Melanie Froemke - Alexandria Place Therapy

Email:mfroemke@alexandriaplacetherapy.com

Phone:703.822.5776

Fax:703.548.1590

Melanie Froemke, LCSW, RPT

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist

I 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. 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)