I’m a psych/mental health nurse practitioner specializing in experiential psychotherapy.
Experiential psychotherapy actively engages the whole person in the therapeutic process. Using my training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and mindfulness meditation, we can tune into the body as well as thoughts and emotions, explore your inner world and open into a greater awareness of feelings and behaviors.
In this safe and supportive environment you have the opportunity to learn more about yourself, and can work to live true to your deepest desires and values.
Our sessions will help you to develop the ability to be kinder and gentler with yourself and others while making changes that will allow you to respond more wisely to challenging situations.
I work with people who wish to enrich their lives, and who may be experiencing issues such as anxiety, depression, loss, relationship issues, or developmental trauma.
“I’m so grateful to have Betsy in my life. Her highly compassionate approach helped me lift myself back up and begin to thrive again. It’s clear how much she truly cares. She’s not only there to listen but also provides very helpful, tactical guidance to put into practice between visits. Her voice has become the inner monologue in my head guiding me through life’s natural ups and downs. I do not know what I’d do without her.”
Interested in starting therapy?
Meet Betsy Brach
About me
I entered nursing school with the dual intention of providing health care and educating others about health. After a short stint in hospital nursing, I got a Master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner and specialized in women’s health. After eight years working in an extraordinary community health setting providing prenatal care and family planning, I decided to learn more of public health. The Master of Public Health opened my eyes to health issues across the globe, across socio-economic strata and across life. I continued my studies to earn a PhD. After a few years of teaching at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, I decided to go back into direct care.
The re-entry into clinical work lead me to realize I was drawn to understanding more of a person’s inner wounding and that lead me back to school for a Post-Master’s in psych/mental health. My strong affiliation with the philosophy and theories of care from professional nursing means I bring a multi-dimensional approach to assessing a client’s needs, looking broadly at their physical, psycho-social, emotional, and spiritual health.
A part of my search to understand myself, others and this world lead me into the practice of Vipassana or Insight Meditation. My mindfulness meditation practice of over 25 years forms the overarching framework for my psychotherapy work. This framework brings me full circle and back to providing care through guiding others to greater self-awareness, self-compassion and resilience.
About my practice
I’ve been in private practice working with adult individuals, couples and groups since 2005. I generally meet with clients once a week. Depending upon the situation, we may opt to meet more frequently or after we have worked together for a while, we may space out the visits.
Cancellation Policy: Unless you have provided 24 hours notice (1 full business day), you will be charged full-fee for any appointment that is cancelled, forgotten or missed.
Fees and Payment: I do not participate with insurance networks and payment is required at the time of each session. I can provide you with a statement you may use for submitting an insurance claim.
Privacy and Phone Policy: There is no charge for brief (several minute) treatment-related telephone consultations with patients or collateral professionals. More in-depth telephone consultations will be charged for at the hourly rate.
Betsy Brach, MSN, MPH, PhD, APRN-PMH
“Working with Betsy has dramatically improved the quality of my life and my relationships. Our sessions bring continuous insights into patterns of thought and behavior that take me off course. It is invaluable to my efforts to stay centered on what’s truly important to me and how I want to live. Although I am well past the acute anxiety and stress I originally had, I continue my work with her because it helps me stay grounded and intentional about the way I want to live and experience my life.”
Education, Certification, Licensure and Trainings
Education:
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing:
BSN - Nursing
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master’s – Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health:
Master of Public Health
PhD in Public Health
Certification:
Family Nurse Practitioner, 1985-2001
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, 1983-2005
Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, 2005-present
Licensure:
Maryland Board of Nursing, 2005-present
Trainings:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Basic Training, 2009
EMDR Case Consultation Group, 2012-present
Level I, 2012-2013
Level II, 2013-2014
Level III, 2015
Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO), training for couples therapy, 2014-2015
Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield, 2019
Insight Meditation Retreats, yearly since 1989
“Betsy Brach has been my therapist through some of the hardest experiences in my life: surviving cancer, struggling with disability and chronic pain, going through the end of an important relationship. Throughout, her thoughtful, nimble, and deeply kind approach to therapy has been my anchor. It has allowed me to develop strategies to deal with life’s most difficult challenges, and to live my life more fully.”
Groups & Classes
Mindfulness-Based Therapy Group
In addition to providing one-on-one therapy sessions, I also offer mindfulness therapy groups. In these groups, you will learn to use the principles of mindfulness to better identify emotional triggers and learn how to work with them in daily life. We will explore the meditation practices of gratitude, self-compassion, loving kindness, forgiveness and generosity. In these groups you will have the opportunity to:
Learn techniques such as RAIN (an acronym used to identify, understand and heal difficult emotions), HEAL (Rick Hanson’s acronym for taking in the good) and NVC (non-violent communication).
Develop coping skills and spiritual resilience.
Learn skillful communication around difficult emotional issues.
Feel the richness of the shared group experience — working together with mindfulness practices creates a nourishing and intimate environment for transformation.
“I have worked with Betsy over quite a number of years. I especially value how this evolution has enabled me to do work on two levels—developing both practical skills that have helped change my thinking, feeling, and behaviors as well as exploring and addressing the deeper roots and origins of my self-harming thoughts, emotions and behaviors.”
Mindfulness Meditation Class
During some seasons I offer an introductory series of mindfulness class. Topics have included establishing a mindulness practice, self compassion and lovingkindness, and spiritual resilience. Please consult my Facebook page for dates and details.
Contact
If you are interested in individual therapy, want to learn more about joining the mindfulness-based therapy group or attending a class, please contact me, or see my Facebook page. I look forward to hearing from you!