Therapists for college students near Washington, DC

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?"

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.

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.

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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.

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.

Are you consumed with worry? Struggling with a life transition? Suffering a loss? Trying to manage all the things, all the time? I can help! I specialize in supporting the wellness of individuals living with anxiety, adhd, life stage change, and grief. I will partner with you as you navigate life’s nuances, build resilience, practice kindness toward yourself, and find your joy!

I'm so glad you have taken the first step to reach out for support. My name is Jessie and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in DC and Maryland. I received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia in Psychology and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. I offer individual and family therapy and work with teens and adults. In my last four years of clinical practice, I have worked with a wide range of populations and presenting problems. While I do utilize evidence-based therapeutic interventions that have demonstrated efficacy in fostering lasting change, I believe that establishing a genuine, authentic, and nonjudgmental relationship between the therapist and the client is the real key to successful therapy. I will meet you where you’re at, as every individual needs something different out of therapy. I believe that by working together, we can figure out what that will look like for you.

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

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.

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.

When people come to treatment with problems, it is important to remember that they are trying to cope with them in the best way they can. With that in mind, I offer a reflective and engaging partnership with my clients, working toward the goal of helping them to be autonomous, authentic and compassionate in a world that can be extremely stressful. Although my work is solidly grounded in psychodynamic, cognitive/learning, and systems theories, my approach is client-centered, practical and strengths-based. I bring honesty, warmth, and humor to the therapy relationship. I am LGBTQ affirmative and invested in doing cross-cultural therapy which is culturally sensitive. I have a dog, Bracket, who works with me, and I have been doing AAT since 2002. There is a growing body of research which suggests that AAT (Animal-Assisted Therapy) can be helpful with a range of diagnoses, including Depression, PTSD, and Autistic Spectrum. Many therapists know little about online games such as World of Warcraft and Second Life. They may dismiss it as unimportant, or assume it is a problem. I am a gamer-affirmative therapist, meaning I’m more interested in understanding your in-world experience and activity than pathologizing it.

I work with adults (18+) who have difficulty managing their emotions and who struggle with depression, anxiety, impulsive behavior, thoughts of suicide and self-harm, interpersonal problems, or problems functioning at work or school. I provide evidence-based treatments including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help my clients change ineffective behavioral patterns, develop more helpful ways of thinking, and accept difficult realities in order to build the lives they want. I see therapy as a collaboration between client and therapist to work towards their goals in treatment and in life. I specialize in DBT, a gold standard treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder and related problems with emotion regulation. I provide a range of DBT services for clients. I also use CBT to treat specific problems: panic, generalized anxiety, OCD, depression, and trauma. I can tailor treatment interventions to meet clients' individual needs. Through my validating and nonjudgmental style, I am committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based treatment to help you reach your most desired goals. I currently offer services including comprehensive DBT, individual therapy (DBT, CBT) and individual DBT skills coaching and consultation. Please reach out if you are interested in finding out more about therapy with me.

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.

Many people I work with describe their struggles with self-doubt, persistent worries, irrational fears, and "overthinking" tendencies, saying that they second-guess themselves and struggle to quiet their anxious thoughts. Often, these struggles are a result of past traumatic events that have shaped how the brain perceives the world. Other times, these struggles may trace back to unhelpful messaging from outside sources, which can result in learned behaviors, patterns, and ways of thinking that promote anxiety, worry, and shame. I use modalities such as EMDR, psychodynamic therapy, and CBT to support clients with these struggles. Therapy can support us to uncover and understand the impacts that traumas and other past events have on how we navigate the world. This awareness, coupled with therapeutic interventions, can support us to heal from past hardships and make changes to the learned survival techniques that are no longer serving us. Those who work with me describe me as compassionate, accepting, and interactive in my approach, and I strive to create a comfortable and judgment-free environment for my clients. I offer online scheduling, specialized, evidence-based approaches, and brief, no-cost phone consultations. I encourage you to reach out to see if working together may be a good fit!

I work with clients who may be struggling with depression, anxiety, and various mental health disorders. During our initial sessions, we'll review symptoms in depth and discuss a personalized treatment plan. My care approach is collaborative, holistic, and evidence-based. Symptom improvement is often reported by using treatment approaches such as medication, therapy, and lifestyle interventions.

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!

The Trauma-Informed Campus Collective is a clinical practice serving college students exclusively. Our work focuses on trauma-informed care with students navigating complex family systems, identity development, emotional regulation, and belonging within the college environment.

Thank you for considering working with me. I understand how important it is to have the right support during difficult times. My approach is integrative and personalized, meeting you exactly where you are. Together, we’ll create a safe and supportive space to explore what’s on your mind, while also focusing on practical steps to help you feel more like yourself again. Whether you're feeling stuck in worry, overwhelmed by racing thoughts, or struggling with self-doubt, we’ll work together to build tools that help you feel more grounded and centered in the present.