DC Counseling & Psychotherapy Center
We suggest resources so that the therapy is happening not just in our office, but outside of the office, in your lives. To this end, we suggest books, films, web sites and articles that are tailored to the needs and interests of each client. Many clients identify with characters in books and films, and describe how their awareness of these resources helps them realize that they are not alone and their problems are solvable.
Elisabeth Joy LaMotte LICSW
Elisabeth Joy LaMotte, LICSW, MSW, is the founder of the Center. She is a licensed independent clinical social worker and an individual, couples, family and group psychotherapist. She has been in private practice since 2000, and has over 30 years of experience in the social work field. Her approach to therapy is focused and goal-oriented, and her personality is kind, empathetic and direct. She is honored to serve as the Chair of the Private Practice Committee of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). She is also a frequent host of NASW's podcast, Social Work Talks. She has met rigorous training, clinical and education standards to become designated as an American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy approved supervisor. Elisabeth is honored to serve as a member of the Board of Advisors of her graduate school, The University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice and the Trustees' Council of Penn Women.
Her book, Overcoming Your Parents' Divorce: Five Steps to a Happy Relationship, a self-help book for adults with divorced parents, was a finalist in the 2008 National Best Book Awards in the relationship category. Out of over 15,000 applicants, Elisabeth was one of fewer than 50 finalists in Good Morning America’s 2010 Guru Search. In 1995, Elisabeth received a Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work, now named the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice (SP-2). She has a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania. In 1997, she received a post-graduate certificate in couples, family and sex therapy from the Penn Council for Relationships, an affiliate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. She is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) in Washington DC. She has been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Social Worker and numerous other publications. She taught graduate level courses at the Virginia Commonwealth University Graduate School of Social Work.
Sarah Spencer Northey LMFT
Sarah Spencer Northey, “Spencer,”is a bilingual (Spanish and English) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT); as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Spencer believes that strong and loving relationships are the foundation for a more peaceful and conscientious world. As a Drama/Psychology double major turned therapist, she finds that good relationships are like good theater: they require a sound balance of “Dionysian Ecstasy and Apollonian Rationale.” Therefore, Spencer recognizes both existential and practical needs as equally essential in a healthy relationship. Prior to her Master’s education, Spencer spent a year observing relationship exchanges as a behavior coder for the Center for Developmental Science at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She spent another year working as a residential treatment counselor in a group home for at-risk youth, spending up to 16 hours a day at times as a primary caretaker and disciplinarian to struggling teenagers. These pre-masters experiences prepared her for success as an individual and relationship therapist. Since graduating from the distinguished Couple and Family Therapy program at The University of Maryland, College Park in 2011, Spencer has seen countless clients grow and recover through her work as a licensed relationship therapist in both DC and Maryland. In addition to her private practice work, Spencer is a bilingual clinician and supervisor at Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Health. In 2021, she founded the Relationship Therapy Program at Mary’s Center in order to expand community access to relationship therapy. She currently runs the program as a supervisor and trainer. Spencer's blog, Therapy Jam Sessions (https://dccounselingcenter.com/category/therapy-jam-sessions), explores therapy, music, and culture.
Kristin Gonzalez
Kristin is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Washington, DC. After graduating from George Mason University with a Master of Social Work (MSW), she went on to practice in community mental health for several years and has since transitioned to private practice. She welcomes people of all abilities, religions, ethnicities, races, sexual orientations, and genders and enjoys working with a wide range of clients.