ashburn psychiatrist

When Sounds Feel Too Big: Understanding Children’s Noise Sensitivity As a psychologist, I often meet parents who are genuinely perplexed by their child’s intense reactions to everyday sounds. The whir of a vacuum cleaner, the roar of an airplane, or the crack of fireworks can trigger distress that seems far beyond what most would expect. For some children and teens, this is not simply a dislike of noise; it may signal sensory sensitivity or, in other cases, a condition called misophonia. Sensory Sensitivity vs. Misophonia: What’s the Difference? Understanding the distinction between sensory sensitivity and misophonia is crucial, as each [...]

Moving Forward: Outdoor Walking Therapy for All Ages at APPS Do you feel more comfortable outside than in a traditional therapy office? Is it easier for you to think and talk while moving, rather than sitting still? Does fresh air and open space help lift your mood or ease anxiety? Would you prefer a less clinical, more natural setting to work through your challenges? Do you notice you process your thoughts better while being active? Are you seeking a therapy experience that feels more approachable and less formal? If any of these questions resonate with you, Walking Therapy may be [...]

Tech-Free January: Let’s Unplug and Recharge for 2026! Each year, “Dry January” sweeps wine, beer, and liquor glasses off the table. But what if this year’s reset is about screens instead? Enter: Tech-Free January -- a modern cleanse for your screen-weary soul. Screens, Screens, Everywhere!  Let’s face it: screens are everywhere. Computers, tablets, and smartphones follow us wherever we go. Research shows that 89% of adults check their phones within the first 10 minutes of waking up -- a number that’s rising. Seventy-five percent feel uneasy leaving their phone behind, even briefly, and 57% say they’re addicted to their phones. [...]

Finding Gratitude and Harmony This Holiday Season Have you ever left a holiday gathering feeling drained—not from the food, but from the tension in the air or disagreements over sensitive topics? In a time when heated debates about politics, money, and religion often overshadow the joy of togetherness, the winter holidays can easily become a source of stress instead of gratitude. This year, what if we chose a different path? What if we focused on getting along rather than being right, embracing gratitude even when we don’t see eye to eye, and savoring the moments with those we care about? [...]

Understanding “Resist and Refuse” (R/R) in Family Law: When Children Push Away a Parent Imagine a parent who has always been deeply involved in their child’s life -- helping with homework, cheering at soccer games, reading bedtime stories. Then, after separation or divorce, that same child refuses contact. What once felt steady now ends in tears, arguments, or avoidance. For many parents, it’s a bewildering and heartbreaking shift. In family law, this pattern is known as “Resist and Refuse” (R/R) or Resist/Refuse Dynamics (RRD) -- a situation where a child actively resists or refuses contact with a parent, even when that [...]

Beyond Screen Time: How Algorithms Shape Teens’ Exposure to Violence Picture this: a 13-year-old comes home from school, pulls out their phone, and scrolls through short videos. It starts innocently -- dance clips, sports highlights, comedy skits. But within minutes, their feed fills with footage of graphic fights, weapons, threats and even murders. They never searched for it, yet the platform’s invisible systems decided it was what they should see. This is not a rare story. For today’s adolescents, social media is the backdrop of daily life: how they connect, express themselves, and explore their developing identity. But emerging research [...]

Boredom: The Hidden Ingredient to Raising Resilient Kids As a psychologist -- and a parent -- I often reflect on the childhood rhythms of the 1980s. Back then, free afternoons meant roaming the neighborhood on bikes, playing pick-up games in the yard, or having adventures with friends, all with minimal adult supervision. With only a handful of TV channels and classic toys like Rubik’s Cubes and Lite-Brite at our fingertips, our play was open-ended and imaginative. Sure, there were arcades and new technologies like home computers and video game consoles were making their debut, but most of our days were [...]

Understanding Post-Separation Abuse: The Hidden Continuation of Domestic Violence For many survivors of domestic violence, leaving the relationship is just the beginning of a new chapter of fear, manipulation, and control. This phenomenon is known as post-separation abuse, and it can be even more damaging than the abuse that occurred during the relationship. What Is Post-Separation Abuse? Post-separation abuse is the continuation of power and control tactics by an abusive partner after the relationship has ended. While domestic violence during a relationship may involve physical, emotional, verbal, psychological, sexual, or financial abuse, post-separation abuse shifts the venue from the home [...]

Understanding and Addressing Bullying: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers For many children, bullying is more than just a difficult rite of passage or a phase.  It can be a painful experience that can shape a child’s sense of self, influence their relationships, and impact their mental health well into adulthood.  As a psychologist who works closely with children and families, I’ve seen how bullying—whether physical, verbal, or digital—can leave lasting emotional scars. What exactly is bullying and what are the different ways it can occur?  Physical bullying involves hitting, pushing, or damaging someone’s belongings. Verbal bullying includes name-calling, teasing, [...]

The Pros and Cons of Reconnecting with an Old Friend Have you ever felt a mixture of excitement, anxiety, and nostalgia as you contemplate reconnecting with an old friend? Life has a curious way of moving us along separate paths, often gently guiding once close friendships into later distant memories. But for many, there comes a time in life when we find ourselves wondering about those we've left behind, feeling drawn by the warmth of a shared history. Imagine sitting across a café table from someone who once knew your hopes, dreams and secrets.  In that moment, you could experience [...]