My name is Magdalene Imuze, and I am a dedicated mental health professional based in Maryland. I attended the University of Maryland School of Nursing and earned my master’s degree from Walden University. I am committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals facing a wide range of psychological challenges. My practice focuses on serving clients struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, and other mental health concerns. I utilize therapeutic approaches such as Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness-Based Interventions to help clients gain insight, build resilience, and make meaningful life changes. My goal is to empower clients with the tools and support they need to improve their well-being and lead fulfilling lives. I am committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals facing a wide range of psychological challenges. The impact of my work extends beyond symptom management—I empower clients to recognize their strengths, develop healthier coping strategies, and improve their overall well-being. By creating a supportive, non-judgmental environment, I help individuals gain confidence, increase self-awareness, and achieve personal growth. Whether guiding clients through major life transitions, overcoming self-doubt, or breaking free from destructive patterns, my goal is to equip them with the tools they need to lead more fulfilling, balanced lives.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In the first session, clients can expect a warm, supportive, and non-judgmental environment where they can share their concerns openly. I will start by gathering a comprehensive history, including their mental health background, current symptoms, personal challenges, and treatment goals. This session is about building rapport and ensuring that clients feel comfortable discussing their experiences. We will explore what brings them to the session, identify their primary concerns, and discuss any past treatments or coping strategies that have (or haven’t) worked for them. I will also introduce my approach to care, explain the treatment process, and collaborate with them to develop a personalized plan that aligns with their needs. By the end of the session, clients will have a clearer understanding of the therapeutic process, initial coping strategies to try, and a sense of direction for their treatment journey. My goal is to create a safe space where they feel heard, validated, and empowered to take the next steps in their mental health journey.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My greatest strengths as a provider include compassion, active listening, and a client-centered approach that empowers individuals to take control of their mental health. I strive to create a non-judgmental and supportive environment where clients feel safe discussing their struggles. I am also highly skilled in motivational interviewing, helping clients explore ambivalence and build motivation for change. My ability to integrate evidence-based treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions, and medication management ensures a well-rounded approach to care. Additionally, I excel at individualizing treatment plans to meet each client’s unique needs, fostering trust, collaboration, and long-term progress. My dedication to ongoing learning and professional development ensures that I provide the highest standard of care to help clients achieve lasting well-being.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I am best positioned to serve Teens, preteens, adults and young adults struggling with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and trauma-related conditions. My approach is particularly effective for individuals experiencing situational stress, life transitions, and emotional dysregulation. I work with clients who may feel overwhelmed by their emotions, have difficulty coping with daily stressors, or need support in building healthier thought patterns and behaviors. By incorporating evidence-based treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and mindfulness-based interventions, I help clients develop resilience, self-awareness, and coping strategies to improve their overall mental well-being.
About Magdalene Imuze
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336 S Main St, Bel Air, MD 21014, Suite 2B-AAppointments
Virtual & in-personMy treatment methods
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Treatment is evidence-based and has been extensively researched, showing significant benefits for a variety of mental health conditions. Numerous studies and clinical trials have demonstrated its effectiveness, leading to its integration into mainstream psychological and psychiatric treatmentMindfulness-based approaches have been an integral part of my work in mental health, particularly in treating anxiety, depression, PTSD, and emotional dysregulation. Mindfulness involves cultivating present-moment awareness, non-judgmental acceptance, and intentional focus on thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. It helps individuals develop emotional regulation, reduce distress, and improve overall well-being. Mindfulness-based interventions have been transformative in my practice, offering clients practical tools to manage distress, improve self-awareness, and enhance emotional resilience. By integrating mindfulness with traditional therapeutic approaches like CBT and DBT, I have seen significant improvements in clients' ability to cope with anxiety, depression, trauma, and addiction. Breathwork and Guided Meditation I teach diaphragmatic breathing and box breathing techniques to clients with panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. These exercises help regulate the autonomic nervous system, reducing fight-or-flight responses. Guided mindfulness meditations, including loving-kindness meditation (Metta), are used for clients struggling with self-criticism or past trauma, helping them cultivate self-compassion and emotional resilience. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) I incorporate MBCT for clients struggling with recurrent depression and anxiety. By helping them recognize negative thought patterns without attaching to them, clients learn to observe thoughts as passing events rather than absolute truths. A key exercise I use is the "thought distancing" technique, where clients label thoughts (e.g., "This is a worry about the future" rather than "I am failing") to create psychological space from distressing content. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) With clients experiencing chronic stress or trauma responses, I introduce MBSR techniques such as body scans, mindful breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation. These methods help ground them in the present moment and reduce physiological symptoms of stress. For clients with PTSD, I guide them through grounding exercises, like the "5-4-3-2-1" sensory awareness technique, to redirect focus away from intrusive memories. Why Mindfulness is Effective in My Practice Reduces Reactivity: Clients become less reactive to stressors, improving emotional regulation. Increases Self-Awareness: Helps clients recognize thought patterns and emotions without becoming overwhelmed. Promotes Resilience: Enhances coping skills, reducing reliance on avoidance or maladaptive behaviors. Improves Focus and Presence: Beneficial for ADHD, anxiety, and PTSD by enhancing attentional control.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been a cornerstone of my therapeutic approach in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, OCD, and substance use disorders. I have found CBT to be an evidence-based, structured, and highly effective method that empowers clients to recognize, challenge, and modify negative thought patterns and maladaptive behaviors. CBT has been one of the most impactful treatment methods in my practice, helping clients break the cycle of negative thinking, reduce avoidance behaviors, and build long-term coping strategies. Whether used alone or in combination with mindfulness-based approaches or medication management, CBT consistently provides clients with the tools they need for meaningful, lasting change. Behavioral Activation for Depression: I work with clients to identify avoidance behaviors contributing to their low mood and help them engage in meaningful, goal-directed activities. This structured approach increases motivation and combats the cycle of inactivity and depression. Cognitive Restructuring I help clients identify automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) and cognitive distortions (e.g., catastrophizing, black-and-white thinking, overgeneralization). Using Socratic questioning, I guide clients to challenge irrational beliefs and develop more balanced, adaptive thinking. For example, with a client struggling with social anxiety, I might help them reframe their belief from “Everyone thinks I’m awkward” to “I may feel nervous, but that doesn’t mean others see me negatively.” Exposure Therapy for Anxiety & OCD I use gradual exposure techniques for clients with phobias, OCD, or PTSD, allowing them to confront fears in a controlled, supportive environment. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is particularly effective for OCD, where clients learn to tolerate distress without engaging in compulsions. Coping Skills Training I teach clients relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and distress tolerance strategies to manage emotional dysregulation. For clients with panic disorder, I use interoceptive exposure, guiding them to experience physical sensations (e.g., increased heart rate) without avoidance, reducing fear responses. Why CBT is Effective in My Practice Structured & Goal-Oriented: Provides clients with clear steps and measurable progress. Empowers Clients: Encourages self-efficacy by teaching practical coping skills. Evidence-Based & Versatile: Effective across various mental health conditions. Enhances Emotional Regulation: Helps clients develop resilience and adaptive thinking.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based, client-centered approach that enhances motivation for change by helping individuals explore and resolve ambivalence. In my practice, I use MI to empower clients by fostering self-awareness, increasing intrinsic motivation, and guiding them toward meaningful behavioral changes without confrontation or pressure. Enhancing Self-Awareness and Acceptance MI encourages clients to explore their current struggles, values, and goals, while mindfulness helps them observe thoughts and emotions without judgment. I use MI techniques (such as open-ended questions and reflective listening) to help clients recognize their internal conflicts. Then, I integrate mindfulness by guiding them to sit with discomfort and increase emotional tolerance, rather than avoiding or suppressing distressing feelings. Example: A client struggling with substance use and anxiety might express, "I know drinking isn’t good for me, but it’s the only way I can relax." Using MI, I reflect their ambivalence: "On one hand, you want to stop drinking, but on the other, it feels like your only escape from stress." Then, I incorporate mindfulness: "What happens when you sit with that urge and just notice it, without acting on it?" Strengthening Motivation and Confidence MI uses strategies like scaling questions to help clients assess their motivation and self-efficacy. Example: If a client expresses a desire to quit smoking but doubts their ability, I ask:"On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is it for you to quit smoking?" "What makes it a [client’s number] instead of a lower number?" If their confidence is low, I explore small steps they feel capable of taking, reinforcing self-efficacy and a sense of control. Developing a Plan for Change Once clients express readiness for change, MI helps them set realistic, achievable goals. I use SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals and ask open-ended questions to strengthen their commitment. Example: For a client wanting to exercise more, I might ask: "What is one small step you feel ready to take this week?" "What would help you stay consistent with this goal?" This approach ensures that change is client-driven, increasing the likelihood of long-term success Motivational Interviewing is a powerful tool for helping clients explore their ambivalence, build motivation, and take ownership of their change process. By using empathy, reflective listening, and strategic questioning, MI fosters lasting behavioral change in a way that feels natural and empowering for the client. Whether working with individuals struggling with addiction, mental health issues, or lifestyle changes, MI helps clients unlock their own motivation and take meaningful steps toward improvement