Brian Polis

Originally from the East Coast, I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland (go Terps!) where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Human Development. During my time there, I was selected for the Advocates for Children Scholars Program, an initiative focused on social justice, policy, and advocacy supporting children and families from diverse communities. This experience helped shape my commitment to providing compassionate, trauma-informed care for individuals and families across Maryland.

I later earned my Master of Science in Counseling from California State University, Northridge, where I specialized in Professional Clinical Counseling and School Counseling. My graduate training emphasized evidence-based approaches that support emotional wellness, build resilience, and help clients navigate life’s challenges with confidence.

As a therapist, I have extensive experience providing trauma therapy and mental health counseling for adolescents and adults. I have worked as an individual, group, and family therapist in a community agency dedicated to treating childhood trauma and preventing child abuse, as well as within K–12 schools and residential treatment programs. These settings allowed me to support clients navigating trauma, anxiety, relationship challenges, life transitions, and emotional regulation difficulties.

I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidence-based therapy that helps individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences, distressing memories, and overwhelming life events. EMDR therapy can be particularly effective for those experiencing the lasting impact of trauma, anxiety, and past experiences that continue to affect their present lives.

My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, and grounded in trauma-informed care. I strive to create a safe and supportive space where adolescents and adults feel seen, heard, and understood as we work together toward healing and meaningful change.

Your first therapy session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and begin building a safe, supportive space for your healing. We’ll spend time talking about what brings you to therapy, the challenges you may be experiencing, and what you hope to gain from the process. You are welcome to share as much or as little as feels comfortable - there is no pressure to have everything figured out.

I’ll also ask some questions about your background, relationships, and experiences so I can better understand your story and how to best support you. Together, we’ll begin identifying goals for therapy and discuss approaches that may be helpful, including trauma-informed techniques and EMDR if appropriate.

Most importantly, the first session is about helping you feel heard, understood, and supported. My goal is to create a space where you can begin exploring your experiences at your own pace while knowing you don’t have to navigate them alone.