Therapists in Silver Spring, MD

As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, a trauma survivor, and someone with a chronic pain disorder; I approach the work that I do from a place of empathy and personal understanding. I have an intense passion for understanding personal identity and the way race, culture, class, and sexuality come together to form what we believe about ourselves and what we feel we can accomplish in our lives. Anxiety and trauma can live in our bodies - together we will create a relationship that fosters dynamic and lasting growth, tapping into undiscovered reserves of resiliency that will help navigate the past and prepare for a more hopeful future.

I see you. If you've made it here, you are searching for something and I am passionate about joining you at the core of the pain, in the middle of the mess, and within the distress. I aim to be a witness and to co-create a space where we can tap into your capacity to resist, rejoice, rest, and recharge.

Do you, your child, your teenager, or your young adult feel like you are alone even when you are surrounded by others? Do you feel like everyone is better than you, and there is no way you could ever measure up? Are you struggling to understand who you are and your place in the world? Do you feel your family doesn't understand what you are going through? All of these thoughts and feelings are normal. You do not need to process this alone! Therapy is a safe space to ponder these questions and their implications. In therapy, you can learn coping skills to feel more secure and confident in yourself, and your relationships.

Are you experiencing depression/anxiety symptoms? Experiencing difficulties with healthy communication in your relationships? Gender dysphoria or learning to accept a new identity? Desiring to progress but feeling stagnant in several areas in your life? Therapy is a relationship, and it is important to me that you feel seen, heard, and understood. I am empathetically direct, and I encourage my clients to express themselves in a way that feels authentic to them. We can create goals and explore past childhood trauma or issues that may impact who you are today. Therapy works best when we work together.

I aim to garden healing so that my clients can more vibrantly and intentionally shape change as their truest selves. I'm genderqueer, transmasculine, queer, and enjoy working with clients across the gender and sexuality spectrum, including trans, genderqueer, non-binary, intersex, LGB and pansexual-identified individuals, and individuals in diverse relationship structures including polyamory and ethical non-monogamy. I'm kink/BDSM-affirming, sex and body-positive. I've worked w/artists, professionals, organizers/activists, students, and disabled individuals and couples. I am trained in Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples.

Do you want to learn to manage difficult emotions, build a better life, and increase your self-acceptance? I will create a safe and affirming space to collaborate with you on your journey of self-discovery, explore your deeper issues, and move towards thriving in your well being. As a therapist I am thoughtful, warm, and communicative. I genuinely see the best in people while holding a judgement-free space to explore needs, work through challenges, and accomplish goals.

I respond best to emails :) Hello! I am your fat, disabled, queer, neurodivergent therapist based in Maryland. Being a healer has come naturally to me since childhood and navigating my own healing has led me to become a licensed clinical social worker. I deeply care for my clients, so building genuine connections with them is essential. I show up to sessions as my authentic self: witty, warm, transparent, and a little awkward. I view each client as my equal and view therapy as a team approach to navigating pain and hope.

People who resonate with my approach as a therapist often seek more than just symptom relief; they aim for a balanced, fulfilling life. Whether dealing with stress, sexuality, or relationship issues, they value a holistic approach that integrates mental and physical well-being. They need a compassionate space to explore thoughts and feelings, and goals usually include coping strategies, self-exploration, and enhancing overall wellness. My unique blend of clinical psychology and holistic modalities can help achieve these aims. If this resonates, we may be a good fit.

With the demands of everyday life, our own emotional demands can often go unmet- causing pain, discomfort, bitterness, and frustration. Taking a step back from the responsibilities pulling us in all directions to closely examine our emotions and relationships can feel impossible, uncomfortable, or even intolerable. But if you're interested in pursuing therapy, you may have already realized the discomfort of things remaining "stuck" is worth trading for the discomfort that comes with growth. If you want to make changes and don't know where to start, talking it through with an empathic therapist can help.

I have over a decade of professional experience working within the LGBTQ+ community, with specialized skills for kids, adolescents, adults, or families who are navigating a gender journey, a kinky relationship, a non-monogamous connection, sex as employment, as well as many other beautiful different ways we live our lives.

One of my biggest struggles in life has been finding ways to show up authentically. As a Black, non-binary and queer person, finding spaces that validate core aspects of my identity have been challenging. It’s an honor to hold space for individuals who are struggling to find their voice and place in the world. My goal as a therapist is to provide a safe space where you feel accepted, respected, and understood. I enjoy working with individuals from marginalized and underserved communities (BIPOC, LGBTQ+). My practice is intersectional, collaborative, based in a social justice framework, and sex positive.

Are you and your partner looking to rebuild or strengthen your relationship? Trying to navigate a particularly difficult conflict? Maybe things are going well and you just want to keep them that way. Whatever the case, I can offer you a supportive therapeutic environment and an integrative counseling style that draws from a variety of modalities to suit you and your partner best.

I am a dream doula welcoming clients who have specifically been ostracized or misunderstood by the mental health industrial complex. Currently, services geared towards helping are explicitly gate kept by colonist practices, ableist perspectives, carceral state interventions, financial inaccessibility, treatment stigma, and other barriers rooted in the shameful, foundational practices of white supremacy and western culture. My work is specifically political, and intended to help clients cultivate a more liberated life. I curate space for healing as well as dream building.

Currently only accepting BCBS insurance. Whether you're new to therapy or you've been in therapy before, reaching out takes courage: thanks for being here. I primarily work with young and middle-aged adults, many of whom are queer and have ADHD/autism. I treat anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, and also support clients looking to better know themselves or their identity. I also love to work with folks who want to learn how to show up better in relationships and who want to learn to love themselves.

My goal is to help clients feel heard, supported and understood. Whether you are coming to therapy to navigate difficult life changes, in order to set healthy boundaries, for support in reframing your anxious thoughts, thinking through how your past family dynamics affect you or navigating your identity, I am here to offer encouraging guidance, direct engagement and nurturing support. Therapy is a collaborative process and I take a relational approach to support you in expressing yourself authentically, navigating change, reframing negative self talk, setting healthy boundaries and supporting you in enhancing the way you cope.

Society is confusing. You're neurodivergent and/or queer trying to figure out how to exist while a part of a world that pushes for "one size fits all." You're torn between wanting to "get it right" and rejecting the rigid boxes dominant culture wants you in. People's reactions make you question if you did the right thing when placing boundaries or making a request. Or... You're a parent trying to determine what's best for your child. They have big feelings and behaviors. Where do you start? You've learned from "experts" which emotions are correct at certain times which doesn't sit quite right when helping your kid.

You may be wondering how you are possibly going to put your life back together. Or, maybe, perhaps you're praying that you can finally put the vice down. Maybe the heartbreak of loss and unexpected endings is eating you up. We might be a good fit for one another if you're queer, poly, considering recovery, interested in a somatics based practitioner, and vibe with crystals and energy. Whatever it is, let's share a cup of coffee and figure it out together. If you are committed to your wellness and have a desire to seek restoration for a weary soul, hit my line. Let's Get Well, Y'all!