Eva Chiriboga, Psy.D.

Heart-centered trauma healing grounded in cutting edge scientific principles.

Individual, Group and Couples Therapy

Specialities: Trauma & Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Se Habla Español

Therapy as sanctuary

A sanctuary is a safe place or refuge, and that’s exactly what I try to provide in therapy. To heal from trauma, we need to feel safe. Safe to express our emotions, try new things and make mistakes. Therapy can be the ultimate space to be yourself so that you can heal.

 

Culitvate joy

For many folks, happiness feels like something that happens to somebody else, especially in these times. Learning how to find joyful moments can be revolutionary. In our society, so often we tie our self-worth to how productive we are; it’s hard to allow ourselves to just be. Learn how to be more than a body that produces. You can be a human being not just a human doing. Be joyful. Thrive.

“We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.” ~ Joseph Campbell

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About Me

I am a licensed psychologist in Maryland, DC and Viriginia, as well as in all PSYPACT states. I have been working with trauma since 2009, beginning with my work at Shepard Pratt Hospital on their Trauma Disorders unit. Since then, I got my Master’s in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Trauma Studies from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, PA. During that time, I focused on working with domestic violence survivors with Women Against Abuse and doing bilingual family therapy at a community mental health agency. During that work, I realized I need to learn about how the mind the works, so I pursued my doctoral degree from Long Island University Post, a small school in Long Island that focused on providing treatment for underserved populations. While in New York City, I worked with immigrant populations from Brooklyn and with 9\11 first responders and survivors. I finished off my doctoral training with the VA, working with veterans in residential trauma units as well as with substance abuse clinics at Bay Pines VA Hospital in Florida and here in Washington DC at their Trauma Services Program.

My Approach

After 10 years working in the mental health field, I’ve learned that being a human can be really hard sometimes. Maybe it’s hard because there’s an area in our lives where we struggle, like our career or in our relationships. Maybe it’s hard because we’ve experienced some painful times that we haven’t fully healed from. Whatever our struggles, I’ve found that psychotherapy can help reduce our suffering and help connect us to the joy of being alive.

 Respecting the individuality of my clients is really important to me. All of us have our own culture and history, and part of my job is to help understand how those factors interact with your strengths and struggles. I do my own work to understand how the forces of cultural oppression impacts individuals and create space in therapy to explore your own interpretations of your own intersectionality.

As a clinical psychologist, my goal is support you in your journey towards a life that feels worth living, so that you can find the joy in being human. I offer free phone consultations, please don’t hesitate to email or call me with questions. I look forward to working with you!

Live Your Best Life: A Skills Group

Held virtually

  • Sometimes, life can be a lot, especially these days. We’ve designed a group to help with that. We’ll be focusing on slowing down the roller coaster of emotions as well as how to set better boundaries and identify priorities in your relationships. We’ll also share some evidence-based tips and tricks to get through tough experiences.

  • January 25th through March 29th (10 sessions)

    Tuesdays 7-8:30am EST or

    Tuesdays 6:30-8pm EST (based on client interest)

  • Virtual! Upon acceptance into the group you will receive a link for the group meeting. The group will be hosted on a secure, encrypted, HIPAA-compliant platform

  • $100 per session

  • Any individual, 18 years or older, living in PsyPact state Map - PSYPACT who would like help managing your emotions, relating to others, and coping with painful experiences. (AL, AZ, AR, CO, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, KS, KY, MD, ME, MN, MO, NE, NJ, NV, NH, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV)

  • If interested, please contact Eva Chiriboga and/or Lea Didion to complete a screening.

    Eva Chiriboga: dr.eva.chiriboga@gmail.com

    Lea Didion: ldidion@trecdcpsychotherapy.org

  • Eva Chiriboga, Psy.D.

    Dr. Eva Chiriboga graduated from Long Island University Post, a small school in Long Island that focused on providing treatment for underserved populations. In the course of her career, Dr. Chiriboga has worked with 9/11 first responders, gang members, sexual assault and domestic violence survivors, as well as military veterans. Dr. Chiriboga is the owner of Sanctuary at the Spring, a telehealth psychology practice that specializes in trauma.

    Lea Didion Psy.D.

    Lea Didion graduated from Pepperdine University and has over 15 years of clinical training and experience, much of which was within the Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense systems working with individuals and groups on emotion regulation. Lea now co-owns a group private practice that specializes in trauma, The Trauma Resilience and Education Center of Greater Washington, DC (TREC DC)

My Specialties

  • Trauma-Focused Treatment

    Healing from trauma is 100% possible, even if it doesn’t feel that way now. There are 3 gold standard evidence-based treatments for trauma: Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy and EMDR.

  • Treatment for Dissociative Disorders

    Dissociation is an adaptive mechanism designed to help us survive trauma. Sometimes, this mechanism doesn’t mesh well with life after trauma and we can use a little help to thrive in our current lives. We’ll work together to build grounding skills and internal communication.

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

    DBT was designed to help people manage overwhelming emotions, build interpersonal relationships and get through life’s painful moments. It’s designed to help you manage impulsive moments and learn a new way to tackle life.

  • Substance Abuse Treatment

    Only you know if your relationship with alcohol or drugs needs to change. I’m here to support you in your goals and help you find your way back to a life where you’re in control.

  • Chronic Pain Treatment

    Chronic pain often feels like it stopped life in its tracks. Therapy can help you get moving again and get back to living your life. Leaning on our community of holistic professionals, we can help you reduce the impact of chronic pain on your life, and help you live fully again.

Communities Served

All of us have our own culture and history, and part of my job is to help understand how those factors interact with your strengths and struggles. I do my own work to understand how the forces of culture impacts individuals and create space in therapy to explore your own interpretations of your own intersectionality.

While I strive to serve and empower all people, I have intentionally deepened my experiences to serve the following communities:

  • Latine Community

    One of my values is to empower mi gente and support them in their healing. I’ve worked with the Latine communities for multiple years and provide bilingual therapy (Spanish/English). Latinos come in all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds, and I’m passionate about helping every one of us.

  • Black-Identified Community

    The forces of cultural oppression and systemic racism have embedded themselves in all aspects of American life, even in psychotherapy. It’s important to your healing to find a therapist who actively fights against these forces to create a safe space where you can be free to be yourself. I am not Black, however, I stand as an ally and advocate, doing my own work to create a healing space for you.

  • Sexual and Gender Minorities

    I provide affirming care for the LGBTQ2SIA+ community and work strongly to advocate for more inclusive care in the mental health community. It’s so important to find care that affirms your identity and respects your intersectionality, seeing your whole, vibrant personhood.

  • Poly, Kink & BDSM Communities

    It’s so important to have a provider with whom you can be totally open and not worry that they are going to treat your preferences as if they were the problem. I offer knowledgable and affirming care to the poly and kink community. My commitment to kink-knowledgable care allows me to support you in doing your work so that you can have the relationships you want. Whether you’re working on coming out, negotiating a new or established relationship, or working on your own stuff, I’m here to offer a sex-positive, non-judgmental space.

  • How do I get started?

    Typically, we start together by scheduling a free 15 min consultation so that we can see if we’d be a good fit for therapy before scheduling an intake session. It helps me figure out if I have the right skills for what you need and for you to feel me out.

    Next is a 90 minute intake where we can assess what you need.

    If you’re ready to get started, email me at dr.eva.chiriboga@gmail.com

  • How much do you cost?

    Individual Intake: $225

    Individual Session $200

  • Do you take insurance?

    Currently, I’m an out-of-network provider. That means that I take payment up front, and your insurance provider (if you have out-of-network coverage) will reimburse you a percentage of the fee.

    Out-of-network providers have the freedom to offer treatment based on the latest science and needs of the client, without having to worry about insurance dictating treatment. It also allows me to protect your privacy and minimize information disclosed to third parties, such as insurance companies.

  • How does therapy work during Covid-19?

    Currently, I’m seeing all clients via telehealth, using a secure, HIPAA-compliant video service. I am committed to protecting your confidentiality and safety during these uncertain times.

  • In what states can you practice?

    I have full licenses for psychotherapy in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C.

    I’m also a part of PSYPACT which allows me telehealth licenses for the following states:

    Alabama - AL SB 102 (Enacted 3/18/2021)

    Arizona - AZ HB 2503 (Enacted on 5/17/2016)

    Colorado - CO HB 1017 (Enacted 4/12/2018)

    Delaware - DE HB 172 (Enacted 6/27/2019)

    District of Columbia - DC B 145 (Enacted 3/16/2021)

    Georgia - GA HB 26 (Enacted 4/23/2019)

    Illinois - IL HB 1853 (Enacted 8/22/2018)

    Kentucky - KY HB 38 (Enacted 3/18/2021)

    Maryland - MD HB 970 (Enacted 5/18/2021)

    Minnesota - MN SB 193 (Enacted 5/25/2021)

    Missouri - MO HB 1719/MO SB 660 (Enacted 6/1/2018)

    Nebraska - NE L 1034 (Enacted 4/23/2018)

    Nevada - NV AB 429 (Enacted on 5/26/2017)

    New Hampshire- NH SB 232 (Enacted 7/10/2019)

    North Carolina - NC 361 (Enacted 7/1/2020)

    Ohio - OH S 2 (Enacted 4/27/2021)

    Oklahoma - OK HB 1057 (Enacted 4/29/2019)

    Pennsylvania - PA SB 67 (Enacted 5/8/2020)

    Tennessee - TN S 161 (Enacted 5/11/2021)

    Texas - TX HB 1501 (Enacted 6/10/2019)

    Utah - UT SB 106 (Enacted on 3/17/2017)

    Virginia - VA SB 760 (Enacted 4/11/2020

    Kansas - KS SB 170 (Enacted 5/17/2021/Becomes Effective January 1, 2022)

    Maine - ME HB 631 (Enacted 6/22/2021/Becomes Effective October 18, 2021)

    New Jersey - NJ A 4205/NJ S 2506 (Enacted 9/24/2021/Becomes Effective November 23, 2021)

    This list is expanding all the time- you can look here to see if your state is now included.