work and deeper change
Clients seeking trauma-informed therapy
Adults carrying past and present pain
Clinical Experience
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I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland.
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I completed IFS training through the IFS Institute and advanced EMDR training. I have also completed Somatic Experiencing training and continue to pursue advanced training through Somatic Experiencing International.
Therapy Approaches
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EMDR Therapy
Unlock your brain’s natural ability to heal by gently processing the root causes of anxiety. EMDR helps reduce overwhelming stress and rewire anxious patterns so you can feel calmer and more in control—ready to move forward with confidence.
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Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
Reconnect with your body to release stored tension and stress that fuel anxiety. Through mindful movement and body awareness, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy helps you calm your nervous system and create lasting ease from the inside out.
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IFS
Discover and heal the different parts of yourself that hold anxiety’s story. IFS therapy helps you build self-compassion and inner harmony, so anxiety loses its grip and you can respond with greater clarity and calm.
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Therapy Intensives
Experience faster breakthroughs with focused, personalized therapy intensives designed to jumpstart your healing journey. Perfect if you’re ready to dive deep and start feeling relief from anxiety sooner.
What do these approaches actually look like in therapy, and what can you expect from them?
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Therapy with me is a space where you do not have to filter yourself. I approach this work with care, curiosity, and the belief that your responses make sense. Together, we slow down and notice what is happening inside, whether that is anxiety, overwhelm, shutting down, or something you feel in your body. My hope is that therapy helps you feel more supported, more connected to yourself, and less alone with what you carry.
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In IFS, we may begin to notice the different parts of you that show up in hard moments — the part that overthinks, people-pleases, shuts down, or speaks harshly to you. Rather than trying to get rid of those parts, we get curious about them. We listen for what they are trying to protect and what they have been holding for you. This can open up more compassion, understanding, and a different relationship with yourself.
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I use EMDR in a steady, paced way. We do not jump into painful material before there is enough support in place. First, we focus on grounding, safety, and trust. When it feels right, we may work with a memory, trigger, or belief that still feels painful or stuck. I stay connected to your pace throughout so the work feels supported rather than forced.
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Somatic Experiencing helps us gently notice how stress and trauma may be showing up in your body. That might look like paying attention to a tight chest, a lump in your throat, numbness, shakiness, or feeling frozen. We go slowly, noticing what feels like too much and what feels supportive. Over time, this work can help you feel more grounded, more present, and more able to stay with yourself in difficult moments.
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I do not believe therapy should feel rigid or one-size-fits-all. I use IFS, EMDR, and Somatic Experiencing in a way that is shaped around you, your needs, and your capacity in the moment. Some sessions may focus on understanding a protective part of you. Others may focus on helping your body feel more settled. At times, we may process something painful when you feel ready. Through it all, I will check in, move gently, and trust that your system sets the pace.
Virtual Therapy: Healing from the Comfort of Home
Life is busy, and carving out time for therapy can feel like just another stressor. That’s why we offer virtual therapy—a flexible, accessible option designed to fit seamlessly into your routine.
Imagine settling into your favorite chair, a warm drink in hand, your pet by your side, and starting your session from the privacy of your own space. Many clients find it easier to open up when they’re in a familiar environment, free from the pressures of commuting or worrying about being seen at a therapy office.
Virtual therapy offers all the same benefits of in-person sessions, with added convenience and confidentiality. You can save time, avoid transportation hassles, and focus entirely on your healing. Your sessions will be held over a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform, ensuring your privacy and safety every step of the way.
