Kira Markoff, PhD
Welcome to my profile. I'm a clinical social worker licensed in Maryland and Pennsylvania. I also have a PhD in psychology, a clinical trauma certification, and am a 200-hr trained yoga instructor. My passion in life is to learn and understand things so that I can pass it on to others in a practical way to help improve lives and relationships. My doctoral dissertation focused on mindfulness and adult romantic partner conflict. As a military spouse myself, I am uniquely positioned to support military partners and spouses through relationship challenges. Additionally, I particularly enjoy to support healing professionals including therapists, nurses, reiki teachers, and massage therapists.
Additionally, I particularly enjoy to support healing professionals including therapists, nurses, reiki teachers, and massage therapists.
First session
In our first session together, we'll get to know each other. You tell me about you. I'll tell you about me if you want me to. We'll go over what you're expecting from therapy and how we can get you there. We'll also talk about scheduling and expectations (confidentiality, attendance policy, etc.).
Strengths
My special areas of focus are trauma, mindfulness, and romantic relationships. I strongly believe that everyone is searching for peace, safety, and comfort. For some of us, that's really hard to find. My strength as a therapist is listening to you and helping you to develop the insight and ability to create a life that you don't need to escape from. I am not your teacher, I don't give advice. We figure it out together.
Ideal clients
I love working with anyone wanting to make a change. You are a powerful person and you can accomplish your goals. I am honored to walk alongside as we learn skills, practice self-love, laugh, cry, and challenge old and outdated beliefs. As mentioned above, I am equipped and passionate to support healers and military partners.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Our thoughts create our reality. In therapy, we practice how to recognize, challenge, and replace negative or distorted thoughts with more supportive thinking.
Trauma Informed Care
Five principles of trauma informed care include establishing a sense of safety, empowerment, collaboration, trust, and connection.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT is all about skills. Learn mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance (managing crisis or high intensity situations), and interpersonal effectiveness (social) skills. DBT is a practical approach to reducing chaos and increasing personal power.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness means 'being in remembrance'. In any moment, there are things to remember - I am safe, I have a body, my human body has needs, I am allowed to experience happiness AND be struggling with mental health, and the list goes on. One practical application of mindfulness practices is to be centered, grounded, balanced, and to increase mental clarity.
Somatic
The brain is a body organ. Our thoughts are a product of body functioning. This is a critical foundation for mental health treatment. All healing is accomplished through connecting mind and body rather than separating them.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- MarylandLicense 25286
- PennsylvaniaLicense CW024211