Page Morris, LCSW-C
10792 Symphony Park Drive
North Bethesda, MD 20852
301-653-4597
pmorris@firststepspsych.com
Q What unconventional methods do you use in treating families and adolescents?
A Adolescents are greatly impacted by their family relationships. Therefore, I believe it’s vital to treat the entire family. I work with as many family members as it takes—in any combination—to improve the family’s communication skills and problem-solving capabilities.
I’ve also found that most of my clients respond positively to my two service dogs who accompany me in my practice. Animals facilitate rapport-building and lessen anxiety, especially in adolescents. I once treated a teenage girl who was severely depressed and non-verbal. Noticing a connection between her and Tucker, my smaller dog, I suggested we bathe the dog together. Somehow this broke her silence. “All therapists should have a dog,” she commented—a remarkable “first step” in her recovery.