ABOUT BROOKE BRALOVE

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Maryland with over 20 years of clinical experience.  Born and raised in the DC area, I attended Sidwell Friends School for 14 years before receiving my B.A. in Afro-American Studies from the University of Pennsylvania in 1996.  After working in the nonprofit sector for three years, I graduated from Columbia University’s School of Social Work in 2001.

I worked at House of Ruth in Washington, DC for two years, providing individual and group counseling to victims of domestic violence.

In 2004, I completed a two-year advanced clinical training program in psychodynamic psychotherapy at the Washington School of Psychiatry.  In 2013 I became a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator, based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown.  In 2014 I earned a certificate at the National Group Psychotherapy Institute.  In addition, I have recently become a Certified AASECT Sex Therapist.

I have been working with individuals, couples, and groups in private practice in Bethesda since 2004.  I am the proud mother of two wonderful daughters.

My Approach to Therapy

My goal as a psychotherapist is to help patients better understand themselves by developing insight into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and to cultivate the authentic life they have dreamed about.  To facilitate this process, I provide a safe and supportive environment in which counterproductive patterns of behavior are examined within the therapeutic relationship.  Patients often describe me as “warm, empathic, interactive, and direct.”  I am neither the psychoanalyst of the past who is “a blank slate,” nor am I someone who gives advice like a professional coach.  My main goal is to find out what keeps you from living the life you were meant to live.

As an eclectic therapist primarily trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy, I believe that the unconscious patterns generated in childhood greatly influence the present and future.  I help patients heal from childhood wounds that may be impeding their ability to create the life they want.  To facilitate that process, I utilize varied approaches (relational, interpersonal, cognitive-behavioral, and mind-body) to meet the individual needs of my patients.  If you are considering working with me, I would highly recommend reading this article on Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.

I consider myself a culturally competent therapist with a high degree of comfort working with African Americans, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, and other diverse ethnic or religious populations.

Membership/Certifications

  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
  • Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Work (GWSCSW)
  • American Academy of Psychotherapists (AAP)
  • Washington School of Psychiatry (WSP)
  • American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) Member
  • Certificate, Clinical Program on Psychotherapy Practice, Washington School of Psychiatry, 2004
  • Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator (CDWF), 2013
  • Certificate, National Group Psychotherapy Institute, Washington School of Psychiatry, 2014
  • Certificate, Supervision Training Program, Washington School of Psychiatry, 2017
  • Editorial Review Board, Voices
  • Co-Chair, Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Academy of Psychotherapists (MAAAP)
  • International Society of Accelerated Resolution Therapy© (ART)