Naomi Weller
I am a Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical (LCSW-C) that is licensed to practice in both Maryland and Virginia. I have been licensed and providing mental health services and supervision for thirty years. My work settings have included outpatient mental health facilities, residential treatment centers, foster care, and schools.
Beginning therapy—whether it's your first session or a return to care—takes bravery, patience, and perseverance.
I believe in empowering clients, helping them improve their mental well-being and guiding them toward the changes they desire. An alliance, rapport, and trust with my clients provide a collaborative, warm, and comfortable place for you to discover your path toward growth and healing.
First session
Beginning therapy—whether it's your first session or a return to care—takes bravery, patience, and perseverance. You will not be alone in this journey. In our initial session, I will strive to understand your unique reasons for seeking therapy and what you hope to achieve. I specialize in helping clients with trauma, anxiety, depression, and children/adults on the Autism Spectrum. Trauma-Focused CBT, Narrative Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy are the main treatment methods that I use. I'm here to support and encourage you, knowing that your journey is uniquely your own. We will collaborate to build a secure environment where you can freely evaluate your present circumstances and define your future goals.
Strengths
First, I want to congratulate you on considering therapy for yourself. Beginning therapy—whether it's your first session or a return to care—takes bravery, patience, and perseverance. You will not be alone in this journey. In our initial session, I will strive to understand your unique reasons for seeking therapy and your personal goals. I specialize in helping clients with trauma, anxiety, and children/adults on the Autism Spectrum. Trauma-Focused CBT, Narrative Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing are the main treatment methods that I use. My philosophy is that of support and encouragement, and understanding that your experience is unique and multifaceted. Together, we will build a safe space to explore where you are and where you want to be.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is anyone who enters therapy and is ready to actively participate in their sessions. You do not need to understand your feelings, thoughts, and behavior, nor provide the structure for your sessions. Most important is that you are willing to recognize that you need assistance in determining what you want and are willing to consider other ways of reaching your goals. Change can be gradual, or intermittent, but a desire to self-reflect and experience your feelings is a firm foundation for a collaborative and therapeutic relationship.
Origin story
As a child and adolescent, I was the friend who listened to others' concerns and thoughts. In my family and community, I was the peacekeeper, trying to help others reach a compromise. Once I began college and had to declare my major, I realized that my skills could become a profession. Since earning my Master's in Social Work, I have worked exclusively in this field, albeit with different populations and needs. I look forward to combining my professional expertise with your personal goals to help you navigate life's challenges.
Ongoing work together
Once we identify your concerns and goals, we will design a personalized treatment plan to guide our work together. Because growth can be gradual, we will check in regularly to celebrate your positive changes and make sure our approach still feels right for you. To give you a clear, concrete picture of your progress, we will use brief baseline mental health assessments and follow up at regular intervals. Seeing this objective data can be motivational as you move forward. Depending on your specific goals, progress may appear as a more stable mood and the ability to recognize and cope with your feelings. This also includes more confidence speaking assertively about your needs.
Treatment methods
Strength-Based
Strength- based therapy applies to many of the treatment methods that could be used during sessions. The main tenet is that I don't view a client as lacking the ability to cope. Instead, I believe you already possess strengths and resilience, and our work together will focus on refining and building upon those strengths to help you achieve your goals. Another method that I use is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which involves clients changing their negative self-thoughts into positive thoughts that move them forward, as well as Narrative Therapy, which helps you explore your personal story, examine how past perceptions shape your present, and change your narrative to match your present. Additionally, I utilize Motivational Interviewing to help you align your behavior with your core values and choices. You can then rely on your own motivation to change and shape your behavior.
Location
Virtual sessions