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“The quality of your life ultimately depends on the quality of your relationships.”
-Ester Perel-
About
Dr. Strauss is a Licensed Psychologist specializing in psychological evaluations, forensic assessments, and therapeutic services. She provides evaluative services to individuals of all ages to help answer a variety of clinical questions. Additionally, Dr. Strauss conducts court-ordered and forensic assessments, including questions of parental fitness and child custody evaluations. Therapeutically, she works with individuals (older teens through adulthood) and couples to provide empathic and insightful care.
Dr. Strauss achieved her Doctorate in Psychology from the George Washington University, after attaining a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Biology from the University of Wisconsin- Madison. Dr. Strauss completed her internship at Valley Behavioral Health, an APA-accredited internship site, in Salt Lake City, Utah, before returning to Washington DC to participate in a post-doctoral residency at Saint Elizabeths Hospital. During graduate school, she trained at the Psychiatric Institute of Washington, the DC Superior Court Child Guidance Clinic, and the GW Center Clinic.
Since completing her graduate level training, Dr. Strauss has sought out more specialized education to begin working with couples and families going through the divorce process. She is especially drawn to parenting coordination and parenting evaluations. Dr. Strauss enjoys exploring the dynamics within families, and brings a warm, direct, and analytical approach to all her work. Dr. Strauss is a board member of the Maryland Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), as well as a general member of the nationwide organization.
At the current time, Dr. Strauss is participating in most work by Zoom, though is available for limited in-person work. Dr. Strauss is licensed in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Additionally, she is PsyPact credentialed. To see if you are located in a PsyPact state, check here .
Divorce Services
Parenting Coordination
Parenting Coordination provides a forum for coparents to work with Dr. Strauss to develop better understanding of the other parent’s perspective, facilitate good communication, and reduce conflict in making decisions for the child/children. In the process, Dr. Strauss will also provide information regarding child development and co-parenting communication, as well as give guidance related to issues with the child/children. Parenting Coordination does not change the terms of a custody agreement, but can include agreements about holidays, summers, make-up time, and any other issues that are relevant to a particular family.
Psychological and Parenting Evaluations
The purpose in conducting a parenting or psychological evaluation is to gather information that will enable Dr. Strauss to form an opinion concerning a party’s mental health and/or parenting abilities. The evaluation procedure involves a series of personal interviews with each party, as well as review of collateral documents and interviews with collateral sources. In addition to information gleaned by interviews, each parent will participate in a battery of psychological tests. Depending on the allegations made and the age(s) of the child(ren), an observation of interactions may also be conducted. Recommendations made in the final report do not include opinions about custody time or plans.
Custody Evaluations
A custody evaluation is a comprehensive assessment in which information is gathered that enables Dr. Strauss to form an opinion regarding what custody and access arrangement is most likely to be in the psychological best interests of the children. The evaluation procedure involves a series of personal interviews with each party, along with individual interviews of each child. Child(ren) are usually interviewed individually, and time is also taken to observe the child(ren) with each parent. In addition to observations and information gleaned by interviews, each parent will participate in a battery of psychological tests. Relevant testing will also be completed with children, age permitting, during their individual sessions. Additionally, relevant collateral parties will be contacted, and relevant documents will be reviewed. If circumstances permit, a home visit at both residences will also be conducted. Recommendations will be given regarding custody plans, access to the child(ren), and relevant mental health or parenting interventions.
Assessments
Psychological evaluations are aimed at providing a clearer picture of one’s psychiatric functioning. These assessments include clinical instruments that examine current cognitive and emotional function, with recommendations for treatment and self-improvement.
Psychological Evaluations
Academic Evaluations
Psychoeducational evaluations examine one’s cognitive and emotional states, as well as achievement capabilities. The intersection of emotional and academic state is carefully evaluated in order to provide empathic recommendations about learning disorders, ADHD, and other academic challenges.
Adoption Evaluations
Many agencies require a brief psychological evaluation as part of their adoption processes. These reports include several in-person interviews, as well as the psychological testing necessary for each individual process.
Private schools may ask for cognitive or academic testing as part of their admission processes. These evaluations are typically brief, and can be completed and sent to desired schools within a week’s time.
Educational Testing
What to Expect from Testing
A Diagnostic Interview
The first step in an evaluation is an extensive interview in which relevant history is gathered. Topics generally covered include family, mental health, and school histories, as well as a comprehensive discussion of the reason for testing, mental health or academic history, and current symptoms.
PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING
A variety of instruments are utilized in order to provide answers to diagnostic questions. Evaluative sessions typically last one to three hours, and can include cognitive, personality, achievement, and basic neuropsychological tests.
collateral information
In addition to ‘in room’ tests, input and judgment from other professionals, including teachers or therapists, is incorporated into a testing report. At times, it can also be helpful to include others who are familiar with the individual being assessed, such as parents or spouses.
Available resources such as Individualized Education Programs (IEP), 504 Plans, or treatment summaries are also essential in the creation of a comprehensive report. If relevant, these materials may be requested for integration into a final report.
Results
After completion of all testing procedures, the data will be integrated into a comprehensive report which includes summaries of all testing results, diagnoses (if applicable), and recommendations. These findings are communicated in clear and meaningful ways, with the intention of providing insight into current challenges and functioning. All relevant parties will meet, either in person or by phone, to go over the results and to answer any questions that may arise.
Therapy
Individual Therapy
In individual therapy, a number of different approaches and techniques are employed to help build insight into relationships, both interpersonal and with oneself, and flexibility of behaviors. The therapeutic relationship is a safe space to aid in life and relationship transitions, as well as provide support for exploration of emotional reactions and responses. Dr. Strauss’s therapeutic style involves building an alliance through open conversation and analysis of relational interactions and their deeper meanings.
Couples Therapy
Couples therapy involves working with two or more individuals to improve upon their communication, interactional styles, and unconscious relational trigger points. This type of therapy can be beneficial for a wide variety of couples, including same-sex or non-gender conforming couples, pre-marital, or polyamorous partners.
Resources
Our Office
Dr. Strauss’s office is located in downtown Bethesda, in an ADA-accessible building. There is metered street parking directly out front, as well as a parking garage a half block away. The Bethesda metro station is approximately a 10 minute walk from the office.
Contact Us
If you are interested in setting up an evaluation, please contact Dr. Strauss to set up an initial phone call. You may also send an email directly to halliestrausspsyd@gmail.com . Please note that email is not a confidential form of communication.