Articles

Plain-language articles on the questions that bring people here, written by the psychologist who will actually see you.

Trauma What is Cognitive Processing Therapy? CPT is one of the two treatments most strongly recommended for PTSD by the VA and Department of Defense. Here is what it actually is, what it asks of you, and who it is and is not right for. Read → Postpartum Postpartum anxiety, and the thoughts nobody talks about A lot of new mothers are told to watch for depression and are never told about the anxiety, the intrusive thoughts, or the loneliness of being fine on paper. Here is what is common, what is not, and what actually helps. Read → Telehealth Telehealth versus in-person therapy Telehealth is not the lesser version. For the treatments used in this practice, the research puts it on par with the office, and for most people in Northern Virginia it is the difference between weekly therapy and none. Read → Choosing care How to choose a psychologist Most people choose a therapist the way they choose a plumber: whoever answers first. Here is how to do it deliberately, in about twenty minutes, without needing to become an expert. Read →

You don’t have to have it figured out to start.

Not sure where to start? Book a free 15-minute consultation with Dr. Thaxter: a short, live call over telehealth about what is going on and whether this is the right place, with no paperwork and no charge. When you are ready, the same button lets you book an intake for individual therapy or enroll in a group. Everything runs through the secure client portal, and the first step takes about two minutes. If you would rather talk first, call (571) 206-0096 or send a message.

Book a Session Join a Group