Daniel Merlis, LCSW-C

I maintain a general private psychotherapy practice working with individuals and couples in downtown Bethesda, Maryland.  Having over 35 years of clinical experience, I have developed expertise in several psychotherapy and relational therapy approaches, including EMDR, which I utilize in my work with clients of all ages, backgrounds, and presenting concerns.  My work with both individuals and couples draws on multiple skill sets and thousands of hours of clinical experience.

I have trained extensively and intensively in several psychotherapy and related clinical approaches:  long-term analytic psychotherapy (3 years), short-term dynamic psychotherapy (1 year), cognitive behavioral psychotherapy (1 year), marriage and family therapy (3 years), clinical hypnotherapy (3 years), gestalt therapy(2 years), somatic experiencing (2 years), clinical biofeedback (3 years), and neurofeedback (2 years).  As part of learning these approaches, I have always engaged in my own personal work and have worked with clients under the supervision of experts in the method.  I was introduced to EMDR in 1990 and have been very active in the development of this psychotherapy approach for the treatment of PTSD, other anxiety and mood disorders, complicated bereavement, as well as the less severe life adjustment problems.     

I served ten years as clinical director for an outpatient  family mental health program.  I treated and supervised the treatment of children, adolescents, adults and the elderly who presented with a broad variety of life issues and concerns.  Subsequently, I served as director of both outpatient and inpatient PTSD programs for 10 years,  It was in this setting that my colleagues and I developed expertise in treating the continuum of stress disorders and studied newer clinical approaches such as biofeedback, clinical hypnosis, and eventually, EMDR.  Apart from my clinic and hospital work, I have had a private general psychotherapy practice for over 30 years. 

I was adjunct clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Maryland Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behavior for 20 years where I actively taught and supervised well over 100 psychiatry residents, psychology, social work and other professional graduate students.   Currently, in addition to my private clinical practice, I devote myself to teaching EMDR psychotherapy to mental health professionals of all disciplines and in providing consultation to other therapists on complex treatment situations.  I hope in the near future to publish a series of books for the public and for clinicians based on my professional experiences and studies.

My wife and colleague, Deany Laliotis, and I offer an EMDR training program for licensed mental health professionals.  Please visit  www.emdrgreaterwashington.com for more information.

 Copyright (c) Daniel Merlis, LCSW-C Created 11/21/05     Updated:  2/11/09