My communication style is calm and personable. I empathize with and challenge the perspectives of people I work with.

I am Dr. Christina Urcinas Ph.D. I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist with over a decade of work in national and regional hospital systems, multi-disciplinary long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, and community clinics. I am currently based in Northern Virginia using primarily Cognitive Behavioral Therapy modalities specializing in various mental health concerns including life transitions and mood and anxiety disorders. My approach to therapy provides client-centered, evidence-based psychotherapy to individuals with a broad range of mental health needs. My clinical foundation is based on cognitive-behavioral interventions. I recognize and appreciate the relationship between mental and physical health, the psychological effects of stress and illness on functioning, and the educational and motivational interventions to improve health and maximize functioning. I work with adults experiencing various mental health concerns, including symptoms of depression, panic disorder, generalized and social anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, adjustment, and self-esteem issues, women's issues, caregivers, and other stress. I am collaborative with clients to help them develop the tools, resources, motivation, and perseverance needed to reclaim their lives and develop meaningful self-determined roles in the community. I have found my communication style is a good fit for adults who appreciate direct and thoughtful communication. I strive to create a safe environment for individuals to share and learn in order to chart a path forward. We can't change our past but I believe we have the power to ensure we live our best present and future. The ability to assist an individual on this journey and ultimately witness the re-discovery of oneself is an honor and drives me to this work. My approach to goal setting with clients is all about working together to define what you want to realistically accomplish in our time together. Over time, we will work together to set goals and track your progress. What you can expect from our first session together is for us to spend the majority of our time talking about how you have been feeling recently, and me asking questions to better understand some of why you may be feeling that way. The first session is about us building an initial connection and helping me get a sense of where we should go from there.

I believe everyone deserves a safe space to heal and grow, no matter who they are or where they come from. With over 25 years of experience, I work with teens, adults, and families - especially women navigating life's challenges. I use practical, research-backed approaches that help you understand your thoughts and feelings while building skills that actually work in real life. Whether you're dealing with worry, sadness, trouble focusing, work stress, relationship issues, or major life changes, we'll work together to strengthen not just your mental health, but your overall sense of wellbeing. My therapeutic approach is warm, culturally responsive, and honors your unique story. I use strength-based methods to empower your wellness journey, reflected in innovative programs like my stress reduction intervention featured on the Calm Health app. In our sessions, your experiences are valued and your goals guide our work together.

Our approach is first and foremost to offer acceptance and understanding. Our clinicians have a variety of theoretical orientations and approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, play therapy, attachment-based therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and interpersonal therapy. All of us have training and experience with a family systems approach to therapy and are able to integrate this into our work.

I offer clients a compassionate, trauma-informed, neurodivergence-affirming approach that honors both your history and your resilience. My work blends psychological insight with nervous system healing, so we don’t just explore obstacles, we build your capacity to regulate, recover, and reconnect to joy and meaning. Whether you’re seeking clarity through assessment (e.g., attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) evaluation, diagnostic testing) or healing through therapy (anxiety, burnout, relational stress), I tailor sessions to your pace, strengths, and life goals. Healing isn’t about masking pain, it’s about learning to feel more ease, joy, and steadiness in your body while living in alignment with what matters most.

I am an internationally-known couples therapist, workshop presenter, and clinical trainer. In 2010, I founded the Tikkun Learning Center, an educational institution through which I train, supervise, and consult therapists in Encounter-centered Couples Therapy (EcCT). EcCT is an extremely effective method with proven success in teaching couples who to re-create the magic of connection. EcCT is an integrative approach inspired by the philosophy of Martin Buber, as well as a variety of relational methodologies including Imago Relationship Therapy, Appreciative Inquiry, Re-evaluation Counseling, and Relational Neuro-biology. I have developed a unique, customized, transformational two-day private session for one couple. You will receive my full attention, expertise and mastery, and I will introduce you to the groundbreaking and pragmatic principle of the three invisible connectors: "the Space, the Bridge, and the Encounter."

It's time now to genuinely feel and function better. In order to do that, it's essential to pay close attention to your internal responses to the difficulties and patterns that have been cropping up in your closest relationships, your work, and with respect to your own self-concept, and to do so with someone who can help you see things differently and perhaps more accurately. Together, we will create an open, accepting, safe space, where you also will feel helpfully and persistently challenged to know yourself much better from the inside out, and as quickly as possible.

You may feel stuck, lonely, or emotionally exhausted—longing for connection, but unsure how to reach it. Maybe you've tried to fix things on your own, but the same painful patterns keep showing up. You're not alone, and things can get better. I work with individuals and couples who are navigating anxiety, relational struggles, past trauma, and major life transitions. Whether you're dealing with emotional distance in your relationship, the stress of parenting, infertility, or a history that still feels unresolved, I offer a space where you’ll feel seen, supported, and gently challenged. My approach is experiential, collaborative, and deeply respectful. We’ll work together to understand what’s driving the pain, create new ways of relating to yourself and others, and uncover possibilities for growth and healing. Clients often describe our sessions as insightful, emotionally rich, and relieving—a place where real change begins.

Dr. Kaveh is the owner and director of Washington Psychological Wellness, a boutique-style mental health practice located in Montgomery County, Maryland. Washington Psychological Wellness is passionate about helping people live the lives they have envisioned by bringing values of honesty, kindness, humor and compassion to the practice. Therapy can inspire change, create greater self-awareness and improve one's life and relationships. Our clinicians provide a comfortable and collaborative environment in which you can take risks and explore different ways of thinking, feeling and being. Our aim is to help you gain clarity about the underlying causes of problems, provide strategies to help you cope and empower you to trust your inner voice and live each day authentically. Our clinicians see individuals for a range of issues including anxiety, depression, unsatisfying relationships, LGBTQ issues, overwhelming emotions, self-esteem, academic challenges, family discord, lack of motivation as well as workplace challenges. We also specialize in conducting individually tailored psychological assessments, evaluations and reports. We believe in the uniqueness of each individual. Together, we will draw on integrative and holistic therapy approaches to find the best solutions to meet your goals. In your sessions, we will address daily obstacles, unconscious emotional challenges and learn to confront our negative thoughts. We are also proud to provide HIPAA-compliant telehealth (online) therapy. We are currently accepting new clients. Feel free to contact us for a complimentary phone consultation!

We all have challenges that hold us back and keep us from living our best life. Maybe you have been disappointed, experienced loss, trauma, or rejection. Perhaps you have struggled with divorce, anxiety, isolation, or low self-esteem. You may be going through a difficult transition. I offer a blend of tools to help you begin to feel better. I bring solid experience and research-based strategies to my work. I believe in working with each person in a way that is individualized for them and honors the way they think and feel. I strive to make everyone feel comfortable, safe and supported during our sessions. I am a cognitive behavioral therapist, but also draw from many other techniques.

My primary treatment approach is cognitive-behavioral which is solution-focused and generally shorter-term, however, in reality, we all generally benefit from a variety of therapeutic strategies and i will often utilize complementary and eclectic techniques that enables a more personalized treatment approach and relies on best practices for your specific issues. You will find me to be an active and engaged therapist and we will work together in a team-oriented and collaborative style. I often recommend activities to practice between sessions, and these might include a journal, trying out new communication skills and problem-solving or coping techniques that we have practiced, brief reading assignments, some research, relaxation techniques, and a variety of other options. I believe humor is an important element in the therapeutic process, and to life in general, and I strive to create a relaxing and trusting environment with my clients. I am very happy to answer any questions you might have, and if I am unsure, I will do all that I can to help point you in the right direction. I consider it an honor to assist clients on their personal journey in therapy. Participating in therapy is an important step in reclaiming your happiness and satisfaction and I take me role in providing assistance on that journey seriously as I appreciate the time, cost, and emotional investment of this choice.

Life can present you with difficult situations which are hard to process and move past. These challenges are not on your timeline and affect everything. Having worked in many healthcare settings, I am familiar navigating life-changing events and grief. I understand the territory of encountering loss, coping with trauma, the complexity of the medical system and living with illness. Together we will face any changes, fears, anxiety and emotions you are experiencing, allowing you to gain more grounding and peace. I will work with you from an integrative, holistic approach to determine together what is needed for your coping, healing and self-care.