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Home > DC Providers > Neuropsychologists
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Dr. Penny Leigh Wolfe, PhD

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Specializes in: Neuropsychology and Psychology
Professional interests include: anxiety, somatic therapy, disability evaluation, and more.
102 Irving Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20010

Dr. Penny Leigh Wolfe, PhD is a neuropsychologist in Washington, DC specializing in neuropsychology and psychology. Dr. Penny Leigh Wolfe, PhD is affiliated with MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital, MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital, MedStar Health and MEDSTAR MEDICAL GROUP II LLC.

View Provider's Full Profile (202) 877-1657

Office Locations

Address:

102 Irving Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20010

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Some issues Dr. Penny Leigh Wolfe, PhD can help you with:

Anxiety

Anxiety is a generic name given to a variety of conditions characterized by unusual amounts of fear and worry, especially unrealistic fears and tension. People who suffer from anxiety often are aware that their fears are irrational, but that knowledge does not make the feeling of being scared and anxious go away. To qualify as anxiety, symptoms must last for 6 months or more and interfere with the way a person lives their daily life. Some cases may be mild, where, for example, a person simply avoids certain situations. Other cases can be severe enough to be disabling.

Some of the specific conditions covered under the general label of anxiety include:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Phobias
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Social phobia
  • Panic disorder

Collectively, anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issues diagnosed in the United States -- even more common than depression. Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with anxiety, and it is extremely common for a person with anxiety to have another illness at the same time, such as depression, a physical illness, or substance abuse.

Treatment for anxiety usually involves medication and psychotherapy together. Medications used may include antidepressants (which also work for anxiety), anti-anxiety medications, or beta blockers (which can be used to control the physical symptoms of anxiety). Psychotherapy can be useful to teach patients new ways of thinking and reacting so that they can manage their feelings of worry and fear. Support groups can also be very effective for anxiety, and they can be a form of treatment themselves for social phobias. Stress management, relaxation techniques, and meditation all help reduce feelings of anxiety or of being out of control. Finally, having a strong support network of family and friends is an excellent way to help manage the difficulties of life with anxiety.

Depression

Everyone knows what it feels like to get the blues once in a while. But depression is a serious illness that is more severe than a bad day and lasts much longer. Symptoms of depression stop a person from being able to function and enjoy daily activities for weeks or months at a time. It can happen to anyone, and it isn't something that people can control by force of will or "snap out of it."

Some common symptoms of depression include:

  • Feeling sad, guilty, empty or hopeless
  • Fatigue and a lack of energy and motivation
  • A loss of pleasure in activities that were previously enjoyed
  • Unusual sleep or eating habits
  • Mental fog -- trouble concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
  • Physical aches and pains
  • Suicidal thoughts or a preoccupation with death

We don't yet know what causes depression, but it's thought that it is a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and social influences. Because of this, the most effective treatments for depression combine medication with psychotherapy. Therapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be extremely helpful in resolving the negative thoughts and feelings that come with depression. It gives patients new tools that they can use themselves to cope when their depression is making them feel down.

Some of the common medications used to treat depression include antidepressants such as SSRI's (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft) or atypical antidepressants (Cymbalta, Wellbutrin). It's important to remember that these medications have different effects on everybody, and no one medication works right for everyone. Patients may have to try a couple before finding the one that works just right for them. If the first medication they try doesn't work, they should talk to their doctor about trying something else. In extreme cases where medication is not enough, electro-convulsive therapy and hospitalization may be the answer to keeping a severely depressed person safe.

Depression is a difficult illness to deal with, but it is more common than believed and there are many people who can help. With the right treatment, individuals with depression can get back to fully enjoying life again.

Mental Health Issues

Mental health issues, also referred to as mental health disorders or mental health illnesses, are a wide variety of conditions that impact behavior, emotion, and cognition. There are many different forms of mental health issues, some of which are acute (short-term), while others are chronic. Common mental health issues include:

  • Anxiety disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and phobias
  • Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder
  • Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia
  • Personality disorders, such as borderline and narcissistic personality disorders
  • Grief and trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Impulse control and addiction disorders
  • Psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder

No single cause of mental health issues exists. Multiple factors may increase one's risk for developing mental health issues, including but not limited to:

  • Genetic history
  • Chemical imbalances in the brain
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Substance use
  • Exposure to viruses, chemicals, or other substances in the womb
  • Adverse life experiences, such as childhood trauma or recurring stress
  • Isolation and poor living conditions

Mental health issues are typically diagnosed by a provider like a psychiatrist or a psychologist. These issues are diagnosed through psychological evaluation and talk therapy.

Mental health therapy can be an effective tool in supporting people who are struggling with unwanted feelings, behaviors, or difficult circumstances in their lives. Many forms of therapy are available, including specialized therapies tailored to particular disorders. For many issues, therapists help patients manage their conditions through talk therapy. Other treatments can include medication or stays at a psychiatric facility. Mental health therapy can help people with mental health issues improve their mental and emotional wellbeing.

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2020

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Penny Leigh Wolfe, PhD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Penny Leigh Wolfe, PhD treated as a neuropsychologist in Washington, DC were mental health therapy.

mental health therapy 28

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2020

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Penny Leigh Wolfe, PhD.

Gender
Male 50
Female 42
Ethnicity
Black / African American 49
Asian / Pacific Islander
Non-Hispanic White 14
Native American / Alaskan Native
Hispanic
Other
Age
75 to 84 29
85 and over 5
Less than 65 8
65 to 74 39

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Penny Leigh Wolfe, PhD From 2013 - 2020

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Penny Leigh Wolfe, PhD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke and dementia.

Hypertension 60
High Cholesterol 58
Stroke 56
Ischemic Heart Disease 35
Depression 32
Chronic Kidney Disease 38
Asthma 10
Osteoporosis
Heart Failure 25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 15
Diabetes 37
Atrial Fibrillation 12
Cancer 15
Dementia 46

Education & Training

She completed residency at DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan. She is certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology and has a state license in District of Columbia.

Residency: DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (2006)

Board Certification: American Board of Professional Psychology

Licensed In: District of Columbia

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Penny Leigh Wolfe, PhD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital
MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital
MedStar Health
MEDSTAR MEDICAL GROUP II LLC

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. Penny Leigh Wolfe, PhD appears to accept the following insurance providers: CIGNA Choice Fund PPO, MAMSI, First Health PPO, Blue Choice, Golden Rule, Great-West Healthcare, TRICARE, Community Care Network (CCN), Coventry, TRICARE Reserve Select, Aetna Managed Choice POS, Beech Street PPO, Aetna HMO, Kaiser Select, Kaiser Permanente, CIGNA EPO, Aetna Medicare PPO, CIGNA Indemnity, AARP, Medicare Advantage, Coventry National Network PPO, United Healthcare, Medicaid, Cigna, Virginia Premier Health Plan, WellPoint, Aetna, CIGNA Network Open Access, Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), HealthyBlue PPO, MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice, CareFirst NASCO, CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO, Traditional Medicare Fee for Service, United Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO), Innovation Health: Open POS Plus, MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families, Carefirst EPO, Innovation Health: HMO & EPO Plus, United Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program, CareFirst Administrators, United Student Resources, United Select HMO - EPO/NPP, United MD IPA Preferred (POS), United Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO), Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP), Innovation Health: Network Only Plus, United MD IPA (HMO), United Choice Plus, CareFirst Blue Card Program (Out-of-area BCBS plans), Innovation Health: PPO, HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO, MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance, United Choice, United Optimum Choice, Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus), Innovation Health: POS, Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS), Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus, United Select Plus (POS), CareFirst BC/BS Advantage Core/Enhanced, United Erickson Advantage Plans, Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice, Carefirst Healthy Blue (HMO/POS), Health Services for Children with Special Needs (HSCSN), D-SNP), I-SNP, CareFirst MedStar PPO, CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity, United Core Essential (HMO), Innovation Health: POS Plus, HumanaChoice PPO, United Nursing Home Plan (C-SNP, Innovation Health: Open POS II, Innovation Health: Indemnity, United GEHA (for all other states) Compass Rose, Veterans Affairs Community Care Network, United Navigate, Carefirst Blue Preferred PPO, Police and Fire Clinic, Employee Health Plan (EHP) and CareFirst MedStar Select PPO.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Penny Leigh Wolfe, PhD accepts the following insurance providers:

CIGNA Choice Fund PPO
MAMSI
First Health PPO
Blue Choice
Golden Rule
Great-West Healthcare
TRICARE
Community Care Network (CCN)
Coventry
TRICARE Reserve Select
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Ratings & Reviews

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Biography

Dr. Penny Wolfe is a psychology and neuropsychology specialist in Washington, DC. These areas are among her clinical interests: depression, anxiety, and executive function disorder. Dr. Wolfe is affiliated with MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital and MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital. She can take several insurance carriers, including Blue California, Coventry, and Coventry Health Care Plans.

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