Your brain was shaped for a world that existed long before modern life, and parts of it still haven’t gotten the message that anything has changed.  Anxiety is often misunderstood or even vilified as a failure of our character or person. This is understandable, as so many of our experiences surrounding anxiety are highly negative and seemingly […]

  Most people have experienced an inner critic, that internal voice that points out mistakes, questions decisions, or tells us we should be doing better. For some, this voice is occasional and manageable. For others, it becomes a constant companion, contributing to feelings of anxiety, shame, self-doubt, or inadequacy.  When faced with self-critical thoughts, many people try […]

  My name is Elise Lamprecht and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have a versatile work background assisting with children, adolescents, and adults of multiple diagnoses and life situations in settings including outpatient, inpatient, and residential. What I love most about my job is being able to collaborate together with individuals of unique backgrounds, life experiences, strengths, perspectives, and goals […]

  Deciding to seek therapy is a meaningful step. For many people, it comes after a lot of reflection, and often once you reach out, learning that there’s a wait can feel discouraging or emotionally hard.   If you’re currently on the outpatient therapy waitlist at ZoeRVA Health (or considering joining), please know that your request for care is active, and […]

  What inspired you to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner?  When I first began working as a nurse in a hospital setting, I recognized a gap in mental health care within the critical care unit. I started advocating for psychiatric consultations for patients adjusting to significant health stressors. During this time, I developed a strong interest in both […]

  There’s an unexpected identity shift that happens when you become a mother, one that goes far beyond physical recovery or learning how to care for a baby. It can feel disorienting, tender, and unexpectedly emotional, even when your baby is deeply wanted and loved. Many women are surprised by how much changes, not just […]

Family estrangement has moved from a whispered secret to a mainstream conversation. In a recent episode of The Oprah Podcast discussion, Oprah Winfrey called going “no contact” “one of the fastest-growing cultural shifts of our time,” noting that “one third of Americans are going no contact, and what it means.” She also described it as a “silent epidemic,” emphasizing how younger generations frame boundaries […]

As discussed in Part 1, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a collaborative psychotherapy approach that uses bilateral stimulation designed to help individuals process trauma and distressing memories so that it is no longer overwhelming and or disruptive. Part one off two discussed the six important factors therapists look to initiate before starting EMDR Therapy. […]

What Is EMDR Therapy? EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured psychotherapy approach designed to help individuals process and integrate traumatic or distressing memories, so they no longer feel emotionally overwhelming or disruptive. Rather than focusing only on talking about experiences, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or alternating […]