
Melanie Froemke, LCSW, RPT
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play TherapistI work across the lifespan to connect with individuals seeking the transformative power of therapy, resiliency, and post-traumatic growth. By developing a strong therapeutic relationship grounded in compassion and kindness, I create a safe and healing space for each client to explore insights, develop skills, process trauma, losses, and life transitions. It is my goal to allow each client to develop a stronger relationship with themselves – strengthening self-confidence, developing coping skills, processing traumas, grieving losses, honoring a sense of inner knowing, and finding courage and clarity.
I specialize in individual, group, and parenting support for clients coping with anxiety, trauma and loss, relational and life transition and adjustment issues. I have significant training in trauma treatment, including EMDR, trauma-sensitive yoga, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, expressive arts, sand therapy, and play therapy. I am truly humbled to witness the unique strengths of each of my clients in our work together as you share, grow, and change.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) in the state of Maryland and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the District of Columbia. Prior to finding my professional “home” at Alexandria Place Therapy in 2018, I had the opportunity to serve in various clinical settings, including a community social service non-profit, a college counseling center, INOVA’s Life with Cancer program, and intensive outpatient programs. As a social worker, my values are grounded in social justice and equality for all. As I enter a therapeutic relationship, I aim to come from a place of cultural humility, allowing each client’s experience to inform our work together. I value education, empowerment, advocacy and support to build healthier families and stronger communities which uphold mental health and wellness.
I have a strong clinical interest in the cross-section of technology and social media with identity development, as well as working with families to develop healthy guidelines, safety, trust, and expectations to manage technology and social media.
I received my Bachelor of Science degree from The United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. After serving in the U.S. Army as an Adjutant General Officer, I continued my education with a second Master’s of Science in Social Service Administration (MSSA) from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Selfless service is a lifelong guiding principle – I volunteer time to local schools; People Animals Love (PAL), a therapy dog organization; pro bono yoga & meditation instruction; and through Give an Hour- an organization which provides mental health services to military personnel, veterans, their families, and medical personnel.
I look forward to meeting you and being part of your journey toward growth and healing.
Certifications
I am a Registered Play Therapist through the Association for Play Therapy (APT) and have extensive training in both play and expressive therapies. I am actively working towards my EMDR certification through the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- Mindfulness Based Cancer Recovery
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Instructor: Youth Mental Health First Aid, National Council for Behavioral Health
- Trauma Sensitive Yoga Training (PTSD, TBI, EFT) & 200 hour Yoga Instructor Training
- Common Sense Media Educator
Specialized Services
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
- Parent-Child Assessments
- Extended Play-Based Developmental Assessment (EPBDA, Gil)
- Parent Consultations
- Professional Presentations
Professional Presentations
I have provided professional presentations and training to organizations/staff development; students, school staff, and PTA organizations – to include local school systems and colleges. I have presented on topics including mindfulness, stress management, trauma, attachment, play therapy, and parenting topics. I am also trained in teaching parents, families, and teens Digital Citizenship.
Professional Affiliations
- International Association of Play Therapists (IAPT)
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
- The Greater Washington Society of Clinical Social Workers (GWSCSW)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association (EMDRIA)
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
A Few of My Favorite Books
The Whole Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel, MD and Tina Payne Bryson, PhD.
Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood by Lisa Damour, PhD
Decoding Boys by Cara Natterson, MD
Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, & Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk, MD
She Wrote it Down: How a Secret-Keeper became a Storyteller by Laura Parrott Perry
Trauma is Really Strange by Steve Haines
Anxious Kids Anxious Parents: 7 Ways to Stop the Worry Cycle and Raise Courageous & Independent Children by Reid Wilson, PhD and Lynn Lyons, LICSW
Hey Warrior: A Book for Kids About Anxiety by Karen Young
Shy Spaghetti & Excited Eggs: A Kid’s Menu of Feelings by Marc Nemiroff and Jane Annunziata
Ahn’s Anger by Gail Silver
What Do You Do with a Problem? By Kobi Yamada
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
Blue Spots by Nicoline Evans
Licensure
Commonwealth of Virginia
District of Columbia