Spring 2023: Letter from the Director
Welcome to Spring!
We’re letting go and reaching forward at the same time — ready to write a new story, perhaps one more heart-centered for ourselves and those we love.
Spring’s renewal invites growth and new beginnings. With longer days and warmer temps, we step outside into the green beauty of the natural world; some of us feel increased energy and positive shifts in our mood.
Yet creating a new story takes courage. And it isn’t always a straight path, or an easy one: There can be grief and sadness, and sometimes our mood may not shift. So no matter where you are on your human journey, or who you are — kid, teen, adult, or family — you may need some support to spring forward.
That’s where we at the Center come in. We’ve got your back.
For us, this springtime of renewal brings two wonderful new therapists (one of whom will allow us to further expand our capacity for family therapy); new offerings for you, including groups and workshops for kids, teens, adults, and families; and expanded hours (Saturday, anyone?).
We gratefully welcome to our Center marriage and family therapist Stephanie Brown and licensed professional counselor Liz Liptak. Read further for more about each of them (and we’ll also feature each of them in upcoming editions of this newsletter!).
Summer Groups
And as we look further into spring and summer, we’re happy to share several new “In Tune” groups and workshop offerings — in addition, of course, to our ongoing holistic individual psychotherapy for kids, teens, and adults.
The group offerings include:
Liz Hagerman, who’s also a child therapist, is also offering “Parents and Infants In Tune: Nourishing the Roots of Well-Being,” informed by the pioneering work of pediatrician Emmi Pikler. We’re very lucky to have Liz, one of two certified Pikler pedagogues in North America.
A five-week “Girls In Tune” group: “Growing Health Habits of Self-Care for Middle Schoolers” in June, which I’m facilitating with and yoga/mindfulness teacher Linda Feldman;
A friendship-focused “Boys In Tune” group for middle-school boys in July, with an emphasis on leadership, self-advocacy, and interpersonal effectiveness, facilitated by Lisa Oakley; and
A “Back-to-School Mind-Body Refresher” for teens in August, also facilitated by Linda and me.
Read more about these on our Current Group Offerings page, and reach out to our intake/client care coordinator, Amy Murphy, at Amy@centerforfamilywellbeing.com to sign up for any of these groups.
We’ve also got a few “not to miss” workshops and classes:
Dance movement therapist Liz Hagerman offers “Let’s Play for Adults.”
Ayurvedic practitioner Belinda Baer offers “Ayurvedic Sleep Tools for Kids and Tweens (and you too)!”
Please see our Events and Workshops page for details and registration info.
Our New Therapists — and Hours!
How did we get to a place of adding new therapists — and offering new groups and workshops? We asked ourselves how we can better serve our community. We looked at how we could stand in alignment with our mission to provide top-notch psychotherapy grounded in science, mindful awareness practice, and the great wisdom and healing traditions to help our clients feel better, make lasting change, and grow the foundations of well-being in their lives.
That led us to Stephanie Brown and Liz Liptak.
Stephanie brings sensitivity, empathy, and deep care to the teens, young adults, and adults she sees in both individual and family therapy sessions at the Center.
Liz brings a richness in mindfulness-based practice, and sees children, teens, young adults, and adults; she also offers parent guidance sessions. Before beginning her clinical work, she ran a non-profit called Mindfulness Incorporated bringing mindfulness into DC’s schools. She also has considerable experience with learning differences, neurodiversity, and school-based work.
Each of these new (to us!) shining stars has openings in her schedule (including, in Liz’s case, Saturday hours). Email Amy Murphy at Amy@centerforfamilywellbeing.com to find a time that works for you.
A Spring of Well-Being
This issue of the newsletter also highlights Āyurveda — a 5,000-year-old sister science of yoga that’s one of the great wisdom healing traditions. In addition to our ongoing study and practice of western psychotherapy, all of us at the Center are studying Āyurveda — to expand our holistic approach to mental health and further help us grow your well-being. You can read much more in the Spotlight interview of this issue with Belinda Baer, our Āyurvedic practitioner.
Finally in this issue, take a look at our Mindful Minute resource to help you stay grounded while you expand. And don’t forget to look at the Resources the Center therapists have compiled of what they’re dipping into for their own spring renewal and movement forward — whether it’s a leap, a few gentle steps, or a bit of both.
We appreciate you and look forward to seeing you at the Center soon!
Heart-to-heart,
Kate - for all of us at The Center for Family Well-Being