Frequently asked questions

At Monarch Wellness and Psychotherapy we honestly believe that therapy is for everybody. Many people come to therapy seeking personal growth. They come even if they are not currently suffering. Others may not have a diagnosable “mental health condition.” But, they are looking for additional support as they deal with a life transition such as moving, marriage, divorce or retirement.

The relationship you develop with your therapist in counseling is different from any other relationship you have. In this relationship, the focus is solely on you. A therapist does not have any other agenda. Their only goal is to help you to heal and grow. In addition, our therapists are specifically trained to understand human behavior. So, they can offer information that is rooted in theory and data.

Finding a therapist that you can work well with is the most important factor in the success of counseling. So, we recommend sitting down with two or three people before choosing your therapist. Also, it is important that they specialize in the specific issue that you are having. For example, they may have specific training to help clients with eating disorders, trauma, or chronic illness.

Anxiety is one of the most common conditions that we treat. For example, many people come to us because they are worrying too much, having difficulty sleeping, grinding their teeth, or placing impossible standards on themselves. Our talented therapists can help you to soothe your anxiety without losing the motivational edge that has helped you succeed.

Yes. Both Dana Harron and Carissa Hannum are specifically trained to provide couples’ therapy. In addition, Dr. Harron is the author of Loving Someone with an Eating Disorder: A Guide to Nurturing, Supporting and Connecting with your Partner. You can purchase her book here. As such she has specific expertise in helping couples to navigate food problems and disordered eating behaviors.

Yes. Eating disorders are very different than other mental health conditions. They impact your physiology directly. It is critical to find a provider who is familiar with these conditions.

Yes. All Monarch Wellness therapists have experience in helping people overcome eating disorders. In fact, several of our therapists have come to our clinic after working at clinics that offer a higher level of eating disorder treatment. We pride ourselves in having staff that are well trained to provide the highest quality eating disorder treatment.

Absolutely. Disordered eating actually exists on a spectrum. This includes diagnosable eating disorders, and problematic behaviors like yo-yo dieting, overeating, and worrying too much about food. Monarch Wellness specialists are able to food problems all across this range.

Yes. Trauma treatment has to unfold in a specific way. In trauma therapy, you will learn tools to help you cope with the reaction your body has to a trauma flashback or a trigger. This is referred to as reestablishing the ability to regulate your nervous system. Then, you will be able to talk about what happened to you and the trauma you experienced. Doing trauma work out of sequence can lead to retraumatization, possibly making the condition worse than it was to begin with.

Yes.  Every Monarch Wellness therapist is certified to work with trauma. This is a structured approach to trauma work that many find helpful.

Completely. Our DC counseling offices are across the street from the south exit of the Dupont Circle Metro station (red line).