Business Details
26 Years
experience
Therapy for Healthier Relationships in DC
At DC Counseling & Psychotherapy Center, we specialize in helping individuals and couples navigate the complexities of relationships and mental health. With over two decades of experience in private practice, our team employs evidence-based therapeutic approaches to address anxiety, depression, communication challenges, and relational conflicts. Our practice integrates cinema-therapy and biblio-therapy, utilizing films and literature to enhance emotional growth and self-awareness. We emphasize goal-oriented therapy, teaching concrete relationship skills and psychological theories tailored to each client's unique needs.Our clinicians hold advanced degrees and certifications, including American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy approved supervision. We serve clients in Washington, DC and Maryland through in-person and telehealth sessions, offering flexible scheduling and personalized care. Our group therapy programs provide affordable, community-based support for individuals seeking accelerated personal growth. We maintain affiliations with professional organizations like the National Association of Social Workers and contribute regularly to media discussions on mental health topics.
Services
Individual Therapy
Couples Counseling
Group Therapy
Pre-Marital Counseling
Cinema-Therapy
Biblio-Therapy
Family Business Consultation
Telehealth Sessions
Communication Enhancement
Anxiety Management
Details
- Year established: 2000
Highlights and features
- Over 30 years of clinical experience in social work and therapy
- Integration of cinema-therapy and biblio-therapy in treatment plans
- Specialized programs for pre-marital counseling and infidelity recovery
- Licensed bilingual therapists available for Spanish-speaking clients
- Active contributors to mental health discourse in national media outlets
Associations and certifications
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
- American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
What people say
Life-changing experience
Effective communication tools
Compassionate professionals
Transformative group sessions
Practical relationship skills
Services
Individual Therapy
Our individual therapy sessions help clients address anxiety, depression, and life transitions through personalized treatment plans. Using evidence-based techniques, we focus on building self-awareness and practical coping strategies. Clients benefit from our therapists' decades of experience in creating safe spaces for emotional exploration and growth.
Couples Counseling
Couples therapy emphasizes communication enhancement and conflict resolution for partners facing infidelity, pre-marital concerns, or daily relationship challenges. Our approach avoids blame while teaching practical tools for strengthening emotional intimacy and mutual understanding through structured sessions.
Cinema-Therapy
This innovative approach uses films to explore emotional themes and relationship dynamics. By analyzing characters and narratives, clients gain new perspectives on their personal challenges. Backed by clinical research, this method enhances traditional therapy through relatable visual storytelling and metaphorical learning.
Group Therapy
Our guided group therapy programs create supportive environments for shared learning and personal growth. Participants benefit from peer perspectives while maintaining strict confidentiality. Sessions run five to nine months with five to seven members, offering affordable alternatives to individual counseling.
Family Business Consultation
Specialized consulting helps family businesses navigate intergenerational conflicts and organizational challenges. Using systems theory, we improve workplace communication and succession planning. Our approach addresses both emotional dynamics and practical business needs to enhance professional relationships and operational success.
People
Elisabeth Joy LaMotte
Founder & Therapist
Licensed clinical social worker with 30+ years experience, founder of DC Counseling Center. NASW committee chair, podcast host, and media contributor. Specializes in relationship therapy and cinema-therapy integration.
Sarah Spencer Northey
Therapist & Supervisor
Bilingual LMFT with expertise in relationship dynamics and group therapy. Founder of Mary's Center Relationship Therapy Program. Combines drama and psychology in therapeutic practice for couples and individuals.
Kristin Gonzalez
Therapist
Licensed clinical social worker specializing in community mental health and private practice. Experienced in working with diverse populations across various life challenges and therapeutic needs.
Questions
What types of therapy do you offer?
We provide individual, couples, group therapy and family business consultation, incorporating cinema-therapy and biblio-therapy techniques.
Are your therapists licensed professionals?
Yes, all our therapists hold advanced degrees and professional licenses including LICSW, LMFT, and LPC credentials.
Do you accept insurance?
We don't directly accept insurance but provide documentation for out-of-network reimbursement with PPO plans.
What areas do you serve?
We serve clients in Washington, DC and Maryland through in-person sessions at our Palisades office and telehealth appointments.
What makes your approach unique?
Our integration of cinema-therapy and biblio-therapy with traditional methods creates distinctive treatment plans that combine storytelling with clinical expertise.
