Therapists for college students near Howard University

As a Licensed Graduate Social Worker, I provide affirming, person-centered support to help you navigate whatever you're facing, whether that's a major life transition, relationship challenges, identity exploration, or simply a desire to grow and better understand yourself. My work centers on LGBTQIA+ individuals, young adults and life changes, and anyone exploring identity, relationships, self-fulfillment, and personal growth. Additionally, I have a deep personal and professional interest in reproductive mental health and perinatal wellbeing, supporting those facing infertility, fertility treatment, and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), including IVF and IUI. I work with LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples on family-building paths such as donor conception, sperm or egg donation, gestational carriers, and third-party reproduction. Whether you're weighing donor options, navigating the emotional landscape of pregnancy and postpartum, or learning to advocate for yourself within the fertility clinic system, I offer informed, compassionate support every step of the way. No matter who you are or what you’re experiencing, my approach is collaborative and tailored to you, meeting you where you are and walking alongside you. At the heart of my work is a genuine commitment to making you feel truly seen. I believe that the most meaningful therapeutic work happens when you feel safe enough to be honest, so I prioritize creating a space that is nonjudgmental, warm, and unhurried from the very first session. Working together, we’ll use collaborative exploration, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and strengths-based techniques to help you reconnect with your values and move through life's most challenging moments with greater clarity. Because no two people – and no two journeys – are exactly alike, my approach is tailored to your unique story, goals, and pace, in an environment that is safe, affirming, and entirely yours. Therapy is your time, which is why I vow to always show up to each session ready to meet you exactly where you are. My path to becoming a therapist began at the St. Louis City Courthouse, where I had the privilege of supporting survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence. That experience showed me, in vivid and lasting terms, how community resources, advocacy, and therapeutic care can genuinely change the course of someone's life. I went on to spend several years in Washington, D.C., working in international development and political advocacy. That work deepened my understanding of how the world's larger systems shape each of us at a profoundly personal level, a perspective I carry into every therapeutic relationship. As a queer person who has navigated complex systems, policies, and family-building pathways in the U.S., I bring both personal and professional insight to this work. I understand that these experiences are not just logistical; they are deeply emotional, and they deserve thoughtful, informed support. When I'm not in session, you'll find me exploring new destinations, experimenting with recipes in the kitchen, or hosting friends around the table. I also enjoy crafting, getting lost in a good book, and keeping up with my Pilates practice.

Feeling more like yourself is possible, and that's exactly what we'll work toward together. As an integrative therapist with three years of experience in mental health and career counseling, my work is rooted in helping people navigate the strong emotions, mood states, and behavioral concerns that can get in the way of living their most desired or authentic life. Whether you're an emerging adult finding your footing or a seasoned adult seeking a reset, I'm here to help you move through whatever is causing disruption or discontent in your life so you can feel more like yourself. With a specialization in nervous system regulation and discernment counseling, I’m passionate about providing counseling in a modern world. I believe in compassionate awareness, which helps me be fully present while supporting you in becoming more grounded and free. What I look forward to most are those “aha” moments, however brief yet meaningful, that last far beyond what is created in our weekly/bi-weekly sessions. Therapy, at its best, should feel like a space you can breathe in. My approach is built on balance: it doesn't need to be an experience that wrecks you, it shouldn't leave you emotionally exhausted, and it certainly doesn't need to stop you from moving forward. Being in touch with your more vulnerable parts doesn't mean becoming consumed by them. Rather, I am passionate about making counseling accessible, welcoming, safe, and, above all, balanced within the unique confines of your life. Together, we'll identify the patterns and biofeedback loops already present in your life, use parts work to understand how and why they show up, and draw on that understanding to guide a more integrated, grounded way of living. Drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS), mindfulness training, and an understanding of how body, mind, and environment work in tandem, sessions are designed to feel flowing, steady, and reliable. My style is like me – warm and compassionate, but not without confrontation once that feels helpful. Every approach is tailored to your unique life and circumstances, because while no therapist can know the full extent of a patient's experience, showing up each week to work with what you bring to the room is something I take seriously. My path to becoming a therapist began at summer camp. Though I come from an athletic and social family, I was never much for either! On one warm afternoon at recreation time, I found myself right where I wanted to be: sitting on the bench, watching, talking, and offering important verbal evidence on whether that ball was in or out at Four Square. That summer, and many more that followed, helped me understand something essential about myself. One of my greatest strengths is my ability to appreciate a person or experience for exactly what it is. Not for their potential. Not for their past. For precisely where they are right now. This perspective has shaped everything about how I show up as a therapist. The present moment holds more than enough to explore, and in my experience, that exploration is not just adequate, but unending. Movement and the outdoors are my strongholds. I enjoy yoga, weight-lifting, and long walks, and am also a passionate cook who loves to try out and create new recipes. And, I am a lifelong learner – I enjoy reading, history, and anything to do with the brain and body.

Don’t let struggles with anxiety, depression, and/or self-discovery affect your quality of life. As a solutions-driven therapist, I work with teenagers and adults, taking the time to get to know you and your world, which will inform the work we do together. My goal is to help understand and disempower your anxiety or depression, navigate grief, or guide you to discover your authentic self. The solution isn't one size fits all, and we will find it together. Above all, I believe in the dignity and worth in a person, allowing me to be your comforting partner in care. I look forward to getting to know you in our work together. You deserve a therapist who is passionate about guiding you to live authentically. I strive to do just that, in a compassionate environment where you can always expect to be treated with respect and kindness. My style is warm, conversational, and grounded in curiosity, positivity, and respect while remaining flexible to your unique needs. This flexibility extends to my integrated therapeutic approach, which may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectal Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and narrative therapies to help you build tools to navigate your day to day and embrace your life story. I’ve always been drawn to developing personal and professional growth. In my business life, I’ve been a coach, a marketer, a salesperson, a communications expert, and a professional experience developer. This mix of skills is evident in my work with patients now, where I bring a creative and human perspective to each session. When I’m not in the office, I’m out and about, exploring my great city and traveling. I also enjoy yoga, dining in and out, and long walks with my adorable pup.

Reaching out for support can feel like a big step, but you don’t have to take it alone. As a trauma-focused EMDR therapist, I work with teens, college students, young professionals, adults, parents, and menopausal women who are navigating relational trauma, sexual assault, anxiety, depression, life transitions, and questions of identity. I value honest communication and emotional safety, which help me to be fully present, respectful, and genuinely curious about your experiences. Our work is a collaborative partnership, one that allows me to get to know you deeply, see the patterns shaping your life, and help you make sense of the tapestry you’re weaving. If you’re looking for a thoughtful, compassionate environment to explore and heal, please reach out today. In our work together, you can expect a warm, accepting space where your emotional needs and self-selected objectives guide the process. I prioritize empathy, acceptance, and active listening, while thoughtfully integrating EMDR and trauma-informed Mindfulness to develop skills that help you access a rich emotional life that feels safe, grounded, and led by your core self. Through this relational and empathetic approach, you’ll learn to make meaningful, lasting changes as you move toward a healthier future. My path to becoming a therapist was shaped early on as a parentified child in a dysfunctional home, where I learned to create harmony in difficult circumstances. This experience fostered a natural empathy and flexibility that guide my work today, while strengthening my commitment to offering thoughtful, personalized care that honors each person’s unique story. I bring the fullness of myself into each session, meeting you with compassion, presence, and respect. Outside of the office, I enjoy a creative and active lifestyle. I’m a painter who loves spending time outdoors, whether that’s hiking, walking, or biking, and am also an avid plant enthusiast with more than 50 houseplants. I practice yoga regularly and previously worked as a yoga instructor, which continues to influence how I approach balance and well-being. At home, I share space with two cats and a dog, and value quality time with friends and family. I’m also a mom to four (now adult!) children.

I have a Client Centered Holistic Approach . My speciality is Prolonged Exposure for PTSD. I provide for a safe environment where my clients have the opportunity to explore what ever issues they may be facing. I Utilize Cognitive Therapy Address Psychosocial Adjustment Issues with Individual's, Couple's and Families.

Whether you cry a lot but are still productive, you're faking it till you make it, or you’re miserable and no one knows, you don’t have to keep doing it with a broken heart. It takes courage to reach out for support. Like other students, you may be struggling with adjusting to school, feeling anxious about performing well, worrying about family expectations, and choosing a satisfying career path. Figuring out how to juggle academic demands, friends, family, and self-care can be tough. With a non-judgmental and caring listener, you can overcome obstacles and accomplish the changes you want to see. Therapy can help you manage intense emotions, feel more confident, foster deeper connections in relationships, and thrive in your academic or career pursuits. From working at Georgetown University and American University, I developed a deep understanding of the specific challenges college students and young professionals encounter. Using a therapeutic approach centered on empathy, respect, and validation, I help my clients feel less alone in their struggles and more understood. In therapy, I collaborate with clients to help them gain insight into themselves, reconnect to strengths, clarify personal values, and make meaningful improvements in their lives and relationships. As an experienced therapist who works with college and graduate students, I am passionate about helping my clients get to a place in life where they feel like they are thriving. I am currently training a therapy dog to provide emotional support to clients during sessions. You don’t have to keep struggling alone. Reach out today for a free consultation. Follow Dr. Emma and Carlie on Instagram @therapydogcarlie for mental health information, tips, and encouragement.

As a trauma-informed clinician with nine years of experience in mental wellness, I support adolescents and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, safety concerns, trauma, social injustice, and LGBTQ+ identities. My experience spans some of the most underserved communities, including runaway and homeless youth, BIPOC communities, survivors of sexual violence, and queer and transgender folks, and I've found that many young people who were initially resistant to traditional therapy have found real success through nontraditional, experiential approaches. I believe in meeting you where you are, working toward goals together to achieve emotional regulation, trauma processing, and healthier relationships. Central to how I practice is the understanding that many of the thoughts, emotions, or behaviors we most want to change initially helped us survive — and that deserves acknowledgment, not judgment. I look forward to the honor of building trust and a safe, or even brave, space in our work together. Cultural humility, social justice, and breaking down systemic barriers to basic needs and mental wellness are things I'm deeply passionate about. I believe that simply validating others' experiences holds the power to de-escalate, empower, and enlighten, which is why I always ensure a nonjudgmental, authentic, and strengths-based approach to your care. You can expect our sessions to feel open and genuinely validating, drawing on elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and psychotherapy to help you reduce anxiety, process trauma, improve depression symptoms, build self-esteem, decrease post-traumatic symptoms, and practice healthy relationships. My path to becoming a therapist began with my own mental wellness challenges in adolescence. But, it was when I graduated college and worked on a residential unit for adolescents with mood disorders that I discovered the joy of working with youth. These experiences deepened my commitment to providing unconditional positive, validating, and strengths-based support to teenagers simply needing someone in their corner. Now, I remain dedicated to bringing an openness and sense of humor to each session that allow for space to share truth and create healing. I fill my cup outside of work with live music, dancing, knitting, hiking, and spending time outside whenever possible.

Sharon combines solutions-focused and insight-oriented approaches. She strives for clients to feel heard and supported as they develop a sense of personal agency and self acceptance. Sharon specializes in anxiety, depression, infertility and perinatal concerns, family and relationships, life transitions, somatic concerns/chronic illness, and work/life stress. Areas of specialization: -Anxiety -Depression -Infertility and perinatal concerns -Life transitions -Stress and work-life balance -Family and relationships I help clients who are feeling overwhelmed, stressed or depleted to make sense of their struggles and create an actionable, accessible plan for change. My approach combines tactical skill building with broader insight, helping you to develop more clearly defined personal goals and boundaries, and an increased sense of personal agency and self acceptance. I strive for clients to feel seen, heard and supported as we build towards a greater sense of wellbeing, balance and more satisfying relationships. I specialize in college students through mature adults, with a particular emphasis on individuals navigating life transitions or complex roles as individuals, partners, employees and family members. My areas of specialty include anxiety and depression, stress and work-life balance, life transitions, and family and relationships. I have particular expertise in infertility and the perinatal period, and am the author of Struggling with Infertility, a book that aims to shed light on the experiences of those impacted by infertility and fertility treatment. I am actively affirming and welcoming to individuals of all gender identities, ethnicities, sexual orientations and religions. Before becoming a psychotherapist, I was a competitive swimmer at the national and provincial levels, lived in several countries, and worked in global consulting, government and industry. I draw on these experiences in my work with clients, and offer therapy via both telehealth and in-person. Psychology Associate, Licensed in Washington, DC; Resident in Psychology, Licensed in Virginia PhD in Clinical Psychology Clinical Supervisor, Dr. J. Dawn Johnson, PsyD Offering sessions both in person and via telehealth to clients based in: DC and Virginia.

As a Licensed Graduate Social Worker, I specialize in trauma-informed therapy for tweens, teens, young adults, and LGBTQIA+ individuals who are navigating eating disorders, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, gender barriers, perfectionism, anger, and identity exploration. I believe that everyone deserves to be valued, treated with respect, to have their story honored, and to live a meaningful life. It would be a privilege to support and witness your growth and transformation. As a therapist grounded in feminism, social justice, and hope, I prioritize meeting each person where they are with consideration for their unique needs and lived experiences. I am passionate about helping patients recognize their worth and build fulfilling lives. Together, you can expect a safe and welcoming environment where you are supported as you navigate challenges while developing tools and strategies to help you make the changes you desire. My approach integrates EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), art-based interventions, psychodynamic therapy, and nervous system regulation tools, tailored to your specific needs and goals. My journey to becoming a therapist consisted of a thousand small moments. Throughout my life, I witnessed the impact of mental health challenges on those around me, and have recognized how quality mental health care can change someone's life, leading me to the firm conviction that one person believing in you can make a lasting impact. Furthermore, my own experiences of being a child with ADHD, and a teen who often felt anxious and alone, helped me develop a great depth of understanding and compassion for other youth and young adults who are suffering. Beyond the personal, my experience spans a range of mental health settings, including community mental health, a domestic violence center, an eating disorder recovery program, and an agency specializing in trauma recovery for justice-involved youth and their families. In these roles, I supported individuals navigating systemic barriers and complex life experiences. In my clinical work, I help patients process and reduce the impact of trauma-related symptoms, including anxiety, anger, perfectionism, overwhelm, hypervigilance, fears of abandonment and rejection, and low self-worth. In my practice now, I hope to offer others the kind of support I once needed, and am honored to walk alongside patients as they move toward healing and change. In my free time, I love trying new coffee shops, buying my cats too many toys, and rewatching Ted Lasso and the Jurassic Park movies. I also enjoy exploring new places, spending time in nature, and engaging in creative activities, including photography and creating art to decorate my space.

Finding the right support can be the turning point that changes everything. As a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor, my work centers on helping children, adolescents, adults, and older adults navigate anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and the emotional challenges that can make everyday life feel unmanageable. Whether you're struggling to regulate overwhelming emotions, coping with loss, or searching for a greater sense of clarity and control, I'm here to walk alongside you. Together, we'll work to build the coping strategies and emotional tools you need to feel more grounded, confident, and empowered as you move forward in your healing journey. Creating a warm, nonjudgmental space where you feel genuinely heard and understood is at the heart of everything I do, because meaningful progress begins when you feel safe enough to be yourself. That’s why sessions are always tailored to your unique experiences and goals. Drawing on a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and person-centered techniques, we'll work together to help you better understand your emotions, develop healthier coping strategies, and feel more in control of your life. Whatever you're carrying, my commitment is to meet you exactly where you are and support you with compassion and empowerment every step of the way. My path to becoming a therapist was shaped, in part, by my own lived experience with anxiety and depression. This journey gave me a firsthand understanding of how overwhelming mental health challenges can feel, and how transformative it is to have the right support in your corner. That perspective deepened my empathy and strengthened my passion for helping others navigate similar struggles. It's what drives me to show up for you with insight, genuine care, and a presence that is always open and free of judgment. Outside of the therapy room, I believe that taking care of yourself is an ongoing practice, not a destination. Reading, listening to music, and spending quality time with family and friends all help me stay connected and grounded.

My specialty is working with people with anxiety, depression, and a history of interpersonal trauma. I bring over 20 years of clinical experience, including three university counseling centers, hospitals, and community clinics, including one specialized in caring for the LGBTQ+ community, before establishing my practice in 2011. I value working with those exploring the impact of gender and race on their identity and life experiences, and those living between cultures and languages. My goal is to help you understand yourself at a deep level, own your body, and live more fully and meaningfully. Please feel free to check out my website and contact me for more details.

We are located near many colleges and univiersities in NW Washington, DC! Of note, we are very close to American University and their shuttle stops across the street from our practice. We are also across the street from The Washington College of Law. We are a short metro or bus ride from Georgetown University and The Catholic University of America. Our therapists enjoy working with college students and young professionals, and we frequently partner with students from our local colleges. If you’re interested in learning more about our therapy services for college and university students, you can find more details on our website, and our team members are always happy to answer questions. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to learn more!

Some clients arrive feeling the weight of their anxiety. Others are in the middle of a transition—navigating changes in relationships, family dynamics, or adjusting to a new diagnosis or ongoing health condition. These transition moments can bring a level of uncertainty that’s hard to tolerate and often lead to second-guessing, especially when your body or health begins to feel unpredictable or outside of your control. I also work with individuals who experience intrusive thoughts or feel caught in patterns meant to prevent something bad from happening. These thoughts can feel unsettling or even at odds with who you are—making them confusing, distressing, and difficult to talk about. For some, these experiences are connected to obsessive-compulsive patterns (often referred to as OCD), even if that’s not a term you’ve used for yourself before. There are effective, evidence-based ways to work with OCD patterns, and we can talk through what that might look like for you. At the heart of my work is the belief that therapy is a collaborative process. You should want to talk to your therapist, and from the very beginning, I focus on creating a space where you can talk openly about what’s actually on your mind. The relationship between therapist and client matters deeply. Meaningful change tends to happen when people feel understood, respected, and able to show up honestly— even when what they’re bringing to session feels messy, confusing, or hard to put into words. Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all, and no single approach works for every person or every situation. I draw from a range of approaches and tailor the work to each client’s needs, goals, and experiences. Depending on what feels most helpful, this might include building a clearer understanding of the patterns you’re caught in, exploring where those patterns come from, or finding new ways to respond to them. Across all of this, my focus is on helping you make sense of what you’re experiencing and shift the patterns that are keeping you stuck so they begin to have less of a hold on you over time.

As a black queer woman working within both for-profit and non-profit spaces for over 10 years, I became increasingly aware of the need for dedicated restorative and affirming safe spaces for BIPOC and Queer folx. Thus, at Growth Explored my intention is to curate an environment that not only allows individuals to observe their own thoughts and feelings as relates to their behavior but additionally understand how external factors such as discrimination impact response to and perceptive of life experiences. If you find yourself feeling disconnected from the things around you, lacking motivation for the things that once excited you and going through the motions; there is room for you here. Let us collaborate to develop a plan that empowers you by evoking change through tapping into your emotions. Our hope is that in this space of healing you will learn the skills you need to live a fuller and richer life.

Grounded in empathy, compassion and inclusion, Embracing Wellness is committed to providing compassionate, trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, LGBTQIA+ affirming care that empowers individuals and communities. Given the challenges of our times including COVID-19, inflation, digital overload, and social unrest, we strive to promote wellness through vulnerability, authenticity, healing, rest, community, and joy. We aim to ensure that each session is an inclusive, safe, and supportive space that takes into account your identity, personal history, and the environments and systems in which you exist. We believe that true wellness encompasses the mind, body, and spirit. Together we will develop an individualized treatment plan using evidence based interventions to enhance your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. Therapy Interventions include: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Attachment-Based, Narrative, Person-Centered, Psychodynamic, Solution Focused, and Strength-Based therapy.

Dania is a psychotherapist and art therapist working across the lifespan with children, adolescents, adults, and families. She offers a warm, collaborative, and culturally responsive space where clients can explore their experiences with curiosity, creativity, and compassion. Dania’s approach is grounded in psychodynamic and attachment-based therapy. She helps clients understand the deeper emotional and relational patterns that shape how they experience themselves, others, and the world around them. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, life transitions, or identity concerns, Dania believes that understanding where our struggles come from allows us to recognize them as they unfold in the present, and that awareness creates the opportunity for meaningful change. She views symptoms and long-standing patterns as adaptive responses that once served an important purpose, even if they now feel limiting. Together, therapy becomes a process of disentangling the past from the present, making sense of these patterns with compassion, and creating more intentional ways of relating to yourself and others. Dania is trained in the Instinctual Trauma Response (ITR) model for processing traumatic memory and integrates talk therapy with art therapy, mindfulness, expressive, and somatic approaches to meet each client’s unique needs. Working with clients across the lifespan informs Dania’s developmental lens, allowing her to see how patterns emerge, adapt, and evolve over time. Whether supporting a child, an adolescent, an adult, or a family, she believes therapy is most meaningful when it honors each person’s unique history while creating space for new ways of relating to oneself and to others.

In my therapy work, it's important that I first learn who you are, and what strengths and values you possess. We then work together to identify how patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior may be holding you back from being the best version of yourself. I use evidence-based interventions (strategies proven successful through research) within a cognitive behavioral model. My style as a therapist is warm, nonjudgmental, and active. Whether you are hoping to improve your mood, develop more meaningful relationships, or learn skills to manage emotions, I'm here to support you through the ups and downs.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I specialize in supporting women through anxiety, relationship concerns, and life transitions. The college years can bring significant emotional growth alongside uncertainty and stress. I offer a collaborative, compassionate space to explore patterns, strengthen coping skills, and develop greater self-awareness so you can make intentional decisions and feel more secure in your relationships and future.

At Just Mind Psychiatry LLC, we understand that college life can bring unique challenges as students navigate academic demands, social relationships, work, and personal responsibilities. These transitions often contribute to feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, or difficulty adjusting to change. We work with students who are seeking support to improve their mental health, manage stress effectively, and build coping skills that foster resilience and confidence. Many of the clients we serve share the desire to feel more balanced, focused, and empowered as they pursue their educational and personal goals. Our approach is professional, compassionate, and tailored to each individual’s needs. We provide a safe and supportive environment where students can address concerns openly and develop strategies that enhance both academic performance and overall well-being. At Just Mind Psychiatry LLC, our goal is to support students not only in overcoming challenges but also in achieving lasting growth and success.

Welcome! My name is Shiann and I am a Licensed Therapist (LPC, NCC) in Washington, DC. I specialize in working with college students and adults who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, and major life transitions. I also have a clinical interest in supporting BIPOC mental health and offer culturally responsive care. I help by creating a supportive, nonjudgmental space where we explore your thoughts and emotions together. I am passionate about this work because I believe everyone deserves a space to feel understood and the tools to build a more balanced, confident, and fulfilling life. If you’re ready to work through challenges and invest in your well-being, I invite you to reach out and begin your journey.