Athena Gavaris

Washington, DC Location

Athena Gavaris is a clinical social worker with over 25 years of professional experience. In that time, she has worked in direct service, provided psychotherapy, managed social service and behavioral health programs, and taught courses at the undergraduate, graduate and post graduate level. Athena received her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from The American University in 1989 and her Master of Social Work from The Catholic University of America in 1994. Athena’s subsequent postgraduate adjunctive psychodynamic psychotherapy training experience includes the Washington School of Psychiatry’s Advanced Psychotherapy Training and Dynamics of Psychotherapy training programs.

Athena’s experience includes providing psychotherapy services to individuals, groups, and couples working in both inpatient and outpatient settings. In addition, her experience includes extensive leadership and management positions in social service and behavioral health agencies. Athena is currently on faculty at the Washington School of Psychiatry in the Core Concepts And Techniques Of Dynamic Psychotherapy Training Program. Previously, Athena was an Adjunct Professor at Catholic University’s National Catholic School of Social Service from 2013-2019, where she has taught both in the on-campus and on-line social work programs. Athena is in full-time private practice and works with adults in individual and couple psychotherapy. Athena’s practice is diverse specializing in working with young adults, couples and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Athena works with people struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, traumatic events, and chronic illness. Athena is known as a compassionate and caring professional who is engaged and interactive in session.