About Vital Therapy
We utilize an integrative,
in-depth approach to therapy.
People seek therapy for many reasons – mainly because, at the core, something doesn’t feel quite right. You may be struggling with depression or anxiety. You might be feeling lost, stuck, or empty. Maybe you are seeking help with navigating a specific challenge or a time of transition. Perhaps you are looking for help with relationships, self-esteem, or relief from perfectionism. Whatever the catalyst for starting therapy, you want to grow and become the best version of yourself. We want that for you too.
OUR CORE VALUES
We Believe
Therapy is not a one size fits all kind of thing. You are uniquely you. You come from a unique context and relate to others and the world in your own individual way. Operating from this premise allows us to co-create a therapeutic space that feels inclusive and safe for all aspects of yourself. We welcome the opportunity to work with all ages, genders, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, nationalities, religious affiliations, abilities, and sizes.
We, as humans, are wired for relationships. Therefore, finding the right fit with a therapist is the most important aspect of therapy. We say this for two reasons. First, because therapy is work, and often difficult work at that. You need to find someone you want to go the distance with. Second, we believe that it is through the therapeutic relationship that change and growth happens.
Feelings aren’t inherently good, bad, right or wrong. Feelings are important information worthy of our time and attention. This is especially true of the feelings that are difficult to tolerate and the ones that we don’t initially understand.
Seeking help and support is a sign of great strength. The primary driver for seeking therapy is a feeling of internal discomfort. No matter the specifics of what you are seeking help for, we never lose sight of the courage it takes, in the midst of your suffering, to open up to someone else and look within yourself.
It can be tempting to start therapy looking for a quick fix or wanting to focus solely on the symptoms that you want relief from.
While treatment often starts out on the surface, focusing on your current concerns, our approach is to gently, and over time, challenge you to dig deeper.
We want to get a fuller sense of who you are — your strengths, your personal history, your past and present relationships, as well as your vulnerabilities and struggles. Not only do these aspects of your story provide context to understand where you are now, they also provide us with invaluable information on how to help you get where you want to go.
Together we can understand the ways in which you protect yourself, the beliefs you hold about yourself and others, your conflicts, and your wishes. This insight into the way you operate will allow you to better understand yourself and fosters a stronger sense of who you are. With that understanding comes a freedom to make different choices and unlock new possibilities.
Meet Our Team
Nicole Moore, Psy.D.
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Dr. Nicole Moore is the clinical director and founder of Vital Therapy. She is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has extensive experience in individual and group therapy as well as in administering psychological assessments. Dr. Moore graduated from The George Washington University with a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. She completed her internship at The Psychiatric Institute of Washington. She also holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from George Mason University.
In her practice, Dr. Moore enjoys helping adolescents and adults work through issues such as depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, self-esteem, painful family dynamics, relational challenges, navigating life transitions, feeling “stuck,” and with those who wish to know more about themselves.
As a clinician, Dr. Moore believes that everyone possesses the strengths and resources to overcome life’s challenges- even if sometimes they need a little assistance. She brings her warmth, compassion, and sense of humor to create a collaborative and nurturing relationship.
Her role as a therapist is to help you better know and understand yourself. Together you will use this insight to build upon your innate abilities and strengths to understand obstacles, overcome challenges, and pave a way forward.
Dr. Moore considers herself a generalist. Over the course of her training, she has specifically sought out a wide variety of clinical experiences and therapeutic modalities. Dr. Moore utilizes an integrative and in-depth therapeutic approach that draws upon evidence-based modalities such as psychodynamic theory, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and attachment-based therapy.
Dr. Moore is licensed in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and is PSYPACT approved.
Paul Higgins, LGSW
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Paul is a psychotherapist at Vital Therapy where he provides individual, couples, and group therapy. He works with adults experiencing a variety of challenges, including depression, anxiety, trauma, difficulties coping with life stressors, emotion regulation, self-esteem issues, and relationship difficulties. He brings a warm, supportive, non-judgmental, and collaborative style to therapy. His therapeutic approaches include psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), strengths-based, client-centered, humanistic, mindfulness, and attachment-based models.
Before becoming a therapist, Paul assisted in resolving complex disputes as an arbitrator/mediator and attorney. These prior experiences inform his clinical work and give him insight into the challenges faced by professionals navigating demanding work environments.
Paul is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker in DC and a Licensed Masters Social Worker in Maryland. He obtained his undergraduate degree at the University of New Hampshire, a law degree from Catholic University of America, and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. He completed the Psychoanalytic Training Program Fellowship at the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis (ICP&P). He also completed a Couples and Family Therapy Training certificate program. Prior to joining Vital Therapy, Paul provided therapy at a private practice in the DC metro area. He has additional experience at a hospital outpatient behavioral health clinic.
Paul is working towards his advanced licensure as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), and is currently receiving regular supervision with Teresa Mendez, LICSW.
Professional Memberships:
Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis (ICP&P)
International Association for Psychoanalytic Self Psychology (IAPSP)
Rebecca Ferrer, LPC
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Rebecca is a licensed professional counselor and licensed behavior analyst with degrees from the University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University, and the George Washington University.
Rebecca served as a School Counselor in DC Charter Schools for 8 years, working primarily with youth/adolescents who have learning differences and/or emotional or behavioral disabilities.
Rebecca specializes in working with clients who are working to gain social skills and emotional regulation skills. Rebecca utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy techniques.
Claire Connolly, LCSW
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Claire is a board-certified psychotherapist. In her practice she provides psychotherapy to adults, couples, and older adolescents, using psychoanalytic psychotherapy and analytical psychology. Claire’s goal is to create a warm and supportive environment to work with her clients to heal relational wounds and other forms of trauma. She supports clients in their process to gain deeper self-understanding and to foster personal growth through self-compassion. Together we can explore new ways of understanding old patterns of behavior.
Claire’s clinical specializations include anxiety disorders, depression, guilt, shame, trauma, relationship challenges, infidelity, self-esteem, substance use, disordered eating, adult children of alcoholics, and codependency. She enjoyed working with the international community, including individuals in Washington on work or student visas, employees of the IMF, IFC, and World Bank, as well as U.S. Foreign Service workers and other members of the international diplomatic corps.
Prior to private practice, Claire provided clinical services at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC and at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. She received her graduate degree from New York University and completed post graduate training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at the Washington School of Psychiatry.
Finn, Service Dog
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Finn, formerly Wonderboy Seamus Finnegan of Camelot House (AKC), is a Golden Retriever who sees patients with Dr. Nicole Moore.
Finn underwent extensive training to be able to be a part of our practice! He and Dr. Moore trained for two years to receive their certification as a Service Dog and handler team under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 2010 (ADA, 2010).
Finn’s training was certified by a third-party organization and was divided into four phases: (1) basic obedience; (2) advanced obedience; (3) disability skills; and (4) public access. Finn and Dr. Moore were required to complete a formal evaluation at the end of each phase in order to move onto the next phase of training.
In addition to the phase checklists, Finn underwent a thorough temperament test during Phase 2 and on May 2, 2018 Finn earned his Canine Good Citizen Award Certificate. On November 13, 2019 Finn and Dr. Moore successfully completed the final phase of training, meeting requirements of the ADA as a certified Service Dog and handler team.