Therapists in Washington, DC

Being in distress and discomfort is hard, tiring, and sometimes discouraging. "I'm struggling with something, but what can I do about it?" "Why is it so easy for everyone else?" "I just want out of my head, and back into my life." I believe successful therapy is a collaborative effort that helps you build a real, authentic, and happy life. Therapy can be helpful when sensitive topics and difficult challenges feel intimidating and overwhelming. As your therapist, I will listen to and learn about your challenges. We'll find a pace that works for you and I'll help you keep your goals in focus. 

HeartWerq Lori Shapiro, LICSW Senior Clinician Clinical Social Worker, Certified Sex Therapist, Marriage and Couples Therapist (She/Her) Lori Shapiro is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Supervisor with more than 20 years of experience. Her practice focuses on working with individuals, couples, and families on a variety of issues, including couples counseling, sex therapy, relationship difficulties, sexual and gender identity support, as well as unique individual challenges. Lori has received degrees from Florida Atlantic University and Barry University (Master’s in Social Work) and also has a certification in sex therapy f

We all carry within us a dream, a purpose, a strength that flows, like water through our veins and every part of our being. It even flows through fear, pain, disappointment and all sorts of perceived failure. It gives meaning to life. It heals. It inspires. DreamWell LLC was born out of my dream to facilitate healing and to positively impact the lives of others. I hope to empower and support you in addressing the issues that have interrupted the flow of your personal and professional life and dreams.

I am a board-certified psychotherapist. In my practice I provide psychotherapy to adults, couples, and older adolescents, using psychoanalytic psychotherapy and analytical psychology. It is my goal to create a warm and supportive environment in which to work with my clients to heal relational wounds and other forms of trauma. I support clients in their process to gain deeper self-understanding and to foster personal growth through self-compassion. Together we can explore new ways of understanding old patterns of behavior.

I work with young professionals to help them through difficult times, such as transitioning to a new place, new job, or new relationships. I assist my clients understand their emotions and thoughts and work to bring deeper understanding of their sense of self. By utilizing mindfulness interventions, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, I help my clients develop coping skills, boundaries, and techniques to help them feel grounded in the present time and reduce anxiety and negative thoughts.

It hurts to be in crisis not knowing where to start and how to get help, particularly these days. As a psychotherapist and a psychoanalyst I will work with you, closely listening in a safe and containing environment, so we can process painful experiences and understand patterns and behaviors that affect your wellbeing, productivity and relationships; we will work together to develop pathways towards emotional growth that could facilitate meaningful and lasting changes and healing from past traumas, leading to a more fulfilling, productive life.

Life is sacred and challenging. Navigating problems on our own can be overwhelming and difficult. Counseling can be an important part of our journey to become the best version of ourselves in our relationships with others and ourselves. A kind and caring presence can help us begin to change and enter into a growth process. I approach clients with compassion, empathy, and kindness to work collaboratively on what you are going through.

Life is a journey, and often we get lost along the way. Psychotherapy is a transformative process that helps you to locate your internal compass, so that you can live a more fulfilling and productive life; navigate difficult periods and transitions; and ultimately feel more comfortable in your own skin. As a clinical psychologist, I have years of experience and training working with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, career obstacles, self-esteem, family discord, grief and loss, defeating patterns of behavior, and the process of coming to terms with difficult and traumatic life situations.

For many people, therapy can provide relief from suffering and give a person a deepened awareness of their life. Therapy can help us gain an active perspective in living a full and meaningful life. Whether one is struggling with depression, anxiety, or interpersonal problems, therapy may be a helpful journey to alleviate the pain. My approach is interpersonal and psychodynamically informed while also exploring concrete solutions. Many people can feel better in a couple sessions and others are looking for a long term process. Both can be helpful.

I am a psychotherapist located in Washington, DC offering individual, group, and couples therapy. I enjoy helping people live authentically and thrive in all areas of their lives. I pull from a variety of therapeutic approaches and techniques, but collaborate with each individual to create a space that best suits one’s unique set of needs and goals. My therapeutic style is warm, compassionate, and appropriately challenging. I am also a 200-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher, and incorporate mindfulness and body-based approaches in therapy where its appropriate.

Welcome to my practice and thank you for considering me as a companion on your journey towards healing and growth. Are you looking for a compassionate therapist who will listen deeply and attentively to your concerns whether they stem from difficulties coping with relationship issues, work stressors, past traumatic events or simply feeling that your life could have more meaning and depth?

Therapy is a creative space where we collaborate to help you discover what you need to live a satisfying, joyful life, and develop the freedom and courage to make choices that honor these needs. As a former corporate lawyer, I have a special interest in working with professionals (particularly lawyers!) who feel stressed and stuck in their careers. I also love working with anyone else urgently asking: What do I actually want? How can I feel more at home in my life and in the world?

I work with adults struggling with relationship issues, addiction, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Many of my clients are high performers who have become successful despite a difficult childhood. If you are curious how therapy can help you reduce your suffering, improve your relationships, and help you heal from past traumas, I encourage you to reach out for a free consultation. I use elements of EMDR therapy in my approach. I am kink allied and sex positive. I invite you to come as you are. I will respect, support, and encourage you during our time in therapy.

As children, we are learning from interactions with our parents who we are and how to fit into the world around us. After we leave home, we become our own parents as we continue to learn about ourselves and how to find our own place in life. And when we have families of our own, we are now parents both for our children and for ourselves, as we continue to understand more about who we are. I provide a warm, empathic and accepting environment where you can explore your current life challenges, as well as address past issues that impact your everyday life.

I work with people who are struggling with depression, anxiety, OCD and panic, as well as those facing relationship difficulties, life transitions and people coping with trauma/PTSD. I also help people who experience difficulties with acculturation and adaptation. I use insight-oriented psychotherapy to help identify patterns in a person's life that may be contributing to their current difficulties, as well as to help improve the nature of their interpersonal communication and achieve a more fulfilling life.

I think of therapy as a way of freeing ourselves from the obstacles which prevent us from moving forward in our lives. Frequently these obstacles present themselves to us in the challenges of the outer world--in problems at work, in difficult relationships, in adapting to life changes, or in the sudden impact of a traumatic event. And sometimes what stands in the way of our freedom and happiness lies within us, as negative thought patterns, conflicting or confusing emotions, and unexpressed feelings--all of which can result in depression, anxiety, chronic illness, low self esteem--burdens we often carry alone.

Modern relationships are HARD. It’s a struggle to find the right person OR to wonder if your current partner is possibly the wrong person. It’s tough when you feel burned by or totally confused about your path. Maybe you’ve even made choices or overlooked things you now regret. Or, maybe it’s a relationship with a boss or coworkers who undervalue you or play favorites with others. Your work ethic and good ideas have long taken a backseat to putting out fires or just avoiding things way more than you should. You’re past thinking that life’s fair. But, you never thought that things could go THIS wrong or get under your skin THIS much.

I believe the therapeutic relationship is one of the most important steps in developing trust and faith in your journey to seek clarity and healing within your life. I will provide you with a space that is safe, nonjudgmental, accepting and supportive to help you explore yourself more deeply which will enable you to draw new meanings to your experiences. This will be a collaborative effort working together toward your treatment goals. So often, we feel alone and just want to be heard and listened too, and then to find out we are anything but alone. I will be there with you through this journey.

Seeking relief from unpleasant feelings like sadness, irritability, anxiety, depression, anger & grief? When you struggle emotionally, small things can require greater effort. You may have feelings or reactions you can’t explain that defy your best strategies for feeling better. Perhaps you find yourself repeating patterns of behavior you’re not proud of. Or lack interest in pursuits you once enjoyed. Maybe you envision a happier, more productive life but don’t know how to get it. Therapy can help you identify and harness your strengths while adapting and altering patterns that don’t serve you well.