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22 licensed therapists & providers in Maryland—3 in Bethesda. Available as soon as today, in person and online
Our providers work with individuals, couples, families, & teens for anxiety, depression, grief, & more
We accept UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, BCBS Plans, Humana, Aetna, & many more. Self-pay options available, no membership fees
94% of patients feel truly understood by their provider. 3 out of 4 see improvement in depression & anxiety symptoms within 3 months
Discover how starting family therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
My goal is to provide a supportive space where people can process life's challenges and begin moving toward greater clarity, confi...
About
My goal is to provide a supportive space where people can process life's challenges and begin moving toward greater clarity, confidence, and self-understanding.
I'm a counselor who helps people make sense of what they're currently going through, process past experiences, and develop tools to move forward. My background includes working in crisis services and outpatient counseling settings, where I supported individuals facing a wide range of emotional and life challenges. I especially enjoy working with people who feel stuck in patterns of overthinking, self-doubt, or emotional exhaustion. Together, we'll work toward greater self-understanding, healthier coping strategies, and a stronger sense of confidence in navigating life.
I believe therapy works best when you feel supported while also being encouraged to reflect, grow, and challenge unhelpful patterns. Together, we explore thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that may be contributing to distress, while building practical strategies to manage stress and anxiety.
I understand that reaching out for support can sometimes feel difficult or uncertain. You may be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to begin. Therapy can offer a space where you feel heard, supported, and able to explore what you're going through. If you feel therapy may be helpful, I welcome the opportunity to support you in taking that next step.
Education and training
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Drawing from my clinical experience and my research with diverse families and caregivers, I approach therapy with empathy, cultura...
Drawing from my clinical experience and my research with diverse families and caregivers, I approach therapy with empathy, cultural humility, and a deep commitment to helping you navigate stress, identity, and the everyday demands of life.
I am a licensed graduate professional counselor (LGPC) with 17 years of experience supporting individuals and families through life transitions, stress, emotional challenges, and identity concerns. I work with clients seeking clarity, confidence, and practical tools to navigate daily demands, and I strive to create a therapeutic space where they feel seen, supported, and empowered to heal and grow.
I earned my doctorate in industrial and organizational psychology from Capella University. My approach integrates empathy, cultural humility, and strength-based, mindfulness-based, and trauma-informed practices to help clients build coping skills, improve relationships, and deepen their sense of emotional balance and resilience.
You deserve a space where your story is honored, and your healing is supported. I am here to walk with you as you gain clarity, strengthen your well-being, and develop tools that help you thrive. When you feel ready to begin, I would be honored to help you take the next step toward meaningful change and a more grounded, connected life.
I am here to help my client's explore feelings, improve quality of life, and strive towards their goals, while they remain feeling...
I am here to help my client's explore feelings, improve quality of life, and strive towards their goals, while they remain feeling safe and heard.
Karen Ortman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 5 years of experience in the mental health field. She has worked with children to assist them in improving their emotional and behavioral challenges, and she has worked with adults to learn and improve their daily living and social skills. Karen specializes in ADHD, anger, behavioral issues, coping skills, family therapy, and adjustment disorders.
Karen completed her Master's degree in Social Work at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Karen is very motivated to help her clients achieve progress towards their personal goals. Karen utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, behavioral therapy, and structural family therapy (SFT).
Karen is willing to put in the time to help you discover new ways to understand and improve your quality of life. Be sure to schedule an appointment with her to begin working towards a healthier you.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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Family therapy helps families resolve conflicts and strengthen their relationships. It is led by qualified mental health professionals like psychologists, licensed professional counselors (LPCs), and licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) who have extensive training in family dynamics and group communication.
Thriveworks family therapists in Bethesda, MD usually begin by asking what everyone’s goals are for family counseling. Family members may need help with very specific issues or with general relationship functioning. But there are three main purposes in family counseling: to educate, to counsel, and to strengthen. Thriveworks also offers online family therapy and in-person services, so you may all meet in an office together or join a video call from your home depending on everyone’s location and availability.
The most effective form of Family therapy will often depend on the family itself, as there are many types of family therapy for therapists to use as they see fit in order to best meet the needs of their clients. However, one of the most commonly used types of family therapy is structural family therapy (SFT). SFT focuses specifically on family dynamics and interactions, looking at how they shape the relationships and structure present in the family. It can be effectively used to treat a variety of concerns.
This answer often looks different to each family that starts family therapy. However, some signs that your family might need to consider family counseling include frequent fights or misunderstandings, constant tension, experiencing loss, behavioral issues, marital issues, divorce, and blended family issues, among others.
In family therapy, therapists will often start by asking questions and assessing individual and family dynamics. From there, they may employ therapeutic techniques such as structured family therapy, CBT, strategic family therapy, and more depending on the present concerns and conflicts. From there, a therapist will work to open lines of communication between family members and facilitate emotional healing and growth.
Family therapy can be incredibly successful, with some studies reporting a success rate of almost 90% for improving participants’ emotional and mental health, and around 66% for improving their physical health.
Thriveworks therapists in Bethesda, MD offer both online family therapy and in-person family therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
Family therapy is usually short term and solution-focused, with most families accomplishing their goals in 12 sessions or fewer. However, it can also last for longer if the probles at hand are more complex — and that’s okay, too.
When you feel like you can’t even look at your family member or be in the same room as them—and this feeling continues for months or longer—consider working with a family therapist. Family therapists are trained to help people work through familial problems and repair relationships with their family members.
If you are in Montgomery County and there is a big problem in your family, consider scheduling a family therapy appointment at Thriveworks Bethesda, MD. Our family therapists are capable of helping you rebuild these relationships and make them stronger than ever before. We even have same-week appointments, not to mention availability in the evenings and on the weekends. This flexibility is our gift to you, as we know just how important family is and we want to help you experience greater happiness from your relationships with your family members. To schedule, simply call (240) 513-3093.
Our family therapists and psychologists help families work through…
If the issue you are encountering is not on the list above, don’t worry. This is just the short list, as it would be virtually impossible to name every familial issue addressed in family therapy. Whatever it is your family is encountering, Thriveworks Bethesda family therapy and psychologists will use their skills and knowledge to help you resolve the challenge at hand and improve your relationships.
Your family therapist or psychologist at Thriveworks Bethesda, MD will first get to know your family as well as what exactly has brought you into therapy. This will inform the treatment they design for your family. That’s right, we create an individualized treatment plan for every individual, couple, and family that walks into our office. That being said, your family therapist or psychologist will equip you with helpful tools for working through your current (as well as future) problems.
Family therapy will not make your relationships with your family members perfect because the reality is that there are times when we will disagree with others, especially with those closest to us. However, family therapy at Thriveworks Bethesda will help you work through major issues that are harming your relationships as well as teach you skills for maintaining happy, healthy relationships (even during difficult times) moving forward.
The family therapists at Thriveworks Bethesda will not judge you or your family members. So, if you are in the Montgomery area, give us a call at (243) 513-3093. We’ll provide you with individualized care, made to help your family find greater happiness and success. When you call to schedule your appointment, your session might occur within the same week (if you want it to)! We can make that happen, as long as your family is ready to get started. Additionally, we have evening and weekend availability, which will allow your entire family to pick a day and time that works best for their schedules.
If you’re encountering problems in your family, schedule an appointment at Thriveworks Bethesda today.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Bethesda is near the intersection of East-West Highway and Pearl St, off MD-355. The office is near the Bethesda Metro Station, and right by Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, located in a 5-story brick office building. Enter through the main lobby to access Suite 504 on the fifth floor.
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22 therapists available in Maryland, including 3 in Bethesda
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