In other words, there are self-defeating cycles of thoughts, feelings and behaviors that we repeatedly engage in that result in problems in mood, self-esteem and relationships. What is crucial in therapy is that we change the cycle in the present. Knowing how the cycle first started in childhood is interesting and perhaps useful ... but seldom necessary. After all, we can never, ever change what happened to us in the past. We can, however, change the beliefs, behaviors and feelings that we have learned from our past experiences.

 

That is why I believe that an essential part of results-oriented therapy is the work that clients do in between sessions to put into effect what is discussed during sessions. I encourage clients to choose some type of therapeutic experiment to work on: some simple way to think about and/or handle things differently than you are used to in order to understand and disrupt your self-defeating cycles. Often, I also suggest that you use a worksheet or journal to examine and challenge your thoughts and feelings, and the resulting behavior patterns. Part of what we talk about at each session is what you can learn from the past week's homework experiments and written exercises, and how you can build upon this in the coming week.

 

 

MY BACKGROUND

 

I am a Licensed, Independent Clinical Social Worker and received my MSW degree from the University of Michigan in 1987. I have been extensively trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy, group psychotherapy, and crisis intervention. I am a Diplomate in the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. I am a Certified Trial-Based Therapist, a type to CBT that uses courtroom-like role plays to challenge your self-defeating thoughts and core beliefs.  I am a Certified Group Psychotherapist, and am a founder of the National Registry of Certified Group Psychotherapists. I am also a Diplomate in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, the highest credential offered by the National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists. I am included in Washingtonian magazine's 2009 list of "Top Therapists" (in the categories of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.)

 

I worked for several years at the Whitman-Walker Clinic in Washington, DC: one of the nation's largest AIDS service providers and gay & lesbian health centers. I served as their first Mental Health Services Director, as well as their first Volunteer Resources Director. I have a more than 35-year history of volunteer work in varied human service and social justice issues.

 

I have a special interest in therapy groups and support groups as a means of helping people with common concerns empower each other. I have led some 90 therapy groups on social anxiety, depression, relationships, AIDS, and self-esteem. I have also led many support groups on a variety of issues, and supervised a team of Whitman-Walker Clinic support group leaders for seven years.

 

I am a 59-year-old gay, white Jewish man.

 

 

SOCIAL ANXIETY THERAPY

 

Shy? Unassertive? Self-conscious? Embarrass easily? Public speaking fear? Socially withdrawn or avoidant? Uncomfortable meeting people, making friends or dating? Anxious when talking in groups? Self-conscious about being sexual, or using public bathrooms? Think of yourself as fundamentally different, not fitting in, not good enough? 

 

If some of these things are big problems for you, you may be experiencing social anxiety disorder (also known as social phobia): when the fear of judgment, embarrassment or rejection inhibits your life.  LGBT people are especially prone to social anxiety, as we have often grown up being taught that we are unacceptable to others simply for who we are. (See my website for an article about this: http://www.socialanxietyhelp.com/LGBT-cognitive-behavioral-therapy.htm)

 

In addition to working with people one-on-one, I also offer social anxiety therapy groups. These are very structured, 20-week cognitive-behavioral therapy programs designed to help members learn how to overcome their interpersonal discomfort, avoidance and self-defeating behaviors. Members choose and work on personal goals, such as:  socializing, making friends, dating, assertiveness, public speaking, advancing career, and improving self-confidence. These groups also include an extended program designed to help members identify and change the core beliefs that help cause social anxiety, low self-esteem and depression.

 

In addition, I offer free educational workshops on social anxiety to help people check out whether the cognitive-behavioral therapy approach is right for them.   For much more information, visit my web site:  http://www.socialanxietyhelp.com.

 

 

NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO STORY

 

National Public Radio broadcast a feature story on my use of cognitive-behavioral therapy for social anxiety on its national evening news program, All Things Considered. The story focuses on a lesbian client of mine, "Judy," and the work she did in my social anxiety therapy group. It includes an extensive interview with "Judy," and follows her as she does a therapy homework experiment at Dupont Circle, in Washington, DC. The story also includes informational interviews with myself and with an expert from the American Psychological Association about cognitive-behavioral therapy. Press this link to listen to this 8 1/2 - minute story: http://www.socialanxietyhelp.com/DC-cognitive-behavioral-therapy/NPR-on-social-anxiety.htm

 

 

PERSONAL CHANGE STORIES

 

Visit my website to view, hear and read the stories of personal change achieved by many former clients of mine through doing cognitive-behavioral therapy with me, including 4 LGBT men and women: http://www.socialanxietyhelp.com/DC-cognitive-behavioral-therapy/social-anxiety-story.htm 

 

 

PAYMENT METHODS & INSURANCE ACCEPTED

 

I try to make my work affordable. I offer a sliding scale and payment plans based on ability to pay to those low-income individuals who do not have insurance coverage. I also accept credit and debit cards for payment, as well as personal checks and cash. I am a Medicare provider. For other insurance plans, I provide a statement at the time of service for the client to submit and seek reimbursement. I also offer 15% discounts to group clients who pay monthly. The full fee for individual sessions, 60 minutes in length, is $115. The full fee for group sessions (180-minutes long) is $70, or $240 if paid monthly (for four sessions).

 

 

AVAILABILITY

 

My therapy groups and educational workshops are generally held on weekday evenings. I see individuals during daytime and evening appointments Monday through Friday. 

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