Rockville's The Woolf Center Offers Mental Health Therapy For Teens, Adults, Couples.

ROCKVILLE, MD — After Elana Woolf and her family immigrated to the U.S. from Russia, Woolf grew up in the Rockville area and eventually started her career as a therapist. Her dream was to start her own mental health practice to serve teens, adults and couples.

"As an immigrant, this was a dream of mine to help many people in a culturally sensitive, welcoming environment," Woolf told Patch. "Everyone has a place here."

Woolf founded the The Woolf Center in 2016, the practice has grown to include practitioners providing services for children 1o and older, as well as mothers and couples who are dealing with stress, trauma and parenting. The center's services also include a special program for executive function coaching and a mindfulness teacher.

"The Woolf Center provides market rate services as well as some reduced rate services to reach the needs of a variety of clients," Woolf said. "We work in a highly collaborative way to better the lives of local individuals, moms, and families. We provide real therapy for real people. Everyone is human, everyone needs help. We are here to help."

As part of the Patch Business Spotlight, Woolf shares how she followed her dream to start and grow The Woolf Center, as well as what she likes about being a business owner in Rockville.

What's the story behind how your business started?

In 2016 I founded The Woolf Center to serving teens, adults and couples with $30,000 in credit card debt and massive student loans. I persisted and it has paid off. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. As an immigrant this was a dream of mine to help many people in a culturally sensitive, welcoming environment. I always struggled to feel like I could fit in, to be understood, to be grounded. This practice is the realization of my dream to help people know they have a place as others did for me. The Woolf Center is place people can come to cope with rough waters in life. All we need is one person who believes in us and helps us along the way.

What do you like about being a business owner in Rockville?

Hands down the diversity and community feel of Rockville is what has kept me here and kept me coming back. I always feel like when I go to local businesses I feel welcome and I know others do, too. We welcome diversity here in a way I don’t see in most places around the country. I grew up nearby and one of the biggest assets in life is to know whoever you are, you are welcome. That’s not easy to come by, we have to preserve that and work hard as a community to maintain services (like mental health) for all.

Rockville provides a city feel as well as access to beautiful parks. As a nature lover Rockville is the ideal place to find nature while also having easy walk ability, access to amenities without having to drive all the time. I live in the heart of Rockville and I see myself staying here for life.

What do you want the Rockville community to know about your business that they may not already be aware of?

We are low key. Don’t be afraid of the big phrase of mental health. Everyone needs someone to guide and walk this journey of life with. We aren’t big scary “business people”. We want to find a way to help you. No one should be denied mental healthcare. We offer in person and telehealth visits. We offer EMDR for trauma and mindfulness groups. We can fit your needs or help you find a place that will.

Do you have any additional comments?

I am so very passionate about Rockville and doing business here. I can honestly say I LOVE it here; we want to help others love their lives

Here, too. I have not had it easy, and I know many people don’t. It’s been almost 7 years and I’m ready to become a more prominent name in the Rockville community.

Patch Business Spotlight seeks to celebrate the City of Rockville's business community. If you are an owner or manager and would like to have your business appear in the Patch Business Spotlight, fill out this online questionnaire.