Kate
Scharff
LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
Psychotherapist
Practicing in DC, MD and VA
“For most of us there comes a time when circumstances and emotions overwhelm us. When they do, we’re not free to be our happiest, most fulfilled, most loving and productive selves. Being fully understood is the most therapeutic human experience.
Building self-awareness in the context of a safe, non-judgmental relationship is the key to growth and change.”
About Me
When you’re shopping for a therapist, it can be hard to know if it’s a fit. For a start, you’ll need to learn a bit about each therapist’s background, qualifications and how they came to work the way they do.
Here’s where you can start to learn about me.
Experience
I have over 30 years' experience helping individuals, couples, children and families to navigate a wide range of issues, such as relationship and marital problems…
Education
In 1989 I earned a masters degree in clinical social work from Columbia University. Since then I have completed several intensive post-graduate certificate programs…
Teaching
I teach nationally and internationally on such topics as divorce, psychodynamic psychotherapy, parenting and alternate dispute resolution. I regularly lecture and conduct trainings…
Affiliations
·Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
·Collaborative Divorce Resolution Professionals
·Collaborative Professionals of Northern Virginia
·DC Academy of Collaborative Professionals...
For a detailed lists of my professional experience, education and training, and teaching experience, read my curriculum vitae here
Read my CVPsychotherapy
My therapeutic style is warm, empathic, supportive, non-judgmental and interactive. I’m interested in all aspects of your life in the here-and-now. I’ll also help you explore how past experiences, especially early on, have formed “templates” that affect ways you think, feel and behave in the present.
Psychotherapy
My therapeutic style is warm, empathic, supportive, non-judgmental and interactive. I’m interested in all aspects of your life in the here-and-now. I’ll also help you explore how past experiences, especially early on, have formed “templates” that affect ways you think, feel and behave in the present.
Families In Transition
Separation, Divorce & Co-ParentingDivorce is hard. After all, you’re not just married to a person, you’re married to a life that includes much more than legal, financial and parenting concerns. And if you didn’t initiate and don’t want the divorce, things will be harder still. But if separation and/or divorce become inevitable, your family will do best with the guidance of an experienced professional. I can help you to minimize conflict, protect emotional resources, and find solutions that work for your whole family— not just now, but into the future.
Families In Transition
Separation, Divorce & Co-ParentingDivorce is hard. After all, you’re not just married to a person, you’re married to a life that includes much more than legal, financial and parenting concerns. And if you didn’t initiate and don’t want the divorce, things will be harder still. But if separation and/or divorce become inevitable, your family will do best with the guidance of an experienced professional. I can help you to minimize conflict, protect emotional resources, and find solutions that work for your whole family— not just now, but into the future.
Relationships on Planet Earth:
Real World Advice For Well-Intentioned HumansYou were born to be in relationships. You literally couldn’t survive without them. Human beings remain dependent longer than any other species. Whether you’re an introvert, an extrovert, or a mix of both, you’re hardwired for connection. Your relationships started with your earliest caregivers — maybe your parents. Then they expanded to include other people in your world, such as other, siblings, grandparents and extended family, friends, teachers, mentors, romantic partners, employers, colleagues, and, if you have them, children.
Most important is your relationship with yourself. That includes all the ways it feels to be you- your self-judgement, self-esteem, interests and passions, sense of purpose, worries and fears, struggles, friendships and romantic life, gender and sexuality, parenting and caretaking, relationship to your body, disappointments and losses, joys and triumphs— and so much more.
Here you’ll find my current thoughts on a wide range of relationship-related issues.. Some entries will be geared to everyone, some to a smaller group (say, parents or divorcing couples). Use the search function to narrow things down. I hope what I write will be helpful. My style is direct, but non-judgmental and non-preachy. After all, we’re just trying to do and be the best humans we can on a complicated planet
Publications
I am the author of many professional articles and book chapters, and of three books.
My shorter pieces frequently appear in online and print media, including my blog:
Scheduling an Appointment
E-mail me
We will schedule a brief phone conversation
If we are a good match we will set up our first appointment