Staff

MARIA L. DITTRICH, PH.D.

Dr. Dittrich has been in private practice at Commonwealth Psychological Associates, PLC as a clinical psychologist since 2007.

Dr. Dittrich specializes in couple's therapy and also counsels patients struggling with anxiety, adjustment issues, and depression. She also has specialized training in the Collaborative Divorce program. She finds inspiration for her work in the potential that all people can be in loving, caring, communicative relationships.

Dr. Dittrich first joined our practice as an advanced doctoral student completing her externship. The following year she completed her internship in psychology at South Florida State Hospital and returned to Commonwealth Psychological Associates to complete her two-year residency training. She has continued with Commonwealth Psychological Associates since that time, serving now as Senior Staff Psychologist.

Dr. Dittrich earned her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from The George Washington University where she served as graduate Co-Director of the Meltzer Psychological Services Center and was an academic contributor to the APA Dictionary of Psychology. She is currently on faculty at GWU as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychology.

Dr. Dittrich is a member of the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, the American Psychological Association (APA), the Society of Clinical Psychology (APA Division 12), the Society of Consulting Psychology (APA Division 13), the Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Issues (APA Division 44), and the Virginia Psychological Association.

"There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."

-Edith Wharton

In addition to Dr. Dittrich's publications, she has presented to the public on the following topics:

Introduction to the Personality Assessment Inventory
Overview of the Personality Assessment Inventory Administration and Interpretation
Depressive Disorders
Personality Disorders That Do Make for Interesting Clinical Encounters
Psychopathology in the Hundred Acre Wood (adapted from CMAJ)
Asperger Syndrome and Adult ADHD
(What used to be called...) Asperger Syndrome: A Diagnostic Overview
Stretch Management
Psychology of Cybercrime


Publications...