Jewell Miriam Gibbs, LPC

It's Time.  Come on In.

501 Church St. NE, Suite 208

Vienna, Virginia 22180

703-570-4104

My practice is based in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy where we examine how thoughts, feelings and behaviors all connect helping us to see core beliefs that may not be serving us. This leads to identifying and changing behavior patterns that are not working- ones that may ultimately hold you back from experiencing more fulfilling relationships and a meaningful life. These other powerful tools can be of great help in this important work.

EMDR is proven to be highly effective reprocessing trauma and bad memories by moving them from the frightened limbic system to the rational, cognitive brain. EMDR can calm triggers allowing us to make a perceptual shift to look at reality in the present moment, enabling us to respond and make decisions in our best interest.

Clinical Hypnosis is a creative way to reach the unconscious part of us that guides our thinking and our behavior. One of my clients describes using hypnosis to explore and install new beliefs leading to new habits as “therapy on steroids.” I have found EMDR and Clinical Hypnosis in combination to be highly effective with anxiety, OCD and phobias.

Some of my clients have discovered great insight looking back to the past. Not to stay or blame, but to learn and unlearn. I have found using Schema Therapy and Ego State Therapy to be the perfect way to facilitate being in touch with the younger parts of them who may take over sometimes. People learn to hear and comfort their younger selves with great compassion. Once that is quickly done, our healthy, competent adult self can guide responses that our facilitate growth and freedom.

Behavioral change requires creating new neural pathways, which is hard work, but according to neuroscience is absolutely achievable. Research shows our brains are like other organs in our bodies that are capable of healing if we provide what helps. Every time we think or act in a new way, we are reinforcing positive ways of living. Now that’s empowerment.

Like myself, many of my clients have found it beneficial to practice Mindfulness and relaxation techniques in and out of session. Practicing being in the present increases awareness, clarity, acceptance of reality, productive decision making and increased spirituality. Learning to quiet our thoughts can help calm reactivity, allowing the necessary space to do something different. Many have learned and assembled a their own comprehensive, customized coping toolkit.

I see all ages and truly enjoy working with the little ones and adolescents. It is so important to address their brain fitness at an early age. I have seen best results when taking a Family Systems Approach and am happy to collaborate with school personnel and other mental health professionals.

I have an extensive background working with Bipolar Disorder and Medical Crises. More and more evidence demonstrates a powerful mind-body connection to overall well being. It has proven worthwhile to look at how brain fitness might be related to physical health. I am happy to collaborate with any other professionals to take a holistic approach.

I run small, 6 month Separation and Divorce Support and Therapy Groups for Women. Leave a message if you would like to schedule a consultation for the next group forming soon. See the Events page for more information.

My clients would likely describe my style as positive, strength based and active. I find people come to counseling with an awareness that something needs to change in their life. It’s very rewarding for me to see them move from awareness to insight to behavioral change to meaning making. I’m grateful to be doing this work at this stage of my life. It’s an honor to be along for each client’s very individual journey.