About Dr. Abrams


Dr. Kay Abrams helps people handle the everyday challenges of life:

She helps parents learn to raise children with less exhaustion and greater confidence, ending the cycle of threats, bribes, and endless arguing.

For adolescents and teens, she helps them deal with the anxiety, confusion, and vulnerability so often encountered during this important transition to young adulthood.

Dr. Abrams also supports and guides clinicians, such as social workers and newly licensed therapists, in gaining insight and wisdom to build their skill and practice as healers.

She is a licensed psychologist in Maryland. Her mission is to bring psychology to the community through speaking, writing, and media. In 2002-2003, she created the “It’s Just Life!” lecture series with topics like “Sibling Rivalry, for Better or Worse” and “First Comes Hurt, Then Comes Anger.”

In addition to her private practice, she is clinical consultant and public speaker to schools and mental health agencies. Her areas of expertise are behavioral assessment and management of young children, parent coaching, adolescent psychology, and eating disorders. She is published frequently and appears on local radio and television talk shows. Her most recent endeavor is the launching of her It's Just Life! Lecture series on Compact Disks. For more information on these talks and how to order recordings of them, see our Audio CD page.

Education

Ph.D.  Clinical Psychology University of Maryland 1991 
MA Clinical Psychology University of Maryland 1988
BA, Cum Laude Psychology University of Colorado 1983

Professional Experience

1991 to Present  Psychotherapist  Private Practice  Garrett Park, MD
1993 to 1996 Clinical Director Bowie Therapeutic Nursery Center Bowie, MD
1991 to 1993  Clinical Associate Communication and Learning Therapies Upper Marlboro, MD
1989 to 1990  Psychology Intern Taylor Manor Hospital Ellicott City, MD
1987 to 1988  Psychology Extern Edgemeade Level V School Upper Marlboro, MD
1986 to 1989  Clinical Practicum University of Maryland
Counseling Center		 College Park, MD
1982 to 1985  Mental Health Worker  Boulder Psychiatric Institute
Child and Adolescent Unit		 Boulder, CO

Professional Memberships & Affiliations

American Psychological Association (APA)
Maryland Psychological Association (MPA)
Washington Independent Services for Educational Resources (WISER)
Washington Society for the Study of Eating Disorders (WSSEDO)
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)

Publications and Lecture Series

For complete up-to-date-list, see our Resources/Links page. 

Code of Ethics

Licensed psychologists abide by strict ethical standards in accordance with guidelines from the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Maryland State Board of Examiners for Psychologists. As a licensed psychologist I have honored and obliged all requirements for training and continued education in order to provide you with the best in mental health care.

Mission Statement

Positive change is born out of understanding and motivation. My work is not about a singular truth or a "right" versus "wrong" approach. My work is about assessing your unique situation and history to provide insights and strategies leading to your respective growth and change.

Vision

Psychological insights and wisdom should not be the privilege of just a few, nor saved only for those in crises. The field of psychology needs to move beyond hospitals and mental health centers, academic institutions, and the traditional medical model to become fully integrated into contemporary society. My vision is of a society where psychological understanding is widespread and individuals can create more positive relationships.