Meet Alyssa Teitsma, LPC – your therapist
| Maternal Mental Health & Child Therapy |
Reston | Herndon, VA
I combine 15 years of counseling experience in school and private practice settings with a deep understanding of family dynamics, the school system, and the heavy mental load of motherhood. Through a compassionate, supportive approach, I guide mothers, children, and teens in Reston, Herndon, and across Virginia with the empathy and practical care they need to thrive.
The Foundation of My Practice
When making meaningful changes, it helps to start with your "why." I founded my practice on a simple vision: to help mothers, children, and teens grow, change, and thrive.
With over 15 years of counseling experience across schools and private practice, I offer a compassionate, real-world approach to supporting families. My clinical perspective deepened profoundly when I became a mother to my two daughters. Experiencing the daily realities of parenting firsthand ignited my passion for helping parents move from survival mode into settled strength.
I focus on the whole person-not just the problem. Whether supporting a child navigating big emotions or a mother overwhelmed by the mental load, I help parents reclaim their own well-being while building effective, practical tools for their kids.
Every session is grounded in an authentic, judgment-free space. Free from shame, we can identify unhelpful patterns, build genuine trust, and create a personalized path toward lasting confidence and connection.
Here is what you can expect from our work together:
Authentic Connection: No stuffy, rigid lectures. Just real, compassionate conversations.
Rooted in Reality: Strategies designed for the messy, everyday realities of family life.
Targeted Support: Gentle, practical tools to help your child/teen navigate challenges and make progress right away.
My Journey and Approach to Care
My practice is built on collaborative, evidence-based care that honors your unique story and empowers sustainable growth. Rooted in real-world development, my approach gives moms and kids the targeted, practical support they need to break old patterns and thrive together.
My journey as a helper started in middle school where I was trained as a peer mediator. In college I studied psychology and continued my education journey at The University of Virginia earning a degree in Counselor Education. Since my graduation in 2011, I have worked as a school counselor across the K-12 setting, helping countless children and families navigate mental health care. Now as a private practitioner, I continue to work with children and families in a more comprehensive and holistic fashion.
Outside of the counseling world I am a mother, dog lover, gardener, green-living enthusiast, and insatiable reader. I am passionate about social justice and raising awareness of, and normalizing mental health.
Nice to meet you!