Personal Experience & Biography
Leila Jelvani, MSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, with specialized experience in treating adolescents and adults with anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and related disorders.
Leila’s approach to treatment is collaborative; She works with clients to determine goals and areas for intervention, and uses evidence-based treatment methods.
Leila holds a Master of Social work with a specialization in behavioral health from University of Maryland, Baltimore. In addition, she completed an intensive training on exposure and response prevention for OCD at the University of Pennsylvania Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.
Leila is licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.
Memberships
Specialized Work
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an umbrella term for modalities and techniques that are goal oriented and short-term, although treatment duration is dependent on factors such as severity of symptoms, degree of consistency with attending sessions, and in between session practice of skills.
The treatment modalities and their descriptions below fall under the CBT umbrella and are based on the most recent research available for the treatment of anxiety, depression, and related disorders. Their use is dependent on individual treatment needs.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Our natural response to fear is to avoid, yet the most effective way to overcome any fear is to face it.
ERP provides structure and support to face fears.
Exposure involves choosing to gradually face the thoughts, images, or situations that trigger distress in a safe manner.
Response Prevention involves mindfully choosing not to engage in compulsive behaviors.
Compulsive behaviors temporarily decrease distress, but their effectiveness decreases over time and ultimately reinforces fear. Through exposures you will learn to tolerate the discomfort you feel instead of having to resort to a compulsive behavior.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Helps an individual increase their willingness to experience uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, especially when avoidance of these thoughts and feelings, prevents an individual from living a fulfilling life.
ACT helps an individual learn how to accept unwanted thoughts and feelings, while clarifying what matters to them and increasing behaviors that are in alignment with their values as an individual.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the conscious awareness and attention to the present moment without judgment. A great deal of the time we are functioning on autopilot or are unconsciously avoiding unpleasant feelings. Through purposeful practice we are better able to acknowledge and accept our thoughts and emotions, thus allowing us to respond instead of react.
Testimonials
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