Atar Stav, LCPC
Trauma-informed, Sex therapist, and Couples therapist. Trained in Sensorimotor psychotherapy. Other services include LGBTQ+ affirming therapy, Therapy for Women, Supervision for LGPCs in Maryland, and Immigration Evaluations.
Licensed in MD, FL, & WV
Offers statewide virtual sessions and in-person at our Gaithersburg, Maryland office in the Kentlands. Atar conducts sessions in English, Hebrew, and French and works with clients 16+
About Atar (she/her)
Atar is a compassionate, trauma-informed therapist. Working from a strengths-based & holistic perspective, she is skilled at creating a warm and open space to help you resolve conflicts, increase intimacy, and create satisfying relationships.
Atar enjoys working with couples on enhancing emotional and physical intimacy using a combination of sensate focus, Imago, somatic approaches, DBT skills and mindfulness. She also enjoys working with couples where one or both partners have a history of trauma and couples who have mismatched desire and/or almost no sexual intimacy. Atar can help you recreate a sexual identity that works for both you and your partner. She can also help you identify the language needed to discuss sexual issues with your partner, and teach you the skills needed to create a validating relationship.
Atar’s work with individuals includes helping you to navigate issues relating to your intersecting identities, understanding and healing from the impact of trauma on your life and relationships while also helping you to develop more flexible thinking patterns.
Atar has extensive experience working with adults and teens around issues of trauma, religion, identity, and desire. She has particular expertise and interest in working with how trauma impacts relationships and the ability to experience pleasure in transgenerational holocaust survivors. As a former international humanitarian aid worker, Atar has a special focus on working with individuals who experienced stressors and trauma that stem from conflict-affected, high-risk, or disaster settings. Atar has lived and worked in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Education: MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University, MA in Human Rights & Humanitarian Action from the Paris School of International Affairs, and Sciences Po - Paris School of International Affairs
Certifications & Professional Training
Integrative Couples Therapy
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Level 1
Somatic Attachment
Trauma Treatment Certification with Janina Fisher
Ethical Non-Monogamy & Polyamory
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Imago Therapy
Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Foundational & Advanced Trauma Techniques for forced migrants
Trauma-Informed Stabilization Training: Working with fragmented selves of trauma survivors.
Nationally Certified Counselor through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)