Hi, I'm Orlesa

I’m passionate about helping women, specifically mothers, take up space and honor their needs.

I’m also a hardcore foodie, travel enthusiast and plant lover.

In my free time, you’ll find me spending time with my husband and toddler, reading healthy living blogs or watching comedies and baking shows on Netflix.

As a wife and mother myself, I understand the pressure to “do it all” and be it all for everyone around you, even at the expense of your own wellbeing. 

I also understand how succumbing to that pressure can leave many women feeling drained, overwhelmed, and depressed.

I love challenging the notion that mothers must be sleepless, unshowered, frazzled messes with no identity outside of their children – because it’s simply not the case. I describe my therapy style as

Client-Centered and Solution Focused.

Let me set the record straight – when we worth together, you run the show. Picture the therapeutic relationship as two travelers moving towards a common destination: you are the driver and I’m the GPS. 

You plug in the address and I tell you the most efficient route. You might run into roadblocks or accidents along the way, but I’ll quickly recalculate the route (being sure to avoid traffic).

I say “solution focused” because it’s my job as your therapist to eventually make myself redundant.

Although many clients choose to stay with me for years because they appreciate having a nonjudgmental safe space to deal with everyday stress, my goal is that you find significant relief from your problems in a brief period of time. To that end, my interventions are solutions focused and evidenced based. And because I can’t get you to fire me by enabling you, prepare to be challenged and called on your crap when necessary.

I also find joy in assisting clients with breaking generational cycles of harmful parenting. I love showing parents how harmony can be achieved in their homes using positive discipline and respectful communication. As the saying goes, “it takes a village to raise a child”, so I often find that working with both parents can create beautiful results. 

First and foremost...

I want therapy to be a safe space for you to let it all hang out – so no topic is off limits. I’m not easily offended and there isn’t much I haven’t seen or discussed in the therapy room! 

We can chat about sex, money, religion, politics, body insecurities and whatever else is on your mind. The therapy space is a place for YOU to get whatever YOU need

I’m just here to tell you how to get there and keep you on track.

With many years of experience helping individuals, couples and families find happiness and harmony under my belt, I know that the struggle is real, but it’s definitely not necessary.

Don’t hesitate to reach out and see if I’d be a good fit for you.

Qualifications & Experience

B.A. in Sociology

(University of Florida)

Masters in Social Work

 (Catholic University of America)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Advanced training

Treating perinatal mood disorders, trauma and explosive behavior in young children.

A world full of empowered and joyful mothers

My mission is to help mothers take up space and honor their needs. So often once the novelty of having a new baby in the family (or friend group) has worn off, moms are left on their own to figure out the rest. I want to support you to take back control, no matter where you are in your journey, so you can feel empowered as a mother (and a woman) to love your kids, ask for what you need and live life on your own terms.

Not your typical therapist

Solutions Focused

You’re a busy mom and time is precious. My solutions focused therapy gives you the tools you need to start feeling better and get back on track.

Action Oriented

I won’t just be asking how you felt and what it means. I’ll take it one step further and help you take massive action to experience positive results.

Positively Geared

Being a mom isn’t just about taking care of your kid. It’s also about the mindset you bring to everything you do. I’ll help you develop a positive attitude so that challenges excite you, not scare you.

A frustrated mom tries to deal with her child representing someone who could benefit from Parent-Child Interactive Therapy in Maryland.

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