Hi. I'm a licensed clinical psychologist based in VA with over 25 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with moderate to severely impairing mood disorders, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behavior, disruptive behaviors, or continued family conflict. In addition to providing individual and family therapy, I routinely consult with school personnel and/or treating physicians. I have worked in multiple settings, including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics as well as in private practice. Although beginning therapy is easy for some, for many others it is fraught with difficulty. Whether it be a child who didn’t like the treatment he received in the past, an adolescent who only agrees to attend sessions under protest, or an adult who was taught that only the most severely ill clients go to therapy; beginning treatment can be difficult. Encouraging reluctant or apprehensive clients to “try therapy”; eventually engaging those willing into treatment, and helping those who prefer not to continue, find alternative ways of managing symptoms has been the focal point of my work throughout my entire career.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
During our initial sessions, in addition to reviewing housekeeping issues (e.g., informed consent, cancellation policy), we will discuss what led you to seek treatment at that time. I am a firm believer in the importance of listening. As a client, you have the best sense of your goals for treatment. I believe that together we we can figure out how to get you there during our first session. Transparency will be another key feature of our work together, meaning you will at all times know what we are doing during sessions. You will be encouraged to ask any and all questions about why we are talking about a particular issue. Finally, though I may challenge you to consider unfamiliar or even uncomfortable viewpoints, it will always be done warmly and respectfully.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Empathy Warmth Genuine interest in how client's manage daily life Transparency Sense of humor (when appropriate)
About Dr. Michele Dadson
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral theory suggests that there is a relationship between what we think, how we feel, and what we do. This cycle happens so quickly that we are often unaware that it is happening. During sessions we will look at some of the ways that you tend to think and whether it makes things more difficult for you. We will likely draw upon mindfulness based techniques as well.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
Exposure and response prevention treatment (ERP) has proven to be extremely effective in treating both obsessive compulsive disorder, as well as certain anxiety disorders. ERP is based upon habituation. Essentially with structured practice you can get "used to" the uncomfortable feeling that accompanies obsessive/anxious thoughts. Since this is often very difficult work, it will be very important that we only start ERP when you are ready. Until then we can discuss other ways of managing daily anxiety
Family Therapy
While some issues respond well to individual therapy, others such as communication problems, managing divorce/separation or continued family conflict, benefit from family therapy. Whether it be meeting with a parent and child together, partners or multi-generational groups, I am available and look forward to meeting your family.