Therapists for college students near Washington, DC

Hello, I’m Marsha Charlton, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, PMH-C (PSI), a board-certified Family and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I am passionate about supporting college students as they navigate the unique challenges of academic life and personal growth. With extensive experience in both primary care and mental health, I provide comprehensive medication management and supportive psychotherapy tailored to the needs of young adults. I also hold advanced certification in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International. This credential reflects specialized training in the assessment and treatment of mental health conditions during pregnancy and the postpartum period, including mood and anxiety disorders, trauma-related concerns, and adjustment challenges. In my practice, I integrate this expertise through evidence-based screening, thoughtful medication management during pregnancy and lactation, and psychotherapy approaches designed to support individuals during the transition to parenthood. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and evidence-based. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where patients feel heard, supported, and empowered to achieve their mental health goals.

Don’t let struggles with anxiety, depression, and/or self-discovery affect your quality of life. As a solutions-driven therapist, I work with teenagers and adults, taking the time to get to know you and your world, which will inform the work we do together. My goal is to help understand and disempower your anxiety or depression, navigate grief, or guide you to discover your authentic self. The solution isn't one size fits all, and we will find it together. Above all, I believe in the dignity and worth in a person, allowing me to be your comforting partner in care. I look forward to getting to know you in our work together. You deserve a therapist who is passionate about guiding you to live authentically. I strive to do just that, in a compassionate environment where you can always expect to be treated with respect and kindness. My style is warm, conversational, and grounded in curiosity, positivity, and respect while remaining flexible to your unique needs. This flexibility extends to my integrated therapeutic approach, which may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectal Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and narrative therapies to help you build tools to navigate your day to day and embrace your life story. I’ve always been drawn to developing personal and professional growth. In my business life, I’ve been a coach, a marketer, a salesperson, a communications expert, and a professional experience developer. This mix of skills is evident in my work with patients now, where I bring a creative and human perspective to each session. When I’m not in the office, I’m out and about, exploring my great city and traveling. I also enjoy yoga, dining in and out, and long walks with my adorable pup.

As a Licensed Graduate Social Worker, I provide affirming, person-centered support to help you navigate whatever you're facing, whether that's a major life transition, relationship challenges, identity exploration, or simply a desire to grow and better understand yourself. My work centers on LGBTQIA+ individuals, young adults and life changes, and anyone exploring identity, relationships, self-fulfillment, and personal growth. Additionally, I have a deep personal and professional interest in reproductive mental health and perinatal wellbeing, supporting those facing infertility, fertility treatment, and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), including IVF and IUI. I work with LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples on family-building paths such as donor conception, sperm or egg donation, gestational carriers, and third-party reproduction. Whether you're weighing donor options, navigating the emotional landscape of pregnancy and postpartum, or learning to advocate for yourself within the fertility clinic system, I offer informed, compassionate support every step of the way. No matter who you are or what you’re experiencing, my approach is collaborative and tailored to you, meeting you where you are and walking alongside you. At the heart of my work is a genuine commitment to making you feel truly seen. I believe that the most meaningful therapeutic work happens when you feel safe enough to be honest, so I prioritize creating a space that is nonjudgmental, warm, and unhurried from the very first session. Working together, we’ll use collaborative exploration, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and strengths-based techniques to help you reconnect with your values and move through life's most challenging moments with greater clarity. Because no two people – and no two journeys – are exactly alike, my approach is tailored to your unique story, goals, and pace, in an environment that is safe, affirming, and entirely yours. Therapy is your time, which is why I vow to always show up to each session ready to meet you exactly where you are. My path to becoming a therapist began at the St. Louis City Courthouse, where I had the privilege of supporting survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence. That experience showed me, in vivid and lasting terms, how community resources, advocacy, and therapeutic care can genuinely change the course of someone's life. I went on to spend several years in Washington, D.C., working in international development and political advocacy. That work deepened my understanding of how the world's larger systems shape each of us at a profoundly personal level, a perspective I carry into every therapeutic relationship. As a queer person who has navigated complex systems, policies, and family-building pathways in the U.S., I bring both personal and professional insight to this work. I understand that these experiences are not just logistical; they are deeply emotional, and they deserve thoughtful, informed support. When I'm not in session, you'll find me exploring new destinations, experimenting with recipes in the kitchen, or hosting friends around the table. I also enjoy crafting, getting lost in a good book, and keeping up with my Pilates practice.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor licensed in Washington, DC and Iowa, my work centers on helping people of all ages work through depression, anxiety, and trauma with compassion and purpose. At the heart of my practice is Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, a gentle, evidence-based approach that invites you to explore the different "parts" of yourself with curiosity rather than judgment. Whether you're navigating anxiety, processing trauma, working through relationship challenges, or simply trying to understand yourself more deeply, IFS offers a path to healing that honors every aspect of your inner world. Authenticity, collaboration, and empowerment guide everything we do together. My commitment is to you feeling seen, heard, and respected throughout your care through an approach that emphasizes empathy, respect for autonomy, and the importance of building trusting therapeutic relationships. In our sessions, you'll learn to recognize and un-blend from the parts of yourself that may be reactive, avoidant, or self-critical, and gently reconnect with your core Self: the calm, confident center that already lives within you. This work isn't about fixing you; it's about helping you come home to yourself while gently guiding you toward greater clarity, balance, and Self-leadership. To support that journey, I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and trauma-informed care alongside Internal Family Systems (IFS), providing tools for deeper emotional regulation and lasting personal growth. Our work together will be shaped by your unique needs and goals, always within a safe, nonjudgmental space where you are met with warmth, respect, and genuine care. Many patients describe our sessions as insightful and collaborative, and that is exactly the experience I strive to create for you. Originally from Haiti, I immigrated to the United States at age nine and grew up in Queens, New York. The experience of navigating a new country, culture, and language shaped who I am and how I show up for the people I work with. Fluent in Haitian Creole, I bring a culturally responsive lens to every session, informed by my own lived understanding of childhood trauma, xenophobia, and the complex challenges of acculturation. This background also fuels my commitment to creating a therapeutic space that is truly inclusive and supportive, one where patients from all walks of life can explore their experiences, build resilience, and move toward healing with confidence. A love of animals has always been part of who I am. Volunteering with the Humane Society Wildlife in Miami was a meaningful way to extend that care beyond the therapy room. Outside of work, I find joy in time spent with family and with my six-year-old pocket bully, who brings plenty of personality and laughter to everyday life.

I help individuals enhance their mental health. My approach is based on the premise that nutrition, physical activity, and how we recover are foundational to our well-being. We will optimize your life with thoughtful prescriptions, psychotherapy, nutritional and supplement counseling, and prescriptive exercise.

My specialty is working with people with anxiety, depression, and a history of interpersonal trauma. I bring over 20 years of clinical experience, including three university counseling centers, hospitals, and community clinics, including one specialized in caring for the LGBTQ+ community, before establishing my practice in 2011. I value working with those exploring the impact of gender and race on their identity and life experiences, and those living between cultures and languages. My goal is to help you understand yourself at a deep level, own your body, and live more fully and meaningfully. Please feel free to check out my website and contact me for more details.

Sydney works from an attachment perspective, helping clients to better understand themselves and their relationships. She combines insight-oriented approaches with CBT/DBT skills, and has expertise in anxiety and depression, life transitions, family of origin conflict, identity development, body image, self-esteem and relationships, including non-monogamy. Areas of specialization Anxiety Depression Relationships, including non-monogamy Family of origin conflict Life transitions Identity development Body image and self-esteem I help clients to create change through a better understanding of themselves and their relationships. You may be feeling dissatisfied or uncertain, disconnected from others or lacking a sense of control over your emotions or life choices, but I believe that you already have the ability and determination to help yourself. I work to draw out that ability through a combination of insight-expanding exploration and teaching specific tools to help you overcome challenges, all while utilizing my training to call out patterns and behaviors that may be getting in your way. I work from an attachment perspective, and strive to develop a strong therapeutic relationship that can help you to better understand and improve your relationships with family, romantic partners and friends. I aim to create an environment that feels safe, accepting, validating and empowering, and for you to feel happier, more stable and more autonomous through our work together. I have expertise in anxiety and depression, life transitions, family of origin conflict, identity development, body image, self-esteem and relationships, including clients established in or considering opening their relationships to non-monogamy. I have extensive training in psychodynamic and relational therapies, as well as skill-based approaches such as CBT and DBT. I work with college students, young adults and established professionals, including those contemplating retirement. I am actively affirming and welcoming to individuals of all gender identities, ethnicities, sexual orientations and religions. In particular, I have experience working with LGBTQ+ clients, individuals of various faith traditions, and those exploring or established in non-monogamy. Licensed Clinical Psychologist PsyD in Clinical Psychology Offering sessions both in person and via telehealth to clients based in: DC, Virginia, and all 40+ PSYPACT participating states.

Ashley’s approach emphasizes the use of specific tools and strategies to help adolescents and adults reduce distress, develop more flexible thinking, feel more connected in relationships, and address tendencies towards perfectionism and rigidity. She has a warm, collaborative and empowering therapeutic style, with expertise in anxiety, depression, relationships, life transitions, work/life balance, perfectionism and eating disorders. Areas of specialization: -Stress and anxiety -Relationships and connection -Work-life balance -Life transitions -Self-esteem -Disordered eating -EMDR treatment I help clients who may be feeling anxious, overwhelmed, disconnected or stuck to bring about lasting change and peace of mind. I work particularly well with clients who are struggling to build meaningful connections with others, as well as those navigating the balance between pursuing success and paralyzing perfectionism. My approach is warm, empathic, collaborative and non-judgmental; I aim for you to feel understood and empowered in session, and to carry those feelings into your broader life. I have extensive training in skill-based techniques, drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), radically open dialectical behavioral therapy (RO DBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), and insight-oriented therapies. I also offer Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) through extended sessions. My training allows me to craft a treatment strategy that meets your unique needs and provides you with the tools to increase your self-awareness, sense of control over your feelings, and satisfaction with your life, relationships and choices. I specialize in working with teens, college students, and young adults through experienced professionals, including those with demanding jobs who would like to increase their sense of connection to their families. I have particular expertise in anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, social connectedness, grief, life transitions, perfectionism and disordered eating, with a focus on helping clients to remain present and resilient in response to day-to-day demands. I also have extensive experience training other clinicians, having supervised the clinical work of doctoral level therapists at George Mason University and Potomac Behavioral Solutions. I work with clients via telehleath and welcome and am actively affirming of all sexualities, gender identities, and cultural backgrounds. Licensed Clinical Psychologist PsyD in Clinical Psychology Offering sessions via telehealth to clients based in: DC, Maryland, Virginia and all 40+ PSYPACT participating states.

As a Licensed Graduate Social Worker, I specialize in stress, anxiety, and burnout for adults navigating life transitions and everyday pressures. I am dedicated to helping you uncover the strengths you need to move through life's core stressors with resilience, building the tools that help you show up as your most grounded and authentic self. My areas of focus include stress and anxiety management, and supporting you through the many transitions life brings. I approach every patient with compassion, curiosity, and respect, showing up as a collaborative partner in your healing process. I look forward to helping you build the confidence to navigate life with greater balance and clarity. Healing looks different for everyone, and I believe the most meaningful progress happens when you feel truly seen and supported. My approach is holistic, trauma-informed, and rooted in collaboration, because you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to help you access the wisdom and strengths already within you. In our work together, I draw on Mindfulness-based and strength-based practices to help you build a steady foundation beneath your feet. Sessions are warm and nonjudgmental, creating the kind of space where honest reflection feels possible. From there, we explore what balance, clarity, and resilience can look like for you specifically — because no two journeys are the same, and your care should reflect that. My path to becoming a therapist began with my own journey of unlearning and relearning how to prioritize my well-being during major life stressors. These experiences sparked a deep passion for helping others reconnect with themselves and reclaim their needs through a mindful, holistic lens. Now, I bring a collaborative spirit to every session, working with you as a true team and moving together toward your growth, healing, and sense of self. Outside the therapy space, I stay active by training for triathlons – swimming, biking, and running. I also love traveling to new destinations and discovering great restaurants along the way.

Visit my website below for additional available therapists. Welcome! I am a psychotherapist/Clinical Social Worker and have been in practice for 17 years. I received my Master of Social Work degree from The Ohio State University. I believe that everyone deserves someone to talk to who is non-judgmental or biased. You are the expert on you! I am here to work as a team with you to establish and meet your goals. Together we can create change and improve your symptoms. I have experience working with individuals who are having difficulty adjusting to new life situations/transitions, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and grief/loss.

Healing begins with feeling truly seen, heard, and understood. As a bilingual (English/Spanish) Mental Health Clinician, I provide a compassionate, judgment-free space where you can explore life's challenges and reconnect with your authentic self. I work with adolescents, adults, couples, and families facing anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, relationship challenges, self-esteem concerns, grief, life transitions, ADHD, OCD, anger management, substance use, parenting concerns, and more. My approach is personalized, integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Couples Therapy, Play Therapy, Art Therapy, and Music Therapy.  You don't have to have it all figured out to begin. Wherever you are in your journey, I'm here to help you build resilience, find balance, and create meaningful, lasting change—one step at a time.  My passion for this work is deeply personal. Having navigated my own mental health journey, I understand the courage it takes to ask for help and the hope that healing can bring. That lived experience, combined with evidence-based clinical training, allows me to meet each client with empathy, authenticity, and genuine compassion.  Outside of the therapy room, I believe that taking care of yourself is an ongoing practice, not a destination. Reading, listening to music, and spending quality time with family and friends all help me stay connected and grounded.

RD Emily & Team is a group nutrition practice in the DC Metro area. We specialize in the treatment of eating disorders and managing chronic conditions. We use a non-diet approach and the Health At Every Size (HAES®) model to help clients develop eating patterns that work for them and promote health, without focusing on size and weight. Learn more by visiting our website at http://www.rdemily.com.

My website is the best way to learn about me and how I work. My website is at www.lisakays.com. You may also complete my inquiry form on my website to learn more about my practice and so that I can determine if my practice is a good fit in terms of your scheduling and treatment needs. If you're not sure, please ask!

Sharon combines solutions-focused and insight-oriented approaches. She strives for clients to feel heard and supported as they develop a sense of personal agency and self acceptance. Sharon specializes in anxiety, depression, infertility and perinatal concerns, family and relationships, life transitions, somatic concerns/chronic illness, and work/life stress. Areas of specialization: -Anxiety -Depression -Infertility and perinatal concerns -Life transitions -Stress and work-life balance -Family and relationships I help clients who are feeling overwhelmed, stressed or depleted to make sense of their struggles and create an actionable, accessible plan for change. My approach combines tactical skill building with broader insight, helping you to develop more clearly defined personal goals and boundaries, and an increased sense of personal agency and self acceptance. I strive for clients to feel seen, heard and supported as we build towards a greater sense of wellbeing, balance and more satisfying relationships. I specialize in college students through mature adults, with a particular emphasis on individuals navigating life transitions or complex roles as individuals, partners, employees and family members. My areas of specialty include anxiety and depression, stress and work-life balance, life transitions, and family and relationships. I have particular expertise in infertility and the perinatal period, and am the author of Struggling with Infertility, a book that aims to shed light on the experiences of those impacted by infertility and fertility treatment. I am actively affirming and welcoming to individuals of all gender identities, ethnicities, sexual orientations and religions. Before becoming a psychotherapist, I was a competitive swimmer at the national and provincial levels, lived in several countries, and worked in global consulting, government and industry. I draw on these experiences in my work with clients, and offer therapy via both telehealth and in-person. Psychology Associate, Licensed in Washington, DC; Resident in Psychology, Licensed in Virginia PhD in Clinical Psychology Clinical Supervisor, Dr. J. Dawn Johnson, PsyD Offering sessions both in person and via telehealth to clients based in: DC and Virginia.

Catherine has a warm and collaborative style, creating a space where you feel supported, yet gently challenged. Her approach prioritizes understanding you as a whole person, and incorporating your unique experiences, needs, values, and strengths into treatment. Catherine specializes in working with college students, professionals and executives struggling with depression, anxiety, confidence/self-esteem, career concerns, life transitions and trauma. She finds particular joy in untangling personal questions from systemic challenges and inequities. Areas of specialization: -Depression -Anxiety -Confidence and Self-esteem -Career Challenges -Life transitions -Trauma You may feel like those around you have it figured out, or wonder why everything just feels harder than it should. Maybe you feel confused and stuck when you want to be moving forward. Strategies that worked in the past may not be helping anymore, and fighting through things on your own has started to feel like a lot. Together, we'll sort through what's getting in the way, identify how to remove barriers, and find your spark again. I work in a warm and collaborative style, with a focus on helping you to feel safe, supported and gently challenged. While I draw from several treatment modalities, the core of my work is influenced by humanistic and person-centered perspectives that see you as a whole person with unique needs, values and experiences, and are grounded in the belief that we all have an innate drive and capacity for growth. I am comfortable sitting with people in some of their toughest times, both holding space for the current pain and finding ways forward into the light, so I hope you’ll show up exactly as you are. We may even find some humor, too, since it can be a lot to feel so heavy all the time. I specialize in working with college students through established adults, with a particular emphasis on individuals struggling with depression, anxiety or self-esteem, career or leadership challenges, navigating complex life transitions, or working to untangle personal questions from systemic challenges and inequities. In addition to my work as a psychotherapist, I am an experienced organizational development consultant, coach, facilitator and trainer. I regularly work with corporations, educational institutions and non-profits on leadership development, strategic planning, performance management, and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. I hold a Masters in Psychology, and am working towards my PhD with a concentration in social justice and diversity with a research specialty in moral injury. I am actively affirming and welcoming to individuals of all gender identities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and religions, and am committed to providing supportive, trauma-informed care. I look forward to working with you in-person, or with DC-based clients virtually via secure telehealth. Psychology Associate, Licensed in Washington, DC Masters in Psychology with an emphasis in Clinical Psychology Clinical Supervisors: Dr. Ashley Alderette, PsyD; Dr. J. Dawn Johnson, PsyD Offering sessions both in person and via telehealth to clients based in: DC.

Whether you suffer from anxiety or depression, if you’re angry or sad, when you experience low self-esteem, or your relationships do not work out — as a highly trained therapist, I can help you with these and other difficulties. I have helped many people to take charge of their lives, to reduce their symptoms, and to make positive and lasting changes. My approach is focused on helping you learn how your mind works and empowering you to identify and to change your emotional patterns. As a therapist who has worked in a variety of settings (non-profit clinic, college campus, crisis program, psychiatric setting) and with diverse populations (children, adolescents, young adults, older adults of different races and different cultures), I am more likely to be able to relate to your unique life situation and to help you with a wide array of issues. Having experienced immigration, I enjoy working with and have expertise with race- and culture-related individual and family matters. Another area of my expertise is lifespan development issues — from child and adolescent to young, middle, and older adulthood.

Sometimes the transitions, pressures, and questions of life can feel overwhelming to navigate on your own. As a licensed graduate professional counselor, I help you do just that, specializing in mood disorders, life transitions, cultural impacts, and stress management for adolescents and adults. Whether you're stepping into a new environment, entering a new relationship, shifting careers, or working through something harder to name, I'm here to help you find your footing. Identity work is central to what I do, as I believe that understanding who you are, and how your experiences have shaped you, is some of the most meaningful work we can do together. I approach every session with genuine curiosity, because being a truly present counselor means seeking first to understand. Your goals and needs guide our work, and I look forward to collaborating with you every step of the way. When you work with me, you can expect warmth, openness, and a space that feels genuinely safe and inviting. Sessions are collaborative and nonjudgmental by design, shaped around your unique needs rather than a one-size-fits-all framework. Drawing on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectal Behavior Therapy (DBT), I take an integrative approach to help you improve your mood, manage daily stressors, and build skills that carry beyond our sessions. Cultural identity and the way life experiences show up in your everyday world are areas I'm deeply passionate about. You are the expert on your own life, and my role is to walk alongside you as you move closer to something more meaningful and fulfilling. Whatever you bring into the room, we'll work through it together. This path chose me as much as I chose it. My own experiences navigating stress, cultural impacts, and identity gave me an early and personal window into the weight those things can carry. Watching family and friends face their own mental health challenges deepened that understanding and strengthened my commitment to providing care that is both thorough and genuinely human. Every person I work with benefits from that perspective, and I bring it fully into each session. Outside of the therapy room, you can find me thrifting, getting lost in a good book, or seeking out any body of water I can find. At home, my cat Suki keeps things lively and reminds me that the small, simple moments matter too.

If you’re struggling in your relationships, navigating a major life transition, or feeling stuck in patterns related to substance or behavioral addictions, you’re not alone. Many of the people I work with are thoughtful, capable adults who find themselves repeating painful relational dynamics or feeling disconnected from the life they want to be living. Therapy can be a powerful place to understand why—and to begin doing something different. I specialize in working with adults from diverse cultural backgrounds who want more fulfilling relationships and a stronger sense of self. Together, we explore the patterns that may be contributing to your needs not being met. I help you to increase awareness of how these patterns developed and how they continue to show up in your life today. My approach is deeply informed by my professional training and my personal experience as a consumer of high-quality therapy. I know what it’s like to sit on the other side of the room and wrestle with whether change is possible. If you’re ready to take the next step forward, I’d be honored to work with you.

Greenhouse Psychotherapy is a boutique mental health practice offering virtual services to clients in DC, MD & VA and in-person services at our office in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, DC. ​ We provide multidisciplinary care including individual and family therapy, nutrition counseling, and speech language pathology to adolescent and adult clients of all genders. ​ Some of our areas of focus at Greenhouse Psychotherapy include eating disorders, OCD, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma and life transitions. We have a special interest in working with college students and young professionals. ​ We are a values-driven group practice striving to promote high quality mental health services within a social justice framework.

As a trauma-informed clinician with nine years of experience in mental wellness, I support adolescents and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, safety concerns, trauma, social injustice, and LGBTQ+ identities. My experience spans some of the most underserved communities, including runaway and homeless youth, BIPOC communities, survivors of sexual violence, and queer and transgender folks, and I've found that many young people who were initially resistant to traditional therapy have found real success through nontraditional, experiential approaches. I believe in meeting you where you are, working toward goals together to achieve emotional regulation, trauma processing, and healthier relationships. Central to how I practice is the understanding that many of the thoughts, emotions, or behaviors we most want to change initially helped us survive — and that deserves acknowledgment, not judgment. I look forward to the honor of building trust and a safe, or even brave, space in our work together. Cultural humility, social justice, and breaking down systemic barriers to basic needs and mental wellness are things I'm deeply passionate about. I believe that simply validating others' experiences holds the power to de-escalate, empower, and enlighten, which is why I always ensure a nonjudgmental, authentic, and strengths-based approach to your care. You can expect our sessions to feel open and genuinely validating, drawing on elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and psychotherapy to help you reduce anxiety, process trauma, improve depression symptoms, build self-esteem, decrease post-traumatic symptoms, and practice healthy relationships. My path to becoming a therapist began with my own mental wellness challenges in adolescence. But, it was when I graduated college and worked on a residential unit for adolescents with mood disorders that I discovered the joy of working with youth. These experiences deepened my commitment to providing unconditional positive, validating, and strengths-based support to teenagers simply needing someone in their corner. Now, I remain dedicated to bringing an openness and sense of humor to each session that allow for space to share truth and create healing. I fill my cup outside of work with live music, dancing, knitting, hiking, and spending time outside whenever possible.