Mental Health Matters
Dr. Marcus believes that effective therapy is more than just talking about your problems. Many of us talk to our friends about our problems. Afterwards, we may feel better, but eventually we still find ourselves stuck in the problem. This is when you might consider working with a therapist. A good therapist can help you move beyond just talking about the problem. This is done by exploring not only what you think, but how you feel and how thoughts and feelings influence one another. Change begins to occur when you can clearly see the way your thoughts, feelings and life experiences have lead you to make choices that have been problematic. The hardest part is then working with your therapist to come up with different ways to handle life's challenges despite what you are used to feeling, thinking or doing.
The Sex Therapy process is very similar to that experienced with other mental health practitioners. The Certified Sex Therapist will meet with the person as an individual or with a couple in an office setting where an extensive history of the concerns will be taken. The Certified Sex Therapist will note both the psychological and the physical components and will establish one or more diagnoses. After this, a treatment plan will be proposed, usually with your involvement in its development. In some instances, the Certified Sex Therapist may work closely with the person’s physician, nurse, or other therapist or counselor to establish causes and remedies for the problems. In no instances will a Certified Sex Therapist engage in any kind of sexual activity with a therapy patient/client, whether in the office or in any location. Don't let embarrassment or shame prevent you from seeking help and having the kind of sex life you desire.
For those of you in relationship, think back to the time when you first met your partner. You saw him/her across the room, and something inside you said, she/he is the one. There was a sense of excitement and passion in you. You eventually meet and start dating. Eventually you start having sex and its passionate and really hot. Eventually you become a committed couple (for straight couples it may even lead to engagement and marriage). Romantic love, is natures way of bringing people together. Unfortunately, this phase does not last. Sometimes, power struggles may get in the way.
The good news is that most of the power struggles we have can be overcome. Power struggles are opportunities for growth. They represent the issues we have yet to resolve from our childhood. If we can just put our reactivity on hold, engage in a constructive, safe and open dialogue with our partner, we will eventually see that the conflict dissolves.
In couples therapy, Dr. Marcus works with clients on how to communicate and connect in a deep way. It is through understanding and connection that couples regain that romantic feeling and rekindle the passion that was once there in the early phase of the relationship.
Education/Training
CERTIFICATION AND EDUCATION
Licensed Psychologist, Maryland and Washington, DC
Certified Imago Relationship Therapist: Advanced Clinician
Diplomate of Sex Therapy, American Association of Sex, Educators, Therapists and Counselors
Comprehensive Skills Certification, Registry of Interpreters
for the Deaf (1984)
Ph.D. Counseling Psychology, Temple University,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1991
Dissertation: Depression Amongst Deaf College Students
Clinical Internship: St. Elizabeth’s Hospital
M.A. Community Counseling, University of Maryland,
College Park, Maryland 1985
Thesis: Self-Concept of Deaf College Students with Hearing
or Deaf Parents
B.A. Psychology, Hofstra University
Hempstead, New York 1982
Bio
I have been a practicing psychologist for over 20 years. I have worked in a variety of settings including university counseling centers, special education, private practice.
At Gallaudet University, I started out as a staff psychologist. Over the course of 12 years, I held a variety of positions including the lead trainer for the Peer Advisor Program and the Coordinator of Community Mental Health Services. One of my fondest memories was coordinating the first world conference on mental health and deafness. We were able to secure grant funding from the Department of Health and Human Services to bring to the conference, colleagues from underrepresented countries including Burkina Faso, Africa.
Along with the aforementioned, I worked closely with Gallaudet University’s development office to secure funding to create a “Deaf Friendly” HIV/AIDS Education curriculum. The work was eventually featured in an article that was published in the APA Monitor.
After leaving Gallaudet University, I began working for the University of Maryland as Director of their Disability Support Services program. One of my first accomplishments was to take transform a storage closet into a private testing area for students who needed a private, quiet space to take their tests. Before this, there was limited space available, and students were often asked to sit in counseling center staff offices. In addition, the demand for reasonable accommodations doubled, increasing our operating budget to over a quarter million dollars.
While at the University of Maryland, I was asked to consider taking the position of Director of Student Support Services at the Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD). Having served on the board, I was quite found of the schools programs and decided to take the job. The experience proved to be quite challenging and complex. At MSD, I supervised a staff of counselors, a school psychologist and the student health services. In addition, several times over the course of my tenure there, children who were problematic to the school were sent directly to me. As a natural user of American Sign Language, I was able to form solid therapeutic relationships with these students and help them change.
When my contract ended with MSD, I began to focus on expanding my private practice. I was able to establish a secure client base, with my focus being on working with couples who are having relationship difficulties as well as sexual problems.
Payments Accepted
301-775-2636
License:02965, Maryland
Helpful Links
Practice Areas/Issues Treated
 Therapy
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Loneliness
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Adolescents
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Marriage & Family Therapy
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Anger Management
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Marriage Counseling
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Anxiety and Panic
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Men's Issues
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Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
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Body Image Issues
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Online / Teletherapy
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Caregiver Issues
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Pre and Postpartum Mental Health
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Chronic Illness
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Relationship Issues
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Couples
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Self-Esteem Issues
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Depression
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Seniors and Elder Care Issues
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Divorce
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Sexual Dysfunction
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Eating Disorders
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Stress Management
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Gay or Lesbian Issues
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Trauma and PTSD
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Grief and Loss
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Work and Career Issues
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Life Transitions
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Licenses/Certifications
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Certified Sex Therapist (AASECT)
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Clinical Psychologist
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Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.)
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Licensed Psychologist
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