COVID-19 Notice
Our office will re-open for in person sessions on Monday, June 8, 2020.
Please read more here to learn about important new guidelines and protocols that have been developed to ensure the health and well-being of our clients and staff.
Please Note: While the office will be open for in-person sessions, all therapists will continue to provide clients with the option of conducting sessions via a virtual platform.
Moving Forward, PLC
Moving Forward, PLC was created by our founder Michele Cole, Ph.D., LCSW in 2007. Each therapist that consults for Moving Forward, PLC has been thoroughly vetted and holds the highest levels of integrity and education and training. She feels confident that any therapist you choose to work with at Moving Forward, PLC will give you what you need to move forward in your life. Our combined work here at Moving Forward, PLC seeks to help all people who engage in the therapeutic process to make changes in their lives that are significant and will impact their future and how they engage with others and help them further their ability to make directive choices in their lives and the lives of others.


Moving Forward, PLC is approved as an out of network provider for Tricare to support our military families. Although Moving Forward PLC does not participate with any insurances, many clients submit for reimbursement. Please call or email us for more information, or to discuss setting up a virtual or in-person appointment.
Michele Cole, Ph.D., LCSW
Adjunct Professor in the MSW program at The Catholic University of America teaching Human Development and Psychopathology in addition to Clinical Social Work with Adults.
Dr. Cole is the founder of Moving Forward, PLC, a private practice in Old Town, Alexandria in 2007. Moving Forward, PLC is a private practice that has 6 other therapists working with her to help meet all the needs of clients who walk in the door. She has been an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University and is currently an Adjunct Professor at The Catholic University of America. Dr. Cole has her Ph.D. in philosophy with a distinction in clinical social work. Her area of study and dissertation was done on children and young adults from divorced families. You can read Dr. Cole’s dissertation: Exploring Factors of Depressive Symptoms in Young Adults from Divorced Families by clicking on the link. Dr. Cole has conducted individual and group psychotherapy in private practice with children, adolescents, adults and couples. She has also taught social skills individually and in groups to children and adolescents. Dr. Cole has conducted school observations to help parents and school administrators best accommodate children and adolescents with special needs. In addition, she has reviewed and advocated to school appointed Individual Education Plan (IEP) teams where she has made successful recommendations for an IEP to be put into place for clients. She enjoys working with children, adolescents, adults, parents, couples, and families. Dr. Cole has significant experience in working with issues relating to anxiety, separation/divorce issues, trauma, depression, social skills, addictions, grief, anger management, compulsive behaviors (OCD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Conduct Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (including Asperger’s Syndrome), and Tourette’s Syndrome.
Michele’s feature in Northern Virginia Magazine is live. Follow the link to learn more about what it’s really like to be recruited as a college athlete in NoVA.
How We Can Help
Testimonials
Featured News
Winter 2020 Newsletter
With the holiday season past, many of you are transitioning back into daily routines after holiday breaks...
Read articleFall 2020 Newsletter
With the new school year underway, many of you are adapting to new routines. Between continued telework...
Read articleNewsletter
We’re pleased to announce that our groups for children and adolescents are accepting new...
Read article