Margaret Lefbom, LCSW

Do you ever feel stuck in or powerless over situations in your life, unhappy with the options available to you? Do you feel like you’re repeating the same patterns in your life and relationships over and over again and can’t find a way off the hamster wheel? Are you struggling to find joy and connection? These experiences are a normal part of the human condition. Maintaining the status quo and avoiding discomfort are often our instinct, but they sometimes keep us from living our most authentic and fulfilling lives. In our work together, we can explore the root causes of what is getting in the way so that you can heal from past traumas, develop new habits, learn to embrace and love your truest self, and create a life that is fulfilling to you. I truly believe that each person has the solutions to what is holding them back, they just might need some help to unlock them.

My goal as your counselor is to provide a safe space for you to explore all the parts of yourself. I value the connections I can build with my clients using compassionate directness, humor and warmth. I use an eclectic approach, blending Cognitive-Behavioral, Psychodynamic, Internal Family Systems, Emotive, Strengths Based, and Mindfulness Based approaches. I believe that connecting with our authenticity, acceptance, and allowing ourselves to feel is the key to healing. So many of our issues come from avoiding what we don’t want to feel or don’t want to be true. Running from fear, avoiding our painful past, ignoring our unmet needs, attempting to change what is out of our control, and using coping tools that are problematic will all work for a while, but eventually will keep us living with negative internal and external consequences. I am here to help you to fully understand who you are and why you do what you do, to create a safe space to process painful emotions, and to help you gain a sense of self-compassion and empowerment to make needed changes in your life. I believe strongly in the mind-body connection and that learning to feel present and safe in our bodies is a key element to healing.

MORE ABOUT ME:

I am a proud parent of two boys and enjoy yoga/meditation, reading, climbing, gardening, and the outdoors. I’m eager to bring my experiences from parenting, loss, and healing to the work that I do with my clients.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

• Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work
• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Minor in Child and Family Studies
• Certified Professional Coach
• Certified Professional Recovery Coach (currently enrolled)
• Member of Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Work (GWSCSW) and National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

CREDENTIALS:

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

LICENSE:

VA 0904007243