Chava Nerenberg, Ph.D.

Dr. Chava Nerenberg employs an integrative approach to therapy that draws upon person-centered, relational, cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, and ACT-based interventions to tailor treatment to each individual’s unique needs.

Trauma and PTSD Specialization

Dr. Nerenberg is highly specialized in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and related trauma conditions. Her expertise covers the full spectrum of trauma presentation, including:

• Acute Trauma: Distress following a single, sudden event (e.g., accidents, one-time assaults).
• Chronic and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD): The deep, pervasive effects of prolonged or repeated adversity, such as developmental trauma arising from childhood abuse or neglect, or long-term domestic violence. She is adept at addressing the associated symptoms of emotional dysregulation, impaired sense of self-worth, and persistent relationship difficulties often seen in C-PTSD.
• Secondary/Vicarious Trauma: The impact of repeated exposure to other people’s trauma, often experienced by professionals and caregivers.
• Acute Stress Disorder (ASD): Early intervention and stabilization following a recent traumatic event to help prevent the onset of full PTSD.

🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ + Affirming Care

Dr. Nerenberg offers comprehensive, affirming care for multicultural populations and LGBTQ+ individuals. Her specialization ensures a supportive, informed, and non-judgmental space for concerns related to identity, transitioning, and minority stress. People within the LGBTQ+ multicultural community often seek therapy for issues such as:

• Gender Affirming Treatment: Navigating social, legal, and medical transition processes, including providing evaluations and letters for medical procedures.
• Identity Exploration: Processing and integrating sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Minority Stress and Discrimination: Coping with the psychological impact of prejudice, microaggressions, and systemic discrimination.
• Coming Out and Relationship Issues: Navigating family, social, and professional relationships, and addressing relationship dynamics unique to the community.

Health Psychology & Mind Body Health

Dr. Nerenberg has a strong clinical focus in Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, which addresses the interplay between physical and mental health. Utilizing evidence-based protocols like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), she helps clients manage conditions such as:

• Insomnia and Sleep Disorders: Using CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I) to improve sleep patterns without reliance on medication.
• Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness: Developing coping strategies for living with persistent pain or long-term medical conditions, focusing on pain management, adherence to treatment, and reducing illness-related stress.
• Stress Management: Building resilience and effective strategies for managing high-stress periods, life transitions, and work-life balance concerns.

OCD & Related Disorders

Dr. Nerenberg is also specialized in treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and various anxiety disorders. She employs the gold-standard treatment for OCD, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), to help clients confront their fears and break the cycle of compulsions. Her expertise extends to related anxiety issues like Social Anxiety and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

Dr. Nerenberg believes strongly in the importance of the therapeutic alliance. Her warm, thoughtful, and collaborative style empowers clients to cultivate a non-judgemental awareness of their inner experience, navigate difficult emotions with kindness, break free from unhelpful coping patterns, and build a more resilient and authentic relationship with themselves.multicultural approaches to help clients explore the impact of culture and identity in their lives.

• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Prolonged Exposure (PE)
• Written Exposure Therapy (WET)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares (CBT-N)
• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i).

Dr. Nerenberg received her Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

She completed her APA-accredited internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the Washington, DC VA Medical Center, specializing in trauma and LGBTQ+ affirming care.

She has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including in university clinics, community mental health, and at the Washington, DC VA Medical Center.

First Session: $250

Follow-Ups: $235