Dr. Alissa Putman , MD

Dr. Alissa Putman helps people who are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about their next steps. She focuses on practical goals and listens for what matters most to each person. Dr. Putman emphasizes a good fit and checks in regularly to make sure therapy is working the way clients want.

She has an MD and brings 20 years of experience in a range of settings, including higher education and healthcare. That background informs a straightforward style that blends goal-setting with emotional support. She often draws on positive psychology and coaching ideas to help people move forward.

Common concerns she addresses include stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy-related issues, self-esteem, career and identity questions, grief, parenting strain, and compassion fatigue. She also works with issues such as body image, abandonment, communication problems, guilt and shame, and feelings of emptiness or isolation.

In sessions she uses a client-centered stance and integrates cognitive-behavioral techniques and Internal Family Systems ideas when helpful. That means conversations focus on what a person wants to change, identifying unhelpful thoughts or patterns, and noticing different parts of the self that influence behavior.

Dr. Putman speaks English and practices from Maryland. She has volunteered on suicide prevention education and mentors underrepresented teens, experiences that shape her interest in multicultural concerns and life transitions. She aims to help clients set realistic steps and build resilience as they work toward their goals.

Therapeutic approaches and how online sessions work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on understanding each person without judgment and following their lead to set goals and priorities. It helps when someone needs empathy, clarification of values, or a space to talk through difficult choices.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches practical ways to change patterns that cause distress. It is often useful for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and managing stress.

Internal Family Systems pays attention to the different 'parts' inside a person and how they interact, helping people understand conflicts within themselves and find more balance. This approach can help with feelings of shame, emptiness, or recurring relationship patterns.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to decide which methods match their needs, goals, and preferences, and will adjust the plan as progress is made.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, giving flexibility to fit therapy into a busy life. Video calls let people use visual cues during deeper conversations. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier to fit into a break at work. Live chat and text can support brief check-ins or ongoing coaching-style contact between longer sessions.