Gwen Enfield Pearl has been practicing psychotherapy for more than 30 years and is dedicated to helping people find meaning, purpose and vitality in life.  Gwen works collaboratively with her clients to set treatment plans and goals that are personal and flexible, and helps clients identify small changes to work on between sessions.  As an active therapist, Gwen’s aim is to provide an experience that is nonjudgmental, respectful and helpful.  Clients are taught how to deal with painful thoughts and feelings, so that they have much less of an influence over them.  Couples learn to be present and available to each other using a communications tool which creates safety, and teaches effective listening, deeper understanding and empathy.  Therapy helps individuals and couples develop new skills to restore a sense of well-being and connection, guided by what is most important and meaningful to them.

Gwen has a strong background treating anxiety and depression, and specializes in working with people who wish to address relationship and sexuality issues.  She is passionate about helping people of all sexual orientations who struggle with self-esteem and life’s transitions: dating, marriage, parenting, infidelity, career changes, and retirement.

Gwen Enfield Pearl was chosen by Washingtonian Magazine in 2009 and 2012 as a “Top Therapist” in the metropolitan DC area.  She is credentialed by Imago Relationships International (IRI) as a Certified Imago Couples and Singles Therapist and Advanced Imago Clinician, and by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) as a Certified Sex Therapist.   Gwen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Washington DC and Maryland, and a Diplomate in Clinical Social Work.  She has a certificate in Gestalt Therapy from the Gestalt Institute of Washington DC.  Her therapy incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy, Gestalt Therapy and Family Systems Therapy.

Gwen Enfield Pearl received her BA in Psychology from Duke University and her MSW from the University of Southern California.  She co-founded Guttman & Pearl Associates with Gail Guttman in 1985.