As an extrovert, my behaviors and style of communication affirm my belief in establishing rapport and creating trust with clients. I consider helping others in the area of mental health my passion and purpose.

Welcome! My name is Amy Volweider, LCSW, and I am on a mission to bring out the best in the people around me. My specialties include treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress reduction. I utilize the latest in evidence-based treatment that is uniquely tailored to each individual, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness techniques. I especially enjoy working with creatives, perfectionists, and those who struggle with self-compassion. I genuinely believe most people are doing the best they can with what they’ve got but sometimes need a little push to get to where they need to go. I’m here to give you that extra push. As our lives continue to unfold during these challenging times, I’m available to provide you with a collaborative and judgment-free zone that sets aside the time and space you need to be able to heal and grow. I’m a warm, spirited, and patient-therapist whose goal is to enable people to find more balance and joy in their lives. My approach to setting goals with clients is to collaborate and develop an individualized plan that includes ways to measure progress while staying flexible enough to pivot and update goals depending on the needs of each person and their circumstances. Clients should expect a casual and judgment-free space to begin sharing their stories with me. I'll lead with some general questions to gather background information and provide some loose structure until the client, and I find a pace that feels the most comfortable.

We are connective, social beings, and we all need support to help guide us out of the ruts in which we find ourselves. I want to empower you to harness your unique strengths, honor your values, and feel heard even if you're having trouble finding your voice. My approach respects both evidence-based and experience-based forms of wisdom. I have 10+ years of combined clinical experience and 15+ years of lived experience as a member of the LGBTQIA kink community. I have completed my Level 1 Training of Internal Family Systems (IFS). I work with couples and individual clients aged 18 and up. In addition to my training as a mental health counselor (MSEd), I hold a Doctorate of Science in Chinese Medicine (DSCM) and an acupuncture license (LAc). I also offer 1:1 coaching and professional consultations. Questions before your visit? If you go to the appointment page on my website to schedule a free curiosity call, I will be able to set aside time just for you!

I have over 10 years of providing compassionate and empowering mental healthcare. I have worked with clients to strengthen family connections, build healthy communication skills, increase emotional stability, and decrease self defeating behaviors. Outside of work, you can find me on a hike, enjoying coffee with friends, or in a meditation class.

I have been working in the helping field related to counseling for almost 20 years. In that time I have learned that the best way to help others is to be an excellent listener, to be compassionate, empathetic, and to collaborate with individuals to assist them in gaining the tools that they need to make positive change in their lives. I work hard to encourage clients that the strength for change lies within them and my job is to help them find it. I utilize a great deal of mindfulness based techniques and believe that learning the process of becoming more mindful in life can be extremely beneficial to problem solving and learning to sit with discomfort. As a counselor I do not believe that I have all of the answers or can fix anyone, however, I do believe that if the client is willing to do the work to create change in their life that I can assist them in doing so successfully. Ultimately, my goal for the counseling relationship is to assist clients in managing stress more effectively and learning skills that can be used well after the counseling relationship has terminated, in a straightforward and honest approach.

Have you hit a wall with therapy? Are you struggling to find hope? My name is Mikayla, and I've lived in and around DC for over 22 years. I provide holistic therapy for individuals with and without ketamine. My clients struggle with PTSD, suicidality, depression, anxiety, substance use, and co-occurring conditions. I also work with couples struggling to resolve and repair conflict. All are welcome here! I have experience working with people who struggle to fit in, people who use drugs, and people in non-monogamous relationships. My perspective is relational and systems-based. No part of us is separate from the rest; we are inseparable from our environments and each other. If you decide to work with me, we'll start by exploring the dynamics of your relationships and the relationship you have with yourself. We can identify and build on your strengths, manage and release the manifestations of toxic stress through the body, improve your emotional capacities, and build stronger authentic relationships. My approach weaves embodied mindfulness, liberation psychology, somatics, trauma-informed care, polyvagal theory, education, sound, and, for those who choose this route, ketamine. There is no "typical" session with me. Each person is approached as a unique being with a unique story. I have real-world experience and extensive training in multiple compatible approaches, which allows me to pull out the right tool for the right person at the right time. I maintain a laser focus on your obstacles and protective barriers while holding a lighthearted space where we are free to laugh about the absurdity of life. I reject hierarchy in therapeutic spaces and hold us as equals sharing the beauty and pain of healing in the human experience. How we work together is guided by your understanding of what you need. I believe you have the capacity to heal yourself. My role is to approach you with a delicate balance of compassion and honesty, maintain a safe and comfortable environment, witness your process, and ask the right questions.

I'm a somatic therapist who works with clients to heal trauma and manage depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. In session, I help you connect with your body and use techniques that restore your relationship with yourself. Whether it's supporting clients with chronic illness and autoimmune disorders, or recovering from childhood and religious trauma, somatic methods help you repair physically, mentally, and spiritually. Together we process pain through breathing, movement, curiosity, and expression to find a new purpose. I can help you find liberation in your change, identity, and growth journey. My therapeutic practice is rooted in liberation, decolonization, and anti-racism. I have supported people across the lifespan for over a decade. I'm trained in many treatment methods of trauma including TF-CBT and somatic therapy, and I teach graduate-level trauma courses. I am licensed in DC, MD, and VA, and I offer a free 15-minute consult call. I am a therapist who will sit with you in your pain and hold space with compassion. I will also be direct with you in times when you don’t get that elsewhere. Whatever we're tackling in session, I'm invested in you and will remind you that you have what it takes to heal. I'll be there to help you find it, use it, and discover the freedom in that healing.

Do you have ruminations that are self-critical? Do you avoid going out or joining social activities? Or maybe you become overwhelmed by anger, fear, shame, dread? Life doesn't have to be that hard. I believe that our behavior patterns are old ways of surviving difficult situations. I bring years of personal and professional experiences and training to foster a safe and collaborative relationship to be curious about your responses, update your system, so to speak, and learn and practice new skills.

Therapy is a journey that gives us the opportunity to find our genuine selves and ultimately become the best person we can be. Through therapy, profound and lasting change and growth can occur. I am a doctor of psychology as well as a licensed independent clinical social worker. I have deep expertise in working with addiction and recovery issues, alcoholism, as well as family, relationship, and couples issues. I have spent more than 20 years in the psychotherapy field. I work with adolescents and adults, in individual, family, and couple modalities. As a therapist, my approach to therapy is to meet you at your current place in life, and to support you to advance toward your objectives, work past obstacles, and attain supreme growth. I utilize various therapeutic approaches, comprising psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and strength-based techniques.

Our approach is first and foremost to offer acceptance and understanding. Our clinicians have a variety of theoretical orientations and approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, play therapy, attachment-based therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and interpersonal therapy. All of us have training and experience with a family systems approach to therapy and are able to integrate this into our work.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the complexities of life and wonder where to turn for guidance? I offer a warm, supportive, and non-judgmental space where you can safely explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. My approach is rooted in the belief that every individual is unique, and healing is a collaborative journey tailored to your specific needs. I work with clients of all ages, helping them navigate challenges and build the life they envision. In our sessions, we uncover the patterns in your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. You’ll learn how your past influences the present and how to embrace change. Whether you are dealing with mental health issues, cultural differences, challenges with motherhood, or conflicts within your family, I provide practical tools and empathetic support to strengthen connections and foster mutual understanding. Overall, my holistic and integrative approach transforms challenges into opportunities for personal growth. With each session, we cultivate a comprehensive understanding of your personal narrative, enabling you to unlock your potential and live a more authentic life. I am committed to provide guidance as you transform challenges into growth and fulfillment. We will work together to gain insight, overcome obstacles, and move forward with confidence and empowerment.

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.