Dr. Melanie Arenson is a dedicated and compassionate therapist with a profound commitment to helping individuals navigate their mental health journeys. With a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding trauma, she views therapy as a collaborative process, where insight and skill development are key to living a fulfilling life. Melanie believes that therapy should be a partnership, and she works diligently to build strong, trusting relationships with her clients. She tailors each treatment plan to reflect the unique circumstances, identities, strengths, and challenges that her clients bring to therapy.
Therapeutic Approach
Melanie’s therapeutic approach is grounded in creating a supportive and nonjudgmental space where clients can safely explore their thoughts and feelings. She believes in the power of collaboration, working closely with her clients to identify goals and develop a personalized toolkit of strategies that best suit their needs. Melanie emphasizes the importance of highlighting successes and strengths throughout the therapeutic process, empowering clients to recognize their progress and build resilience.
Specializations and Expertise
Melanie received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park, and has since specialized in working with adult trauma survivors. Her extensive experience also encompasses treating depression, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and personality disorders. Melanie has provided clinical services in a wide range of settings, including the VA, private hospitals, and community care clinics, allowing her to gain diverse insights into mental health treatment.
Evidence-Based Therapies
Melanie is extensively trained in a variety of evidence-based therapies, which she integrates into her practice to address the specific needs of each client. Her expertise includes:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A structured, goal-oriented therapy that helps clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): A specialized form of cognitive therapy designed to help individuals with PTSD and trauma-related disorders process and reframe distressing memories.
Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy: A form of therapy that helps clients gradually confront trauma-related memories and situations, reducing the power these memories have over them.
Behavioral Activation (BA): A therapy that focuses on helping clients engage in activities that bring them a sense of accomplishment and pleasure, often used in the treatment of depression.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): A mindfulness-based approach that encourages clients to accept their thoughts and feelings while committing to actions that align with their values.
Motivational Interviewing (MI): A client-centered approach that helps individuals find the motivation to make positive changes in their lives.
By integrating these therapies, Melanie is able to create a flexible and adaptive treatment plan that meets the evolving needs of her clients.
Commitment to Culturally Responsive Care
Melanie is deeply committed to providing culturally responsive care. She understands the importance of acknowledging and respecting the diverse backgrounds and identities of her clients. In her practice, Melanie strives to create an inclusive environment where all clients feel seen, heard, and valued.
Dr. Melanie Arenson is a dedicated and compassionate therapist with a profound commitment to help...
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Markisha Gravely, LPC, is a compassionate therapist licensed in Washington, DC, and Virginia, specializing in trauma-informed, evidence-based counseling at TREC DC. With a focus on normalizing the counseling experience and reducing stigma, Markisha is committed to making therapy accessible and supportive for all clients. As an out-of-network provider, she offers personalized care tailored to each individual’s unique needs and circumstances.
Therapeutic Approach
Understanding that beginning therapy can feel intimidating, Markisha creates a welcoming environment that encourages open dialogue and collaboration. She believes that effective therapy starts with a strong client-therapist relationship, built on trust and mutual respect. Markisha’s approach is culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and client-centered, focusing on empowerment and personal growth. She works closely with clients to identify their goals and select therapeutic tools that best address their concerns, ensuring that each session is meaningful and effective.
Specialized Expertise
Markisha has extensive experience working with a variety of issues, including trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and PTSD. Her therapeutic practice integrates techniques from several evidence-based modalities to provide comprehensive care, including:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A structured, goal-oriented approach that helps clients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.
Person-Centered Therapy: A non-directive therapy that emphasizes unconditional positive regard, empathy, and the client’s ability to direct their own healing journey.
Somatic Therapy: A holistic approach that focuses on the mind-body connection, helping clients process and release trauma stored in the body.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): A method used to reduce the distress associated with traumatic memories and enhance psychological resilience.
Client-Centered Care
Markisha is dedicated to supporting adults as they navigate life’s challenges and work towards improving their mental and emotional well-being. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing personal and childhood sensitivities, work-related stress, and relationship difficulties. Markisha strives to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their feelings and experiences, fostering healing and self-discovery.
Markisha Gravely, LPC, is a compassionate therapist licensed in Washington, DC, and Virginia, spe...
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Alice Em Lee is a doctoral extern at TREC DC, currently pursuing her PhD in Counseling Psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is focused on gaining expertise in evidence-based, trauma-informed therapeutic interventions, specializing in addressing complex trauma with sensitivity and depth.
Alice’s rigorous training at the University of Maryland is centered on counseling psychology with an emphasis on trauma-informed care. Her approach integrates multicultural and feminist theories, ensuring therapy is inclusive and empowering. Before joining TREC DC, Alice worked at university counseling centers and participated in research on social justice and resilience, enhancing her ability to support BIPOC and marginalized communities.
As a bicultural clinician, Alice brings a unique perspective, deeply understanding how diverse sociocultural backgrounds influence trauma experiences. Her strength-based, interpersonal methodology fosters an environment where clients feel valued and understood. At TREC DC, Alice is committed to collaborating with clients to explore how intersectional identities impact trauma and recovery, aiming to provide personalized, effective therapy.
Alice Em Lee is a doctoral extern at TREC DC, currently pursuing her PhD in Counseling Psychology...
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Sarafina Milgrom is a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) in Washington, D.C. and Virginia, who brings a compassionate and innovative approach to her therapeutic practice at the Trauma Resilience and Education Center (TREC DC). With a strong foundation in trauma-informed and solutions-focused therapy models, Sarafina is dedicated to helping clients build on their strengths, navigate challenges, and move toward their preferred futures.
Therapeutic Approach and Philosophy
Sarafina’s approach to therapy is deeply collaborative, intersectional, and grounded in humility and curiosity. She believes in the power of focusing on what is going well in her clients’ lives, helping them to expand on those successes and use them as a foundation for growth and healing. Her work is informed by both Solutions-Focused Therapy and Narrative Therapy, which emphasize the importance of client strengths, stories, and perspectives in the therapeutic process.
Solutions-Focused Therapy: A goal-oriented approach that helps clients identify and build on their existing strengths and resources to achieve their desired outcomes.
Narrative Therapy: A therapeutic model that encourages clients to re-author their life stories, shifting from problem-saturated narratives to ones that emphasize resilience, empowerment, and possibility.
Sarafina’s work is characterized by a deep respect for the courage it takes to seek therapy. She considers it a great honor to be trusted by her clients and is committed to creating a safe, non-judgmental space where they can explore their challenges and triumphs.
Specializations and Areas of Expertise
In addition to her expertise in solutions-focused and narrative therapy, Sarafina is also trained in Psychedelic Therapy and Integration (PTI). She holds a certificate from Fluence, having completed 30 hours of specialized training in this emerging field. Sarafina’s work in psychedelic harm reduction and integration includes:
Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration: Supporting clients in making informed decisions about psychedelic use, processing challenging experiences, and integrating insights gained from non-ordinary states of consciousness into their everyday lives.
Sarafina’s therapeutic work is also informed by her extensive experience in community-based organizations, where she has served families and children affected by physical and/or sexual abuse, as well as intergenerational trauma. She has worked with clients in both individual and group settings, helping them navigate the complex dynamics of trauma and healing.
Work with College Students and Young Adults
In addition to her work at TREC DC, Sarafina also provides therapeutic services on a college campus, where she supports young adults and students facing a variety of challenges. Her work in this setting is enriched by her experience working for a professor at American University, where she contributed to research on race, hiring practices, marketing, and social justice. This background gives Sarafina a unique perspective on the intersection of personal and societal issues, which she brings into her therapeutic work with clients.
Educational Background and Professional Experience
Sarafina earned her Master’s in Social Work with a specialization in Behavioral Health from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Her educational background, combined with her extensive clinical experience, equips her with the tools to provide effective, culturally sensitive care to a diverse range of clients. As a licensed clinical social worker in Washington, D.C., Sarafina is committed to ongoing professional development and advocacy, ensuring that her clients receive the most current and effective therapeutic interventions.
Sarafina Milgrom is a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) in Washington, D.C. and Virginia, w...
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