If you are a parent of a special-needs child looking for someone who understands and is able to help in a creative manner, please don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation.

“You can take care of your children to the best of your capacity AND live a relatively peaceful life filled with positive relationships.

Does any of this sound familiar?

● I do everything I can to help my special needs child, but the stress is making me crazy. I feel angry or on edge nearly all of the time.

● Other people can’t understand what I’m dealing with. They try to be supportive, but they just can’t really relate. I feel so alone.

● My child needs so much attention that her sibling gets less attention. I feel guilty, but I don’t know what else to do!

●  I barely have anytime for anything that doesn’t involve my child’s needs. If it’s not going to help my child, why should I spend any time on it?

Providing any child with all the tools for success in life is a BIG job -  and for a special-needs child, that job is even bigger. The normal stresses of parenting are compounded by a whirlwind of emotions.

You can take care of your children to the best of your capacity AND live a relatively peaceful life filled with positive relationships. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. It is possible to have both.

With an extensive background as a clinical psychologist in private practice, I have been performing individual and group therapy with adults for nearly two decades. I have helped many individuals recover from trauma, heal from loss, and overcome depression and anxiety.

Then   ----  in 2006, I became a mom.

When my first daughter was born, I felt joy and contentment beyond anything I had ever imagined, but by the time she was six months old, I realized that she was not developing like other children. She was struggling and suffering, yet nothing I knew about parenting and psychology was of any help.

I consulted with countless experts and was willing to try almost anything, but improvements were slow. Professionals didn’t have all the answers, and I was often baffled by my own child. I felt helpless, overwhelmed, and terrified. I felt alone with these very extreme emotions. Finding a way to live a peaceful, balanced existence, while dedicating myself to helping my special needs child was perhaps the greatest challenge of my life.

My experience inspired me to begin offering other families the kind of support that would have helped me through the toughest of times. My journey as a mother has been profound and life-changing – both personally and professionally.

THE ONE THING YOU MAY NOT HAVE TRIED
                                       THAT COULD HELP YOUR CHILD THE MOST

Anyone who has ever flown on a plane knows the drill – put the oxygen mask on yourself before assisting others. In real life, most parents of special-needs children are doing just the opposite.

Living a more peaceful life is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children and loved ones. In fact, it may be the most important investment you make for your family.

I am passionate about providing caretakers of special-needs children with the understanding, encouragement, and support they need to create the best life they can – for both themselves and their families.

Private group sessions

I offer individual and group therapy with a holistic and creative approach for caretakers of special-needs children. That means I take the time to understand you and your situation personally so we can find the most effective path for you to achieve your goals.

Please contact Dr. Friedman for further information or to schedule a consultation.

Dr. Dina Friedman
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Private Practice
Reston, VA
703-859-5608
doc4mind@yahoo.com