I conduct individual psychotherapy in my northwest Washington, DC office (see Office Location). Sessions are generally a full 60 minutes in length, Monday through Friday, 10:00am - 9:00pm. Occasionally, on an as-needed basis, session length or scheduling may vary. I only see people on weekends on an emergency basis.

While it is generally advantageous to conduct psychotherapy face-to-face, I also conduct occasional sessions over the phone when necessary.

GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY:

I believe that specialized therapy groups are often more effective than individual therapy. Specialized groups offer support from others who share similar experiences and problems. Groups provide the opportunity to grow through helping one another. Groups also serve as a safe "laboratory" to explore how we relate to others, and to experiment here-and-now with new ways of relating. On a practical level, members of specialized therapy groups tend to do therapeutic homework more regularly, and thereby tend to make progress more rapidly. For some people, groups become a source of important friendships.

If you are socially anxious, you may be thinking that a group is the last place you'd want to do therapy! After all, many people are more likely to experience their social anxiety in group settings than one-on-one. Perhaps you may already have been in a therapy or support group before, and perhaps you have felt lost, unable to participate or dominated by more outgoing group members. But imagine how different things are in a group made up of people who are socially anxious, and with a structured format designed to help members feel more comfortable participating. Sure, you may be likely to experience more social anxiety in a group setting, but I help you turn that to your advantage. I help make the group a safe place for each member to explore what is causing their social anxiety here-and-now, and experiment with healthy ways of overcoming that anxiety in the group itself.

SOCIAL ANXIETY THERAPY GROUPS:

These are very structured, 20-week cognitive-behavioral therapy groups designed to help members learn how to overcome their interpersonal discomfort, avoidance and self-defeating behaviors. Members choose and work on personal goals for their participation in the group, such as socializing, making friends, dating, assertiveness and public speaking. These groups also include an extended program designed to help members identify and change the core beliefs that generate their social anxiety and related problems (eg. depression, poor self-esteem).

Group members are expected to conduct weekly self-chosen cognitive-behavioral homework experiments and complete weekly worksheets. Groups are generally made up of 5-9 members, and meet weekly for 2- to 3-hour sessions on weekday evenings. Homework (experiments and worksheets) takes an additional two hours or so each week to complete. Groups are held twice a year, beginning in the fall and spring. Generally one group is offered for lesbians, gays and bi's, and another group for anyone who is socially anxious.

Click here to see goals, norms and contract
for Social Anxiety Therapy Group.

Click here to listen to National Public Radio feature on one client's experience in my social anxiety therapy group.


FREE WORKSHOPS:

Click here for information about Social Anxiety Workshops.

OFFICE LOCATION:

Larry Cohen, LICSW
4808 43rd Place NW
Washington, DC  20016

DIRECTIONS:

WALKING FROM THE METRO: My office is 4/10 of a mile northwest of the Tenleytown metro station (an 8 minute walk through a pleasant neighborhood). Take the red line metro to Tenleytown - American University. Following the signs, exit the Tenleytown station at the west side of Wisconsin Ave.. As soon as you get off the escalator onto the sidewalk, continue walking forward (north) on Wisconsin Ave., past the Container Store on the left. Turn left at River Rd., the first corner you come to. Walk downhill on River Rd. to the fourth corner: Davenport & 43rd Place (a block after you pass Chesapeake and 43rd Street ). Turn right on 43rd Place . (Please don't turn left at 43rd Street !) My office is in the second house on the left.

DRIVING: If you are coming FROM THE SOUTH OR DOWNTOWN, drive north on Wisconsin Ave. Two short blocks after Albemarle St., turn left on Brandywine St., where there is a light (just after the Best Buy on the left, at 4500 Wisconsin Ave.). Then make the  first right onto River Rd. Go a couple blocks downhill on River Rd. and turn right onto 43rd Place (a block after you pass Chesapeake and 43rd Street ). My office is in the second house on the left. If you are coming FROM THE NORTH, drive south on Wisconsin Ave. and turn right on Fessenden St., where there is a light. (Fessenden is around 5000 Wisconsin Ave, and is the next street after you pass Harrison and Garrison.) Turn left on the second corner : 43rd Place (which is one block after you pass the first corner: 43rd Street .) My office is a block and a half down on the right, just before River Rd. If you are coming FROM THE BELTWAY, take River Road (190) south. About a half mile after entering the District, turn left on 43rd Place (one block after Ellicot and 44th St.) My office is in the second house on the left. PARKING: There is street parking available on River Rd. and 43rd Place.

PAYMENT PLANS & INSURANCE:

I try to make my work affordable. I offer a sliding scale and payment plans based on ability to pay. I also accept Visa and Mastercard for payment, as well as personal checks and cash. My services are covered by many (but not all) insurance plans. I also offer 20% discounts to group clients who pay in advance and may wish to avoid the many problems often encountered in using insurance.

Click here for further information about Payment Plans.


CONFIDENTIALITY, INSURANCE & MANAGED CARE:

Click here for important information about Confidentiality, Insurance & Managed Care.