Ana C. Ponce (she/her)

LICSW
Accepting Clients

Hola, glad you're here! I'm a therapist for people that want a different + positive relationship with Change. Multicultural and inclusive.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker in District of Columbia

Services
  • Individual
  • Adolescent/Teen
  • Group

About My Clients

You're in a season of change! It brought on many adventures, but also lots of unknown. For example, new symptoms, overwhelming emotions, or shifts in perspectives (about the world or the people you lean on). You're wondering if - or someone has mentioned to you - therapy could help untangle the feelings about the now or the past, learn coping skills, learn how to use boundaries, or figure out if the challenges you're experiencing are indicative of something else. We'll sort it out together.

My Background and Approach

To me, the therapeutic space is sacred. You can absolutely explore, discover, and practice many aspects of self-care and emotional growth in private self-reflection. Therapy, however, creates a space where guidance is not righteous - the process is collaborative. Therapy allows for intentionality to co-exist with curiosity outside of shame. For the last 10 years I have worked with children, teens, and adults. My training is largely in grief and trauma, but have made sure to continue professional development in family systems, somatic experience, mindfulness, attachment theory, play-based interventions and other expressive modalities. I always incorporate psychoeducation in sessions so you know what is informing my perspective and to offer the opportunity for you to expand on various concepts outside of our sessions. Healing and Growth are not a passive process - I believe therapy can offer you tools to make progress on your terms.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

Personal confession: I truly dislike the phrase "Everything happens for a reason". I have seen way too many people navigate incredibly painful experiences to not cringe at the thought of anyone hearing this as someone tries to offer comfort. It's well intentioned, but can be so harmful. Serendipity? Now that is something of beauty and I'm happy to talk about it more in session. What I do believe in is people's capacity to grow beyond their experience. I don't mean "get over it", but rather to create a meaningful experiences that foster healing. I believe in people's capacity to build a life and establish healthy relationships, in-spite - or for some because - of the experiences they've had. As far as values go, integrity, inclusivity, kindness, and courage, are at the top of my list. And, I believe that movements that call each of those values into action are generational gifts.

Techniques I Use

Specialties
Attachment Theory Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Other Techniques
  • Attachment Theory
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Culturally Sensitive Therapy
  • Family Systems
  • Hakomi
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Relational Therapy
  • Person-Centered (Rogerian)
  • Internal Family Systems
  • Trauma Therapy
  • Sand Tray Therapy
  • Clinical Neuropsychology

Issues I Treat

Specialties
Immigration/Acculturation Teen Issues
Other Issues
  • ADHD Therapists
  • Anxiety
  • Attachment
  • Burnout
  • Teen Issues
I offer online counseling in the following states:
I have experience with the following
  • Agnosticism
  • Christianity

At A Glance

  • Experience: 13 years of practice
  • Languages: English, Español
  • Rate: $170 - 230/session

Reach out to Ana C.