Aliza Ifrah, LCPC, LGPC

she/her

ASSOCIATE counselor, level 3

Serving Maryland & DC Clients

I am a licensed clinical professional counselor in Maryland and a licensed graduate professional counselor in DC, offering virtual therapy and working towards certification as a registered play therapist, under the supervision of Laura Morlok, LCPC, LPC, RPT-S.

As a Clinical Intern at The Baltimore Child Abuse Center, I provided trauma-focused therapy to victims of child sexual abuse, trauma, and other Adverse Childhood Experiences and their non-offending caregivers and family members. I also developed and facilitated groups and weekly meditation workshops. As a case manager for the Child Survivors of Homicide Program, I provided support for grieving families.

In my various volunteer roles, I’ve found myself gravitating towards opportunities to engage in meaningful experiences with others. During my time as a tutor for high schoolers, I loved being able to work closely with individual students to delve into their unique needs and assist them in effectively managing their classwork. While a graduate student, I facilitated workshops to support the mental health of undergraduate and graduate students at Loyola’s Counseling Center.

At the National Institutes of Health (NIH), I shadowed a medical doctor whose bedside manner and ability to show care for the whole person in front of them was the impetus for seeking out a career in the mental health field.

What does my experience mean for you as my client?

I have witnessed firsthand that seeking to understand the whole person in front of me while coming from a place of genuine curiosity and compassion, (rather than a place of judgement or pathology that minimizes and/or invalidates someone’s real, lived experiences) is absolutely essential.

I’m excited to learn about not just the concerns and challenges but also your child’s passions and strengths - I want to know: What makes them sparkle??

By bringing play and other expressive arts like paint, dance and music into our sessions, your child will have a safe space where their sparkle is met with true joy and they can be supported.

Outside of the play room, I love spending time with family, taking long walks, drinking coffee, practicing yoga and reading!

Play therapy gives me a foundation through which I can channel my creativity to help clients thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions…

• What is your favorite color?

  • Pink!

• What’s your favorite book?

  • I love both The Dork Diaries and Dear Dumb Diary series.

• What Harry Potter House are you in?

  • Hufflepuff!

• Do you have a big or a small family?

  • I come from a large family which I believe is why I love kids so much. I have 5 siblings, 2 siblings-in-law, 1 niece, 1 nephew and 40+ first cousins!

• Can you really walk on your hands?

  • Yes! I am athletic and creative by nature and have always been involved in sports as well as ballet and gymnastics. I am always up for a challenge and recently taught myself how to skateboard!

• Why did you decide to be a therapist?

  • It sounds cliche but ever since a young age, I have been told I am a great listener. As a kid, I was baffled as to why people felt so comfortable sharing the intimate details of their lives with me but as I got older I came to appreciate that it meant I was someone others trusted.

  • I am the friend/family member/colleague people lean on when they just need to feel heard and validated. I believe my ability to truly listen to others stems from my genuine curiosity to learn about others.

The Nitty-Gritty Details

Education

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY
M.S., Clinical Professional Counseling (2021)

GRATZ COLLEGE
B.A., Judaic Studies with a focus in Health Sciences & Psychology (2017)

Credentials

Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor, Maryland, LC14799 (2024)

Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor, DC, LGPC200001428 (2022)

Advanced Certifications, In Progress

Play Therapy