Kelly Alpert, LCSW-C

(she/her/hers)

Please note: I am not accepting new clients at this time.

I am passionate about helping people navigate their healing journeys, and I create a compassionate, nonjudgmental, and supportive environment that encourages self-reflection, growth, and self-discovery. I believe every person deserves to understand, accept, and embrace their authentic selves and learn to navigate the problems, obstacles, and painful parts of life. I know the journey to sustainable life satisfaction and fulfillment can be challenging to navigate alone. It is hard work that I believe is well worth it, and I look forward to accompanying you on your path of healing.

As an EMDR psychotherapist, I provide comprehensive treatment towards long-term sustainable change for simple and complex trauma, developmental and/or attachment trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, and depression. I integrate DBT with EMDR because the treatments complement and enhance each other. DBT helps clients learn and apply skills to experience and regulate their emotions, tolerate the process of healing and self-improvement, and address problems in effective ways that allow them to maintain stability in their day-to-day life. Through EMDR memory reprocessing, people can address their earlier life experiences that have impacted their perspectives on themselves, the world, and others. Both treatments help clients build insight and self-awareness to create sustainable changes while markedly improving their quality of life and sense of self. Further, my approach emphasizes the inseparable connection among mind, body, and spirit and integrates mindfulness and meditation.

Clinical background and experience

I was extensively trained in DBT while working at a partial hospitalization program (PHP) and intensive outpatient program (IOP) that specialized in treating adolescents and young adults with high risk behaviors, including suicidality, self-harm, and substance use disorders. In 2020, I transitioned to outpatient practice and was trained in DBT for Complex PTSD (DBT-PTSD), which is a highly specialized version of DBT that was developed and researched in Germany and is approved by Behavioral Tech, the original DBT training institute. While I was providing outpatient DBT-PTSD, I discovered EMDR and began intensive training in that modality through The Center for Excellence in EMDR Therapy, an EMDRIA approved training institute and the home of Relational EMDR Psychotherapy. I am an EMDR Certified Therapist™ and in order to provide the most adherent and effective treatment, I participate in individual and group consultation with an EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) Approved EMDR Consultant™, as well as peer consultation with other EMDR Certified Therapists™.

I am an EMDRIA approved Consultant-in-Training and Faculty member with The Center for Excellence in EMDR Therapy, mentored by Deany Laliotis, LICSW and Mary French LCSW-C, MSB. Please see my EMDR Consultation for Clinicians page for more information.

Education and Licenses

B.S., Psychology, University of Maryland
Master of Social Work, University of Maryland Baltimore School of Social Work
Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Certified (LCSW-C) in Maryland
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Washington, DC
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Maine
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Vermont (telehealth license only)

I am currently available for in-person appointments in Bethesda, Maryland and telehealth appointments for clients located in Maryland, Washington DC, Maine, and Vermont. If you are interested in my services, you can schedule a free 15 minute consultation call, which can help you decide if you would like to proceed with an intake appointment.

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