CLINICAL PRACTITIONERS
MONIQUE MOORE, PhD
Experienced licensed clinical Psychologist. Highly skilled at treating individuals, couples, and families, presenting with a wide range of psychological health difficulties at all levels of severity. Specialized training in treating anxiety and trauma. Extensive knowledge of the types of challenges and struggles military service members and their families face and particularly enjoy working with active and veteran members of the military. Specialized knowledge also in treating and uncovering underlying drives that fuel addictive and compulsive shopping habits.
Apply a bio-psycho-social approach and believe in holistic and positive-focused approaches to care. Common clinical applications include cognitive-behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy, mindfulness, mind-body skill relaxation techniques, acceptance and commitment therapy, person-centered therapy, EMDR, and solution-focused counseling. Author of numerous review publications aimed at enhancing resilience and coping skills to enhance health and well-being as compliments to psychological health care. Well-versed-in working with individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Approach to therapy: I genuinely enjoy being able to help clients achieve real and observable changes in their lives. Through my work I have helped individuals, couples, and families facing a wide variety of difficulties at all levels of severity to identify patterns and roadblocks that undermine growth, create distress, or get in the way of more fulfilling lives and relationships.
In terms of my therapeutic philosophy, I strongly believe in tailoring treatment to meet the needs of each client. I approach therapy as a co-investigation in which I work with my clients to pinpoint what may be causing distress or getting in the way of a fuller life. When we first meet I begin by conducting a thorough interview along with more formal questionnaires to gather a complete picture of presenting problems. Often, exploring previous family or developmental difficulties, as well as more recent lifestyle habits, circumstances, and emotional styles can lead to critical insights into roadblocks that are keeping clients held back. After our first meeting I typically share my impressions and discuss ideas for a treatment course. At every step, my clients are invited to be a part of the treatment plan and when progress is not being made, we co-investigate the causes.
In terms of selected techniques, I utilize a combination of therapeutic approaches that have been shown in research to be effective. It is frequently creative approaches to therapy that draw upon a combination of research-proven tools that can lead to critical breakthroughs. Beyond clinical techniques, however, through deep respect for each client’s uniqueness, my ultimate goals is to help clients find and invest in their own inner strengths, unique qualities, and tools for healing.
As a final comment, I believe in taking a holistic approach to solving difficulties and believe it can be important to simultaneously attune to many aspects of health to include physical, environmental (i.e. work or home climate), and relationship as well as psychological health. As such, clients are sometimes encouraged to consider broader lifestyle changes to accompany therapeutic change.
Ultimately, my goal is to help clients not just to survive, but to genuinely thrive.
Laurie A. Owen, LICSW, LCSW
Approach to therapy: As a psychotherapist licensed in both the District of Columbia and the State of Maryland, I am very happy to be joining Dr. Moore in her clinical practice. My aim is to assist clients in expanding self-knowledge, addressing challenges, and facilitating personal growth. I have had extensive experience working in both outpatient and inpatient settings, and have enjoyed working with a wide range of age, orientation, and cultural groups. My clients have come for help with issues such as trauma, depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse, ADHD, among other mental-health challenges. Working with both individuals and couples, I utilize a multi-modal approach which includes insight, cognitive-behavioral, and mindfulness techniques to address each patient’s individual needs and goals. Prior to partnering with Dr. Moore, I worked with the Axis Health Care Group treating adolescents, adults, and couples, and provided psychotherapy services on issues of aging, grief, and loss. I received my MSW from Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Having been raised in Latin America, Europe, and Asia, I feel I bring an inclusive perspective to our shared and unique experiences of living.
A winner of the 2015 Patients’ Choice Awards for