I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a masters in clinical social work, based in Richmond Virginia. I work with adult clients of all backgrounds, while specializing in following areas: LGBTQ+, kink/polyamory/ethically non-monogamous relationships, sex workers, and substance use/misuse recovery and harm reduction. I am passionate about helping people feel comfortable and safe in their own skins and gain tools to manage their day to day lives. I approach therapy from a strength-based, person-centered perspective, utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and an eclectic mix of resources that best suit the individual to help further their goals. I work collaboratively with you, and you set the pace.

I believe everyone deserves a safe space to heal and grow, no matter who they are or where they come from. With over 25 years of experience, I work with teens, adults, and families - especially women navigating life's challenges. I use practical, research-backed approaches that help you understand your thoughts and feelings while building skills that actually work in real life. Whether you're dealing with worry, sadness, trouble focusing, work stress, relationship issues, or major life changes, we'll work together to strengthen not just your mental health, but your overall sense of wellbeing. My therapeutic approach is warm, culturally responsive, and honors your unique story. I use strength-based methods to empower your wellness journey, reflected in innovative programs like my stress reduction intervention featured on the Calm Health app. In our sessions, your experiences are valued and your goals guide our work together.

I am dedicated to the practice and research of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples who are struggling and interested in improving their relationships. EFT is one of the few evidence based practices for improving relationships. I have specialized expertise in treating depression along with relationship problems.

We all have challenges that hold us back and keep us from living our best life. Maybe you have been disappointed, experienced loss, trauma, or rejection. Perhaps you have struggled with divorce, anxiety, isolation, or low self-esteem. You may be going through a difficult transition. I offer a blend of tools to help you begin to feel better. I bring solid experience and research-based strategies to my work. I believe in working with each person in a way that is individualized for them and honors the way they think and feel. I strive to make everyone feel comfortable, safe and supported during our sessions. I am a cognitive behavioral therapist, but also draw from many other techniques.

It is my highest responsibility to provide a safe environment that induces my client's trust and alliance. I am on my client's journey without being judgmental. Each client is unique and each client well-being is of the uttermost importance. My client's needs and desires are highly considered. The therapy I provide allows my clients to address their concerns, fears, and issues. I assist my clients in finding ways to better communicate and to resolve issues without engaging in conflict. My client's who seek relationship counseling engage in a process that requires their active participation so that they are able to utilize coping skills, techniques, and mechanisms they can use outside of counseling. My office enables my clients to experience an environment that is safe, tranquil and serene. Clients are able to learn more about themselves, their partners, and their families.

Hello, I'm Maria, a marriage and family therapist trained to help you and your relationships thrive. Couples you are my specialty! I have advanced training to help you with any type of problem you may be facing. I have 20 years of experience in helping people heal both relationally and individually. I graduated from Virginia Tech, where there was an on-site clinic and the best training for resident students. My approach is through a systemic and attachment perspective. I specialize in marriage and couples counseling, and have advanced training in emotion focused therapy, which is recognized as one of the most effective approaches to resolving relational distress. I also work with families and individuals to help reach the goals you want for yourself so that you can achieve inner healing, process attachment wounds and learn how to live a healed and prosperous life. I am also trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy, emotions focused individual therapy, and internal family systems. I am a board-approved clinical supervisor and I help other therapists on their journey of becoming a professional, clinical therapist. I understand how difficult reaching out for help can be and how hopeless or fearful you can be. Help is here. Reach out for a free consultation to see if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!

Many people seek guidance from a therapist because they feel overwhelmed by emotional distress, or they believe they have lost an aspect of control within their life. In a safe and non-judgmental space, I work closely with my clients in order to help them rediscover empowerment, meaning, and direction in their lives. I believe a strong relationship with your therapist is essential for successful treatment. By exploring the strength of the relationship we create together, it will help you to evaluate other important relationships in your life. While this work in therapy can be challenging, this work can help elevate your mood, relieve your anxiety, and contribute to a personal sense of fulfillment. While I offer psychotherapy services to people who are experiencing a wide range of issues, I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, ADHD, relationship issues, chronic shame, trauma, and LGBTQ+ concerns. Please feel free to be in touch with me about how I might be of help to you, and so that we can schedule an initial consultation session together. My office is located in Dupont Circle.

If you’re looking for therapy, you may be feeling discouraged, misunderstood, or unsure how to repair the emotional distance that’s developed between you and your partner. Maybe you love each other deeply, but can’t seem to stop the cycle of miscommunication or conflict. I understand how painful that can feel—and I want you to know that healing and connection are possible. My work focuses on helping couples rediscover their friendship, deepen their emotional intimacy, and learn skills that allow them to navigate differences with compassion and respect. Drawing from the Gottman Method and Prepare-Enrich, I use evidence-based approaches to help you understand what’s really happening beneath your interactions and to practice new ways of communicating that bring safety, empathy, and hope back into the relationship. You’ll find my style to be warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental. Together, we’ll explore the patterns that keep you stuck, while also identifying the strengths that can move you forward. I believe therapy should be both a space for insight and for action—a place where couples can learn to listen, forgive, and rebuild a bond that reflects the best version of who they are together. All sessions are virtual telehealth, allowing for greater accessibility to therapy services, and are convenient for most people. My practice provides a confidential, compassionate space for couples and individuals seeking to strengthen their relationships and emotional well-being. Call or email to book your appointment today.

You may feel stuck, lonely, or emotionally exhausted—longing for connection, but unsure how to reach it. Maybe you've tried to fix things on your own, but the same painful patterns keep showing up. You're not alone, and things can get better. I work with individuals and couples who are navigating anxiety, relational struggles, past trauma, and major life transitions. Whether you're dealing with emotional distance in your relationship, the stress of parenting, infertility, or a history that still feels unresolved, I offer a space where you’ll feel seen, supported, and gently challenged. My approach is experiential, collaborative, and deeply respectful. We’ll work together to understand what’s driving the pain, create new ways of relating to yourself and others, and uncover possibilities for growth and healing. Clients often describe our sessions as insightful, emotionally rich, and relieving—a place where real change begins.

Therapy is a journey into a space where your feelings are welcomed and understood. Imagine a calm environment with soft light, warm air, and the gentle scent of lavender. This atmosphere provides comfort and ease, allowing you to settle more deeply into yourself. At the center is a mirror, not an ordinary mirror, but one that reflects your authentic self: vulnerable, radiant, and whole. In this supportive space, you are invited to recognize and accept all aspects of who you are, including your strengths, challenges, and areas of growth. Therapy becomes a process of healing and self-discovery, where you learn to embrace yourself with compassion and openness. With each passing moment, you feel yourself softening, embracing this mirror as it shows you who you truly are. And as you stand there, something shifts. You begin to uncover the pieces that make you whole, cherishing them, nurturing them, letting them grow. The journey of therapy is not just about healing; it is about discovering and embracing the profound beauty within you, piece by piece, moment by moment. In our first session, we will review essential consent forms and complete an intake questionnaire. This allows me to gather vital information about your unique experiences and needs, ensuring that our work together is tailored specifically to you. In subsequent sessions, we will collaboratively create a personalized plan aimed at helping you achieve your goals, fostering growth and healing every step of the way. You are not alone on this journey. I am here to support you in navigating the complexities of your life with compassion and understanding.

When we feel stuck in our lives, for weeks, or years, it can take a toll on us in ways we may not see. Time passes and we don't feel any further in our life. We're left feeling exhausted and alone in our pain. My name is Ryan, and I provide therapy for people who are looking to break free. Whether it's poor relationships, anxiety, depression, substance or process addictions, trauma, or a desire to deepen their connection with others, I help my clients find strength, flexibility, and compassion, returning themselves to the feeling of being whole. My job is to guide you through the things that have been holding you back in your life. I'm experienced in both modern and historical approaches; psychodynamic, attachment-based, internal family systems, addiction, and psychosynthesis. Regardless of the style of therapy, I specialize in creating safe holding for exploring emotional depth and healing.