therapy for women with toxic mothers
with Dr. Ann Krajewski, PsyD
Washington DC
Virginia
Washington DC Virginia
TOXIC MOTHER therapist serving
I know how foundational the mother-daughter relationship is, and how painful it is when that foundation has cracks. I’ve spent 11+ years helping women understand the impact of toxic mothers and to feel like themselves again.
Do you want connection with your mom but also need emotional space?
Do you feel responsible for her feelings or afraid of disappointing her?
Did your mom have mental health issues you had to navigate growing up?
Growing up under a critical or unpredictable mom leaves you anxious. You may feel guilty for having anger now or for setting boundaries. Many keep the peace at the cost to themselves.
No matter how old you are, things can change.
fear her emotions
always please
feel guilty for anger
seek approval
never feel enough
are body critical
struggle with boundaries
doubt themselves
if you’re stuck trying to manage your mom, or your past with her, this work starts real changes
Clients come to me when they
how I approach toxic mother therapy
Therapy with me helps you understand where these patterns began, and why they still hold power.
We slow down and look at what you had to do growing up, how these roles shaped your identity, and what still gets activated today. Together we bring clarity to anger, guilt, and the pull to caretake. This work all helps you see you are not responsible for managing her emotions.
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Psychoanalytic Therapy
Helps you understand how your past shaped your current patterns. Reduces guilt, self blame, and confusion around anger.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Helps you understand the parts of you that try to keep the peace, avoid conflict, or stay perfect, increasing inner calm and self trust.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Supports emotional awareness, so you respond instead of react when old dynamics get triggered.
Relational Therapy
Uses the therapy relationship as a safe place to practice honesty to strengthen your capacity to express needs and hold boundaries.
Trauma Informed Approach
Brings stability and grounding, reducing nervous system activation and the fear of emotional backlash.
let go of guilt
you can love your mom and still be hurt by her. get the clarity you need to build a different relationship.
After Sessions, Clients Report
Confident decision-making
Freedom from guild
Independence with connection
Stronger relationships
Self love
Work confidence
Less fear of reactions
create a life with your own values, not old pattern
about Dr. Ann Krajewski, PsyD.
I’m a licensed clinical psychologist with 11+ years of experience working with patients one-on-one.
In sessions, we’ll explore your history with honestly, warmth, and depth. We’ll look at patterns, the roles you took on as a daughter, and the parts of you that are exhausted from holding everything together. We’ll move at a thoughtful pace and stay curious.
Availability: I work with patients online in Washington DC and Virginia.
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Bachelor of Art in Clinical Psychology, Franciscan University of Steubenville
Masters of Science in Clinical Psychology, Institute for the Psychological Sciences
Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, Institute for the Psychological Sciences
Training in psychoanalytic therapy, IFS, EFT, trauma informed care, and relational therapy
Extensive experience treating adult children of toxic or critical mothers
helping you journey to self-acceptance.
helping you journey to self-acceptance.
helping you journey to self-acceptance. helping you journey to self-acceptance.
3 steps to get started
step 01
contact me
Send a message or fill out the form. Share as much or as little as you want.
step 02
brief consultation
We’ll talk for 15 minutes to see if it feels like a good fit.
step 03
first session
We’ll explore what’s happening now, what you grew up with, and how we’ll approach our work together.
Ready for a new kind of relationship with your mom and with yourself?
View our frequently asked questions to find answers to general therapy, insurance, and service-based questions.