Denise U. Tordella, M.A., LPC, LLC

If you are an individual who may be struggling with traumatic stress or someone who is using alcohol or other drugs to cope, you may be considering therapy because some of the ways you are thinking, feeling and behaving don't make sense to you.

Perhaps these are some thoughts you have about yourself.

I keep doing the same thing in relationships or at work thinking it will be different this time.
People, places and things seem to set me off and I feel out of control.
I don't feel like other people. I am either on edge and hypervigilant or numb and shut down.
I don't trust my own instincts.
I feel frozen and stuck. I want to move forward.
I am using alcohol, drugs or other harmful behaviors to feel less bad.
I feel like there is a war going on inside me.

If this sounds like you, you may have some healing from trauma and addiction to do. And you need support in healing from trauma. How you have coped in the past makes sense based on what you have experienced. Now, with help you can learn more effective ways to cope.

What's New

Adolescent Substance Abuse is America's #1 Public Health Problem according to the June 2011 study by the National Center for Addiction & Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University. The CASA Study states that a lack of education and training leads to failure in addressing this issue with adolescents—only 6.4% of adolescents in need of treatment receive it. And we all know consequences of untreated substance abuse disorders.
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I am honored to have been named by Washingtonian Magazine (July 2009) as one of the Top 200 therapists in the Washington, DC area based on nominations by fellow therapists.

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Welcome to my website for individuals and clinicians looking for referral sources.

I invite you to browse the site and gather whatever information you need. I am happy to answer any questions you have. To contact me, please click on the contact page.






How Therapy Works About Me Insurance Info Contact Me	If you are an individual who may be struggling with traumatic stress or someone who is using alcohol or other drugs to cope, you may be considering therapy because some of the ways you are thinking, feeling and behaving don't make sense to you. Perhaps these are some thoughts you have about yourself. I keep doing the same thing in relationships or at work thinking it will be different this time. People, places and things seem to set me off and I feel out of control. I don't feel like other people. I am either on edge and hypervigilant or numb and shut down. I don't trust my own instincts. I feel frozen and stuck. I want to move forward. I am using alcohol, drugs or other harmful behaviors to feel less bad. I feel like there is a war going on inside me. If this sounds like you, you may have some healing from trauma and addiction to do. And you need support in healing from trauma. How you have coped in the past makes sense based on what you have experienced. Now, with help you can learn more effective ways to cope.	What's New Adolescent Substance Abuse and Trauma By Denise Tordella Adolescent Substance Abuse is America's #1 Public Health Problem according to the June 2011 study by the National Center for Addiction & Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University. The CASA Study states that a lack of education and training leads to failure in addressing this issue with adolescents—only 6.4% of adolescents in need of treatment receive it. And we all know consequences of untreated substance abuse disorders. Read more ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I am honored to have been named by Washingtonian Magazine (July 2009) as one of the Top 200 therapists in the Washington, DC area based on nominations by fellow therapists. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Welcome to my website for individuals and clinicians looking for referral sources. I invite you to browse the site and gather whatever information you need. I am happy to answer any questions you have. To contact me, please click on the contact page.