Dr. Alissa Putman, MD - Therapist in Maryland

About Alissa

Dr. Alissa Putman makes a clear place for parents and caregivers who need practical help with family and parenting concerns. She speaks plainly, listens first, and focuses on what parents want to change.

Her style is collaborative - she asks questions, checks progress, and helps set realistic goals to ease stress and improve daily life. She uses straightforward methods drawn from client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral techniques, and Internal Family Systems to address problems like anxiety, depression, sleep trouble, and parenting challenges.

Background and approach

Sessions aim to reduce overwhelm and strengthen coping skills. Work often includes identifying patterns, practicing new responses, and setting achievable steps. Dr.

Putman holds an MD and has two decades of clinical experience in Maryland. She has worked in higher education and healthcare and has offered suicide prevention education and mentoring for underrepresented teens. That background helps her understand career stress, identity questions, and multicultural concerns.

In sessions she blends positive psychology and executive coaching ideas with therapeutic tools. That means focusing on strengths while addressing difficult feelings such as shame, grief, or anger. She pays attention to family of origin issues and communication problems that affect parenting and relationships.

Her approach is steady and practical. Parents can expect clear suggestions, skill practice, and regular check-ins about goals. Dr.

Putman emphasizes fit between therapist and client, and she adjusts the work to match each family’s needs and pace.

How these approaches translate to online family and parenting work

Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening, empathy, and focusing on what matters most to you. Online sessions using this approach center the conversation on your priorities and experiences, helping parents feel heard and supported as they describe family challenges.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions. In remote sessions the therapist helps identify unhelpful patterns and practices small changes you can try between meetings to improve sleep, reduce anxiety, or handle parenting stress.

Internal Family Systems looks at the different parts of a person that hold feelings or roles, such as a critical part or a protective part. This approach can help parents understand inner reactions that affect family interactions and find calmer ways to respond.

Finding the right method is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each client to choose which approaches to use based on goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. That choice can shift over time as needs change.

Online formats offer flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions around school, work, or childcare. Remote therapy also lets therapists share exercises, track progress, and follow up between meetings in ways that support steady change.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Treats the mind as having distinct parts, each with its own worry or role, and works towards them being less at war with each other. Conversational, so it carries over to online sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems can be addressed in sessions?

Issues commonly addressed include stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family problems, parenting concerns, grief, and career or identity questions.

How would you describe the therapy style and approach?

The work is collaborative and practical, using client-centered principles alongside cognitive behavioral strategies and Internal Family Systems to teach skills and explore patterns.

What is the therapist's background and experience?

She holds an MD and has 20 years of experience in settings such as higher education and healthcare, plus volunteer work in suicide prevention education and mentoring.

Where is the therapist licensed and located?

She is a licensed psychologist working in Maryland and holds the provided credential MD Psychologist 04134.

Can sessions be conducted in other languages or with international clients?

Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.

What formats are available for online sessions?

Sessions can be held by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.

How are costs and fees handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What steps are involved in starting therapy?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Self esteem

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 20 years
Licensed: Maryland
Languages: English

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