Therapists for college students near Washington, DC

College can be an exciting season but also one filled with pressure, uncertainty, and big transitions. Between classes, relationships, and figuring out your next steps, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or disconnected. At Grow and Thrive Wellness Space, I help college students navigate anxiety, depression, ADHD, low self-esteem, and faith or identity questions that often come up during this stage of life. My approach is down-to-earth and supportive, I listen, help you unpack what’s really going on, and work with you to find balance, purpose, and confidence again. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Therapy is a space just for you to breathe, reset, and grow.

The clients I work best with often share a readiness to engage deeply with their own personal growth and face life's challenges head-on. They typically come from diverse backgrounds but share common experiences such as navigating life transitions, dealing with anxiety or depression, and seeking to improve their communication and relationship skills. My clients are often those who value a reflective and supportive space where they can explore their thoughts and emotions to foster healing and personal development. They appreciate a collaborative approach where they are active participants in their therapeutic journey.

My core values are faith, family, social and economic justice. My worldview is quite simple. You see, I believe that everyone has a right to be in a good place mentally physically and spiritually. I find that I have evolved into a change agent - which is a natural profession for a social worker. The same steps that I have taken to secure my life, mentally physically and emotionally, are the very same steps I am willing to assist my patients/clients in taking. My specialties lie in my abilities to move a person or a family from a place of dysfunction to functionality. I strive to improve the quality of life those whom I counsel. My theoretical framework a solution focused, interwoven with resiliency theory, using a strength-based approach. I am just a chat away if you need me – 'how may I help you?"

Lime Counseling is passionate about providing an accepting, welcoming, and supportive space for you to be able to talk through whatever stressor is troubling you at this time. The practice focuses on anxiety, OCD, trauma, abuse, life adjustments, stress, and LGBTQ+ specialties. I'm also happy to talk with you about any other area of concern you may not specifically see listed here. Please reach out to discuss further.

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.

Dwayne Phillips-McNamee is a Licensed Social Worker who works to provide a culturally sensitive, inclusive, equitable internal and external space for all clients regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious background, or any other factor. Dwayne works with adult individuals surrounding a variety of issues, including issues related to race and ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender identity, and relationships. He is particularly interested in working with black adults, those in and around the LGBTQ+ community, and those navigating issues related to building and maintaining relationships. Dwayne utilizes a variety of techniques informed by Relational-Cultural Therapy such as Motivational Interviewing, Family Therapy, EMDR, and influences of CBT/DBT and more. Dwayne is licensed to practice in Washington, DC. Through this work, Dwayne has learned that through discussion and emotional exploration, most issues can be resolved.

I am a board certified psychiatric mental health and family nurse practitioner with over 20 years’ experience in the medical field. I have worked in a variety of settings including dual diagnosis substance use, residential treatment centers, psychiatric hospital, general mental health and medical units. My heart and passion are in caring for others and assisting my patients achieve their full potential through health and wellness. Being an attentive listener, paired with empathy and kindness allows me to build a therapeutic alliance with my clients. I specialize in anxiety, depression, ADHD, insomnia, bipolar, PTSD among other mental health disorders coupled with talk therapy.

Have you been struggling to understand your emotions, cope with changes or reduce depression, anxiety or guilt? Through encouragement and empowerment, we will work to reduce and heal the challenges you face. Having supported a wide variety of clients, I am passionate about working with both men and women to find and maintain freedom from their eating and co-occurring disorders by gently confronting barriers, building on strengths and challenging unhelpful relational and thought patterns. It is never too late to seek help and make change. Together we will help you not only cope with, but recovery from, your eating disorder, understand your emotions, reconnect with your values, and meet the goals you create for yourself. I've worked in various levels of care from inpatient to PHP eating disorder and general mental health programs. No feeling or problem is too big for us to face together. I am also offering clinical supervision to prelicensed professionals in PA and Washington DC who are in, or looking to work in, the eating disorder field. Because I started my career in DC, I have experience supporting those in various government agencies and branches of military.

Therapy isn't about having all the answers—it's about creating the space to better understand yourself, navigate life's challenges, and move forward with intention. At The Boylan Effect, I work with young adults, adults, couples, and families experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, burnout, relationship challenges, grief, identity exploration, and major life transitions. Many of the clients I work with also want to improve communication, establish healthier boundaries, and build stronger, more fulfilling relationships. My approach integrates evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, DBT-informed interventions, somatic techniques, and trauma-informed care. Together, we'll develop practical coping skills, strengthen emotional resilience, improve communication, establish healthy boundaries, and create meaningful, lasting change. In addition to individual, couples, and family therapy, I also offer psychoeducational and process groups that provide opportunities for connection, shared learning, and personal growth.

You’re seeking to understand your past, reduce worries about the future, live authentically, AND hold onto your culture and values. You’re looking for someone who gets it from experience, someone you don’t have to count on to learn about your identity from the outside. Your culture, experiences, and even religion can impact your mental health, but can also help you heal. It’s a perfected dance in between all these identities and you walked the line delicately balanced until now. You’re not sure how to do it anymore without sacrificing yourself. You’re done feeling stuck, stagnant, and alone in trying to handle your struggles, so you’re ready to make some serious change that you know might rock the boat. It’s possible to have a therapist who understands who you are, what you need, and how to help you change your life in a way that doesn’t compromise any of this. You’re trying to balance your multiple identities and you want to understand how they can exist in harmony. You don’t want your culture overlooked in therapy. After all, your culture impacts everything - your thoughts, your feelings, your upbringing, your family interactions, and your worldview. Let’s explore your culture, upbringing, and identities to understand how they formed who you are, your worldview, and concerns. You are more than your problems and context matters! I support adult children of immigrants navigating anxiety & balancing culture and relationships.

Kate D'Amica Hostetter is passionate about working with both men and women to find freedom from their eating disorder and life challenges by gently confronting barriers, building on strengths and challenging unhelpful relational and thought patterns. Making lasting, impactful change is possible for everyone and Kate supports her clients on their journey through empathy and empowerment. She additionally enjoys helping clients build healthier, more fulfilling relationships through couples counseling. Kate received her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from George Washington University. Having worked in various levels of care from inpatient to PHP programs specializing in eating disorder and mental health treatment, Kate has provided counseling and support to those seeking recovery from all types of eating and mood disorders. She is excited to have recently begun working towards her Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) Certification under the supervision of Dr. Deb Michel, PhD CED-S.

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Offering exceptional mental health services to support your wellbeing and create meaningful change for you! Individualized, remote therapy to best meet your needs and schedule. Specialize in Trauma, Addiction, Anxiety, Depression, Adjustment Challenges, Personality Disorders, and ADHD.

Seeking therapy is often part of a painful journey. Things a person did on their own for their mental health & to connect with others have not worked. Sadness & fear interferes with their work & relationships. For some people seeking therapy, alcohol & drugs provide temporary relief from suffering; however, those behaviors sometimes cause further damage. It’s hard for them to accept compliments & they feel uncomfortable in their own skin, even after achieving things that are supposed to be fulfilling. They meet interesting, loving people, & they find it very hard to get close to them, leading to more isolation. I offer an opportunity for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, & past – to plan for things to be different in the future. I create a healing relationship with my clients, a refuge of clinically-sound & heart-driven support. Experience has taught me that people are much more than their symptoms – they are human beings dealing with human problems. If you’ve decided to try therapy, then I’m ready to work with you. In addition to working with people struggling with mental health & relationships, I am passionate about providing "outside help" to members of AA, DDA, NA, SMART Recovery, & other programs. Please call me today so we can schedule our first session and get you on the road to feeling better.

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

Life Transition Coaching & Counseling: Life is full of changes—personal challenges, relational shifts, career moves, health concerns, or major transitions such as graduating, getting married, parenting, becoming an empty nester, or retiring. Though it may bring some excitement and hope, these changes can also feel uncertain and overwhelming. Transitions aren’t just events; they are internal processes. While challenging, they can also be powerful turning points. They offer an opportunity to deepen self-awareness, build resilience, and reconnect with your sense of purpose. With the right support, you can do more than just get through these moments—you can be empowered and grow through them. Having a clinically informed, experienced professional by your side can make all the difference as you step into what’s next with greater clarity and confidence.

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.

Hi, I'm Simran, and I work with college students and young adults who are navigating the challenges that come with this stage of life. College can bring a lot of change, pressure, and uncertainty, and sometimes it helps to have a space where you can talk openly and feel supported. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, overthinking, relationship concerns, stress, self-esteem, life transitions, or feeling stuck, therapy can help you better understand yourself and develop tools to handle life's challenges. My approach is warm, collaborative, and down-to-earth. I strive to create a space where you feel comfortable being yourself and where we can work together toward your goals. You don't need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. If you're looking for support, insight, or a place to process what you're going through, I'd be happy to work with you.

I strongly believe in building a collaborative relationship with my clients in helping them overcome their personal struggles. As a clinical psychologist, I strive to create a safe and warm environment that is compassionate, person-centered, and promotes a person's unique individual strengths. I prescribe to an integrative approach to therapy that includes elements of cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, person-centered, interpersonal, and strength-based approaches. More importantly, my approaches are tailored to the specific needs of individuals to help them achieve balance in their lives and overcome their struggles. My specialties include working with children, adolescents, and young adults dealing with anxiety, trauma, adjustment, grief, depression, and other mood disorders. I have a particular interest working with young adults who are experiencing difficulty adjusting with life transitions that often accompany emerging adulthood. Also, I have specialized training in complex trauma and trauma-focused interventions. My experience includes working extensively with diverse patient populations in a variety of settings including, hospitals, schools, outpatient clinics, and private practice. I am credentialed as a national registered Health Service Psychologist and a member of the Virginia Academy of Clinical Psychologists, Northern Virginia Clinical Psychologists, and the American Psychological Association.