Therapists for college students near Washington, DC

The road to self discovery is scary, and you are taking the first steps in seeking out the right therapist for you. It’s an important investment and you want to make sure you find just the right connection. My approach is deeply personal. Working with each person to learn and identify how they are impacted by the stories of their life and their history. In doing so, we are able to bring out what is truly possible. I believe strongly in the power of our stories. From a very young age, we all start learning things about ourselves and our world. These “life lessons” start to turn into the stories we repeat to ourselves over and over again. They become who we are. Those stories are not always nice and they hold us back. But most importantly, they are often not true! They are the stories we created when we were young and we have retold them to ourselves over and over again in a weird game of telephone with one player.

This process of being and becoming that we engage with as humans can simultaneously be both beautiful and incredibly challenging. The decision to take part in therapy can begin a transformative process that allows you to develop greater insight as well as ignite necessary behavioral changes. This can help promote greater well-being, vitality, healing, growth, resiliency, and self-actualization. There is perhaps no greater gift to give yourself than to invest in a process of self-exploration. Such exploration will better enable you to develop a deeper connection with your authentic self so that you may reach your optimal potential. Ultimately, engaging in therapy can be an empowered step toward claiming a life that feels more fulfilling, intentional and aligned with your goals. In turn, there is no greater honor for me than to get to share a part of your journey. I believe therapy to be a collaborative and relational process. You can expecte me to treat you with compassion and respect. I am a licensed psychologist in private practice after working in university counseling centers since 2003. Most recently, I served as the Director of Counseling and Psychological Services at George Washington University since June 2020 after serving as Director of Counseling at Ursinus College since 2013. Prior to that I’ve worked in the counseling centers at Drexel, Columbia and Princeton University after completing my pre-doctoral internship at the counseling center at Johns Hopkins University and receiving my PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Georgia in 2010. Prior to that, I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Washington and Lee University and my master’s degree in psychological counseling from Teacher’s College, Columbia University Collectively, these roles allowed me to identify my passion for providing quality mental health services to the adult and young adult population, particularly in helping the undergraduate and graduate students navigate through identity, relational and transitional concerns and stressors. In these roles, I both provided direct therapy to university students as well as oversight for the delivery of counseling services- including staff supervision and management, evaluation and assessment of services and programs, establishing best practices for the centers that met the needs of the campus community and supported student development objectives as well as the academic mission. I most enjoyed working directly with students to address both clinical and developmental issues and frequently experienced that through therapy, they could better realize their potential. I am very excited to be returning to a purely clinical role to dedicate my energy to providing direct therapy. I provide a warm, compassionate, supportive and empowering environment in which I meet individuals where they are and help them to feel seen, heard, and affirmed in order to heal, learn and grow. I believe that each client must be understood as an individual whose sense of self has been informed through many social, cultural and relational interactions.

You’re seeking to understand your past, reduce worries about the future, live authentically, AND hold onto your culture and values. You’re looking for someone who gets it from experience, someone you don’t have to count on to learn about your identity from the outside. Your culture, experiences, and even religion can impact your mental health, but can also help you heal. It’s a perfected dance in between all these identities and you walked the line delicately balanced until now. You’re not sure how to do it anymore without sacrificing yourself. You’re done feeling stuck, stagnant, and alone in trying to handle your struggles, so you’re ready to make some serious change that you know might rock the boat. It’s possible to have a therapist who understands who you are, what you need, and how to help you change your life in a way that doesn’t compromise any of this. You’re trying to balance your multiple identities and you want to understand how they can exist in harmony. You don’t want your culture overlooked in therapy. After all, your culture impacts everything - your thoughts, your feelings, your upbringing, your family interactions, and your worldview. Let’s explore your culture, upbringing, and identities to understand how they formed who you are, your worldview, and concerns. You are more than your problems and context matters! I support adult children of immigrants navigating anxiety & balancing culture and relationships.

Hello! I specialize in working with engineering and other STEM students that feel overwhelmed by their academic and personal lives. As a former mental health ambassador for two top engineering programs in the country, I have a wealth of experience working with students who are driven, highly intelligent and under intense pressure to succeed. I also work with engineers and engineering managers across STEM industries and can support students in their career exploration process. I am a neuro-divergent and LGBTQIA+ affirming provider that will take the time to tailor your therapy experience to exactly what you need. I am looking forward for the chance to meet you. Feel free to reach out for a free 15 min consultation to discuss how I can help you in your journey through and after school.

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!

The Healing Suite provides therapeutic interventions to adolescents and young adults experiencing anxiety, depression, and stress due to trauma and life transitions. We specialize in supporting young people with various challenges that they'll encounter as they mature. We practice from a place of cultural sensitivity and we are LGBTQ+ affirming. It is our belief that each person is an expert on themselves and should be able to make choices that are in their own best interest. Call, text, or email us to set up a free consultation.

Hi there, I’m Kadija—welcome! We’re so glad you’re here. At Barrat Behavioral Health and Primary Care, we’re committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive care that supports your whole health—both body and mind. Whether you’re seeking mental health support, weight management services, or a blend of both, you’ve already taken an important step toward wellness, and we’re honored to walk this journey with you. Our mission is to make you feel heard, respected, and empowered from day one. You can expect a safe, supportive space where your care is tailored to your unique needs and goals. Thank you for choosing us. We look forward to helping you live a healthier, more fulfilling life. Find Out More: 📞 Call or text: 571-543-4880 📧 Email: info@barratbhandconsulting.com

RecoverED, LLC is a boutique psychiatric practice dedicated to helping patients who struggle with eating and body image concerns. Here you will find evidence-based, exceptional, compassionate, holistic, and personalized treatment that is tailored to each individual and their phase of recovery. We understand that every journey is unique, and our approach is designed to support you at every step. Your well-being is our priority, and we are committed to helping you regain a healthy relationship with food and your body.

Equip is the leading evidence-based virtual eating disorder treatment program on a mission to ensure that everyone with an eating disorder has access to treatment that works. Built by clinical experts in the eating disorder field and those who have experienced eating disorders firsthand, Equip fills the gaps in today’s insufficient eating disorder landscape. We provide fully virtual, evidence-based treatment through a multidisciplinary care team (which includes a medical provider, therapist, dietitian, and trained mentors), allowing each patient to achieve full recovery without disrupting their life. We treat patients of all ages and diagnoses in all 50 states, and we accept most insurance plans.

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.

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

Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck in patterns of people-pleasing or perfectionism? As a licensed anxiety therapist in Baltimore, I provide in-person and virtual therapy for women, teens, and college students across Maryland and DC. I specialize in anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, people-pleasing, and perfectionism, using CBT, ACT, and EMDR. Together, we’ll build tools for confidence, balance, and emotional well-being, helping you live a more authentic, fulfilling life.

When people come to treatment with problems, it is important to remember that they are trying to cope with them in the best way they can. With that in mind, I offer a reflective and engaging partnership with my clients, working toward the goal of helping them to be autonomous, authentic and compassionate in a world that can be extremely stressful. Although my work is solidly grounded in psychodynamic, cognitive/learning, and systems theories, my approach is client-centered, practical and strengths-based. I bring honesty, warmth, and humor to the therapy relationship. I am LGBTQ affirmative and invested in doing cross-cultural therapy which is culturally sensitive. I have a dog, Bracket, who works with me, and I have been doing AAT since 2002. There is a growing body of research which suggests that AAT (Animal-Assisted Therapy) can be helpful with a range of diagnoses, including Depression, PTSD, and Autistic Spectrum. Many therapists know little about online games such as World of Warcraft and Second Life. They may dismiss it as unimportant, or assume it is a problem. I am a gamer-affirmative therapist, meaning I’m more interested in understanding your in-world experience and activity than pathologizing it.

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.

You know something needs to change. You're tired of the way you've been feeling. Maybe you're struggling to identify what would help, or you already know what to do, but can't seem to find the motivation to follow through. Maybe you can imagine just what you want for yourself, but you get stuck when it comes to making changes you can stick with, leaving you frustrated, embarrassed, or disheartened. I'm here to help you identify what's working in your life and enhance it, and to find what isn’t working so you can determine, with clarity and kindness, what you want to change and how to develop the life you really want.

Kate D'Amica Hostetter is passionate about working with both men and women to find freedom from their eating disorder and life challenges by gently confronting barriers, building on strengths and challenging unhelpful relational and thought patterns. Making lasting, impactful change is possible for everyone and Kate supports her clients on their journey through empathy and empowerment. She additionally enjoys helping clients build healthier, more fulfilling relationships through couples counseling. Kate received her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from George Washington University. Having worked in various levels of care from inpatient to PHP programs specializing in eating disorder and mental health treatment, Kate has provided counseling and support to those seeking recovery from all types of eating and mood disorders. She is excited to have recently begun working towards her Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) Certification under the supervision of Dr. Deb Michel, PhD CED-S.

Dwayne Phillips-McNamee is a Licensed Social Worker who works to provide a culturally sensitive, inclusive, equitable internal and external space for all clients regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious background, or any other factor. Dwayne works with adult individuals surrounding a variety of issues, including issues related to race and ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender identity, and relationships. He is particularly interested in working with black adults, those in and around the LGBTQ+ community, and those navigating issues related to building and maintaining relationships. Dwayne utilizes a variety of techniques informed by Relational-Cultural Therapy such as Motivational Interviewing, Family Therapy, EMDR, and influences of CBT/DBT and more. Dwayne is licensed to practice in Washington, DC. Through this work, Dwayne has learned that through discussion and emotional exploration, most issues can be resolved.

I’m Sarah Beth (she/they), a White, genderqueer therapist. I am passionate about co-creating another world collectively, where all of our lives and inner worlds are precious. As a therapist for both children and adults, my hope is to provide a safe, affirming, and age-appropriate space for nurturing, acceptance, and self-exploration. I understand therapy as one tool, among many, for supporting youth and adults to find more joy and resilience in their daily lives. I provide individual, family, and couples therapy, with a specialization in supporting queer and transgender adults, youth, and their families.

Hopkins Behavioral Health is a therapy practice dedicated to the healing and growth of individuals and couples from all walks of life. We offer compassionate, culturally responsive care that goes beneath the surface to address the deeper roots of pain, disconnection, and harmful patterns. Our goal is to help you reclaim meaning, deepen self-understanding, and move toward personal liberation—so you can live more fully, in alignment with who you truly are.

I am a pragmatic practitioner who combines an extensive background in humanistic, interpersonal, and psychodynamic theory with cognitive behavioral techniques. My aim is to get to know each client as an individual and not rely on a pre-determined program for what works. Everyone is different. I especially enjoy working with clients who are curious about themselves and willing to take the risk of seeing and understanding themselves more clearly in order to make the behavioral changes they need to improve their lives. Of course, there are times when anyone may be in difficult situations that are not of our doing (for example, dysfunctional family systems, mistreatment by those who have power/authority, COVID restrictions) and the changes we need to institute are better self-care and more compassion. As a Ph.D. Psychologist with a post-doctoral fellowship in group and couples, my practice offers individual, couples, and group psychotherapy.