Opening Doors and Building Bridges
Welcome to the practice of Dr. Ellen Dye, a highly experienced and dedicated psychologist with over 30 years of experience in serving the Washington, DC area. Dr. Dye is currently accepting new clients for both in-person and virtual sessions via Zoom.
Dr. Dye's practice is diverse and inclusive, serving individuals of all ages, from children to seniors. She works with clients facing a wide range of challenges, from everyday issues to serious mental health conditions. She finds great reward in helping those who have not found success in previous psychotherapy, and takes pride in individualizing her treatment approach to meet the unique needs of each person.
Dr. Dye's primary treatment modalities include cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, family systems, and solution-focused therapies. She is also experienced in working with medications and coordinates with clients' psychiatrists or family physicians as needed.
Meet Dr. Ellen Dye
Dr. Dye received her bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College in 1983 and completed her Ph. D. at Duke University in 1990. She underwent postdoctoral training in Family and Child Psychotherapy at the District of Columbia Commission on Mental Health Services in 1991. Dr. Dye has also received advanced training in Family Therapy, Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Gottman Couples Therapy, and Transcendental Meditation (TM). She has been living and working in the Washington, DC area for over 30 years.
Dr. Dye has maintained a private practice in Rockville, Maryland for over 30 years. Prior to entering private practice, Dr. Dye worked at Community Mental Health Centers in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia. She has worked extensively with victims of child abuse and neglect and has published research in the area of sexual abuse and post-traumatic stress. Dr. Dye has also specialized in Psycho-Educational Testing, Parent Counseling, and School Consultation at the Lab School of Washington and for Ruth Spodak and Associates.
Dr. Dye believes that psychologists should continue to receive training in new treatment modalities throughout their careers. Her goal has been to develop specializations in multiple areas and to integrate all of these approaches into her work, allowing her to develop a multi-modal treatment plan for each client using the ideas and methods that will best ensure success.
Services
Dr. Dye's practice offers a wide range of services, including:
- Individual Therapy
- Play Therapy
- Couples Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Cognitive Therapy
- Parent Counseling
- Premarital Counseling
- Divorce Counseling
- Relationship Communication and Development
- Psychological Assessment
Areas of Specialty
Dr. Dye has extensive experience in treating a variety of mental health conditions and life challenges, with specialized expertise in:
- Anxiety Disorders
- Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- Divorce
- Marriage, Family, & Relationship Problems
- ADHD
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Learning and School Problems
- LGBTQ+ Gender Therapy
Anxiety Disorders
Most individuals suffer from anxiety at some point in their lives. For many of these people, anxiety may become chronic or escalate to an unmanageable state. Anxiety disorders include Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Phobias.
The first part of treatment of these disorders is an anxiety assessment in which Dr. Dye and the client work together to identify sources of anxiety, symptoms of anxiety, and situations most likely to evoke anxiety. Based on the results of this assessment, treatment goals are established. Some individuals are reacting to situations in their lives, including job stress, school difficulties, family problems, or other common stressors. These individuals may benefit from cognitive and solution-focused therapy to gain control over their symptoms. Discussion of stressors is also important to identify actions the client can take to address sources of anxiety in their lives.
Treatment for other anxiety disorders, especially Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, may involve cognitive therapy, behavior therapy, or medication. Behavior therapy, also known as exposure therapy, involves exposing the client to the situations or objects that trigger their anxiety, with the goal of reducing the client's fear and avoidance of these triggers. Cognitive therapy involves identifying and changing negative thought patterns that contribute to the client's anxiety.
Overall Experience with Dr. Dye
Dr. Dye has received mixed reviews from her patients, with some having extremely positive experiences and others having negative encounters.
Positive Aspects
Compassionate and Helpful
Some patients have praised Dr. Dye for being an incredibly compassionate person who has made a significant positive impact on their lives. They appreciate her help and feel grateful for her guidance.
Accurate Billing
One patient mentioned that Dr. Dye undercharges for her services, which suggests that she is fair and transparent in her billing practices.
Knowledgeable and Insightful
Another patient praised Dr. Dye for knowing her stuff, providing amazing insight, and giving direction for treatment.
Negative Aspects
Unprofessional Behavior
Some patients have reported negative experiences with Dr. Dye, citing unprofessional behavior, including making assumptions about people, being racist and arrogant, and having a lack of nuances in her views.
Lack of Empathy and Integrity
One patient felt that Dr. Dye was not entirely listening to their concerns and was more interested in making money than providing genuine help. Another patient questioned her integrity, stating that she has no integrity and should not be pursued for family therapy.
Overcharging and Inaccurate Billing
One patient accused Dr. Dye of overcharging and using an inaccurate billing code recognized by the World Health Organization, which they felt was a ruse to make herself appear more credible.
