- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
About Alissa
Dr. Alissa Putman is a Psychologist licensed in Maryland with 20 years of clinical experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem concerns, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting strain, grief, career frustration, and anger. She also supports people dealing with identity questions, burnout, and coping with life changes.
She uses a client-centered stance and checks in regularly to make sure sessions stay useful. That means she listens first, notices what is working, and then helps set practical goals. Sessions often blend straightforward problem-solving with attention to feelings and how those feelings show up in relationships.
Her background includes work in higher education and healthcare and volunteer roles teaching suicide prevention and mentoring underrepresented teens. Those experiences shaped a practical focus on resilience, managing competing demands, and realistic planning for change. She brings two decades of experience to each meeting while keeping the work down-to-earth.
In sessions she may use cognitive-behavioral techniques to challenge unhelpful thinking and Internal Family Systems ideas to look at the different parts that influence behavior. She also draws on positive psychology and coaching methods to set achievable steps toward clearer goals. Her approach is collaborative, with an emphasis on checking that the direction fits the client's needs.
People come to her wanting to reduce reactivity, repair relationship patterns, sleep better, or find steadier ways to handle workplace stress. She encourages active problem solving alongside attention to emotions and relationships to help people move forward.
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person's perspective. Online sessions can still use this approach by making space for the client's priorities and checking in about how the work is going. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviors and uses practical exercises and homework to change patterns; in an online setting this can include structured worksheets, short skill-building tasks, and between-session practice. Internal Family Systems explores the different parts inside a person that hold feelings or reactions and helps people relate differently to those parts; that can be done in conversation and guided exercises over video or phone.Finding the right mix of methods is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to decide which approaches fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That collaborative process includes checking how techniques are landing and adjusting plans when needed.
The profile does not specify which session formats are offered, so please confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when days are tight, or avoid needing to be on camera for every meeting. These practical benefits can help people maintain consistency while focusing on reducing reactivity, improving communication, and managing stress.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
Maryland
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy concerns, anger, parenting strain, career issues, grief, and related struggles listed in her specialties.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
She uses a client-centered approach that emphasizes listening, collaboration, and regular check-ins to keep sessions focused on the client's goals.
How much experience does she have?
She has 20 years of experience working in higher education, healthcare, and community settings.
Is she a licensed professional and where is she based?
She is a Psychologist licensed in Maryland and practices from that state.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the country work with her?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
What formats are available for sessions?
The original profile does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options before scheduling.
How are fees handled and how do I begin?
Costs vary with location and services use a subscription that can be canceled at any time; to start, use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.