My communication style is calm and personable. I create a warm environment where clients can feel comfortable expressing themselves and feel supported and encouraged.

Lisa Smith, LCSW. I offer a safe familiarity to open possibilities to life's issues. I am practical yet push a shared agenda to fray the stuck, transitional or chronic issue. I work with PTSD, SUD, process addictions, end of life, disassociation, depression and LGBTQIA+ to make it normal for you to be on your path. I practice Problem Solving, Cognitive Behavioral, Internal Family Systems, complementary alternative medicine, harm reduction and integration for support psychedelics. I will introduce what is key features in these paradigms until we find what resonates with you. You showing up in a therapeutic milieu is an exciting step. We will work for you to feel better from our first session together. We will have an agreed upon take away for you to consider in between sessions. Your commitment to yourself will grow outside of the time we spend together. I enjoy the entrenched over thinker. I invite you to find wiggle room in the super powers of ADHD. I enjoy the mature client who is carrying a medicine bag of life's tools and needs confidence to practice. All clients who are ready to prioritize and coordinate finding their "self" is an appreciated persona. I am unapologetic to offer harm reduction and integration for psychedelic medicines. Many are trying to follow the science of these illegal substances and I want to offer a space for discussion of harm reduction and integration. Being heard in a safe, nonjudgmental space gives you a stable platform for guided healing. My voice is warm and direct. I have 30 years experience of walking through our shadow selves. Selves we can reconnect with love, humor and grace. I was raised in a family of privilege with a strong sense of right and wrong. Foibles, depression, and anxiety were sources of blame and shame. Negative voices of other people's failure were normal. Support came at a cost of guilt at weakness. I discovered being supported and making small steps keep a little thing from lingering and growing. I am especially encouraged by the alternative therapies emerging. I feel antidepressants and mood stabilizers are not effective for everyone. I want to give access and information for individuals and couples to enjoy life. Goals are easy to set because they represent what brought you to therapy. At the end of each session, we make a list of what the week will look like working towards your goal. The first session is to get to know you and start a dialogue. It's the start of therapy and there will be suggestions for you to try to feel better.

I believe that the best way to help you is to listen to the changes that you would like to make, and develop a treatment plan specific to your concerns and your personality. In many cases, no one therapeutic approach fits every one or every issue, so my goal is to make a you feel comfortable and understand more about your personal journey. The decision to pursue therapy can be difficult for many people, but it indicates that you want to change or improve certain aspects of your life, creating stronger relationships, a higher level of self-confidence, more focus and direction and many other areas for improvement.

I work with clients experiencing a broad range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma related difficulties, and substance use issues. First and foremost, I believe that you are the most expert person about you. My role is to help you create a plan to reach your goals. I am integrative in my approach, drawing from several evidence-based modalities depending on individual needs and goals. I also believe that there can be therapeutic value in humor during the hard work of therapy. You can visit my website to learn more by clicking on the link.

Life can be very confusing. When a person walks into a therapy room for the first time, they are often emotionally bruised and looking for some clarity about their world and their own responses to events and circumstances. It is a privilege for me as a therapist to help the people I work with to make sense of it all. I help my clients learn to listen to themselves with respect, compassion, and curiosity. People can develop this courageous curiosity when they learn to have faith that whatever they find out about themselves makes sense and is coming from a decent place. It is often difficult to cultivate the habit of validating one's own thoughts and feelings (especially if one has long experience of doing the opposite), but it is extremely rewarding as the changes begin to be noticeable.

Welcome to the TrueYou Center, where you can find the support you need to overcome the obstacles in your life. Seeking help takes courage and strength, and our therapists are here to guide you through the process. They understand the importance of exploring your emotions, fears, and challenges, and are committed to helping you create a better future. At the TrueYou Center, our experienced therapists specialize in Couples Therapy, Individual Therapy, Family Therapy, and Trauma Therapy. By utilizing effective psychotherapy techniques, they help patients gain self-understanding and adopt healthier attitudes towards life situations. Through making these small but powerful changes, you can experience life-altering results. All of our services are rooted in evidence-based treatments, providing our patients with the most effective care possible. We offer a range of support options to ensure we can meet your unique goals. Our team is dedicated to equipping you with the necessary tools to navigate life's challenges. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us and schedule a session. Visit our website at trueyoucenter.com for further information. We look forward to supporting you on your journey towards a fulfilling and happier life.

I love doing therapy, because I believe it works, even when people have experienced long and difficult struggles. I love solving the new "puzzle" that each new person brings, and believe that solving that puzzle together makes us both feel hopeful and energized. People from all generations, personal situations, and walks of life are welcome in my office. I listen a lot, and I'm non-directive, but far from silent. I will provide as much structure as you need to feel comfortable, but try to stay out of your way as you develop your own insights and action plans. Building trust and rapport is important, and I will work hard to understand what you need to do that. We'll work together to stabilize distressing emotions and solve immediate real problems that are creating a crisis, then collaborate on longer-term goals to understand causes and old patterns so that new strengths and strategies can grow.

As a clinical psychologist offering evening telehealth therapy sessions, my approach to helping individuals and couples facing marital problems, sexual addiction issues, or individual mental health challenges is grounded in evidence-based practices and a deep understanding of each client’s unique experiences. I primarily utilize cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) while integrating insights into family of origin issues to foster healing, growth, and lasting change. Core Principles of My Approach 1. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a Foundation CBT is a structured, goal-oriented approach that helps clients identify and modify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. For those struggling with marital problems, I guide couples to recognize distorted thinking—such as all-or-nothing assumptions about their partner—and replace these with balanced perspectives to improve communication and emotional connection. For individuals with sexual addiction, CBT helps address triggers, restructure compulsive thought patterns, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Similarly, for those facing mental health challenges like anxiety or depression, CBT empowers clients to challenge negative self-beliefs and build resilience through practical strategies. 2. Exploring Family of Origin Issues Many struggles in relationships or personal mental health stem from patterns learned in childhood. By exploring family of origin dynamics, I help clients uncover how early experiences with caregivers or significant life events shape their current behaviors and relationships. For example, a client with marital issues may discover that unresolved attachment patterns from their family influence their interactions with their spouse. For those with sexual addiction, understanding family dynamics can reveal underlying emotional needs or traumas driving compulsive behaviors. This insight allows us to address root causes, not just symptoms, fostering deeper self-awareness and healing. 3. Tailored, Compassionate Telehealth Sessions Offering evening telehealth sessions ensures accessibility for clients with busy schedules or those who prefer the comfort of their own space. My approach is collaborative and empathetic, creating a safe, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard and understood. Whether working with couples to rebuild trust, guiding individuals through addiction recovery, or supporting mental health challenges, I tailor interventions to each client’s needs, drawing on CBT techniques and family of origin exploration to promote meaningful progress. 4. Holistic and Practical Focus My goal is to empower clients with practical tools they can apply outside of sessions. For couples, this might include communication exercises or conflict-resolution strategies. For those with sexual addiction, I provide relapse prevention plans and mindfulness techniques. For individual mental health struggles, I teach coping skills like cognitive restructuring or relaxation techniques. By addressing both present challenges and historical influences, I help clients build a stronger foundation for long-term well-being. Why This Approach Works: By combining CBT’s evidence-based structure with an exploration of family of origin issues, I address both the immediate symptoms and the deeper roots of clients’ struggles. Evening telehealth sessions make therapy accessible and convenient, ensuring clients can prioritize their mental health and relationships. My approach is not about quick fixes, but about equipping clients with the insight, skills, and resilience to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and clarity.

Navigating relationships, whether they are fresh or longstanding, can be riddled with pain, resentment, and miscommunication. This often results in a pervasive sense of exhaustion, with the weight of responsibility making us question whether the fulfilling relationships we desire are within reach. Confronted by a series of challenges, it can feel like there's an unspoken tension in every interaction, creating an elephant in the room despite our best intentions. The emotional toll of life stress, societal expectations, and familial pressures affects both couples and singles alike. However, it doesn't have to remain this way. Relationships possess the potential to heal and flourish if that is your objective. Discovering avenues to communicate without conflict, addressing difficulties without escalating tension, and fostering laughter, smiles, and romance are pivotal in transforming the dynamics. Rekindling the warmth in a strained relationship or emerging stronger and happier after a breakup involves simple yet effective strategies. Everyone deserves to experience respect, care, understanding, and love, forging genuine connections on a profound level. Whether you are seeking new relationships or striving to salvage an existing one, I am here to support you. My expertise lies in working with Artists, Creatives, High Performers, and individuals in the Media industry, understanding the unique challenges they face. I am passionate about assisting both couples and individuals in therapy to enrich their lives. My availability and flexibility in scheduling allow us to collaborate according to your needs and timetable. Our boutique practice thrives on tailoring treatments specifically for you, proving highly successful in resolving a multitude of relationship issues through evidence-based practices. For your convenience and safety, all sessions are conducted via Telehealth on a secure platform. I am a licensed therapist providing services to clients in DC, VA, MD, and CA. Feel free to reach out with any questions or to schedule a free consultation. Let's work together to make daily improvements and cultivate the fulfilling relationships you deserve.

Our world continues to change, with its weight sometimes growing overwhelming and crushing. You are not alone. Together we’ll explore your feelings & thoughts while comprehending patterns in your history and life experience that have shaped you up to this moment. We’ll find a new space that feels more authentic, free, and connected through this work. We’ll manage and reduce your feelings of anxiety, depression, and other distressing thoughts. It is never too late to take control and redefine yourself in a controlled, safe, and open place. Whether this is your first time or you've decided to return to therapy, this is a strong data-backed investment into yourself and your future. You’ve already taken the first step by searching for a therapist. While reaching out to me can be difficult and anxiety-provoking, it can also empower, potentially defining the next chapter of your life. After advanced psychoanalysis training in NYC, I moved to Washington, DC, where I've lived and worked for over eight years with a broad and diverse variety of patients just like you. Together we'll create a space in which you’re fully heard and seen, where we start the process of uncovering exactly how you show up in your life. Thank you for taking the time.

Virginia Murrey is a licensed professional clinical mental health counselor (LPCMH) and the founder of Progressive Perspective Counseling, LLC, and is a nationally certified counselor (NCC), with extensive experience in providing therapeutic support to individuals, families, and groups. Specializing in issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and domestic violence, Virginia offers a compassionate, client-centered approach tailored to each person’s unique needs. Her practice is grounded in empathy, respect, and a deep commitment to empowering clients as they navigate life’s challenges, set meaningful goals, and build lasting resilience. Virginia is dedicated to honoring each client’s personal journey toward healing, growth, and self-discovery. In addition to her clinical work, she is the author of The Completion of Self: A Book of Healing, which reflects her philosophy on personal transformation and emotional well-being.

Feeling stuck in your relationship? Grieving a loss that others don’t seem to understand? Or struggling with anxiety that’s quietly hijacking your day-to-day life? You don’t have to face it alone. I help individuals and couples navigate anxiety, grief, and relationship conflict with compassion, clarity, and direction. My approach is rooted in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and systems-based counseling, which means I don’t just look at symptoms, I help you identify strengths, shift patterns, and build new ways forward. Whether you're in the middle of a crisis or just feeling numb and disconnected, therapy can be a space to reset. I use evidence-based techniques, paired with a healthy dose of empathy and occasional humor, to help clients feel both seen and supported. I believe healing happens when we feel safe enough to be real, and I create an environment that allows just that. Clients often come to me when they’re overwhelmed by relationship tension, family challenges, personal loss, or internal pressure to "keep it all together." Together, let's explore what’s working, what’s not, and what new choices are available to you. I’m licensed in Maryland, Virginia, Florida, and Connecticut, and I offer virtual therapy for busy professionals and couples who want expert support without commuting or rearranging their lives. If you’re ready to move from surviving to thriving, whether in your relationship, your grief, or your inner world, let’s work together to build connection, clarity, and healing. Book a free consultation or visit my website to learn more.