Meet the Team

Meet Cynthia and Heather. We are sharing a little bit about us. Give us a call to see if we are a fit for you!

Founder, Psychotherapist

Cynthia Welsh, LCSW-C, QCSW

I see the work of therapy as being a team effort. Together, we can work on challenges, identify goals, as well as learn and utilize skills for your improved mental health. I integrate various treatment approaches to tailor the care to each client. In my opinion, there is no “one way” to provide or participate in therapy. No one theoretical approach can encompass all needs. To this end, I have focused on being a “forever learner", getting certified in varied approaches to be able to incorporate my many years of experience in different areas to be personalized. I have been a therapist for over 25 years and found that using humor, encouraging clients to be their authentic selves can set the stage for

Approaches utilized, skills training, and treatment provisions tailored to work with each client's needs, their goals, to help clients reach their identified ultimate potential. I have made it my mission as a therapist to gain varied experience and education to offer comprehensive yet specialized therapy to each client. When working with children and adolescents I strive to include family members in the treatment process. Families can participate in family therapy in addition to individual therapy. Alternatively, family therapy could be the primary service.

The relationship between client and therapist is a relationship built on mutual trust and understanding. A positive therapeutic relationship is essential in treatment. The therapeutic relationship is the springboard to dive into the therapeutic process. Boundaries are established to respect the individual. I work hard to keep a healthy balance of confidentiality for the client as well as keeping the parents/guardians of children/adolescents updated on progress and as part of the team.

Psychotherapist

Heather Dupre, LCPC

In my last decade serving children, teens, and adults it has become apparent to me that every individual has the potential within them to lead a happy and fulfilling life, but often our negative experiences serve as barriers to keep us from utilizing our natural strengths to address and overcome difficulties. I have also come to realize that good therapy doesn't have to feel stuffy. My hope in a session is that you can relax, pull up your (virtual) chair, and we can examine what brings you here together through a lens of empathy, self-acceptance, and occasional humor. I believe in the healing power of laughter, the importance of positive relationships, and that to have successful relationships with others we must first have a successful relationship with ourselves. Our time together is aimed toward empowering you to feel comfortable making intentional changes and embracing the wonderful and unpredictable chaos of life.

Heather is available virtual only, Monday-Friday evenings and Saturdays.

About Cynthia Welsh, LCSW-C, QCSW

Depression
Anxiety
Anger Management
Stress Management
School Issues
Family Issues
Parenting Issues
Difficulties with Self-Esteem
College/Graduate School Issues
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD)
Other Issues

Welcome to Alma Counseling! My name is Cynthia Welsh, LCSW-C, QCSW, and I have been a psychotherapist for over 25 years. I completed my Graduate Studies at the University of Maryland in 1999. Over the last two decades, I have worked for the Board of Child Care, Kennedy Krieger, Mosaic Community Services, private independent schools, and Sheppard Pratt.

As a psychotherapist, I have provided individual, group, and family therapy in homes, schools, and outpatient clinics. Services were provided in both English and Spanish. My areas of experience include anxiety, depression, school issues, self-esteem issues, adjustment, and ADHD. I have worked with at-risk youth, autism, the medically fragile and traumatic brain injuries.

While working as a psychotherapist, I have spent the last 10 years as a Clinical Director of three clinics and PRP, responsible for all psychotherapists, prescribers, interns, and administrative staff. I am a Board-certified clinical supervisor in the State of Maryland training graduate-level therapists and interns. I have spoken publicly for fundraising and grants, managed clinics through two corporate transitions, sat on committees for social justice, created forms policies and procedures, as well as helping the agency gain and maintain National accreditations for outpatient clinics.

Over the last 20 years, I have made it my mission to stay up-to-date and treatment provisions and to continually add to my clinical repertoire. My specialized training includes certification in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) from the Beck Institute. I'm trained in TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused CBT). I have a certificate in MBSR-T (Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction for teens). I have a certificate in DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy). Most recently I trained in TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Interventions). While treating clients I became a RYT- 200 yoga instructor and have incorporated this in treatment. These certifications are just a sampling of some of the evidence-based treatments I provide, all integrated into the treatment of clients.

Why is the practice called Alma Counseling, you might ask? Alma means “the soul’ in Spanish. My father used to say that anything that means something to you or is important to you, you have “put your heart and your soul in it, to make a difference”. Therapy is meaningful and important for health and well being. I’m putting my Alma in it. I hope you will too.

Getting Help

Taking the first step to get help can seem overwhelming. I'm here to help take that first step. I offer a free 15 minute consultation to see if

Alma Counseling is right for you.

Contact Me