University of Maryland, Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy
University of Maryland, PhD in Maternal and Child Health

Postpartum Support International’s Maternal Mental Health Certification
Certified Facilitator for Dr. Domar’s Mind/Body Infertility Program

Currently licensed in MD, NH, DC, VA & FL

Adolescent/ young adult issues (i.e. navigating academics, peer relationships, bullying, self-esteem, and romantic relationships), anxiety, depression, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, infertility, adoption, reproductive loss, couples counseling, family counseling, divorce, OCD, personal growth, and communication issues.

As an undergraduate studying psychology and neuroscience at Princeton University, I began working for a crisis hotline. My experiences working for this hotline were what ultimately led me to want to be a therapist. During my time working for the hotline, I saw first-hand the enormous impact that having support and access to resources could have for an individual. This has shaped the work I do to this day. With my clients, I work to support them in sessions, but I also actively work to connect them with resources in the
community and within the school system, when appropriate.

After graduating from Princeton, I got my Masters in Couple and Family Therapy at the University of Maryland (UMD) in College Park. During my Masters program, I completed my clinical hours at both our community mental health clinic and within Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) system providing therapy services to students. I gained valuable experiences in both of these roles. Working in our community mental health clinic, I worked with a diverse range of clients and many students who were attending UMD. Within the school system, I learned more about the resources available to students and recognized the benefit of collaboration between professionals to best support our students and learned how to successfully do this within the structures in place in the school system. Even now working in private practice, I work very collaboratively with any other professionals that are in my clients lives to ensure that we are working as a team to provide support and coordinating our efforts. After graduating from UMD in 2019 with my Masters, I joined Family Therapy Center of Bethesda (FTCB) as an associate and completed my PhD in Maternal and Child Health at UMD in 2023. During my doctoral work, I focused primarily on mental health outcomes in the perinatal population.

At FTCB, I work with individuals and families at various transition points in their lives. Whether a transition is chosen and actively pursued or thrown at you when you least expect it, these points in life are often quite overwhelming. They often come with anxiety, many decisions, and self-doubt. I know the enormous impact that social support can have in these moments, and I strive to work with my clients to support them through whatever they are going through.

I have worked extensively with the following issues:

• Adolescents as they navigate such an exciting and pivotal time of life. My experiences in the MCPS school system and working with students at UMD, as well as my time working with adolescents at FTCB, has made me acutely aware of the many stressors that teens and young adults encounter within the school system and at universities and the pressure that many of our teens are under. When working with teens, I strive to support them as they navigate the day-to-day challenges of school (i.e. peer relationships, academics, romantic relationships) as well as thinking through big picture and long-term plans/aspirations that they have for themselves.
• Families navigating separation and/or divorce and blending families. I can provide therapy and/or coaching through this process.
• Individuals and couples who are pregnant, hoping to become pregnant, or navigating infertility. I am a member of the Mental Health Professionals Group with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and I have published several articles on perinatal mental health.

Ultimately, I believe that my clients know themselves and their relationships best, and I strive to meet them where they are and guide them on their journey to achieve their goals. I strive to create a space where clients can explore their emotions and develop new patterns of thinking, behaving, and interacting with others. I work to co-create with my clients what they would like to achieve through the course of therapy, and I aim to create a collaborative relationship. In my work, I strive to use a growth-oriented approach, utilizing various therapeutic models, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, structural family therapy, narrative therapy, and solution-focused therapy.

In my free time, I like to spend it curled up with a good mystery book or out on the water. Growing up in Florida, the beach has always been one of my favorite places, and I try to spend as much time as possible outside at the pool or on the coast.

Email: gabriela@familytherapyllc.com
Phone: (240) 242-7121