405 N. Washington Street, Suite 104
Falls Church, VA 22046
Phone Number: 703·645·8700
Fax Number: 703·533·9433
Email: debranackman@gmail.com
Debra Nackman, Ph.D.
Dr. Nackman is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 35 years of experience working with clients of all ages. She specializes in work with children, adolescents, and their families. Referral issues often include behavioral problems, attention and impulse difficulties, autistic spectrum disorders and developmental issues, depression and anxiety, peer and relationship difficulties, separation and divorce, regulatory difficulties, and trauma. Adult clients often focus on relationship issues, struggles with depression and anxiety, separation and divorce, parenting concerns, and issues related to the family of origin.
The playroom in Dr. Nackman’s office is specially equipped for working with younger clients, particularly preschoolers and early elementary-age students. Parent work is an important component of the work with children.
Dr. Nackman was voted as one of Washingtonian Magazine’s top mental health professionals in 2009 in the categories of Troubled Child and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
In 2012, she was voted as one of Washingtonian Magazine’s best mental health professionals in the DC Metro area in the category of Couples Therapy.
In 2020, she was voted as a top child therapist by Arlington Magazine.
Education
Ph.D. Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
APA Approved Program in Clinical Psychology
Dissertation Defended with Distinction, April 1984
Degree Awarded 1985
M.A. Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
APA Approved Program in Clinical Psychology
January 1982
B.A. Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Sociology and Psychology with High Honors
Phi Beta Kappa; Magna cum laude, May 1979
Experience
Dr. Nackman has been licensed to practice clinical psychology in Virginia since 1987. She has maintained an active private practice in the Falls Church area since licensure. While working for Fairfax County at both the Woodburn Center for Community Mental Health and the Springfield Outpatient Unit, Dr. Nackman gained extensive experience providing a wide array of mental health services to a diverse population of children and their families. She was one of the original therapists on the innovative Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Program initiated by Fairfax County in 1998. Dr. Nackman also served as a therapist on the Youth and Family Outpatient Team and on the Child Abuse and Custody Evaluation Team. Earlier in her career, Dr. Nackman was hired as the first Court Psychologist for the Alexandria Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. While there, she worked with juvenile offenders and their families, provided consultation to court officers, lawyers, schools and other agencies, and completed psychological evaluations for the court. Throughout her career, Dr. Nackman has also enjoyed serving as a clinical supervisor for psychology interns and post-doctoral residents in psychology.
Psychotherapy
Dr. Nackman provides psychotherapy for clients of all ages. Adult clients often focus on relationship issues, struggles with depression and anxiety, separation and divorce, parenting concerns, and issues related to the family of origin.
Dr. Nackman specializes in working with children, adolescents, and their families. Referral issues for children often include behavioral problems, attentional and impulse difficulties, autistic spectrum disorders and developmental issues, depression and anxiety, peer and relationship difficulties, separation and divorce, regulatory difficulties, and trauma. The playroom in Dr. Nackman’s office is specially equipped for working with younger clients, particularly preschoolers and early elementary-age students. Since children often have a harder time expressing their feelings, the playroom in her office offers children an opportunity to express their worries and concerns through play. Parent work is also an important component of the work with children.
Together with her clients, Dr. Nackman develops a treatment plan that may integrate several therapeutic modalities and techniques. When appropriate, behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic approaches may be employed. Dr. Nackman often finds it useful to help individuals identify troubling recurring patterns and find ways to actively make changes or adjustments that help them find more satisfying solutions to their problems.
SEPARATION & DIVORCE
Dr. Nackman completed training in the Collaborative Divorce Process and is an active colleague in this relatively new and exciting field. Collaborative Divorce is a model of family law that emphasizes a cooperative team approach to help families work through separation and divorce while respecting the needs of all family members. As a mental health provider, Dr. Nackman works with attorneys and financial planners in the role of a coach or child specialist. She also works with clients and their families, outside of the divorce process, to manage the difficult transitions involved in developing a new sense of family.
CONSULTATION & TRAINING
Dr. Nackman feels excited to be affiliated with the very experienced group of therapists in her private practice. The group’s diverse approaches allow them to consult and collaborate on the most difficult of cases. Participation in several ongoing peer consultation groups, outside of the practice, continues to be invaluable to Dr. Nackman’s growth as a therapist and work with her clients. Taking numerous trainings and courses also allows her to stay current in the field. Dr. Nackman completed the two year Infant and Young Child Mental Health Seminar offered at the Washington School of Psychiatry. Several courses offered by the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders including the DIR/Floortime Model, Regulatory Processing Disorders, and Meltdowns, were also completed.