Therapists for college students near Washington, DC

Kristina sees teens, adults, couples, and families navigating: -stress -anxiety -depression -trauma -life changes and transitions -sexuality and/or gender issues -relationship challenges -pressure of the performing arts/sports worlds -acculturating and/or racial identity concerns -living with a chronic medical condition -grief Sessions take place in a warm, supportive, and non-judgmental tele-health atmosphere. Kristina: -uses compassion and kindness to cultivate the therapeutic relationship -empowers individuals to develop the skills/strategies needed to cope during challenging times -helps clients to build self-esteem while gaining personal insight -helps clients to recognize their strengths, value, and resilience -helps clients to start taking control and making positive changes in their life Kristina welcomes the opportunity to assist you on your journey, working together to relieve the challenges you face. Afterall, "emotional well-being is just as important to us as breathing is!"

I look forward to working with people who are ready to make changes in their lives and engage in the therapeutic process. Much of my sessions include discussing goal setting and thinking of various tools and techniques to achieve those goals. I utilize CBT methods, person-centered, and strengths-based approaches to help all clients realize their ability for change and understand they can achieve happiness and alleviate things like anxiety and depression.

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.

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

Compassionate Therapy Center is a counseling center specializing in providing caring therapy for individuals and couples, high achieving professionals and students, gifted and highly sensitive individuals who are coping with issues such as anxiety, sadness, self-esteem, perfectionism, family/career concerns, and relationships. We currently offer psychotherapy services for adult individuals and couples located in DC, Virginia, and abroad. At Compassionate Therapy Center, we provide a warm, compassionate, and authentic therapeutic space for clients to explore meaning, cultivate acceptance, and recognize their own unique strengths, by embracing diverse identities and advocating for social justice. We are welcoming and affirming of clients of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, and religious/spiritual beliefs.

***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.

Hi, I'm Emilee and I am glad you are here! I am an eating disorder dietitian providing compassionate and comprehensive care to individuals struggling with eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image concerns. I work with folks who experience some of the following: - Feeling tired of starting a new diet - Experiencing shame & guilt around food - Folks who are wanting a more accepting relationship with their natural body size - Are in eating disorder recovery or struggling with disordered eating - Navigating the pregnancy and the postpartum About Emilee: I live in Virginia with my husband and our sassy bulldog, Stella. My choice to enter the field of nutrition originates from my personal journey of overcoming struggles with food and my commitment to challenging and deconstructing diet culture. I have worked in various levels of care for eating disorder recovery as a dietitian and clinical director. I grew up in rural Virginia and still get excited that I live close to a Target these days. When I am not seeing clients you can find me watching BRAVO TV, reading my Kindle, and going out for sushi. Philosophy & Approach: I use a Health at Every Size® (HAES) and Intuitive Eating framework. My approach is rooted in body neutrality, prioritizing overall well-being, without a focus on weight. Rather than fixating on numbers, I encourage fostering positive connections with food. My sessions are client-centered. You know your body best therefore I am here as a supporting hand. I founded Embrace Nutrition with the purpose of individuals having a safe and non-judgmental space to develop healthier relationships with food & their natural body size. I specialize in binge eating disorder but work with all diagnosis and eating challenges. My goal in our work together is for you to feel empowered. The constant messages from diet culture are exhausting and confusing. I take time to listen & learn so I can be a partner to you in this journey Embracing one's body, nourishment, and unique journey are fundamental principles that guide my approach as an eating disorder dietitian.

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.

I believe that the overall health of a person depends on their physical, emotional, spiritual, and social wellbeing- an integrated mind & body perspective. My approach focuses on supporting you to use constructive and healthy ways to better manage challenges life sometimes presents. Through our work together, we will identify your internal strengths and build both skills and tools that will help improve your sense of self and your relationships, as well as increase your overall quality of life. I am aware of the whole person as I engage in the therapeutic process of change, healing, and growth.

Life is sometimes overwhelming and therapy can help create possibilities! I am here to support you in identifying what is making you feel stuck and work with you to become the best version of yourself. I offer a warm and compassionate place for clients to talk about their pain and feel understood. I work with college students and young adults experiencing depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, family and personal relationship difficulties, and academic or occupational stress. I draw from a variety of theoretical frameworks to meet the needs of the person I am working with. I am a LGBTQIA+ affirming and fat-positive therapist. I strive to create an inclusive and safe space for all clients. Looking for a therapist is a great first step towards healing and growing! Feel free to email me and I will then let you know my availability and next steps to setting up an intake session for us to get to know each other better. I look forward to hearing from you!

I am a clinical social worker with over a decade of experience. I practice affirming, allied, feminist therapy rooted in empowerment and strengths perspectives. I believe sleep, calories, and movement form the foundation for coping. My style of therapy is based in the knowledge that you are the best expert on your life. Your feelings may be unreliable narrators and together we will question their perspectives. I use behavioral activation, psychodynamic, and solution focused approaches to empower you to achieve your goals and tolerate your reality. I also believe that gummy peaches are the superior candy, music creates an entry to feeling, and belly laughs are as essential as hugs. I am a left-handed elder millennial. I am originally from Maine, and after years of travel, now live in rural Virginia with my husband and three young children (and giant dog).

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

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.

Welcome! I'm a client-centered, strengths-based therapist with 13 years of experience, licensed in New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia. I specialize in helping clients manage stress, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression. My approach is to create a safe, non-judgmental environment where we can build on your strengths and develop effective coping strategies. I emphasize self-awareness, self-compassion, and practical tools for mental and emotional health. Therapy is a collaborative journey, and I'm here to support you every step of the way. Thank you for considering me as your therapist. Let's work together towards your growth and healing.

Hello, Thank you for taking a moment to learn more about me. I am a licensed clinical social worker who has experience helping college students through relationship difficulties, academic challenges, as well as struggles with the overall adjustment to life as an adult. My practice is fully remote for the foreseeable future. I offer appointments Monday through Friday 8 am to 7 pm. Have a great day, Kathi Nardella

I was raised in Oregon and returned a year ago after spending decades in the Washington, DC area. My first career was in international education, where I worked as an Assistant Director in the International Services Office. I have extensive experience and interest in working with immigrants, POC and first-generation U.S. Americans. I worked in college counseling centers during my doctoral training and I continue to enjoy seeing college students in addition to people throughout the lifespan. I offer individual, couple, group and family therapy. I will meet you where you are with compassion and seek to help you manage difficult life situations, transitions, and mental health struggles so you can live more fully and joyfully. I work in an in-depth, relational way. employing curiosity, guidance, and gentle, intuitive feedback that often helps people to begin to make positive changes.

Hi there! My name is Amanda and I’m grateful for your courage in taking this step. The college years can be a very stressful time due to all of the changes and transitions happening in your life. Whether you're looking for just a few sessions or long-term therapy, I believe healing can happen with the right knowledge, hard work and laughter along the way. I use EMDR, DBT, mindfulness, and life coaching in my therapy sessions. If you've read this far, I encourage you to reach out to see if we are a good fit.

Welcome to Garden of Hearts Therapy 🌿 College and young adulthood can be exciting, overwhelming, confusing… and sometimes all three before lunch. You’re figuring out who you are, what you want, how to manage relationships, expectations, stress, and a future that may not look exactly how you imagined. At Garden of Hearts Therapy, LLC, you’ll find a warm, supportive space to talk it through without judgment or pressure to have everything figured out. My approach blends compassion, real conversation, humor when we need it, and practical tools to help you better understand yourself, navigate challenges, and grow with confidence. You don’t have to have all the answers. Sometimes you just need a safe place to plant the first seed. 🌱 Rooted in Compassion. Growing in Strength. Planting Seeds of Hope.

We are a mental health practice that specializes in providing quality therapeutic services. We strive to create a comfortable and supportive environment in which you can engage in a healing self-discovery. We provide individual, couples, and family therapy from a modern approach. Our clinicians are not only well-versed in their specialties and fields, but they are also from the same places you are from. The goal is for your mental health provider to be someone who looks like you and who does not sympathize, but can empathize with you life experiences.