Communication Issues: Persistent difficulties in communication within the couple or family, such as frequent misunderstandings, arguments, or feeling unheard.

Constant Conflict: Frequent and unresolved conflicts that impact the overall well-being of family members or the relationship.

Emotional Distance: Feeling emotionally disconnected from your partner or family members, or sensing a lack of intimacy or closeness.

Life Transitions: Difficulty adjusting to major life changes such as marriage, divorce, blending families, birth of a child, relocation, or loss of a loved one.

Parenting Challenges: Struggles in parenting, including disagreements on discipline, parenting styles, or managing behavioral issues with children.

Mental Health Concerns: Individual mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or trauma that impact the functioning of the couple or family as a whole.

Start by expressing your concerns about the issues you’re facing as a couple or family. Be honest about how these issues are affecting you and why you believe therapy could be helpful.

Also, normalize the idea of therapy by discussing it in a non-judgmental way. You can mention examples of friends, family members, or public figures who have benefited from therapy to reduce stigma and increase acceptance.

Sometimes, individual issues or unresolved traumas can impact a person’s ability to effectively participate in couple or family therapy. Individual therapy provides a space to explore and address these personal issues, allowing the individual to gain insight, heal, and develop coping strategies.

Individual therapy can also help individuals gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their emotions, and their behaviors. This increased self-awareness can contribute to more constructive communication and healthier relationships within the couple or family.

First, take some time to think about what you hope to achieve through therapy. What are the main issues you want to address? What changes would you like to see in your relationship or family dynamics? 

It’s also good to make a list of the specific concerns or problems you want to discuss during therapy. This could include communication issues, conflicts, unresolved issues, or anything else that’s been causing tension or distress.

Yes, therapy can be very effective in helping families address communication issues.  For one, a therapist can act as a mediator or facilitator during family therapy sessions, helping family members communicate more effectively with each other. They provide a safe space for everyone to express their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment.

Family therapy can also help members learn active listening skills, which are essential for effective communication. Therapists teach family members how to listen attentively to each other’s perspectives and validate their feelings.

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of therapy and is protected by several measures, including legal and ethical standards. Therapists are bound by legal and ethical standards that require them to keep information shared during therapy sessions confidential. This is typically outlined in laws and professional codes of conduct such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) in the United States.

Clients are typically informed about the limits of confidentiality during the initial intake process. Therapists explain when they may be required to breach confidentiality, such as when there is a risk of harm to the client or others, or when mandated by law.

Therapy sessions are also conducted in private and secure environments to minimize the risk of unauthorized access to client information. This may include physical measures such as soundproofing rooms and digital measures such as encrypted communication platforms.

• Goal Setting: At the beginning of therapy, clear and measurable goals are established collaboratively between the therapist and client. Progress towards these goals can be tracked over time, with regular review and adjustment as needed.

• Symptom Reduction: For clients seeking therapy to address specific symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse, progress can be measured by tracking changes in the frequency and severity of symptoms using standardized assessment tools or self-report measures.

• Behavioral Changes: Progress in therapy can be assessed by tracking changes in specific behaviors or patterns of interaction that clients are working to address. This may involve monitoring behaviors between sessions or using behavioral tracking tools.

• Improved Functioning: Therapy aims to help clients improve their overall functioning in various areas of life, such as relationships, work, and daily activities. Progress can be measured by assessing changes in functioning and quality of life over time.

Yes, there are various approaches to couple and family therapy, each with its own theoretical foundations, techniques, and strategies. Here are some of the most common approaches:

• Family Systems Therapy: This approach, pioneered by theorists such as Murray Bowen and Salvador Minuchin, views the family as a complex system of interconnected individuals. Therapists using this approach focus on understanding the patterns of interaction within the family and how they contribute to problems. Techniques may include genograms (family diagrams), restructuring family dynamics, and improving communication.
• Structural Family Therapy: Developed by Salvador Minuchin, structural therapy focuses on reorganizing the family structure to create healthier boundaries and hierarchies. Therapists may intervene directly in family interactions, such as joining sessions, setting boundaries, and restructuring roles within the family.
• Strategic Family Therapy: This approach, associated with therapists such as Jay Haley and Cloe Madanes, emphasizes specific interventions aimed at creating change within the family system. Therapists using this approach often give directives or homework assignments to create shifts in behavior or interaction patterns.

The first family therapy session is typically focused on building rapport, gathering information, and setting goals for therapy. Here’s what you can generally expect:

• Introductions: The therapist will introduce themselves and explain their role in the therapy process. They may also ask each family member to introduce themselves and briefly share what they hope to achieve through therapy.
• Assessment: The therapist will ask questions to gather information about the family’s history, dynamics, and current challenges. This may include questions about family relationships, communication patterns, conflicts, and any significant events or transitions.
• Establishing Goals: The therapist will work with the family to identify goals for therapy. These goals may include improving communication, resolving conflicts, strengthening relationships, or addressing specific issues such as parenting challenges or grief.
• Explaining the Process: The therapist will explain how the therapy process works, including the structure of sessions, confidentiality, and their approach to treatment. They may also address any questions or concerns that family members have about therapy.
• Setting Expectations: The therapist will discuss what is expected of each family member in therapy, such as attending sessions regularly, actively participating, and being open to exploring new ways of relating to each other.

Yes, therapy can still be beneficial for improving relationships even if not all family members are participating in the sessions. Here’s how:

• Increased Self-Awareness: Through therapy, individuals can gain insight into their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, which can lead to positive changes in how they interact with family members, even if those family members aren’t present in the sessions.
• Improved Communication Skills: Therapy can help individuals learn effective communication strategies that they can apply in their interactions with family members outside of the therapy sessions. This can lead to better understanding and resolution of conflicts.
• Setting Boundaries: Therapy can assist individuals in setting healthy boundaries with family members, which can lead to more positive and respectful interactions, even if the family members themselves are not actively participating in therapy.

Therapist in Bethesda, MD

Virtual therapy gained a new level of prominence after the COVID-19 pandemic. While many therapists were happy to provide online sessions before, now it’s an essential service that makes life easier for clients and therapists alike.

If you’re concerned about your health and safety, or maybe you just don’t feel like dealing with traffic on your commute, you should reach out to Lindsey Hoskins & Associates to schedule a virtual therapy session. And if you’re still curious about whether virtual therapy is an effective tool for your personal challenges, feel free to read on and learn more about the benefits of virtual therapy, and see how a therapist in Bethesda MD can help you.

How Can Virtual Therapy Help Me?

Many people have come to rely on therapy to help them overcome certain challenges in their lives, whether it’s familial or personal issues. When the COVID pandemic started, the world was thrust into uncertainty, and the therapy field had to adapt to continue to provide services for those in need. Virtual therapy is just as effective as in person therapy, and in some cases it might even be more helpful.

How Is Virtual Therapy More Convenient?

This may seem like an obvious benefit of virtual therapy, but there’s more to convenience than a lack of a commute. When you plan a virtual therapy session, you have instant communication with your therapist and you’re able to stay comfortable during your sessions. And if you’re dealing with stress, avoiding a lengthy commute and a parking hassle will help you immensely during your appointments.

Is Virtual Therapy Confidential?

Privacy is valuable. When you attend an in-person appointment with a therapist, there’s always a chance that someone you know will see you – either during your commute, in the parking lot, or even in the waiting room. This can lead to some uncomfortable conversations, especially if you’d rather not confide in anyone but your therapist. On the other hand, when it comes to virtual therapy, you’re completely avoiding the risk of seeing anyone you know. Your sessions are between yourself and your therapist, and you can rest easy knowing your privacy is protected.

How is Virtual Therapy More Intimate?

Many people assume that because virtual therapy is through a phone or computer, it’s not as intimate as an in-person session. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Virtual therapy provides a window into your own life, and you’re free to walk your therapist through your home to show him or her more about yourself. And if your therapist is meeting you from their home, they can do the same. It can be very intimate to share information about yourself, and your sessions will benefit from the snapshot you offer into your living arrangements.

Contact Lindsey Hoskins & Associates Today

Virtual therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy, but it comes with added convenience, intimacy, and confidentiality. If you’re considering therapy, or you just want to cut out some stressful triggers in your life, virtual therapy can help you find the balance you need. Don’t hesitate to schedule your appointment today, and see how Lindsey Hoskins & Associates can help.

Bethesda Therapist

When you make the decision to go to see an experienced therapist who serves the Bethesda community, you can expect to receive support and assistance no matter what kind of issues you are struggling with. Whether you have gone through a recent conflict with a loved one or have been dealing with an ongoing issue for years, the team at Lindsey Hoskins & Associates are eager to provide their professional help so that you can lead a more satisfying and meaningful life. With years of clinical experience, they understand the needs of their clients and guide them through their sessions. Through our experience in family and couples therapy, we have helped many clients develop more informed perspectives about themselves and their loved ones. 

How Can Therapy Help Me?

Maintaining strong connections with your partner or loved one can be exceptionally difficult. However, through therapy sessions we can help you develop insights and understand strategies for managing stress and resolving conflict. We are committed to helping you achieve personal growth. 

What Services Are Offered By a Family Therapist? 

An experienced therapist trusted by Bethesda residents offers a variety of services. Common services that a family and couples therapy therapist can assist you with include:

• Individual therapy
• Couples therapy
• Premarital counseling
• Medical family therapy

How Do I Find the Right Therapist?

Finding the right therapist can be hard. It may take a while to find a therapist that you’re comfortable with and also has the skills and experience that suits your specific needs. It can take a lot of trial and error, especially in the first few weeks. Some of the things that you should consider when you are searching for a therapist that is right for you include:

• Level of experience. How many years of experience do they have? Do they have diverse experiences where they have helped clients of various backgrounds?
• Clinical specialty. A therapist typically has multiple specialties or areas of interest, such as anxiety, trauma, grief, and women’s issues. You want to make sure that the therapist’s specialties align with the particular issues that you are facing. 
• Availability. What are the therapist’s hours like? Do they offer virtual therapy in addition to in-person sessions? Many therapists have both day or evening sessions. They have flexible hours so that they can accommodate different clients. 

For many people, there is a lot of guilt and shame tied to the idea of therapy. Because of the stigma associated with therapy and mental health issues, many people avoid going to therapy at all. However, as people learn more about the importance of mental health, open discussion about therapy is becoming more encouraged. 

The decision to go to a therapist is deeply personal. However, if you are facing issues that you are struggling to deal with alone, seeking help from a professional can make a big difference. Reach out to a therapist early before your issues get worse. Schedule an appointment today with a qualified therapist that Bethesda, MD residents look to. 

In couple (or marriage) and family therapy — which is often called CFT or MFT — the unit of treatment extends beyond the individual, even if he or she is seeking therapy alone.

What does that mean? Couple and family therapy focuses on the set of relationships in which a person has developed (their family or origin) and is currently embedded (their current family and/or couple unit). That focus makes the kind of therapy Lindsey Hoskins & Associates offers different from psychology, social work, or psychiatry because as licensed couple and family therapists, we’re trained to address the full spectrum of individual, couple, and family issues; and passionate about helping our clients find solutions to their problems in the relational contexts in which they exist.

However, if an individual within the treatment unit has been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, concurrent treatment with a psychiatrist may be necessary. In that case, we would communicate with an additional health provider to provide you with competent, collaborative care.

Therapy is a unique process for each person and family, so there is no set length of time that works for everyone.

Those working on more severe issues (e.g., trauma, abuse, infidelity) may require more therapy. Weekly or bi-weekly sessions for three months to a year is considered average, but you may need more or less time depending on the specific issues you wish to address and the number of people involved.

Additionally, some clients find it helpful to continue therapy for less frequent “check-in” sessions after initial issues have been addressed, and this may continue for as long as it feels helpful and productive to you.

We understand that therapy is a significant investment of time and financial resources for our clients, and we don’t take this investment lightly. That’s why we are committed to helping our clients meet their goals — to guide them toward meaningful and lasting change — in the most efficient manner possible. The goal of therapy is to get to a level of understanding, connection, and functioning in which you don’t need therapy anymore. We don’t want clients for life — we want the best life for our clients. Nothing makes us happier than having a client tell us that therapy has worked for them and they don’t feel the need to keep coming to see us.

Clinicians at Lindsey Hoskins & Associates offer standard sessions lasting for 45-50 minutes; extended 90-minute sessions are also available. 

Extended sessions can be especially helpful for families and couples. Though much can be accomplished in just under an hour, having extra time each week can help clients make significant progress more quickly. Getting to the core of an emotional experience and sharing openly with each other is easier when time is less constraining.

First sessions for new couples and families are always 90 minutes in length. After that, your session length is up to you, and you don’t have to have the same session length each week.

Fees vary based on both the length of the session and which therapist you see. The fee for a 50-minute session starts at $150, and the fee for a 90-minute session starts at $225.

Packages

Lindsey Hoskins & Associates offers special packages for premarital counseling using the PREPARE/ENRICH program. These packages include five extended sessions (90 minutes) and an accompanying online assessment, plus all hard copy materials. Packages range from $950 to $1150, depending on which therapist is seen. Clients may choose to pay in installments, or in one lump sum.

Couples who wish to continue working together after completing the five specially priced extended sessions may continue at their therapist’s standard therapy rate.

Payment
Payment is due at the end of each therapy session. Clients may choose to pay in cash, by personal check, or by using a credit card.

Lindsey Hoskins & Associates accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.

Lindsey Hoskins & Associates does not bill insurance companies directly for several reasons.

Unfortunately, most insurance companies don’t believe treatment for relationship problems should be covered the way that medical or psychiatric care are covered. The way the system currently works, billing insurance companies requires your therapist to give you a mental health diagnosis for your insurance company to cover the cost of your therapy. Most clients we see don’t have a mental health diagnosis, and we’re not comfortable creating one when the people who seek our services are experiencing very normal couple and family relationship issues. Such a diagnosis would then become a part of your permanent record with that insurance company, and may follow you for the rest of your life and create difficulties in receiving future care or coverage.

Billing an insurance company also requires us to provide details about our work together to an employee or group of employees at the insurance company, who would then have a role in making decisions about your case (e.g., advising what kind of treatment we should provide, how long you should be allowed to come for therapy, etc.).

We think decisions about our work together should be made by you!

We’re happy to provide you with a statement of paid services, which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Many of our clients are successful in receiving reimbursement in this way, though it is usually not for 100% of the fee. If you are covered by a PPO, you may be able to use your out-of-network reimbursement options. Please contact your insurance provider directly to explore this option.

Lindsey Hoskins, PhD, LCMFT

Lindsey sees clients in both the Bethesda MD and Sterling VA offices. Bethesda office hours are Sunday (daytime), Monday (day and evening), and Thursday (evening); Sterling office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. Daytime appointments in Sterling may be available upon request.

Kara Smith, MS, LCMFT

Tuesday (daytime and evening) & Thursday (daytime).

Shy Porter, MS, LGMFT

Sunday (daytime) and Monday (afternoon/evening).

Hannah Lindsay, MSW

Weekday mornings; limited evening availability.

Janine Jolly-DeMars, MS

Janine sees clients in the Bethesda MD office; Daytime: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday; Evening: Tuesday & Wednesday.

The easiest way to set up an appointment for an in-office visit or a telephone consultation is to call our office directly and speak to our scheduling staff. They can assist you in identifying a therapist that meets your needs in terms of clinical expertise, availability, and session fees. Please call the main practice telephone number (240) 752-7650  or email [email protected]. Our team will be happy to answer any questions you might have, and schedule a telephone consultation or your first appointment.

Lindsey Hoskins, PhD, LCMFT
If, after reviewing the information on our website, you would like to schedule a time to speak or meet with Lindsey, you may call the scheduling staff or reach out to Lindsey directly. Please call (240) 752-7650, ext. 2, or e-mail [email protected]. When we connect, we will discuss your goals for therapy and decide together whether pursuing therapy together will suit your needs. If you decide you would like to begin therapy, you will move forward by scheduling your first appointment.

Kara Smith, MS, LCMFT
To schedule with Kara, you may call her directly at (240) 206-1509, ext. 3, or e-mail [email protected]. Kara will be happy to talk with you about how she can help you reach your goals, and to schedule an appointment at a time convenient for you and your partner/family.

Shy Porter, MS, LGMFT

If you would like to schedule a complimentary telephone consultation or first appointment with Shy, you may call her directly at  (240) 752-7650, ext. 6, or e-mail [email protected]. Shy will be happy to speak with you about how she can help you reach your goals, and to schedule an appointment at a time convenient for you and your partner/family.

Hannah Lindsay, MSW

If you would like to schedule a complimentary telephone consultation or first appointment with Shy, you may call her directly at 703-951-6409, ext. 6, or e-mail [email protected].

Janine Jolly-DeMars, MS, LGMFT

If you would like to schedule a complimentary telephone consultation or first appointment with Shy, you may e-mail [email protected].

Lindsey Hoskins & Associates is located in downtown Bethesda, Maryland. The address is 4905 Del Ray Avenue, Suite 301, Bethesda MD 20814. The office is easily accessed from all over the DC metro area, and conveniently located just a few blocks from the Bethesda Metro station (the red-line) and within easy driving distance of I-270 and I-495. The nearest major intersection is Old Georgetown Road and Arlington Road. If you are driving to the office, the easiest way to get to the building is to turn on to Del Ray Avenue from Old Georgetown Road. #4905 is a light-colored brick building on the Northeast side of the street (on your left if you are coming from Old Georgetown Road). Please refer to the below map, which will direct you to Google Maps. When you arrive at the building, please come in the front door, up the elevator or stairs to the third floor, and all the way to the end of the hall on your left to suite 301.You will enter into our waiting room, and your therapist will meet you there.

Parking: There are a variety of parking options located within easy walking distance of our building:

• Meters on Del Ray Avenue or Norfolk Avenue – cost is $1/hour. Payment is accepted via coins, or through the Montgomery County ParkNow! system (requires you to set up an account, but then you can pay by phone or using a SmartPhone app). Payment is required from 9am until 10pm, Monday through Saturday, except county holidays. There is a 2-hour limit for parking at these meters.
• Auburn/Del Ray Garage — located at the corner of Del Ray Avenue and Old Georgetown Road. Cost: $0.80/hour on level 2 or higher. Garage has meters for payment via coin or Montgomery County ParkNOW system. Parking is free on weekends (including Saturdays) and county holidays. Note that parking is more expensive and is limited to 2 hours on the bottom two floors; longer term parking is available on higher levels.
• Please DO NOT park in the lot located behind our building. These spaces are reserved for permit-holders and your car is at risk for being towed.

MD Office Address
Lindsey Hoskins & Associates, LLC
4905 Del Ray Avenue, Suite 301,
Bethesda, MD 20814
Tel: 240-752-7650