Avi Kutner
I'm a compassionate Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Certified (LCSW-C) with over 13 years of experience helping adults navigate life transitions, anxiety, depression and relationship concerns. I provide a warm, calm and accepting space for clients to explore and share their feelings with a licensed professional.
My greatest strengths as a provider include my ability to create a safe and supportive therapeutic environment, my experience working with trauma and anxiety, and my expertise in IFS and other evidence-based therapies.
I draw on evidence based treatment approaches, including CBT, Internal Family Systems (IFS), mindfulness-based and compassion-focused treatment models. I've studied Internal Family Systems (IFS) with Bonnie Weiss since 2022. I care about getting to know you and your concerns, because I believe that therapy works best when we build a strong working relationship. I care deeply about supporting my clients on their healing journey.
First session
In the first session, clients can expect to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their challenges and begin building a supportive therapeutic relationship. We'll work together to identify goals and develop a plan to achieve them, and I'll provide a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
Strengths
My greatest strengths as a provider include my ability to create a safe and supportive therapeutic environment, my experience working with trauma and anxiety, and my expertise in IFS and other evidence-based therapies. I'm also skilled at empowering clients to develop greater self-awareness, self-acceptance, and emotional regulation, and I'm passionate about helping clients achieve their mental health goals.
Ideal clients
Adults who feel stuck in the same patterns — anxious, weighed down by old wounds, or caught in habits they want to break. Many of the people I work with are men who carry a lot of responsibility and want a direct, practical approach: understanding what is happening inside, building steadier ways to cope, and making real changes in their relationships, work, and daily life, one steady step at a time.
Treatment methods
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
IFS allows us to explore and understand the different “parts” of ourselves that may hold conflicting feelings, beliefs, or needs. I guide clients in developing greater self-compassion and internal harmony, helping them move toward healing and personal growth.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to help clients identify and reframe unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to distress. Together, we work on building practical coping strategies and healthier behaviors so clients can feel more in control of their emotions and daily life.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I incorporate mindfulness practices to help clients stay present, reduce anxiety, and build awareness of their thoughts and emotions without judgment. These tools are especially useful for grounding during moments of stress and cultivating long-term resilience.
Compassion-Focused
With a focus on compassion, I help clients soften self-criticism and build a kinder, more supportive inner voice. This approach can be particularly powerful for those struggling with shame, guilt, or feelings of inadequacy.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I bring a warm, nonjudgmental presence to our work, trusting that you know yourself best. Together we create a space where you can be honest about what you are feeling and what you want, so real change can grow from your own values and strengths.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions1212 York Rd, Lutherville, MD 21093, A302