Doretha Lewis, LGPC

I work with adult clients to explore notions and the impact of societal ideologies such as gender, racial and cultural identity identity and related stressors; pressure of roles and responsibilities in both family and professional contexts; restriction and avoidance of vulnerability due to trauma; grief and loss; transitions including graduation, career change, separation or divorce; unmet needs in relationships; difficult parent-child relationships; sexual experiences including sexual identity and abuse  and behavior. My clients are often also living with undiagnosed or previously diagnosed anxiety, ASD, depression, ADHD, PTSD, OCD, and bipolar disorder to name a few.

I work form both psychodynamic and psychoanalytic theoretic frameworks such as ACT, DBT, CBT, attachment theory and more. Related to psychodyamic work, I am able to support adults gain insight into how past experiences and relationships (attachment) currently inform them cognitively, emotionally and behaviorally. For clients who are more solution focused and looking to work through the here-and-now using psychoanalytic processes, I work with my clients to take stock of the present and work toward a future that causes less psychological distress. Additionally, for those looking to be more present, engaged and consious of their choices, we might use Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) based interventions.

I  bring my knowledge, understanding and sensitivity to the personal history of people in the African Diaspora Aand other racial and ethnic minorities because these populations in contemporary society face many challenges that may impact  their psychological development and day-to-day functioning and interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships. I am a big proponent of decolonizing and taking the stigma out of therapy generally and especially for black men. With that in mind, I also provide and encourage therapy for people just to have space to talk in a structured and supportive environment.  Some specific areas, I am trained to support my clients through substance use, worry that can be debilitating, caretaking responsibilities,  grief and loss, depression, anger, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), loneliness, shame, guilt, marital issues, relationship challenges including unmet needs, identity, betrayal, stress related to pressure, expectations and responsibilities, poverty, criminal justice, unemployment, inequitable educational opportunities, and negative media images. 

My Master of Science from the University of Cumberland combined with my work in different settings and capacities has provided experience in assessing, diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. My therapeutic process begins with administering evidenced based assessments which are essentially questions. My unique take on this is that I engage clients in conversation about their specific responses. It may sound like “When you respond more than shelf the days to worrying about different things, can you tell me more about some of the recurring worries and the behaviors and mood patterns associated with worrying?” We then develop a collaborative treatment plan to identify specific outcomes that we can work towards. I collaborate with clients to identify precipitating events, the resulting cognitive, behavioral and emotional impact, responses and reactions of those triggers and strategies to develop the capacity for vulnerability, ability identify, tolerate and find language for feelings, develop relationship skills to increase systems of support and either alleviate, eliminate or build resilience and tolerance. 

I provide an emotionally safe space, use accepting language, so that you will feel comfortable sharing your challenges, aspirations, strengths and opportunities with me. Through giving voice to your story, you gain freedom and open up doors for healing, innovation and change. I will start by helping you with immediate emotional concerns. We will also work to discover what your goals are in therapy and a plan to achieve them.

I received my Master of Science in Clinical mental Health Counseling from the University of Cumberland and my master of Science in Forensic Psychology from Argosy University.  I am certified by the  Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists to provide mental health counseling under clinical supervision.

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