Therapists for college students near Washington, DC

I am a Harvard-trained, Harvard-affiliated, board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist. I strongly believe that the best psychiatric care is centered on the whole person, not just on a diagnosis or a specific medication. I provide weekly therapy and work with patients to determine if medications can be of help. I do not believe that everyone needs a medication, but they can be useful in treating particular psychiatric symptoms; I will work with you in order to find the best treatment modality that meets your goals and needs. My training in psychotherapy includes psychodynamic psychotherapy, play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), Exposure/Response Prevention (Ex/RP) and Prolonged Exposure (PE). I provide psychotherapy for children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. In order to offer comprehensive treatment, I do not accept insurance in my private practice. I am currently conducting sessions via telemedicine only. Please feel free to send me an email to set up a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation so I can answer any questions and see if I can be of help.

Freedom from emotional hijack is found in noticing, naming, and knowing. This can be the gift of psychotherapy. Congratulations on looking for a therapist and trying to figure out what will be best for you! It can seem like it requires endurance, when all you’re trying to do is get your mental health needs met. The good news is there are lots and lots of great therapy practices! And a practice or a therapist that’s a great fit for one person, doesn’t mean that it is for you! All that matters is what works for you. Whether you feel nervous, doubtful, unsure, excited, and/or anything else, let’s chat, when/if you’re ready. Just because we talk, doesn’t mean you have to start therapy!

Hi! My name is Alyssa, I'm an LCSW based in NYC and licensed in New Jersey (NJ) and Maryland (MD). I provide online virtual therapy to young adults and adults seeking support with relational trauma and complex PTSD, anxiety, codependency in relationships, people pleasing, and anyone interested in shifting their relationship with alcohol or are sober curious. If you struggle with trauma or anxiety, perfectionism, putting other people above yourself, low self confidence, and negative self talk I'd be happy to support you! Often these can impact our ability to take care of ourselves and lead to feeling drained and burnt out impacting our ability to keep up with school and work responsibilities or manage stress and emotions. I bring a trauma-informed, somatic, and holistic lens. I'm trained in EMDR, DBT, and somatic therapy. I also often bring in mindful self compassion, CBT, and experiential exercises like guided meditations and guided imagery. I believe one approach doesn't fit all and will pull from different modalities to tailor our collaborative treatment plan to meet your individual needs. Though my main priority and focus is building a trusting relationship between us first, so you feel it's a safe space to open up. My practice is fully virtual and I provide free 15 minute phone consultations to see if it's a good fit! I look forward to supporting your healing.

Of all the relationships we have in our lives, I believe that the one you have with yourself is the most important and impactful. Therapy allows a person to create an authentic relationship with oneself. Through the therapeutic process, a person is able to find and access their own innate ability to heal and grow within a supportive, compassionate, and empowering environment. My passion for this work comes from seeing my clients evolve to feel happier and healthier in their daily lives. What I do: Individual Psychotherapy- I provide both in-person and telehealth treatment for teenagers, young adults, and adults, focusing a wide array of concerns including: life transitions, traumatic life experiences, daily functioning impairment, anxiety, and depression ​Gender and Sexuality Affirming Mental Health Care- I provide a safe space for those of you within the LGBTQIA+ community to process concerns unique to your own lived experiences ​Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)- EMDR is a research-backed treatment developed to help you heal following traumatic events by processing memories and gaining control over the way the trauma history impacts the mind and body. ​Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)- CBT is used to help you understand and learn skills to challenge unhelpful or maladaptive thinking and behavioral patterns ​Mindfulness- Mindfulness techniques are used to teach you how to relate to your thoughts differently and to live in the moment

SINCE 2011, I EXPERIENCE AS A CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER/THERAPIST, PROVIDING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS, CHILDREN, AND FAMILIES. I AM TRAINED TO PROVIDE A NUMBER OF SPECIALIZED THERAPEUTIC SERVICES BY USING EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT MODALITIES WITH THOSE DEALING WITH CHALLENGING LIFE EXPERIENCES. CLIENT WELL-BEING IS MY NUMBER ONE PRIORITY, AND MY GOAL IS TO ASSIST YOU IN DEVELOPING THE TOOLS AND SKILLS YOU NEED TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES IN YOUR LIFE

Do you have a sense that people don’t get you? Do you travel a different path than everybody else? Are you living your life very differently from what other people expect you to? Do people tell you that sometimes you are thinking way outside the box? Are your parents different from you and do they want you to be someone else? Life can be tough when you feel different. Different can also mean isolated, lonely, and misunderstood. It can also mean constantly asking yourself: Will I ever fit in? Can anybody understand me? Why can’t people accept me for who I am? Am I doing the right thing? Will I be happy? That’s what I can help you with. BE DIFFERENT AND STILL FIT IN. The therapist-client relationship is a collaborative one, where you are an expert on yourself and we work together towards your goals. I believe that you should be satisfied with the services you are receiving and thus I frequently assess the clients' progress and satisfaction with my services during the duration of therapy. I strive to tailor therapy to best fit your needs. My approach to working with clients is practical and straightforward, yet warm, genuine, and supportive.

Starting college or graduate school —or navigating your way through them—can be both exciting and overwhelming. Many students find themselves facing stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, identity questions, academic pressure, or major life transitions, often for the first time. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. I specialize in working with college students and young adults, and I understand the unique pressures of university life—from managing expectations and finding your place, to coping with self-doubt, loneliness, or burnout. Whether you’re struggling or simply wanting to better understand yourself and grow, therapy can be a space where things begin to feel more manageable and more hopeful. My approach is warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental. I believe that meaningful change happens in a strong, trusting therapeutic relationship, where you feel safe to be yourself and explore what’s really going on beneath the surface. Together, we’ll work at your pace to better understand your experiences, build resilience, and develop tools that help you move forward with greater confidence and clarity. I have over 15 years of experience in the mental health field, including working in university counseling centers, where I supported students through many of the challenges you may be facing now. I’ve worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds and identities, and I am committed to creating an inclusive, affirming space where you feel seen and respected. I also have experience working with international students, students with disabilities and chronic health conditions, Deaf and hard of hearing students, and those navigating complex family or cultural dynamics. Reaching out for support can feel like a big step—but it can also be the beginning of feeling more like yourself again. You deserve support, understanding, and a space to grow. I would be honored to be part of that process with you.

I am a board certified psychiatric mental health and family nurse practitioner with over 20 years’ experience in the medical field. I have worked in a variety of settings including dual diagnosis substance use, residential treatment centers, psychiatric hospital, general mental health and medical units. My heart and passion are in caring for others and assisting my patients achieve their full potential through health and wellness. Being an attentive listener, paired with empathy and kindness allows me to build a therapeutic alliance with my clients. I specialize in anxiety, depression, ADHD, insomnia, bipolar, PTSD among other mental health disorders coupled with talk therapy.

Anxious or traumatized by the political impact of the election on your identity, your family relationships, your future career, and/or your loved ones? Dreading the family political discussions when you go home or when they call? Finding your authentic self as a college student, grad student, post doc, or struggling to become your authentic self? Having difficulty in your relationships? Or just wondering how someone else you see on tik tok makes everything look so easy when you feel like you are falling apart? Well then, you are in the right place. Let’s talk about how we can work together to get you out of that funk! We’ll try the psychodynamic approach in which we uncover the patterns you may be stuck in and figure out how to make healthier ones. We’ll try using DBT skills to build better tolerance in dealing with struggles so that you can be more effective in your decision-making and happier with the results of your choices. We’ll try humanistic theory to focus on building or repairing from your foundation up. There are a lot of strategies at our disposal that we can try until we find the right ones. Together, we’ll continue to build your toolbox. I write accommodations letters and gender affirming care letters for clients. With me, we’ll tailor your therapy to meet your goals. The faster you reach out, the faster we can get started on a healthier you. Reach out for a free 15 minute consult!

You built a life and career by being the reliable one. The strong and independent one. The high-performer. Now you wake up tired, restless, and questioning who you are beneath the grind. I work with BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and Adult Children of Immigrants navigating burnout, complex trauma, perfectionism, anxious stress, and identity conflict who feel lost in this stage of life and want to reconnect with themselves. Clients often say they are overwhelmed, stuck in overthinking, shutting down in relationships, or carrying stress in their body. Through trauma focused therapy, we explore the parts of you shaped by survival, family expectations, culture, and attachment. I integrate somatic work, IFS, CBT, and liberation based therapy to build awareness, emotional inner balance, and boundaries that reflect your values. As a 1st generation Haitian and Black therapist I know reaching out can feel loaded when you are used to handling everything alone. You do not have to justify needing support. I offer a 20 minute phone or video consultation to explore fit and help you take a steady first step toward change.

Therapy is a space to untangle patterns, fears, and old narratives so you can decide what actually serves you. I'm a doctorally-trained, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW-C) who works with adolescents and adults through depression, anxiety, trauma, OCD, life transitions and relationship struggles. Together we'll trace what's been keeping you stuck, work through experiences that still weigh on you, and build tools you can use in your daily life, so you feel steadier, clearer, and more yourself. Every process is shaped around your individual preferences and needs. I draw on evidence-based approaches with strong track records for lasting change, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD; which ones we lean on depends on what you're working toward. What stays steady through all of it is a grounded space where you set the pace, receive guidance shaped to your circumstances, learn to trust your own judgment again, and start living by your own design. I see clients in person at my Bethesda, MD office and online across Maryland, Virginia, Vermont, Colorado, and Washington, DC. If any of this resonates, please reach out. I'd be glad to hear what's on your mind and find out whether we're the right fit.

Dr. Justin Leak is a 2016 graduate of the American School of Professional Psychology @ Argosy University (ASPP). He received his BA in Speech Communication and African & African American Studies from the Pennsylvania State University in 2002. Dr. Leak completed his MA at Lewis & Clark College in Counseling Psychology, with a specialization in Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy (MCFT) in 2008. Dr. Leak completed his APA-accredited internship at The John L. Gildner Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents (JLG-RICA), where he continues to work full-time as the Director of the Evaluation Unit and Case Manager for the Facility for Children. His Clinical Research Project was entitled: The Pressure of Maintaining Excellence: The Impact and Challenges of Combining an Electronic Peer-Mentoring Program with University Sponsored Counseling Services to Support Low Income College Students. In between his studies, Dr. Leak has worked with students and families in a variety of educational and therapeutic settings. These include working in the offices of Multicultural Affairs, Academic Advising, Career Advising, and most notably, Residence Life. For fun, he enjoys playing tennis, swimming, travel, and entering cooking competitions. Dr. Leak's therapeutic style pulls from several approaches, including psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral, and Family systems. He offers treatment for a variety of stressors including (but not limited to) mood, anxiety, self-esteem, relationship problems, and transitional life issues. He also specializes in psychological assessment, specifically diagnosing issues that impact behavior, mood, attention, and learning. He is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), American Counseling Association (ACA), and the National Register of Health Psychologists.

Offering exceptional mental health services to support your wellbeing and create meaningful change for you! Individualized, remote therapy to best meet your needs and schedule. Specialize in Trauma, Addiction, Anxiety, Depression, Adjustment Challenges, Personality Disorders, and ADHD.

I'm so glad you have taken the first step to reach out for support. My name is Jessie and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in DC and Maryland. I received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia in Psychology and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. I offer individual and family therapy and work with teens and adults. In my last four years of clinical practice, I have worked with a wide range of populations and presenting problems. While I do utilize evidence-based therapeutic interventions that have demonstrated efficacy in fostering lasting change, I believe that establishing a genuine, authentic, and nonjudgmental relationship between the therapist and the client is the real key to successful therapy. I will meet you where you’re at, as every individual needs something different out of therapy. I believe that by working together, we can figure out what that will look like for you.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience supporting children, adults, and families navigating complex and often overwhelming life circumstances. My professional background includes work in child welfare, domestic violence services, and with families raising children or caring for loved ones with disabilities. These experiences have shaped my deep respect for resilience and my commitment to providing trauma-informed, culturally responsive care.

***VIRTUAL APPTS ONLY, WAITLIST AVAILABLE*** Are you hoping to better manage your mood, anxiety, health habits, or just day-to-day life? Do you ever feel challenged by certain relationships, cultural differences, personal gains or losses, or other significant life changes? All too often, you may find yourself involved in recurring conflicts, feeling repeatedly taken advantage of or misunderstood, or otherwise unsatisfied with your life for no obvious reason. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. I will help you identify and set appropriate boundaries with the people in your life - including yourself - and ultimately grow into yourself in a way that feels authentic & genuine to you. Likewise if you are struggling with medical issues, have battled chronic illness for years, or want to work on your behavioral health preventively, my services may be a good fit for you. Informed by a longstanding pre-medical training background as well as personal experience with chronic illness, I will work with you to repair your mind-body connection by reshaping unhealthy thought patterns, changing problematic health habits, and learning to accept and cope with the messages your body is sending to you. Whatever the case, I will collaborate with you in an open and empathetic way to build coping skills, self-actualize, and attain your mental, physical, emotional, and lifestyle goals.

Specialties: Transgender Psychiatry, LGBTQ+ Psychiatry, Anxiety, Panic, and Agoraphobia, Post-Traumatic Stress and Related Disorders, and ADHD, Depression. From the comfort of your home or a place that feels relaxing to you, we will connect via video and make sure you have the help you need. We believe that there is immense value to telepsychiatry, which is why we offer that service in over 20 states (see full list at www.balancepsych.org). Telehealth allows LGBTQ+ affirming mental health care to reach more people. Anxiety, depression, and more – so many of these are treatable conditions. Telepsychiatry makes it possible to get support from anywhere. We can work together when you are traveling or on work breaks. We take PacificSource Student Health Insurance, a primary student health insurer in Oregon, for both therapy and medication management.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of yourself, you're not alone. As a psychodynamic psychotherapist, I offer a safe and confidential space to explore these challenges and uncover the underlying patterns that may be impacting your well-being. Together, we can delve into your past experiences, understand your current emotional landscape, and build the resilience needed to thrive during this pivotal time in your life.

Welcome! I help teens and adults with all types of eating disorders, disordered eating, mood and anxiety issues, and life transitions. Given the world we live in, it can be hard sometimes to sort out "normal" attempts to be healthy and fit vs disordered patterns of eating, exercising or thoughts about food and weight. Your eating issues may have suddenly become problematic or they may have been around "forever". Either way, you deserve to get help to bring balance and flexibility back into your eating and thoughts about food and your body. Learning how to manage mood changes, anxiety and stress during life changes is key. I'm also passionate about supporting women during mid-life transitions related to changes in roles and relationships due to separation/divorce, balancing demands of parenting, caring for aging parents, loss and seeking fulfillment in life. I'll help you process difficult emotions and support you as you consider personal concerns and decisions. Seeking help takes courage--know that there can be relief and calm especially with a partner by your side. Whether it's for yourself or your teen, please visit my website to learn more or reach out to discuss your situation. I work with individuals as well as families and offer flexible hours, in person sessions, and telehealth for MD and DC residents.

Therapy can be intimidating, I get it. Together, we will co-create a space in which you feel safe to be your full self, whatever that means to you. I bring a non-judgmental presence to every session, ready to be the witness to your unique journey. Regardless of how you feel as you read this, I am here to remind you that you are on the right path. After all, by researching the right therapist for you, you are already showing up for yourself. I work with students as they navigate the variety of challenges that come up in school and life in general. Such as, handling and reducing stress and anxiety, making and keeping friends, keeping up with tasks, transferring into a new school, gender transitions, trauma, grief, and institutional oppression. You might be dealing with a number of challenges, but you don't have to go at them alone. When you're ready, I am here and excited to support you.