Compassion Focused Therapists in Washington, DC

I am passionate about serving all women, specifically African American women in the District of Columbia. My approach is utilizing the lens of self-compassion to create an inner world that is more joyful, more accepting, and more conducive to growth and tranquility. I tailor my approach to each client, but my first step is always to inventory your strengths, goals, and dreams. Amplifying client strengths and grounding therapy in client values accelerates your healing. Next, we will explore the patterns and thoughts that align with your highest self and those that do not serve you in this phase of your life.

I love helping lawyers and other stressed out and exhausted human beings heal, grow, and thrive by reconnecting to themselves and the people they love. As a former BigLaw and in-house lawyer, I know how the overwhelming stress and demands of our profession can take a toll on both us and our relationships. I work with individuals and couples to tame that stress and build lives and relationships full of meaning, peace, and joy.

Life brings change and when that change comes, how do you handle it? What do you do when you don’t know what to do? Over the years, I have supported and encouraged individuals through the Stages of Change. It’s not uncommon to experience anxiety when contacting a therapist, but I encourage you to contact me to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. My role is to help you through the process of change and decision making that can, understandably, feel overwhelming. My goal is to support you and your journey towards a more whole you.

Looking for different tools to helps you feel peace, joy and purpose? Overwhelmed, paralyzed or getting stuck in negative cycles that effect the quality of your life? I work with youth and adults who may be struggling with depression, anxiety, transitions, multicultural issues, PTSD, relational problems, self-esteem, and/ or identity. Let's graciously work through these challenges using a variety of approaches including art therapy, psychoeducation, person-centered cognitive behavioral therapy, faith, strengths-based therapy, compassion-focused therapy, and solution-focused therapy.

Dr. Kristin Zauel is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in treating eating disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, self-esteem concerns, relationship concerns, and adjustment to various life transitions. Dr. Zauel has worked within a variety of settings (outpatient private practice, residential treatment, and college counseling center) providing individual, family and group psychotherapy to adolescents and adults. She is passionate about supporting clients in furthering their well-being and living a life more fully aligned with their values.

Britt Rathbone is an expert in the treatment of adolescents. He graduated from Columbia University and has worked exclusively with adolescents and their families since 1985. He has a special interest in challenging, difficult to treat, and treatment-reluctant adolescents as well as those who have multiple and complicated mental health diagnoses. He trains therapists, speaks to professional and lay groups, and has taught advanced level social work graduate students at the Catholic University of America. Washingtonian Magazine has consistently named Mr. Rathbone one of Washington's best therapists for adolescents, and one of Washington's best therapists for group therapy.

I enjoy working with individuals who seek to live happier, healthier lives and recognize that change can only happen by trying something new. Each of us has the power to create better lives for ourselves simply by changing the way we relate to ourselves. Many people never learned as children how to cope with stress and negative emotion. But this is a skill that can be learned in adulthood and that can pave the way for greater happiness throughout our lives. The ultimate goal is to prioritize your well-being and care for yourself by noticing and responding to your thoughts and feelings with compassion and validation.

Michelle is a licensed clinical social worker in Virginia. She received a Master’s degree in Social Work in 2013 from The University of Maryland, Baltimore, focusing on clinical/direct practice. With nearly a decade of experience, she has worked as a therapist in a private group practice, outpatient mental health, and managed care settings.

Accepting new clients! Do you feel stressed, overwhelmed, and ready for change? We might be good fit if you want to understand why you feel miserable or anxious despite "doing it all". Maybe you are compassionate to everyone in your life, except YOU. Maybe you have been in talk therapy and you are feeling stuck or ready to try something different. I help my clients move beyond talk therapy toward healing recurring negative patterns in their life, anxiety, depression, anger, overwhelm, relationship issues, trouble getting new habits to stick, compulsively using external things to feel better (i.e. work, people, alcohol), and more.

In my years of practice and clinical experience I have been privileged to be actively engaged in a powerful and life enhancing experience that reduces suffering, promotes healing and opens a doorway to hope, compassion and growth. I believe that therapy offers a unique space to resolve life challenges and difficulties in a collaborative, respectful, empathic and effective way. It also offers an opportunity to become the best person we can be. I am a licensed psychologist in DC and MD. I have been in practice for 30 years and provide individual, couples and group therapy as well as supervision. consultation and clinical training.

I view therapy as an invitation to bring awareness to the here and now. For many of us, we press forward, through, and over difficult feelings when they arise in our daily lives. Often they show up as unwanted thoughts or images. They not only fill us with dread, but we will go to great lengths to avoid them. On the other hand, what if moving toward our feelings actually reduces the influence they have over us, allowing us to attend to the very things we value, thereby creating meaning and purpose in our lives.

I am a clinical social worker focused on supporting adults, adolescents, and children navigating the impact of trauma, loss, and challenging life transitions. Whether you’re struggling with grief, anxiety, depression, recent loss, a major life change, perinatal mood disorders or some other challenge, I’m confident we can work together on the outcomes you seek.

I believe in providing a safe, judgment-free, and supportive space for my clients. From a cognitive-behavioral approach, I aim to balance symptom relief in the present while managing life’s challenges and uncertainties. Along with this, I help develop insights and depth into why one’s struggles may be happening. I value a strong therapeutic relationship as a channel for understanding and a way to foster open and honest dialogue. My therapy style can be described as compassionate, direct, solution-oriented, and mind-body-focused. Together, we will create a personalized and flexible plan to create a more authentic and fulfilling life.

We all receive labels and messages from society and our upbringing that attempt to dictate how we operate in relation with others, what we’re worth, and how we perceive ourselves. I understand that the labels we receive from others, and the way we see ourselves are often times conflicting. These messages and attention or lack thereof can have a negative impact on our self-esteem, relationships, communication capabilities, perception of those around us, and self-worth. I offer a space to unpack these inconsistencies to discover contentment and congruence of self.

Maybe you find yourself ruminating, self sabotaging or repeating old patterns in unsatisfying relationships. You feel stuck and don't know where to start. That's where Paige can help. Paige serves as a guide to help you feel less stuck and move toward meaningful change. Paige works with people who are navigating relationships, life transitions & self-compassion and are feeling anxious, self doubt, or wanting more. As a therapist, Paige has extensive experience working with adults and young professionals, helping them slow down and tune into their own knowing and wisdom to find healing, safety, trust, and relief.

I draw on more than 38 years of experience and learning in the practice of individual, group, and couples therapy, and I work with people of all ages and at all stages of life.

We'll explore how to identify and reframe negative thoughts, regulate mood, improve communication, learn and implement new behaviors . We'll also explore how your childhood experiences might impact and inform your current ability to form meaningful bonds. I work with create space for BIPOC, AAPI, Latinx, LGBTQ+ (diverse) clients to be candid about their experiences. We identify cognitive, emotional and behavioral distress related to anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, roles an expectations, discrimination or privilege, shame, transitions, anxiety, grief, trauma and/or abuse, racial, ethic and cultural identity, and relationships.

Have you felt your light dimming over the past few years? Felt disconnected from yourself and others? It’s hard to find people you can talk to about these things. It’s been harder to find people who understand your unique challenges? MMHDC’s therapists specialize in treating issues unique to minority communities including black women and members of the LBGTQIA+ community. We specialize in you! Are you ready to bloom and to grow? Learn more by contacting us at www.magnoliamhealth.com to set up an appointment.

Jonathan Lam is a professional life coach practicing in the Washington DC area. He is also a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in human potential, relationship health, creativity and athletic performance. He has trained extensively with professional and master coaches and he works with a diverse clientele that include young professionals at the beginning of their careers as well as executives and corporate leaders in the financial industry. Jonathan believes that clarity enables us to take a stand for what we want in life. It allows us to make a commitment to take action to create a life of our dreams.