About Us
FOUNDATION Psychotherapy and Counseling, LLC was created to serve individuals and families struggling with complex issues that are a barrier to their overall sense of well being and satisfaction in life.
Who We Are
Deborah Irvin, MSW, LCSW-C.
Founder, and licensed Clinical Social Worker, certified in the state of Maryland.
Deborah graduated from the University of Maryland School of Social Work in 1999 with a Maternal and Child specialty and became a licensed certified clinical social worker in 2004. Deborah provides therapeutic counseling, crisis intervention, school-based psychoeducation, and clinical supervision with diverse clinical populations to include depression and anxiety, grief and loss, school-related issues, substance abuse and recovery, trauma recovery, gender questioning, nonsuicidal self-injury, aging parent/ elder care support, and complex family issues.
Deborah has executive, supervisory, and direct therapeutic service experience serving adults, parents, children, teens, and families across settings to include private practice, school-based wellness centers, hospital settings, alternative education settings, independent school settings, and as a clinical supervisor to students and clinicians and across the Washington Metropolitan area.
Deborah/ Foundation Psychotherapy and Counseling has earned the “Best Of” award in her community for six (6) straight years, landing her in the Business Hall of Fame by the Olney Chamber of Commerce in 2020.
“My philosophy is simple….to meet the person where they are, to understand, join, heal, and empower.” I have a core psychodynamic philosophy, but utilize a variety of therapeutic approaches to best fit the individual and their current need, or presentation. “My goal is to explore the dynamics of the situation, and the tools needed to create lasting change in perception, confidence, feelings, and behavior.”
Deborah is trained in Trauma-Focused CBT, certified Clinical Supervisor, and is currently pursuing her Certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider license. She is an experienced workshop facilitator, advisor, and guest speaker to schools, parents, and the wider community throughout the Washington Metropolitan area on topics of bullying prevention, social media and digital citizenship, youth anxiety and depression, managing difficult student behaviors (parents), managing difficult students in the classroom (for schools), preparing students for school (kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school, college), working with parents as partners, creating bully-proof school environments; has served as a community consultant on topics of creating effective teams, team building and staff focused professional development; and offers support to local school communities during a crisis, emergency, or death in their community.
Deborah appeared several times in the spring of 2020, in partnership with Montgomery County Government Councilmember Gabe Albornoz, and her friend Dinah Simpson, for wellness and meditation segments to support the local community during the COVID-19 quarantine on Facebook Live called “Just Breathe”. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Deborah continues to find innovative ways to partner with the local community to support health and wellbeing as a guest speaker at PTA meetings across the region, wellness and fitness engagements at local parks, and workshops with local vendors to offer support and encouragement in times of isolation and despair.
Aside from private psychotherapy, Deborah works directly with youth in psychoeducational workshops on digital citizenship, bullying prevention, healthy relationships and human sexuality, substance abuse prevention, and sexual harassment prevention.
Dr. Erin E. Smith, DACM, L.Ac. is a Licensed Acupuncturist and board certified Chinese herbalist in Maryland.
Erin graduated with highest honors from the School of Classical Chinese Medicine at the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon, where she received her Masters of Acupuncture degree. Originally from Maryland, she brings her passion for Chinese medicine and helping others back to practice in her homeland. Erin then finished her Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine degree through the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in 2018.
Dr. Alexander Achenza, DACM, L.Ac. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Doctor.
Dr. Alex's goal as a practitioner is to provide the absolute premium and optimal care possible to patients. His philosophy as a healer and education in neuroscience has granted a unique and integrated perspective as a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. In clinical practice, he strives to offer the best quality acupuncture by finding the balance between the ancient wisdom of Chinese medicine, with the validity and results of evidence-based practice and western medical science. His ideal patient is someone who is as committed to their own health and healing process as he is. He works to not only help those who come to see him for care, for anxiety, depression, pain, headaches, etc., but to also inspire them to help themselves.
Dr. Allison Achenza, DACM, L.Ac. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Doctor.
Dr. Allison Achenza received her Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at Pacific College of Health Sciences as well as her bachelors in Biology from Elon University. She is a national board-certified (NCCAOM) Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. She can also perform other healing modalities such as cupping, gua sha, e-stim, and tui na.
Dr. Allison offers a uniquely blended perspective in respect for both western and eastern medicine. “While western medicine does a wonderful job keeping us alive, it is Eastern medicine that continues to keep us well”. Allison has always had an insatiable curiosity for nature, the body, and the unknown. Her passions lie in the treatment of women’s health, pain management, digestive disorders, and mental/emotional disorders.
Dinah Simpson
Hi, I'm Dinah. How are you? I mean, really, how are you? I want to know who you are and all the things that go along with being you. This is your energy, and that energy is what lights you up. And our connection is what brings me energy. I created HIGH KI LIVING to empower people just like you to live the highest vibration of your life. Through meditation and energy healing, I have found a way of life that connects me to my highest and most authentic self and I am humbled to share these energies with you.
My journey through personal trauma, heartbreaks, loss of my father, and becoming a parent lead me down a path of transformation--to a place where I learned the high vibrational philosophies, and adopted them to fully enrich my life, my family, friendships, and this endeavor. I now use these enlightening tools to move through life's ups and downs with love, compassion, gratitude, a neutral mind, and a smile.
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