| Office: |
Melanie B Ness LICSW
1000 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22301
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| Phone: |
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| E-mail: |
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| Web Site: |
therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/40442
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| Profession: |
Psychotherapist
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| Services: |
Psychotherapy/Counseling
Telehealth (Video/Phone) Therapy
Individual and couples psychotherapy
evaluations
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| Practice Description: |
 | I am offering therapy sessions now by phone or video. Please do not hesitate to reach out for help. |
A patient once wrote this to me: "You are someone who knows the song in my heart, and could sing it back to me when I had forgotten the words."
What I find most helpful as a psychotherapist is to use my authentic self, which means that I talk, I respond to what patients say to me, and I use my sense of humor when appropriate. While I've been trained in most theories in this field, I find a common sense approach is more lively and beneficial. Therapy is between a patient and therapist or between a couple and therapist, two or more humans influencing each other, mostly for the better, struggling through anxiety and depression, betrayal, and darkness toward light and creative loving. What has been exciting in the last ten years has been learning as much as I can about neuroscience and the brain, and how psychotherapy can change the brain (for the better, we hope!). Recent developments in trauma therapy have added a sensorimotor understanding to my practice.
A former artist and Peace Corps volunteer
Recently a psychiatrist told me: “You are such a good therapist. Patients get better with you.” (Bragging!)
Here’s another brag from a patient; “I still think back on our sessions at times. Your kindness, intelligence, wisdom and personality still continue to bring me strength and healing.” (Ok ok, enough)
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Practice Specialties or Interests:
(Strengths are
in bold text) |
Anxiety Disorders/Phobias
Depression
PTSD
Adjustment Disorder
Adult Children of Alcoholics
Anger Management
Bipolar Disorder
Chronic Physical Illness
Crisis/Trauma
Dissociative Disorders
Divorce/Dissolution
Domestic Violence
Ethnic/Cultural Issues
Gay/Lesbian Issues
Grief/Loss
Infidelity
Life Transitions
OCD
Personal Growth
Personality Disorders
Relationship Issues
Self-esteem
Sexual Abuse
Sexual Dysfunction
Stress Management
Women's Issues
Complex PTSD
Sensorimotor psychotherapy
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| Age Specialties: |
Adults
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| Session Formats: |
Individual
Couples
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| Treatment Approaches: |
Behavioral
Biopsychosocial
Experiential
Interpersonal
Object Relations
Psychoanalytic
Psychodynamic
Self Psychology
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
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| Additional Demographic Expertise: |
African American
LGBTQ+
Women/Feminist
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| Education: |
MSW, The Catholic University of America, 1990
MA, Vermont College, 1984
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| License #: |
302141 |
| Licensed In: |
District of Columbia |
| Additional Licenses/ Certifications: |
Dynamics of Psychotherapy Program, Washington School of Psychiatry
Advanced Psychotherapy Program, Washington School of Psychiatry
Object Relations-Self Psychology Program, Washington Society of Psychoanalytic Psychology
Professional Identity: A Post-APTD Seminar Series, Washington School of Psychiatry
Intensive Short-term Psychotherapy Program
VKDP Summer School: La Divinia Commedia
Reaching the Affect Series, Washington School of Psychiatry
Neuroscience of the Mind. Medication and Therapy, Washington School of Psychiatry
New Developments in HIV, Washington School of Psychiatry; plus Resetting the HIV Button
Embodying the Unspoken Self: Attachment, Trauma, and Attachment, ICP+P
Embodying the Unspoken Self Institute, ICP+P
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| Professional Affiliations: |
 | ICP+P | | Washington School of Psychiatry | | Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society | | ISTDP |
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| Fee Schedule: |
Most patients use their insurance [CareFirst BCBS PPO], but those who pay out of pocket pay $180 per session. Limited fee reduction is possible. |
| Accepted Insurance: |
Blue Cross
Blue Shield
CareFirst
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| Insurance and Billing Instructions: |
Only take CareFirst BCBS PPO, Anhem; we do the billing for you but please confirm your benefits with your insurance company |
| Office Hours: |
9 am --8 pm Tuesdays and Wednesdays |
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