About Gloria K Vanderhorst PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Maryland License # 0980
District of Columbia License # PSY1000365

Current Clinical Focus 

·    Early identification of children with ADHD and Learning Disabilities.  Screening and testing for these disorders and the comorbidities of Anxiety, Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and various physical disorders.  Early screening is vital to improved success, productivity and long term life adjustment.

·    Individual treatment of adult men who are high functioning and typically have had no prior therapeutic intervention.  The successful male with or without ADHD has generally been socialized to reduce emotional awareness and transform early negative emotional experiences into relationship styles that are limited in their ability to satisfy basic emotional needs.  Counseling assists the male to identify early emotional dynamics and develop appropriate compensations that lead to more satisfying emotional relationships.

·    Marriage therapy that uses Cognitive Interpersonal Therapy to approach the couple system and assist them in developing empathy for their spouse.  Communication training is used to expand each person’s awareness of the internal world of their spouse and how this internal dialogue impacts the health of the relationship.

·    Child centered counseling that honors the individual strengths of the child and assists them in taking ownership of these strengths to address issues of anxiety, school performance, peer relationships and parent-child dynamics.  Through treatment the child will build a stronger sense of self and develop strategies that are unique to their situations and needs.

·    Christian counseling of individuals and couples.  A faith based approach to psychodynamics based on knowledge of the Bible through 14 years of rigorous study of the Scriptures.

·    Inter-faith counseling that respects the individual’s faith based training and current practices. 

·    Adolescent and Young Adult counseling using Cognitive Interpersonal Therapy.  A re-examination of the family of origin systems that have influenced the teen and young adult is the launching pad for constructing age appropriate systems of thinking and being that encourage individuation and maturation.

·    Strengthening the therapeutic team involved in the various parts of a client’s care.   Increasing communication with school systems, teachers, psychiatrists, physicians, coaches, tutors, and student disability services.  Overseeing school observations, developing 504 plans and Individual Educational Plans (IEP) and advocating for the student.

·    Guiding parents of young clients in how to manage at home interactions, support and strengthen school performance, create independence and foster initiative, and encourage positive self esteem and peer interactions.

Professional Experience 

·    Dr. Vanderhorst was a tenured Assistant Professor of Psychology at Towson University in Baltimore before leaving academia to pursue her passion for clinical work. She is a Diplomate in the American College of Forensic Psychologists.

·    Dr. Vanderhorst has been in practice for over 30 years. From 1975 through 2006, Dr. Vanderhorst was the president of Vanderhorst & Associates, a multidisciplinary private practice in Baltimore, Maryland, which included psychiatry, psychology, social work, and pastoral counseling. She has provided psychological assessment for children and adolescents focusing on the early identification of learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder. She has conducted successful therapy with children, adolescents and families as well as marital couples and adults.

·    Dr. Vanderhorst is skilled in Cognitive Interpersonal Therapy and trained in Family Systems. At Towson University, she taught courses in child development, and has lectured on child development throughout the Mid-Atlantic area and testified in numerous cases regarding the best interest of the child. She has effectively treated adults in individual and group therapy and developed skills training workshops for families, couples and children. She has a subspecialty in working with men and is considered an expert in the treatment of men with anxiety resulting from previously unidentified ADD or LD. She has worked closely with physicians, school counselors, tutors, child advocates, lawyers, and coaches.

·    Dr. Vanderhorst has assisted adult females to recover from anxiety, depression, post-partum depression, and grief due to the loss of a parent or spouse. She is skilled in helping couples to repair their marriage relationships, working to integrate the couple's faith and spirituality with the process of healing and growth as they develop empathy and good communication skills.

·    Dr. Vanderhorst has written a newspaper column called The Mental Health Minute for local Baltimore papers and supervised numerous other professionals in the practice of psychology.

To invite Dr. Vanderhorst to give a lecture or professional training seminar in your area you may contact her directly at 443-980-8775. Dr. Vanderhorst speaks frequently to parent groups, teacher organizations, and other professionals.

Dr. Vanderhorst is committed to assisting families to develop strong communication, good organization and comfortable relationships. (Tel: 301-578-8760)

Educational Background

·    Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Math, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana, 1968

·    Master of Arts in Experimental Psychology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana, 1970

·    Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology, Bowling Green University, Bowling Green, Ohio, 1974

·    Post Doctoral Fellowship in Family Systems, Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, 1982

Professional Affiliations

·    American Psychological Association (APA)

·    Maryland Psychological Association (MPA)

·    Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)

·    American College of Forensic Examiners International (AFEI)

·    Collaborative Family Healthcare Association (CFHA)

·    Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS)

·    Washington Independent Services for Educational Resources (WISER)

Personal Information

My avocations are watercolor painting, knitting, singing and producing origami.  I love to learn about the brain and am fascinated by family stories.  My daughter and her husband live in Washington, D.C. and our first grandchild was born in January, 2007.  My husband and I are enamored and enjoying spoiling her, which is the privilege of all grandparents.  I am challenged to expand my French as she will be bilingual.  I love to cook and travel to new places as well as return to favorite places.  When I read a good book, the rest of the world disappears.