Therapists in Forest Hills, Washington, DC

I am a strong believer in therapy being a collaborative, healing, and restorative experience. As Pema Chödrön once said, “Let difficulty transform you. And it will. In my experience, we just need help in learning how to not run away.” But that’s easier said than done – what are the steps to getting to a better place? Where do you even start? You are not alone in this journey. I take great pride in building a therapeutic connection and a safe space for you to be your genuine self so that you may find that resiliency within.

Brandi is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with mental health and addiction experience who joined the practice in October of 2021. Brandi received her PhD from George Washington University in Counseling and has spent the last 17+ years working with adults suffering from depression, anxiety, addiction, and symptoms of Bipolar disorder, OCD, and Personality disorders. Brandi has so much experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, depression, and much more.

Are you considering a major life change or looking for something different for yourself? Perhaps this brings about increased levels of stress and anxiety. I work with many people trying to do the same and have found that process of realizing goals and figuring out the next steps can lie in the smaller moments of your past. I can help you identify and leverage those experiences to discover your own inner resources and strengths. Together, we can explore how to apply those skills to meet new challenges and move forward. Whether you need to practice a bit more or adapt to a new task, therapy with me is a safe space to do just that.

My goal as a therapist is to inspire hope and change by providing a safe, supportive and nonjudgmental environment to build a therapeutic relationship that allows for courageous “self-study”. With understanding self comes clarity, and relief, which in turn creates the opportunity to cultivate new healthy ways to think, feel, and react. By working collaboratively, you will uncover, understand, and overcome challenges including loneliness, guilt, shame, fear, grief, and self-doubt.

My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable to share and know you will be heard during our time together. In tandem, we prioritize your goals and explore the best ways to help you achieve them. I am a general practitioner with a wealth of experience working with clients of all backgrounds who have diverse needs.

I believe that each individual that seeks therapy makes an important decision to create a change. I understand that asking for help and taking the first step feels difficult. I am qualified with professional and life experience for 30 years to assist you in making the desired change. I am sincerely committed, enthusiastic, dedicated, and available to assist you to take charge and create that positive desired outcome to discover the road to recovery. My mission is to provide quality psychotherapy and recovery services for late teens, adults, couples, and families for them to reach their fullest potential and personal growth.

Do you love your partner yet hate your recurring conflicts? You ask yourself “why” only to come up empty-handed, or blaming your partner. It is not a mystery. A tandem approach to relationship conflict management and resolution is in order: effective communication leading to understanding and conflict management through principled collaborative negotiation. You and your partner are evolving beings. The resulting friction in the form of arguments/fights can be addressed by learning strategies to allow flexibility for growth while strengthening the foundation of your togetherness.

All of us need help from time to time to develop new ways of living fuller, richer lives. My focus is on improving how you perceive and navigate life's challenges, transitions, and relationships. Our work together can help you to develop new skills to create the life you want; to enhance your relationships, friendships, or worklife; and to move you toward greater abundance, mindfulness, and depth. My additional expertise in neuropsychology means that our work will integrate psychotherapy and current neuroscience -- 'psychotherapy with the brain in mind' -- a powerfully effective combination.

Therapy is a powerful means of restoring wellness and creating lasting change. I have experienced this in my own life and enjoy seeing this unfold for my clients. I am passionate about working with clients to develop self-compassion and emotional intelligence, and establishing a greater sense of groundedness and self-esteem. I am trained in EMDR and often use this therapeutic approach to significantly reduce distress associated with trauma and other adverse life experiences. EMDR can also be helpful for clients in breaking free from stuck patterns of thinking and feeling that are resistant to traditional talk therapy approaches.

Our lives are continually evolving and challenging, my belief is that healing comes from cultivating self-compassion. My hope is to help clients authentically connect with their internal voice, and nurture enriching relationships.

Anxiety is a normal emotion. Without it, we wouldn't prepare for job interviews, study for tests, or move out of the way of an oncoming car. But for some, anxiety becomes overwhelming & interferes with daily living. When anxiety becomes maladaptive it can be distressing, scary & embarrassing. The good news is anxiety disorders are treatable. I work with individuals struggling with anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder & related problems from a cognitive behavioral perspective. My goal is to work collaboratively with patients to help them achieve their individual goals, and live full & productive lives.

Time and again, the same struggles can show up in relationships or at work. I know how hard it is to break the cycle. Other times, events and life changes challenge our ability to cope and accomplish what we need. Healing and self-discovery are possible in a safe and supportive therapy relationship. My goal is to help you create a rich and meaningful life and better navigate life's challenges. I work with folks facing a range of issues, with a specialty in trauma, burnout, relationship issues and eco-anxiety/climate grief. If you experience stress from caring for/about others and our environment, I am ready to support you.

“The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination.” Do you find yourself wondering what you can do to feel better—less anxious, more confident, even happy? It seems like you’ve tried everything but nothing seems to work, at least not for very long. You may be able to support others yet you fall short on supporting yourself. You no longer feel like yourself and worry that it could get worse. Imagine what it would feel like not to constantly worry and to be confident in your ability to handle challenging situations. Therapy is a step in practicing self-awareness and self-care.

Are you struggling to connect meaningfully with others or finding interpersonal relationships more challenging than rewarding? Do you often find yourself caught in cycles of conflict, misunderstanding, or emotional distance with those closest to you? Does this lead to tension, headaches, stomach issues, and other forms of bodily distress? Have you experienced loss in your life? Loss of a loved one, loss due to an illness, loss of a job, or the end of a relationship? Maybe you are battling anxiety, depression, grief, or trauma.

Are you trying (and failing) to achieve your way to resilience? When you are worn out by broken systems, the solution can't be for YOU to do MORE. Impersonal wellness modules, self-help courses, and adding another project to your endless to-do list are not the way. I founded Ezar Psychology to help physicians, achievers, and leaders who check all the boxes and work harder and harder, but never feel like it's enough. When relentless demands and expectations leave you burned out, depressed, anxious, and even traumatized... you know something needs to change. Easier said than done? Let's creatively shift from knowing to doing.

We all have stories we have been carrying with us based on our lived experience. I aim to help my clients dig deeper into these personal narratives, to understand how our past may be affecting our present and keeping us from the future we want. I have specialized training and experience in working with trauma and providing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, military adjustment, occupational stress, and other major life changes. Racial trauma and issues related to cultural identity, such as those specific to 1st and 2nd generation immigrants, are some of the particular topics I would help us explore.

Are you anxious, feeling stuck, or not sleeping? Does it seem harder for you to navigate life stressors than it does for other people? If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Depression, anxiety, and insomnia are common reasons people seek help. Whether you’re dealing with one or a combination of these issues, it might be hard to fully engage with the world, resulting in missed opportunities or an inability to experience the meaningful life you deserve. We all experience anxiety and depression, or have trouble sleeping at times, but if any of these have become obstacles for you, let’s work together to change that.

As an AASECT certified Sex Therapist and ISTI Certified Sex and Couples Therapist, I know that life and relationships take a lot of work. My practice is dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and relationship(s) who need support and/or seeking growth and change. From anxiety and depression to sexual functioning and communication, I can help you and your partner(s) work on bringing authenticity back into your lives. I have extensive experience working with military (Active Duty/Vets & Spouses), LGBTQ+, kink/poly relationships, HAES/Intuitive Eating, as well as Ex-pats and International Aid Workers stationed overseas.

We all have periods of struggle navigating life; work; and relationships. In my practice I focus on helping individuals and families identify troubling issues while increasing self understanding; coping skills and compassion for themselves and others with the goal of improving relationships and moving forward in life in accordance with their individual goals and values. In my 30+ years of practice I have worked with people from many different cultures including the LGBTQ+ community who are struggling with anxiety; mood disorders; and addiction issues. I am committed to helping and working collaboratively with my clients.