About Dr. GOLDWATER
Orna Goldwater, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, a health service provider in psychology, and a marriage and family therapist & life coach
Our Services are….
about
Inviting Joy
I am a collaborative and interactive psychologist. My goal is to first learn from the patient what hurts and how they may be prolonging their suffering. I help my patients to accept the possibility that all emotions are equally valuable. I allow them (at least in my office) to explore and experience a wide spectrum of emotions in response to different aspects of their reality.
Life Coaching
Psychotherapy and life coaching both aim to support individuals in achieving their personal goals and improving their overall well-being, but they differ significantly in their approaches and underlying philosophies.
Postpartum Support
Motherhood and parenthood are the most natural aspects of creating a family. However, women both cherished and struggled with this role. Right now, in addition to the ongoing struggle related to …..
Learning & Change
Through our lives, we model our behaviors after individuals who influence us through love or affection, or people who dominate us, and we see them as powerful. The older we are, the better we can…
Who is the Psychological Support for?
For those who are emotionally distressed, going through major life changes or seeking more self-awareness or personal growth, a compassionate and nonjudgmental psychological support can be helpful. Therapy offers a safe, supportive space to discuss issues and learn effective coping techniques.
I work with individuals who want to cope with:
Anxiety, stress and emotional overload
Depressed or enduring worries about mood
Relationship and family difficulties
Decision making, changes of roles and responsibilities
Emotional and behavioral difficulties caused by trauma experience
The struggle to cope, self-confidence problems, or problems with personal development
Treatment is individualized to every person's situation, concerns and goals. I value collaborating together as a team to help you understand your distinct experience and explore constructive approach to change.
I practice Positive Psychology, where, together, we find and emphasize your strengths. We find what moves you and what motivates you to act. When we act on events around us that move us, we can build a life of meaning and purpose. Finding and expanding the frequency of joyful moments can lead to happiness. Happiness is not just the absence of anxiety and depression. Happiness is the presence of joy.
Positive Psychology is:
Dr. GOLDWATER
Clinical Psychologist- Marriage and Family Therapist & Life Coach
Dr. Goldwater treats individuals who are seeking new ways to grow and manage their life roles.
Wellness
Life Coaching
Dr. Goldwater has been following the state-of-the-art research about the brain and how to help develop hope.
Supportive
Dr. Goldwater practiced in Houston, Texas, for 30 years and is practicing in the District of Columbia and Houston.
Get In Touch
Dr. Goldwater provides tele-psychology sessions using the Simple Practice platform.
Dr. Goldwater treats individuals who are seeking new ways to grow and manage their life roles. Patients may be experiencing stress, dealing with a change in reality, or coping with mental health or physical conditions that complicate their lives. Other patients are simply seeking skills to become the person they wish to be. Conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, often have emotional, cognitive, and physiological impacts on patients’ lives. We also learn that traumatic experiences can be correlated with emotional dysregulation, difficulty with sleep, chronic pain and fatigue, as well as a variety of addictive behaviors.
At times, it takes a team of professionals who work together to address these issues. Dr. Goldwater has developed strong relationships with family physicians who want to have a psychologist on their team to treat their patients.
Dr. Goldwater provides tele-psychology sessions using the Simple Practice platform. Go to: https://orna-goldwater.clientsecure.me or text: 202-299-4009
In the past, humans responded with fight and flight (aggression or cautious retreat) to manage stress and survive. Today, in our complex reality of buildings, computers, and corporate hierarchy, we must come equipped with additional methods of managing stress and coping with challenges so we are not "eaten up" by the lions.
What to Expect at Your First Therapy Session
During your first visit with me, you can share concerns, ask questions and explore if the therapeutic approach aligns with your needs. We can discuss your current challenges, relevant personal history and goals you hope to address.
Sharing this information helps me assess the next steps and ideal approach for further care.
A Collaborative and Individualized Approach
I would emphasize a free exchange of ideas and open participation. This will help you explore your experiences deeply and work towards meaningful personal goals.
Team approach
Dr. Goldwater practiced in Dallas, Texas, for 30 years and has been currently practicing in the District of Columbia and Houston alternatively since 2018. Currently, she provides primarily virtual sessions to patients in DC and Texas. Over the years, Dr. Goldwater developed collaborative methods that allow the patients to include in their work family members and friends who may have important perspectives on the problem or the solutions.
Members of the team can also include health and mental health providers so that their input can help speed along the time in therapy. Adding others to your therapeutic team helps develop a more accurate and holistic image of your life from a variety of points of view. As a psychologist, Dr. Goldwater can be supportive and compassionate, as well as challenging. It is important to combine support with reality-based challenge that can help change problem behaviors and habits that focus on fears rather than reality-based facts and optimism.
The Neurology of the Brain and Behavioral Change
Over the last two decades, Dr. Goldwater has been following the state-of-the-art research about the brain and how to help develop hope that change is possible in adulthood. The brain is capable of changing not only in childhood. It has plasticity that allows us to add new learning and "delete" unwanted behaviors that are no longer helpful for our survival. Dr. Goldwater's specialty is to help unleash the self-healing properties of your brain. Listen to This Video
Have Any Questions?
Please let us know how we can help you by filling out the email form below.
What Our Clients Say About Us
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Amanda M.
We have been struggling with my sons undiagnosed mental challenges. After being turned away from yet another outpatient program and numerous mental health providers, Dr. Goldwater saw us within in two days of our desperate plea for help.
She immediately was able to put my son at ease and performed a full psychological testing.
Her willingness to research and provide good options in a timely manner were very helpful.
We are eager to explore her suggestions and finally feel hopeful.
She has also offered to attend an ARD meeting to help advocate for more appropriate services at a very reasonable fee.
I appreciate here working with both my son and myself. -
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Simmy K.
I've seen enough psychologists to know the good from the bad and Orna is PHENOMENAL. She has helped me come up with clear, defined steps to help me overcome unhealthy habits I've been struggling with for a long time. I'm quite aware of who I am and what my weaknesses/strengths are so it's hard for me to find a psychologist who can challenge me and point out more than what's already obvious to me. But Orna compassionately pointed out subtle patterns of self destructive behavior that I failed to recognize. She's also helped me address some issues that have been hindering my professional progression for years.
She's loving, calm and supportive, but also extremely intelligent (and quirky, lol). You can't fool her! She will read in between the lines and hold you accountable. If you're just looking for comfort and need someone to talk to, she can be that listening ear for you, but I hope that you take advantage of your time with her to really work on improving yourself. It's not always a fun ride, but she will help you laugh your way through the tears and take a step towards the right direction. I have high respect for Orna's expertise - hands down, one of the best psychologists in Dallas. -
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Melinda A.
Dr. Goldwater's approach is highly interactive, for instance when I was having difficulties with my career she reached out to others in my industry to help me find answers. When I interviewed for a new position, we did an entire session of preparation that involved types of research I would not have otherwise considered. Her angle is not what I expected when I thought of a mental health professional - I didn't have to rehash old problems endlessly and I wasn't the only one doing the talking. Dr. Goldwater always helped me propose and weigh solutions for real issues. I would always recommend her.
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Patricia M.
I have been seeing Dr. Goldwater for about 6 months, She is a wonderful, clear talking, tell it like it is, strong, knowledgeable therapist. Orna has helped me think through some confusing situations and face things I have put off for years. Gotta love that. I plan on a long professional relationship with Dr. Goldwater and a lot of long talks with Orna.
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Kortney E.
I've been seeing Dr. Goldwater since 2015. After bouncing around therapists that I was never able to form a bond with I found Dr. Goldwater. She opens up herself and shares her own past and struggles, making it so much easier to share my most vulnerable aspects of my life that I don't like to talk, or even think about. She has helped me work through issues I've been dealing with all my life and provided me with tools to live a mentally and physically healthier life. As I've grown and started overcoming some of these issues, her genuine happiness for me has shown. When I moved away from Texas, I worried about having to start over again and try to find someone to connect with again, but I didn't have to, since Dr. Goldwater was willing to continue seeing me through Skype sessions. She has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I've ever met. She truly wants to help people find happiness and fulfillment in their lives.
