Therapists in Washington, DC

Dr. Parkhurst's practice frequently centers on self esteem and identity development issues, especially, but not necessarily, as they relate to sexual orientation. Depression, anxiety, obsessiveness, relationship problems, and intimacy issues characterize the types of concerns with which he is often presented by clients. His competencies include couples counseling, parenting and child development issues, and academic concerns as counseling issues. He also has considerable experience in learning and cognition, and in career development from his years of counseling and training within the educational system.

I believe that we all have the resources to succeed within ourselves. Therapy connects us to our strengths and our resilience. As a client-centered therapist, I am honored to collaborate with you and help you reach your mental health goals. I am a licensed independent clinical social worker with over 10 years of experience providing individual therapy to adults with a wide range of life experiences, including the LGBTQ+ community. I am body- and sex- positive, kink-aware, and poly-friendly, and my practice philosophy is grounded in intersectional and feminist theory.

I offer an eclectic perspective and tailor my approach to each individual's needs. I also offer meditation and yoga to support therapeutic interventions as appropriate and desired by the individual. I believe in the strengths in each person and aim to support you reaching your goals and full potential. My specialization areas are anxiety disorders, trauma informed approaches, adolescence, and emerging adults. I also work with families and couples struggling with communication and parenting issues.

I am licensed in DC and Maryland. I specialize in providing services to children, adolescents, and adults who are experiencing academic, emotional, behavioral, and/or interpersonal challenges. I currently work in private practice, but also have extensive experience working in schools with students and their families. I have a strong background in assessment, and frequently complete evaluations for a variety of concerns including: screening for Attention-Deficits, assessing social and emotional functioning, exploring cognitive and academic strengths and weaknesses, clarifying symptoms and diagnosis, and aiding in treatment planning.

You're feeling overwhelmed navigating women's health issues or postpartum depression and anxiety. You are an intelligent, high achieving woman who is dealing with the grief of a diagnosis, like endometriosis, infertility or an autoimmune disorder. The toll of complex chronic health issues and medical trauma is heavy, anxious thoughts fill your mind and you are feeling more down than usual. You want to figure out a way to not just survive with women's health issues but to thrive and live your life fully each day. You need support, a place to process your grief and coping skills to walk through this difficult situation.

Hello! Congratulations on taking this step in your mental wellness journey. When navigating through transitions, relationships, intersectionality, and other challenging aspects of life, you may find that you encounter new or unfamiliar emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. These moments in which you are faced with change require intention and care. Therapy allows you to enter a safe, warm, and compassionate space to address the experiences that have brought you to where you are today with the hope that in time, you can begin to gain awareness and fulfillment, develop your identity, and deepen your understanding of what makes you, you.

I contend each individual is unique and resilient. My goal in therapy is to find and respect those qualities, and to work together in identifying coping tools that will promote profound and lasting changes. I have been practicing for nearly ten years. My training has covered trauma-informed care, crisis intervention and psychodynamic therapy. I earned my bachelor's degree in psychology at the University of Maryland and my master's degree in clinical social work at the University of Pennsylvania. I earned my independent clinical social work license in Washington, DC.

My desire is to help individuals with an array of disorders, which include depression, mood disorders, substance abuse, PTSD, grief and loss, ADHD, anxiety, family or marital discord, and anger management. My goal is to assist individuals, couples, and families in working through challenges that prevent them from living their best lives. You will be assisted in gaining the tools to maintain a successful and productive life through support, education, and a non-judgmental environment, which is essential to a successful transformation.

I offer an empathic, nonjudgmental, safe space within which to process your difficulties and learn concrete skills and strategies to help you make real progress toward your personal goals. Using an individualized, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) approach, I utilize evidence-based practices to guide how we work together to tackle the issues YOU want to work on. Working collaboratively with you, I will help you learn and apply various skills and strategies to overcome your current challenges and achieve your goals.

Our connections with ourselves, others, and our communities can bring tremendous joy, meaning, and fulfillment. In contrast, experiences of disconnection can elicit profound anguish. A crucial step toward relief and enduring growth in psychotherapy starts with an affirming connection with your therapist. Beyond the reasons that bring you in, I am committed to listening to your life story and learning about you as a whole, imperfect person who deserves unconditional care and respect. From there, we can identify opportunities to relate to yourself and others in new ways.

Dr. Gadsden is a licensed psychology associate and a culturally competent insight-oriented psychotherapist with over 17 years of experience in providing therapy to individuals, couples, and families. He earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology in 2012 from Howard University. He previously earned his master’s degree in 2005 from Teachers College, Columbia University. His diverse career and training include over 17 years in academia, teaching and training both master’s level and doctoral level students, and conducting research and producing scholarship focused on masculinity and emotional intimacy.

Thank you for your interest in my practice. I form strong, collaborative relationships with my clients so we can tackle complex problems and stressors. I join with clients to do some practical problem-solving, build emotional skills and resilience, and gain insight into relationships and events, both past and present. I challenge clients to integrate skills gained in sessions into their daily lives and we then review progress and adjust the clinical approach as needed.

​MyTherapist DC customizes the therapy experience to fit your mental health needs. I have over 15 years of experience in helping individuals & families journey to emotional well-being.  Are you struggling with issues related to trauma, grief, addiction, depression, anxiety, or major life changes? Perhaps you want to become your ideal self or heal from childhood & present emotional wounds, and have thought it'll get better with time. But time does not heal all wounds. Don't worry you're not alone. Its time to heal so you can hear what's being said without the filter of your wounds. We can manifest bio-psycho-social-spiritual change.

I believe that each person has an innate ability to heal from trauma and pain, and to live a successful and fulfilling life. Sometimes difficulties we experience can leave us feeling stuck. I offer a space where you can begin your healing journey and explore what’s holding you back and can help you move past your internal obstacles. My clients bring an array of issues, including: partnership struggles, trauma, depression, and anxiety. I approach therapy as a collaborative effort, you and I working together results in the most effective outcomes. My clients describe my style as engaging, warm, and direct.

My main goal as a counselor is to provide you with the emotional support you need while helping you regain full self-reliance. I will devote time and energy in understanding you in the context of your relationships, your character and the psychological distress you are experiencing. Through a transparent and collaborative approach I will help you set treatment goals, take the first steps toward change and work towards establishing a long-term improvement of your quality of life. By focusing on psychoeducation and relapse prevention I will help you acquire new skills and knowledge that will make you more resilient in the future.