Clinical psychologist offering teletherapy services.
Dr. Scott Levson
I am a clinical psychologist who treats adults experiencing anxiety and depression, relationship difficulties, life transitions, low self-esteem, chronic self-doubt, and trauma-related disorders.
I work with individuals in demanding, high-responsibility roles who may be navigating work-related stress or challenges. I’m especially passionate about working with those in helping professions—like therapists, clergy, and medical professionals—who dedicate themselves to the well-being of others and may sometimes need space to care for their own.
I am licensed in the states of Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania, and can provide teletherapy to those who reside in Maryland, Virginia, DC, and other PSYPACT participating states.
Click here to learn more about me or see some of the treatments I offer below.
Individual Psychotherapy
Evidence-based treatment.
I primarily approach treatment through a psychodynamic lens, which emphasizes how early relationships and experiences shape our current patterns in relationships, emotions, and sense of self. From this perspective, therapy becomes a collaborative exploration of your core conflicts—how they developed and the ways they may be playing out in your current life in unhelpful or distressing patterns.
As we work together, we'll look at recurring themes in your life, exploring how your coping strategies and relational patterns may be affecting your current experiences. Gaining awareness of these patterns often creates space for new ways of being, which can reduce distress and improve mental well-being.
Therapeutic alliance.
The relationship between therapist and client—known as the therapeutic alliance—is foundational to meaningful progress in therapy. Because our work often involves exploring relationships (past and present), the quality of our connection matters deeply. I strive to approach each session with openness, curiosity, and flexibility so that our time together feels collaborative, safe, and effective
A pragmatic approach.
While psychodynamic theory informs much of my therapeutic orientation, I also take a pragmatic, integrative approach by incorporating tools from other evidence-based treatments. People are complex, and no single theory or approach can fully capture the nuance of each individual. My goal is to deeply understand you and your unique experiences in order to creatively tailor my approach to your needs.
Below, you’ll find a list of symptoms and diagnoses I commonly work with, as well as treatment approaches and techniques I regularly draw from.
Symptoms I treat
Depression
Trauma
PTSD
Anger
Relationship difficulties
Grief and loss
Life transitions
Men's issues
Insomnia
Medical provider burnout
Treatments I provide
Psychodynamic psychotherapy
ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy for Trauma)
CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia)
Attachment-focused treatment
Couples Therapy
Relationships can be one of the most meaningful parts of our lives, but they can also become sources of stress, conflict, and disconnection. Many couples find themselves caught in repeating cycles of criticism, withdrawal, resentment, or misunderstanding. Over time, these patterns can leave both partners feeling unheard, discouraged, or unsure how to reconnect.
Couples therapy offers a space to slow down these interactions and better understand what is happening between you. By exploring the patterns that develop in relationships, partners often begin to see each other—and the difficulties they face together—in new ways.
Common challenges couples face
Couples often seek therapy when they experience:
Repeated arguments that never seem to fully resolve
Communication breakdowns or feeling misunderstood
Emotional distance or loss of connection
Differences in needs, expectations, or values
Stress related to parenting, careers, or life transitions
Concerns with the other’s family of origin
Even when partners care deeply about one another, these patterns can become difficult to change without outside support.
My approach to couples therapy
Understadning relationship patterns
In couples therapy, we focus on identifying the recurring interaction patterns that keep partners feeling stuck. I am trained and certified in Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT), an evidence-based approach that helps couples better understand these patterns while developing new ways of responding to one another.
IBCT emphasizes both acceptance and change. Partners learn to recognize the vulnerabilities and emotional reactions that often drive conflict, while also building practical skills that support more effective communication and problem solving.
A deeper understanding of each partner
My work with couples is also informed by a psychodynamic perspective, which explores how each partner’s personal history, attachment experiences, and expectations about relationships may influence present-day interactions. Patterns that feel confusing or frustrating in the moment often begin to make more sense when viewed within the broader context of each partner’s relational experiences.
Developing this understanding can reduce blame and create space for greater empathy between partners.
Strengthening connection and communication
I also incorporate techniques from the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). These approaches provide practical tools for improving communication, navigating conflict more constructively, and strengthening emotional connection within the relationship.
Together, these frameworks allow us to work both practically and insightfully—helping couples understand their patterns while also developing new ways of interacting.
What couples therapy looks like
In our work together, we will often slow down moments where communication breaks down and examine what is happening beneath the surface. This may involve identifying patterns of escalation or withdrawal, exploring the emotions that arise during conflict, and developing new ways of responding to one another.
Over time, couples often develop a clearer understanding of their interaction patterns. This awareness can make it easier to navigate difficult conversations, respond with greater empathy, and rebuild a sense of connection.
A balanced and collaborative process
A common concern about couples therapy is that the therapist might take sides or determine who is right or wrong. My role is not to assign blame, but to help both partners understand the patterns that develop between them and the emotions that often drive conflict.
Couples therapy is not about deciding who wins an argument. Instead, we focus on increasing understanding, improving communication, and helping both partners develop new ways of responding to one another.
Even when relationships feel discouraged or stuck, gaining a clearer understanding of these patterns can open the door to meaningful change.
Is couples therapy a good fit?
Couples therapy tends to be most helpful when both partners are willing to reflect on their own contributions to relationship patterns and remain open to trying new ways of communicating. While partners may have different perspectives about the problems in the relationship, progress usually depends on a shared willingness to understand what is happening between you.
It is also common for couples to begin therapy feeling uncertain or discouraged about whether things can improve. These reactions are understandable, particularly when conflicts have been repeating for a long time. Therapy can provide a structured space to explore these patterns in a different way.
Even small shifts in understanding and communication can sometimes create meaningful changes in how partners experience one another.
Getting started
If you are considering couples therapy, we can schedule an initial consultation to discuss your concerns and determine whether working together would be a good fit.
“Communicating fully is the opposite of being traumatized.”