Hope After Stroke

Flora Ingenhousz LCSW-CFlora Ingenhousz, LCSW-C is a clinical social worker and the founder of Hope after Stroke. Flora is a seasoned psychotherapist with 35 years of experience.  Her style is active and interactive. Often described as practical, grounded, warm, she is empathic and deeply committed to the well-being of her clients.

Flora leads a Stroke Survivors group and a Caregivers group through the Montgomery County Stroke Association. She also lectures on many aspects of stroke and stroke recovery.  She also gives workshops for anyone (e.g. PT, OT, RN, home healthcare provider) who works with families affected by stroke on "The Role of Social Work in Stroke Recovery".

She is certified in Imago Relationship   Therapy,   Group  Psycho-therapy, and   Gestalt Therapy.



How we can help·  

  • We assist Stroke Survivors and Caregivers with the vital work of grieving the many losses.   
  • We help Stroke Survivors to make the most out of life after stroke and to find new direction and meaning.   
  • We help Caregivers to provide care and love without destroying their own lives.  
  • We provide down-to-earth practical suggestions and information about resources.     
  • We assess for Clinical Depression and/or Anxiety which frequently follow a stroke.    
  • We will, if needed, make referrals for medication.  
  •  We provide counseling for Depression and Anxiety.


CONTACT INFORMATION

Flora Ingenhousz, LCSW-C, BCD
11500 Nairn Farmhouse Court
Silver Spring/Wheaton, MD 20902
(Metro rail accessible)
Click  for map and directions
301-649-5525


flora_lcsw@verizon.net



Life after Stroke can be very challenging for Stroke Survivors and Caregivers alike:



Stroke Survivors may struggle with a wide range of losses, from loss of the use of an arm or a leg to loss of speech or memory.  Losing use of a hand means relearning how to deal with countless everyday situations. Not being able to drive, a frequent consequence of a stroke, can lead to loss of independence. Loss of speech is profoundly isolating. It is easy to get stuck in grief and despair.

PHOTOIn addition, Post-stroke Depression and/or Anxiety frequently set in as Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapy come to an end. Now the Stroke Survivor has to find a way to go on with life without the valuable support of those therapies. Yet it is possible for recovery to continue for many years: we now know that the brain has plasticity and in many cases can rewire at least some of the abilities lost by a stroke.

The problem is that Clinical Depression and Anxiety can interfere with recovery, leading to more suffering and despair.



photoCaregivers in the meantime go through their own plight. Suddenly there is a change of roles. No one chooses to become a Caregiver. It is thrown upon us.

Caregivers feel overwhelmed by all the tasks at hand. The sense of loss is great:  the future may suddenly look dim. Gone are the hopes and dreams of what might have been.

When the hard work of grieving and finding ways to live a meaningful life despite the new situation is not done, Caregivers may find themselves slipping into Clinical Depression.

While the last thing on most Caregivers minds is to seek counseling, Hope for Stroke may make a difference.

INDIVIDUAL AND COUPLES PSYCHOTHERAPY
Flora offers both short-term and long-term individual, couples and group psychotherapy.   For information,  CLICK HERE.

Flora is affiliated with the following associations:

Montgomery County Stroke Association

National Stroke Association

American Heart/ Stroke Association

Maryland Brain Injury Association
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