Meet us

Jennifer Udler,  a licensed clinical social worker in Maryland and Washington, DC is the founder of Positive Strides Therapy, a practice that incorporates walking with talk therapy.  She has over 21 years of experience treating children, adolescents, and adults. Jennifer specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and supportive counseling.  

After sitting in an office for 13 years, she decided to move her practice outdoors and has since found her interactions with clients to be deeper, more uplifting, and therapeutic in both mind and body.  

Jennifer’s experience includes working with children and adults with anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Jennifer has always had a passion for working with adolescents, and helping them learn coping skills for the many transitions they are facing. Jennifer has led a new Mom’s support group, groups for expectant parents, and support groups for teens, and adults

She has presented at the Psychotherapy Networker Symposium, Leading Edge Seminars of Canada, Innovations in Psychotherapy Conference, National Walking Summit, been featured in The Washington Post, The Psychotherapy Networker Magazine, Sirius XM radio, Outside Magazine, and was a guest writer for the National Recreation and Park Association.   

Jennifer spent 16 years at Jewish Social Service Agency providing individual and group therapy. She received her MSW from the University of Pennsylvania and her BA from Binghamton University.

"I've worked with Jennifer on two separate opportunities and her concept to walk and talk has been such a great experience. The chance to discuss the stresses of my hectic life in a calm peaceful environment helps me in so many ways--before, during, and after my sessions."

– Client 

Jennifer Firestone is a licensed clinical social worker in Maryland and Virginia who specializes in couples who are seeking premarital counseling as well as those who are struggling in their relationship and seek to explore their current issues as well as improve their interactions with healthy alternative communication and relational skills. Jennifer also specialized in working with high risk adolescents. 

Jennifer has 25 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults coping with a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, and grief using cognitive behavioral therapy, supportive counseling and Relational Life Therapy (RLT). 

Jennifer attended the University of Pittsburgh for undergraduate and graduate school. She has worked in multiple settings including residential, foster care, hospitals, and outpatient clinics.

"Jennifer Firestone is a compassionate listener who helped empower me to make important choices that I lacked confidence to make on my own.  She helped me make positive, lasting changes."

– Client 

Aliza Graber is a licensed social worker with 14 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. Aliza received her Masters in Social Work from Yeshiva University and has worked in a variety of settings, including as a college advisor, middle school counselor, and psychotherapist. 

Aliza’s speciality is working with teenagers struggling with anxiety, depression, and challenging life transitions. Aliza uses Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to guide clients on their path of self-discovery. Aliza works with clients to understand and accept their feelings, build better self esteem, and learn coping skills for dealing with life’s ups and downs.

"Aliza Graber makes my son feel at ease and comfortable sharing his thoughts, feeling and concerns.  She gives him small, concrete goals to work on each week.  The fact that they walk during the therapy sessions is a huge bonus. Their walks help him to feel calm and centered and better able to process their conversations.  Aliza’s vast experience working with adolescents is evident from the quality of the therapy that she provides.  She welcomes parental input and collaboration with parents and other professionals in a child’s life, providing a holistic approach to the therapy process.  My son’s experience working with Aliza has been transformative for him."

– Parent of Client

Vanessa Robin is a licensed clinical social worker in Maryland. She has over 8 years of experience specializing in working with children and teens who are dealing with anxiety, depression, and/or challenges with school. Her experience also includes working with adults with anxiety,  various mood disorders, and trauma.

Vanessa uses a  range of modalities including person-centered  therapy, positive psychology, strengths-based therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Vanessa received her MSW from Columbia University and her BA from University of Wisconsin - Madison.  Vanessa joined the Positive Strides Therapy team in 2019.

“Vanessa is an incredibly caring and skilled therapist. She is both easy to talk to and relatable, and has helped me work through some major stresses in my life and build an arsenal of personalized coping strategies. She was exactly what I was looking for in a therapist, and I always look forward to our walks together.”

– Client