Dr. Alissa Putman, MD

Dr. Alissa Putman, MD, creates a welcoming space where people can explore what matters most to them while feeling supported and understood. She approaches therapy with empathy and collaboration, seeking to recognize strengths as well as areas clients want to change, and she partners with clients to set concrete goals drawn from positive psychology and executive coaching.

She values the fit between therapist and client and regularly checks in to ensure work is moving in the direction clients want. Time is treated as valuable, and sessions emphasize practical steps to help people move forward when they feel stuck or overwhelmed by competing demands.

Dr. Putman is a licensed psychologist in Maryland with over 20 years of experience working with diverse clients across higher education and healthcare settings. Her areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, self-esteem, relationships, identity and career exploration, job burnout, stress management, resiliency, and balancing multiple responsibilities. In clinical practice she uses a client-centered approach and integrates ideas from positive psychology, cognitive-behavioral methods, interpersonal work, and family systems theory.

Her volunteer activities include providing suicide prevention education through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and mentoring underrepresented minority teens. She looks forward to working with clients who are seeking thoughtful, goal-oriented support.

Therapeutic approaches and online options that support progress

Dr. Putman uses client-centered therapy to create a respectful, empathetic space where the client’s priorities guide the work; this approach helps people who want to explore identity, build self-esteem, or improve relationships by focusing on personal values and strengths.

She also employs cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. CBT is often useful for managing anxiety, depression, stress, and difficulties with sleep or daily functioning.

Internal Family Systems offers a way to understand different parts of the self and how they interact, which can be helpful for addressing inner conflict, grief, or patterns rooted in family of origin issues.

Finding the right approach is part of the process, and Dr. Putman works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She tailors strategies over time so the work feels relevant and practical.

Online therapy with Dr. Putman is available by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for busy schedules and for those who prefer to meet from home or work. These options make regular sessions easier to fit into daily life while maintaining continuity of care with a licensed professional.