As a clinician, I truly do believe that everyone is on a journey that is full of positive and negative turns along the way.

Jon Kabat-Zinn once said “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” As a psychologist, I would like to help my clients navigate life’s struggles, figure out the triggers, better understand their thinking and learn how to improve the way they live from day to day. While I take a special interest in working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families, I am very open to working with all populations. I realize that many people are struggling to find an identity, build self confidence, connect with others, and find fulfillment in life. But there is hope. I strive to join my client on developing their own individual goals, help them discover the steps towards achieving their goals, and we as a team identify their strengths and what they feel good about along the way.

I predominantly use a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach but also integrate psychodynamic, family systems, and client-centered concepts into my work. In my history, I have worked with clients diagnosed with a range of disorders and issues such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism, oppositional behaviors, social skills deficits, anger control issues, self-harming concerns, suicidality, adjustment to significant life events (i.e. divorce, grief), and family discord. Through the years, I have learned that I have a passion for helping those who have survived traumatic life events, or suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), leading me to seek formal training in trauma focused CBT (TF-CBT; for the treatment of traumatized children and adolescents), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR; for trauma work) and Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP; for the treatment of OCD). I have also been trained in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders through Postpartum Support International to help assist mothers, fathers, and families who have recently had children, adopted, suffered a loss, or had a traumatic experience. Together, I help these individuals/couples/families adjust to the changes that come with parenthood, loss, trauma, growing families, identity changes, and the possible mood and anxiety disorders that can occur during pregnancy or after the birth in both mothers and fathers. I have had the opportunity to gain experience in various settings such as schools, the court system, an adolescent residential treatment center, and private practice. In addition to therapy, I conduct psychological evaluations aimed at assessing learning problems, attention deficits, mood disorders, personality functioning, and emotional dysregulation.

Background: Dr. Strause obtained her Bachelors of Science in Psychology at Virginia Tech. She went on to complete her Masters and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in Washington DC. Her doctorate included a specialization in children, adolescent, and family work. Dr. Strause is licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Clinical Psychologist. She is also licensed through PsyPact which allows her to provide services in other states that participate in PsyPact.

Dr. Strause has been with Bridges Therapy and Wellness Center since 2016. She has been the Clinical Training Director of the Externship Graduate Student Training Program since 2018. Dr. Strause developed and oversees the program as well as supervises students who provide therapy and testing services. She may be contacted for more information on the Externship/Post-Doctorate Training Program.