In Step | Cathi Cohen

03/06/2026

From time to time, we like to highlight community resources that may be helpful to the families in our In Step community. The Safe Community Coalition is hosting a series of Community Mental Health Chats led by experienced mental health professionals. Sessions in this series cover a range of topics related to mental health, emotional well-being, and supporting youth and families through life’s challenges. Registration for the event is free.

🗓 Upcoming session: Grief & Growth: Tools for Navigating Loss
📍 McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave, McLean, VA 22101
🕖 Thursday, March 12 at 7:00 PM

Workshops like these can be a helpful opportunity to learn more about mental health, gain tools to support yourself or someone you care about, and connect with others in the community.

Register for the free talk here:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/q2q5hsj

02/26/2026

You meet deadlines, show up, and succeed - but internally, you may feel constant tension, racing thoughts, mental fatigue, or difficulty shutting your mind off.

Research shows that anxiety can impact working memory and mental flexibility, meaning you may be functioning outwardly while your brain works overtime internally. Many adults carry this invisible cognitive strain. Anxiety doesn’t always disrupt your performance — but it can quietly impact your well-being.

At In Step, we help adults manage anxiety using evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and insight-oriented therapy. You don’t have to wait until you’re overwhelmed to seek support.

We are currently welcoming new adult clients. Reach out to schedule a consultation.

Individual Psychotherapy details below: https://insteppc.com/individuals/

📞 Call today to schedule an appointment: (703) 876-8480
✉️ Email: https://insteppc.com/contact-us/
🌐 Learn more: https://insteppc.com/

02/24/2026

Adulthood brings unique pressures — career stress, relationship challenges, family responsibilities, identity questions, and the everyday stress that can affect your well-being.

Our clinicians tailor treatment to each individual, using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Interpersonal Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, and insight-oriented approaches.

In Step will help you build the tools, insight, and resilience needed to navigate challenges effectively and achieve meaningful, lasting progress.

Individual Psychotherapy details below: https://insteppc.com/individuals/

📞 Call today to schedule an appointment: (703) 876-8480
✉️ Email: https://insteppc.com/contact-us/
🌐 Learn more: https://insteppc.com/

02/19/2026

Gaming is not just play; it's a powerful therapeutic tool when used intentionally. Recent research shows that anxious children and those with low confidence who participated in therapist-led gaming environments formed MORE meaningful friendships than through traditional social settings.

Why? Gaming reduces social pressure through shared goals and cooperative play, creating a safe space where children naturally practice communication, teamwork, and emotional regulation.

At In Step our Minecraft-Based Social Development Group is intentionally designed and professionally led as an evidence-based therapeutic tool where children develop real social skills through cooperative building and problem-solving - learning to communicate clearly with peers, work collaboratively toward shared goals, manage frustration in a supportive environment, build confidence in social interactions, and form lasting friendships that extend beyond the screen, all while creating meaningful, lasting change that transfers to school, home, and community settings.

Ready to help your child build social connections naturally?

🎮 Minecraft Social Group details below: https://insteppc.com/groups/social-skills/


📞 Call today to schedule an appointment: (703) 876-8480
✉️ Email: https://insteppc.com/contact-us/
🌐 Learn more: https://insteppc.com/

02/18/2026

At In Step, our Minecraft-Based Social Development Group is a structured, therapist-led program for neurodiverse children ages 7–12. Using a high-interest, game-based format, children build meaningful social connections through guided play.
In this supportive group environment, they practice communication, teamwork, frustration tolerance, and problem-solving while learning to compromise, take turns, and express themselves safely with peers.
At In Step, we use creative, evidence-informed approaches to help children build confidence and strengthen social skills in ways that feel natural and motivating.


🎮 Minecraft Social Development Group details below: https://insteppc.com/groups/social-skills/


📞 Call today to schedule an appointment: (703) 876-8480
Email: https://insteppc.com/contact-us/
🌐 Learn more: https://insteppc.com/

02/16/2026

At In Step, one of our social skills groups is our LEGO Social Development Group for children ages 6–8 who benefit from learning social skills through play.
For many children, particularly neurodiverse youth who may struggle socially, engaging in high-interest, peer-based activities like building with LEGO offers a natural and motivating way to connect with others. Through guided play and collaboration, children practice important social skills such as communication, teamwork, and coping with challenges - while building confidence and positive peer relationships along the way.
📞 Call today to schedule an appointment: (703) 876-8480
🌐 Learn more at: https://insteppc.com/

02/10/2026

💗 With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we’re reminded that connection and love look different for everyone 💗
Children with autism spectrum condition may sometimes appear uninterested in social connections, but this is a common misconception. Many autistic children want connection just as much as others - they may simply express it in different ways.
Social interest may not always look like initiating conversation, maintaining eye contact, or engaging in shared play, but different expressions of connection do not mean there is no desire to connect. When this is misunderstood, it can lead to missed opportunities for meaningful relationships and emotional growth.
💬 Social connection can look different.
One way some autistic children express connection is through echolalia, or repeating words and phrases. Echolalia can be a meaningful form of communication used to share emotions, seek connection, or respond to others.
At In Step, we support children in being their authentic selves while building social skills through programs like our Stepping Stones curriculum—at their own pace and in ways that respect who they are.
📞 Call today to schedule an appointment: (703) 876-8480
🌐 Learn more at: https://insteppc.com/

02/05/2026

❄️ As we move through the winter months, seasonal changes can be especially noticeable for children with neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD and autism.
During winter, some children may experience seasonal affective symptoms, such as low mood, fatigue, and decreased motivation. Shorter daylight hours can disrupt a child’s internal clock, leading to poorer sleep quality and increased daytime sleepiness. In addition, routine changes - like school days off due to snow ☃️ - can make challenges with attention, planning, and self-regulation feel even harder.
When motivation, energy, and routines are disrupted, children may have more difficulty staying engaged at school, participating in class, and retaining information.
This time of year is a great opportunity to think about what extra supports or accommodations your child may need. At In Step, we support children and families through periods of change and dysregulation with services such as social skills groups, the Stepping Stones curriculum, and individual psychotherapy—helping kids and guardians build tools to navigate challenging moments together. ❄️
📞 Call today to schedule an appointment: (703) 876-8480
🌐 Learn more at: https://insteppc.com/

02/05/2026

Executive function challenges are common in children with neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, autism spectrum condition, and learning differences, and can affect planning, organization, focus, and task initiation - often misunderstood as laziness when children are motivated and eager to succeed.

At In Step, we support children and teens in building these skills through individualized evaluations and evidence-informed social skills programs, such as our Lego Group and Stepping Stones curriculum. By understanding each child’s unique needs, we help them develop confidence, practical strategies, and the tools they need to thrive at home, school, and beyond.

📞 Call today to schedule an appointment: (703) 876-8480
🌐 Learn more at: https://insteppc.com/

01/22/2026

For over 30 years, In Step has worked with individuals and families on their journey toward growth, healing, and meaningful milestones. Through Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Stepping Stones social skills groups, parenting support, and Interpersonal Process Therapy, we provide compassionate care for children, teens, and adults - every step of the way.
At In Step, we meet each client where they are emotionally, psychologically, and developmentally. Our team supports both developmental and psychiatric needs, helping individuals build emotional regulation, coping skills, confidence, and resilience while reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and more.
📞 Call today to schedule an appointment: (703) 876-8480
🌐 Learn more at: https://insteppc.com/

01/13/2026

Mindfulness is an evidence-based therapeutic practice used to both prevent and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and to support a wide range of clinical populations. It involves intentionally focusing on the present moment with openness and without judgment, helping individuals become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations without becoming overwhelmed by them. By fostering nonjudgmental awareness, mindfulness can reduce rumination and promote emotional regulation.

At In Step, one of the primary therapeutic approaches our clinicians use with teens and adults is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). DBT helps individuals cope with intense emotions and navigate life’s challenges more effectively. A core part of DBT is mindfulness, which teaches individuals how to observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment—supporting better emotional regulation, increased distress tolerance, and improved impulse control so they can feel more grounded in their daily lives.

Call today to request an appointment: (703) 876-8480

Visit our website: https://insteppc.com/

11/24/2025

Now more than ever it is critical to check sources to insure accuracy and scientific integrity.

Recent updates to the CDC website suggesting a link between vaccines and autism contradict the scientific consensus that autism has complex, multifactorial origins involving genetic, biological, and environmental interactions.

APA Services is committed to advocating for policies and research priorities that uphold rigorous standards for research and communication and actively counter misinformation and stigma.

Read more here: https://at.apa.org/ayg