Therapists in Ellicott City, MD

Whether you are facing relationship issues (e.g., with yourself and/or with others), exploring your identity, seeking understanding, in need of some new coping strategies, or experiencing something else altogether that leads you to consider if therapy may be right for you at this time: I believe that examining your life, exploring the meaning that you make of your experiences, and gaining new insights can allow you to create new paths that lead to a greater sense of wellness.

When working with me, you can anticipate feeling empowered to leverage your strengths, build resilience and find meaning through challenges. I work with children, adolescents, and adults, many of whom need help with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, panic attacks, PTSD, grief, ADHD, family issues, and coping with disease and disability. You may expect me to offer an inclusive, family-centered approach to care that also considers the role of the human-and-animal bond. Clients that notice the most growth working with me are those seeking increases in self worth, communication skills and emotional regulation.

We work hard WITH you!

By listening to people and paying attention to what develops, I collaboratively assist them to understand feelings, thoughts, body experiences, and behaviors. This may remove barriers to living life to the full. We often create these barriers early in life and then continue them through habitual thought, feeling-management, and relationship patterns. Healing occurs in a safe, new kind of relationship. Within this relationship, people may recognize things they have known and not known. Those who openly share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences (including a hesitation to share certain things) are often able to make progress.

You haven't been able to please everyone, and trying to do so has made you exhausted. You've felt good enough to get things done, but nothing more. Keeping up with work, relationships, and your day-to-day to do list while feeling overwhelmed is no longer working. The anxiety, exhaustion and feeling out of control are getting harder to deal with. You hear something telling you, "It's time to make a change", but you haven't taken any action. You've been hoping everything will get better. Even if it doesn't, you hope no one will notice. You wanted to handle this on your own, but now, you wish for support.

I love to assist people in growing spiritually. I’m passionate about helping you discover who you are by supporting your self-discovery journey. You may feel overwhelmed by the demands of your career, relationship and other life challenges which can ultimately make it more difficult to feel hopeful in your day to day. With me, you will discover that there’s a way to rediscover your inner spark and joy. Are you interested in healing yourself, moving forward, and finding your true path?

I am an integrative psychotherapist who grounds my practice in trauma-informed, narrative, and critical consciousness frameworks. I have experience and training in mindfulness, trauma-focused CBT, child and adolescent trauma, IFS, and EMDR therapy. I have also completed population-specific trainings relating to gender, sexuality, racism and oppression.  I seek to challenge dominant narratives which negatively impact the ways people come to see themselves, understanding that many mental health challenges are deeply tied to the social, environmental, and political contexts in which they occur.

I have been practicing in the field for 4 years and am continuing to grow and evolve. My ideal client is someone motivated for change and understanding of self. I primarily work with clients who are high schoolers, college-aged, and young adults who are trying to navigate the fast-paced world. I am a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional. I enjoy helping people understand and manage their symptoms of anxiety, worry, and uncertainty.

If you are looking to understand your struggles in relationships or in dealing with anxiety and depression, I provide a means of healing from urgent pain and distress associated with the daily struggles of life and relationships. As human beings we are in need of consistent support and therapy can provide a safe, trusting environment for sharing our concerns and fears and facilitate growth in relationships and other areas of our lives. It allows us to feel empowered and more independent. Psychotherapy can enrich our understanding of ourselves and can enhance the quality of our lives.

Welcome! I'm Joanna. I work with adolescents (16+) & adults, most frequently young adults. I particularly enjoy working with transitional issues - changes in school, jobs, family, relationships, identity, etc. Often, my clients are dealing with depression, anxiety, substance use, trauma, and/or interpersonal conflict. I value working with folks with a range of backgrounds, races, faiths, genders, sexualities, and lifestyles. My work sees people through a systems lens, recognizes the oppressive barriers to mental wellness, and encourages reflection on cultural impact. My ideal client is open minded, patient, and motivated for change.

I believe that we are all on our own journey through life and that the right journey for one person isn't necessarily the right journey for another. My job as a counselor isn't to tell you which one to take; it's to help you remove the roadblocks from your journey in an effort to make your choices in the future clearer for you. In order for counseling to be successful, the counselor and the client need to have a good connection to each other, and I strive to begin forming that connection from the very first meeting. I've worked with a wide variety of clients. Contact me and lets see how we can work together.

Finding a therapist with whom one can form a trusting working relationship is essential to a successful therapeutic experience, no matter what the issue. I've been in private practice for over twenty years working with adults, adolescents and children in individual, couples and family therapy. I've also worked in community mental health and psychiatric hospitals, as well as medical and psychology training programs. I enjoy working with a broad range of issues. With adults these may include long-standing difficulties with anxiety, depression, loss, chronic emotional or medical illness, as well as relationship issues. Prior to becoming a psychologist I taught both elementary and high school. I've worked extensively with youngsters of all ages, as well as their parents, to address developmental, emotional and parenting challenges specific to these age groups. My work is grounded in a psychdynamic understanding of the individual. This informs my choice of the particular treatment approach I might suggest. I have training and experience in insight oriented, cognitive-behavioral, and emotionally-focused treatment. If you feel I might be helpful, please contact me.

With over 35 years of experience, I bring compassion, humor, and creativity to my work with individuals and families. My professional interests include psychotherapy with parent-child dyads, parent support from an attachment-focused lens, and individual work with adults and teens. I have experience and interest in working with families impacted by attachment issues, adoption, foster care, trauma, and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Who said change was easy? Change is inevitable, but for the past few years we have been asked to make some not so easy changes. Having to deal with the responsibilities of life while having to make life changes such as working from home, virtual school, ever changing relationships, and a growing family can take a toll. You may feel lonely and overwhelmed with no one to talk to, I am here to listen. Let's work together to have you feel heard and empowered. Together we will work on finding you useful coping skills, addressing past traumas, practice making healthy and safe relationships, and feeling confident in yourself!

Are you suffering from symptoms of depression, ADHD, anxiety, bipolar, autism spectrum, OCD, and/or PTSD? I'm here to help facilitate your healing process and provide a safe space to voice your deepest concerns freely. Our goal is to significantly improve your self-concept, increase a positive outlook on life, and, most importantly, feel like your best self.

I am a Masters level Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-C), and I work with children, adolescents, and adults. I also enjoy running support groups. I believe that everyone has strengths that can support and guide them through hard times. However, during especially difficult experiences, we often forget our strengths. And it is at this point when it becomes important to have someone to confide in. Together we can identify goals that will lead you toward healthier ways of coping. Hopefully after practicing more positive and constructive coping skills, you will find yourself with a greater sense of emotional satisfaction in life.

Recognizing internal distress and seeking help from a professional can be an uncomfortable and courageous act. I hope to be a partner in your process of self-discovery, insight, and growth. My style tends to be collaborative, providing warmth and support while also encouraging honest emotional expression. I value personal exploration in a safe environment in order to improve self-understanding and self-acceptance. Fulfilling relationships with others are often a byproduct of this type of therapy, as is improved mood, increased self-confidence, and enhanced life satisfaction.

You feel stuck. You may often find yourself feeling sad, angry, or irritable. Perhaps you aren’t sure what you’re feeling, but you know that something is wrong in your life. Maybe you’re not the person that you thought you’d become. Possibly fear and anxiety are holding you back. These feelings could be new, or so old that you cannot remember feeling differently. Regardless of how you got here, you are ready for change.

Do you grapple with an unshakeable sense of discontentment, feeling that something vital is missing in life? Do you recognize a void within yourself despite your achievements that is driving you to seek therapy? Do you seek to unravel the complexities of your identity, motivations, and desires, hoping to uncover the root cause of your dissatisfaction? You may want to address surface-level issues and embark on a journey of self-exploration and understanding. I specialize in anxiety, depression, college mental health, ADHD, and life transitions, making me equipped to address a wide range of concerns.