thecedarhouse.org
  • Home
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Services and FAQs
  • Our Space
  • Events and Workshops
  • More
    • Home
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Our Services and FAQs
    • Our Space
    • Events and Workshops
thecedarhouse.org
  • Home
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Services and FAQs
  • Our Space
  • Events and Workshops

We are The Cedar House

Young woman smiling outdoors with trees in the background.

Arielle Von Hippel, (LICSW/LCSW-C) Co-Founder and Therapist

I believe the relationships we share with our caregivers lay the foundation for lifelong emotional well-being. Through an attachment-based approach, I partner with children and families to strengthen feelings of safety, connection, and resilience that extend beyond the therapy room. A key philosophy that I adhere to in my work with parents (and in my own life) is the idea of “Good Enough” parenting; that there is no such thing as a perfect parent, and to encourage parents to find compassion and forgiveness for themselves as the protectors of their tiny humans.


Before starting The Cedar House, I worked in private practice settings providing individual child and family therapy. Prior to my private practice work, I worked for several years in a therapeutic nursery program at the Lourie Center for children ages 3 to 6 who struggled with behavioral challenges, developmental delays, anxiety, or trauma-related disorders. In individual and classroom settings, I helped foster children’s social and emotional development through play, art, mindfulness, collaborative activities, and bibliotherapy. I continue my child therapy work in the Parent and Child Clinical Services Program at the Lourie Center in addition to my private practice. I previously worked in Chicago with children and families involved in the child welfare system, doing home-based therapy. In addition to child and parent dyadic therapy, I have experience with child and adult group therapy, psychoeducation, substance abuse treatment, individual adult therapy, and individual therapy for children ages 3-12. I also possess a background in child development research and social psychology.


I  welcome conversations about race, culture, and social justice, and work from a strengths-based perspective to support each client's unique journey toward healing and self-expression. These themes are not only important for older children and parents, but for young children as well. I work with my clients from a strengths-based perspective and am honored to be part of my clients’ journeys toward growth and self-expression. 

Smiling woman with long dark curly hair in a white shirt.

Jessica Rotem, (LICSW/LCSW-C) Co-Founder and Therapist

I have had the privilege of supporting children, families, and adults for more than ten years, drawing on over seventeen years of experience serving children and families in a variety of settings. My work is rooted in trauma-informed care, attachment theory, and the belief that healing happens through safe, trusting, curious, and playful relationships where every person feels seen, valued, and understood. This approach informs my work with all ages, whether in a group, one-on-one therapy, or with a family.  


My lived experience as a queer parent roots my passion and commitment to creating space for marginalized identities to be honored and respected, for systems of oppression to be challenged, and for humility and curiosity to lead. 


I bring specialized training in early childhood mental health, play therapy, Child-Parent Psychotherapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Circle of Security Parenting,  mindfulness and arts-based intervention, and other evidence-based approaches, tailoring treatment to each client's unique needs and strengths. Choosing a therapist is a deeply personal decision, and I look forward to creating a welcoming space where we can get to know one another and explore how I can support your journey toward healing and growth.

Morgan Moats, (LMSW), Therapist

Staff bio coming soon

Karin Erickson, (LICSW/LCSW-C) Therapist

Staff Bio Coming..

Ashley Wilson, (LICSW/LCSW-C) ,Therapist

Welcome! I'm a therapist (LICSW/LCSW-C) specializing in maternal and reproductive mental health, supporting individuals through pregnancy, infertility, pregnancy loss, postpartum, and the transition to parenthood. I help clients navigate anxiety, identity shifts, relationship changes, perfectionism, burnout, and the often invisible mental load of caregiving. My goal is to provide a warm, nonjudgmental space where you feel understood, supported, and empowered.


My approach is integrative and draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic Experiencing-informed interventions, and person-centered therapy. Together, we'll build practical coping skills while exploring the deeper emotional patterns that shape your experiences. I have completed specialized training through Postpartum Support International and will soon earn my PMH-C (Perinatal Mental Health Certification).

I believe therapy is a collaborative process that honors both who you are today and who you're becoming. Whether you're preparing for a baby, adjusting to postpartum life, or seeking to reconnect with yourself beyond your caregiving role, I'm here to help you move toward greater confidence, self-compassion, and connection.


I am licensed in Maryland and Washington, DC, and offer both in-person and telehealth appointments. I strive to provide affirming, inclusive care that honors all identities and is grounded in anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice.


I earned my Master of Social Work from The Catholic University of America and have provided individual therapy since 2022 in both inpatient and outpatient settings.Before becoming a therapist, I worked in the corporate world, giving me firsthand insight into workplace stress, burnout, and the challenge of balancing career and family life.

Sara Dean, (LICSW), Therapist

I love supporting children and the adults who care for them. Whatever the reason a family seeks therapy, I value understanding not only each child I work with, but also the relationships, family dynamics, and larger systems that shape their world. I strive to create a calm and playful environment where children feel safe enough to express themselves in whatever way comes naturally to them, and where caregivers feel welcomed as partners in the therapeutic process.


My role is to help families uncover their own strengths and wisdom while offering developmentally informed guidance along the way. Every child is different, so I tailor sessions to each child's unique personality, interests, and needs, drawing from child-centered, psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, attachment-based, and trauma-informed approaches. In practice, this means that therapy can look like play and storytelling, can involve art, movement, or music, or can consist of conversations and practicing coping skills. Often, it’s all of the above! Partnering with parents and caregivers helps create lasting change inside and outside the therapy room.


I became a therapist because I believe in the transformational power of human relationships. My work is grounded in values of kindness, integrity, justice, and respect, and I am committed to creating an affirming space where people of all identities feel welcome.


In addition to my work with the Cedar House, I am practicing psychotherapist at the Lourie Center for Children’s Social & Emotional Wellness. I am certified in Circle of Security Parenting, a group-based program that helps caregivers build secure, trusting relationships with their children, and am currently completing a multi-year certification in Child-Parent Psychotherapy, a therapy model that supports young children and their caregivers in healing together after trauma or other difficult experiences. 


I earned my Masters in Social Work with a focus on clinical work with families and children from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Before becoming a clinical social worker, I studied American Studies with a focus on children's media, along with developmental psychology and education. I worked in schools, at summer camps, and in child and family policy research. These experiences continue to shape my understanding of child development through both a relational and social justice lens.


Copyright © 2026 thecedarhouse.org - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept