“There are no individuals in the world, only fragments of families.”
-Carl Whitaker
I am a Marriage and Family Therapist at Dr. Stuart Andrews, LLC Private Practice in Reston, Virginia. I currently work with individuals, couples, and families, with a specialization in pregnant and postpartum care.
I join my clients fully, compassionately, and purposefully in a collaborative process. I believe people and families possess an innate capacity for growth; I help facilitate this growth and open space for restorative experiences.
My interest in neurobiology and somatic experiencing, as well as my personal experience as a wife and mother, enhances my work with clients.
My postpartum-specific therapy includes:
PREMARITAL BABY COUNSELING FOR COUPLES to help prevent common struggles during the postpartum period, and to maximize capacity for enjoyment and family connection.
INDIVIDUAL therapy to help with anxiety or depression symptoms
POSTPARTUM COUPLES THERAPY helping couples navigate early parenthood and build increased intimacy and adaptive skills
POSTPARTUM FAMILY THERAPY helping relationships (mother and grandmother, in-law relationships) or any other family constellation experiencing strain after new baby enters family system
I practice ISTDP (Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy), which is an accelerated mode of psychotherapy expanding tolerance for emotions and restructuring the defenses/blocks that keep us disconnected from ourselves and others. This evidence-based therapy model is proven effective in treating anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and unexplained medical symptoms. I use ISTDP as a framework to enhance family therapy. I am purposeful in integrating psychodynamic, emotion-focused, and family systems approaches based on specific needs and wishes of each client.
Please email me at empras.mft@gmail.com if you are interested in hearing more about how I work or to book a session.