Elaine Klionsky, J.D., Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist specializing in individual, couples and group psychotherapy.  She maintains a private practice in Bethesda, MD as well as Washington, D.C.

Dr. Klionsky was initially trained as an attorney and experienced working at a legal aid clinic, a private law firm, a government agency and a Congressional Committee.  She left the law and earned a Master's Degree (MA) in Counseling with a cognitive behavioral emphasis followed by a Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology with a psychoanalytic emphasis.  After completing her doctoral degree, she was chosen for  a two year post-doctoral fellowship in group psychotherapy at the D.C. Commission for Mental Health Services.   She subsequently completed the group psychotherapy training program at the Washington School for Psychiatry and became a Certified Group Psychotherapist.  Dr. Klionsky greatly values her education and experience in law although her passion is to work as a psychologist.

In addition to being named one Washington's Best Therapists by the Washingtonian Magazine, she has presented at the American Academy of Psychotherapists national and regional conferences as well as having served as a member of the AAP's Ethics Committee, the Mid-Atlantic Group Psychotherapy Society's Outreach and Training Committee and the Washington School for Psychiatry's Movie Program.

Dr. Klionsky is an interactive, relational therapist with an existential, humanistic philosophy.  She believes that therapy can helpful in:

*gaining satisfaction from life
*attaining long-term goals
*enjoying challenges
*taking pleasure in accomplishments
*utilizing talents and abilities
*gaining contentment in life's activities
*gaining empathy for others
*learning interpersonal assertiveness
*attaining the ability to hear and benefit from emotionally painful information
*resolving past painful experiences
(SWAP-200; Shedler & Westen, 2007)

Education
B.A. Cornell University, College of Arts & Sciences;  J.D. American Unversity;  M.A. Universtiy of Maryland, College Park;   Ph.D. The George Washington University

License, Certifications & Awards
DC Bar Member
Licensed Psycholgoist: Maryland & Washington, DC
Best Therapist: Washingtonian Magazine
National Register of Health Care Providers

Additional Training & Memberships

Member- Mid-Atlantic Group Psychotherapy Society (past co-ordinator of outreach & training); American Group Psychotherapy Society; American Academy of Psychotherapists (past member of the Ethics Committee); Washington School for Psychiatry (Past Coordinator for the Film Series); The American Psychological Association