Adoption Therapists in Washington, DC
I help clients explore who they are, where they’ve been, and where they want to go to make choices that feel authentic and aligned with their values. I enjoy working with individuals who are curious about themselves and motivated to live in closer alignment with who they are. I have a special interest in helping clients navigate life transitions, identity shifts, and challenges around motivation, relationships, and boundaries. I strive to be culturally responsive, creating a space that honors each client’s unique background and lived experience.
I help clients explore who they are, where they’ve been, and where they want to go to make choices that feel authentic and aligned with their values. I enjoy working with individuals who are curious about themselves and motivated to live in closer alignment with who they are. I have a special interest in helping clients navigate life transitions, identity shifts, and challenges around motivation, relationships, and boundaries. I strive to be culturally responsive, creating a space that honors each client’s unique background and lived experience.
My clinical areas of specialization and interests include, but are not limited to, adoption, depression, self-esteem, anxiety, and grief and loss.
I look forward to working with you, or your children, in overcoming current obstacles and life challenges. In my experience in working with adults, children, and families, they have all the strengths and resources they need within themselves, and can reach their full potential within a safe, empathic therapeutic relationship.
My clinical areas of specialization and interests include, but are not limited to, adoption, depression, self-esteem, anxiety, and grief and loss.
I look forward to working with you, or your children, in overcoming current obstacles and life challenges. In my experience in working with adults, children, and families, they have all the strengths and resources they need within themselves, and can reach their full potential within a safe, empathic therapeutic relationship.
Are you seeking help in making choices and decisions in your life that seem unattainable? Feel stuck and immobilized by conflict, lack of motivation and self doubt? I can help. Together we can sort out goals you'd like to achieve and identify steps you can take to get where you want to go. Starting with a here-and-now focus we can make sense of how the past influences the present. You can understand yourself and your relationships better and make changes in your life today. Let's begin with what feels most important to you! I have a few daytime openings as well as space in several groups. The Recent Loss Group is always open.
Are you seeking help in making choices and decisions in your life that seem unattainable? Feel stuck and immobilized by conflict, lack of motivation and self doubt? I can help. Together we can sort out goals you'd like to achieve and identify steps you can take to get where you want to go. Starting with a here-and-now focus we can make sense of how the past influences the present. You can understand yourself and your relationships better and make changes in your life today. Let's begin with what feels most important to you! I have a few daytime openings as well as space in several groups. The Recent Loss Group is always open.
Andrea
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW, LCSW-C
2 Endorsed
Online Only
Waitlist for new clients
I specialize in working with young adults and adults navigating ADHD, trauma, grief and loss and experiences related to adoption, especially where attention, emotional regulation, identity, and relationships intersect.
I help you make sense of your inner world by exploring different parts of yourself, the stories you carry, and how you relate to your thoughts and emotions. Together, we build awareness, strengthen coping skills, and support meaningful, lasting change so you can feel more grounded, confident, and connected in your daily life.
I specialize in working with young adults and adults navigating ADHD, trauma, grief and loss and experiences related to adoption, especially where attention, emotional regulation, identity, and relationships intersect.
I help you make sense of your inner world by exploring different parts of yourself, the stories you carry, and how you relate to your thoughts and emotions. Together, we build awareness, strengthen coping skills, and support meaningful, lasting change so you can feel more grounded, confident, and connected in your daily life.
Moon Bear
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW, LCSW-C, LCSW
1 Endorsed
Washington, DC 20036
Waitlist for new clients
I’m Kerry and I'm glad you are here. Many people seek therapy to better understand themselves and their emotions. Navigating trauma, abuse, emotional neglect, and grief can be lonely, confusing, and hard to do alone. If you’re ready to begin, I’m here to companion you and guide you on your healing journey. Healing isn’t about “fixing” yourself — it’s about understanding your story, honoring all parts of you, and finding inner harmony and security.
I’m Kerry and I'm glad you are here. Many people seek therapy to better understand themselves and their emotions. Navigating trauma, abuse, emotional neglect, and grief can be lonely, confusing, and hard to do alone. If you’re ready to begin, I’m here to companion you and guide you on your healing journey. Healing isn’t about “fixing” yourself — it’s about understanding your story, honoring all parts of you, and finding inner harmony and security.
Missy Herendeen
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW
3 Endorsed
Washington, DC 20020
Waitlist for new clients
I work with members of the adoption constellation as an adoption-competent therapist.
Do you ever ask, “Why can’t I be grateful for what I have?” or are often told "You're so lucky/blessed!" Sometimes it’s hard to pull apart all of the layers of identity, perfectionism, trauma, culture, relationships, grief, and navigating the challenges of society to find the truest version of yourself. You want to feel confident in your decision making. You want to find authentic relationships that are safe. The more you are able to be who you are on the inside out in public, the more you’re able to connect with and find the people who understand you. It can still be hard or stressful, but it's also not impossible!
I work with members of the adoption constellation as an adoption-competent therapist.
Do you ever ask, “Why can’t I be grateful for what I have?” or are often told "You're so lucky/blessed!" Sometimes it’s hard to pull apart all of the layers of identity, perfectionism, trauma, culture, relationships, grief, and navigating the challenges of society to find the truest version of yourself. You want to feel confident in your decision making. You want to find authentic relationships that are safe. The more you are able to be who you are on the inside out in public, the more you’re able to connect with and find the people who understand you. It can still be hard or stressful, but it's also not impossible!
I provide adoption-competent therapy for all members of the adoption and kinship network, and also bring specialized training in neurodiversity-affirming care, with a particular focus on PDA, Autism, and ADHD.
You may be working through the impact of grief/loss, trauma, anxiety or depression. In addition, I specialize in identity exploration, gender and sexuality, adoption and attachment immigration stressor and the impact of race and culture dynamics.
I provide adoption-competent therapy for all members of the adoption and kinship network, and also bring specialized training in neurodiversity-affirming care, with a particular focus on PDA, Autism, and ADHD.
You may be working through the impact of grief/loss, trauma, anxiety or depression. In addition, I specialize in identity exploration, gender and sexuality, adoption and attachment immigration stressor and the impact of race and culture dynamics.
Touched by Adoption?
I specialize in providing treatment for children and teens that struggle with anxiety, ADHD, mood and behavioral dysregulation. I utilize my expertise in adoption-competency, attachment-based therapy, sensory-integration interventions, and trauma-informed therapy to provide interventions that are tailored for your unique child/teen and/or family.
Touched by Adoption?
I specialize in providing treatment for children and teens that struggle with anxiety, ADHD, mood and behavioral dysregulation. I utilize my expertise in adoption-competency, attachment-based therapy, sensory-integration interventions, and trauma-informed therapy to provide interventions that are tailored for your unique child/teen and/or family.
Elysia Oudemans-Tilley
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
2 Endorsed
Online Only
Perhaps you carry the weight of trauma or complexities around adoption, which impacts how you relate to yourself and others.
In our work together, you’ll find a compassionate space to heal, grow, and reconnect with what matters most. I offer warmth, authenticity, and even some humor, helping women and couples rediscover themselves, heal from burnout, find clarity, and rebuild communication and emotional connection. You don't have to do this alone.
Perhaps you carry the weight of trauma or complexities around adoption, which impacts how you relate to yourself and others.
In our work together, you’ll find a compassionate space to heal, grow, and reconnect with what matters most. I offer warmth, authenticity, and even some humor, helping women and couples rediscover themselves, heal from burnout, find clarity, and rebuild communication and emotional connection. You don't have to do this alone.
One of my specialty areas is working with individuals in families formed through foster care, adoption, blended families, and through reproductive medicine.
I find a lot of joy in helping teens and adults discover and uncover their truest selves. If you are someone who wants to increase self-compassion, heal from trauma, challenge long held beliefs about yourself or the world, strengthen relationships, process grief and loss, and/or find the inner strength and resources to make desired changes in your life, I might be a good fit for you. I also find it very meaningful to work with people unlearning and healing from diet culture, those taking or considering a GLP-1 metabolic medication and processing the complicated emotions that arise through these choices and the changes that happen.
One of my specialty areas is working with individuals in families formed through foster care, adoption, blended families, and through reproductive medicine.
I find a lot of joy in helping teens and adults discover and uncover their truest selves. If you are someone who wants to increase self-compassion, heal from trauma, challenge long held beliefs about yourself or the world, strengthen relationships, process grief and loss, and/or find the inner strength and resources to make desired changes in your life, I might be a good fit for you. I also find it very meaningful to work with people unlearning and healing from diet culture, those taking or considering a GLP-1 metabolic medication and processing the complicated emotions that arise through these choices and the changes that happen.
There may be issues in the past that include family, loss, trauma, adoption; it could be more recent- including gender identity, sexuality, race, being LGBTQ or wanting to create a family.
I provide a space for you to talk and be heard; to see and be seen; to explore and be curious about things that may be hard or scary for you; to take risks and know there is a net if you want to fly and might be afraid of falling. I invite you to be an active participant in your own change. I will collaborate with you, challenge you and support you.
There may be issues in the past that include family, loss, trauma, adoption; it could be more recent- including gender identity, sexuality, race, being LGBTQ or wanting to create a family.
I provide a space for you to talk and be heard; to see and be seen; to explore and be curious about things that may be hard or scary for you; to take risks and know there is a net if you want to fly and might be afraid of falling. I invite you to be an active participant in your own change. I will collaborate with you, challenge you and support you.
My areas of expertise are grief/loss, substance abuse, adoption, and infertility.
I have had more than 20 years of experience providing individual counseling, couples therapy/marriage counseling. My style is interactional, holistic, and strengths-based.
I see couples and individuals from all backgrounds, orientations (gay, trans, or straight), ages (18 and up), and at all developmental stages. I work with couples and individuals healing from infidelity, sexual or emotional, childhood trauma, and those motivated toward a future of sustained growth and commitment.
My areas of expertise are grief/loss, substance abuse, adoption, and infertility.
I have had more than 20 years of experience providing individual counseling, couples therapy/marriage counseling. My style is interactional, holistic, and strengths-based.
I see couples and individuals from all backgrounds, orientations (gay, trans, or straight), ages (18 and up), and at all developmental stages. I work with couples and individuals healing from infidelity, sexual or emotional, childhood trauma, and those motivated toward a future of sustained growth and commitment.
Maybe you've spent years being the strong one, holding it together, figuring out how to survive, and somewhere along the way lost touch with who you actually are. The pain doesn't always have a clear name, but it shows up in your relationships, in patterns you can't explain, in anxiety, numbness, or a quiet sense that something is missing. The walls you've built, the ways you've learned to protect yourself, they made sense once, but they may be getting in the way of the life you actually want. If that resonates, you might be in the right place.
Maybe you've spent years being the strong one, holding it together, figuring out how to survive, and somewhere along the way lost touch with who you actually are. The pain doesn't always have a clear name, but it shows up in your relationships, in patterns you can't explain, in anxiety, numbness, or a quiet sense that something is missing. The walls you've built, the ways you've learned to protect yourself, they made sense once, but they may be getting in the way of the life you actually want. If that resonates, you might be in the right place.
I focus on aging; adoption; anxiety; depression; co-dependence; family dysfunction; grief; loss; identity; and relationships.
I believe we are all finally recognizing that a more holistic approach to treatment is needed. With over 40+ years of experience working in community mental health and private practice, I know the importance on our assessing and understanding all of the ways society impacts every individual. Everything around us matters, even beyond our personal relationships with our families, colleagues and friends. Speaking as a proud social worker, I know to effectively diagnose and treat a human problem needs a fully inclusive, psycho-social model of evaluation. I am here, tailored to help for your specific and unique needs.
I focus on aging; adoption; anxiety; depression; co-dependence; family dysfunction; grief; loss; identity; and relationships.
I believe we are all finally recognizing that a more holistic approach to treatment is needed. With over 40+ years of experience working in community mental health and private practice, I know the importance on our assessing and understanding all of the ways society impacts every individual. Everything around us matters, even beyond our personal relationships with our families, colleagues and friends. Speaking as a proud social worker, I know to effectively diagnose and treat a human problem needs a fully inclusive, psycho-social model of evaluation. I am here, tailored to help for your specific and unique needs.
I specialize in 1) attachment/relationship, 2) trauma/loss, 3) non-traditional families, 4) adoption, 5) ThirdCultureKid, 6) LGBTQ, 7) parenting issues
Other client populations I have worked with are those who are in cross-cultural / interracial relationships. I also have much experience working with children and teens. I can help parents figure the best way to address their child's challenges at home/school by providing "Executive Facilitator Role/Parent Consultation."
I specialize in 1) attachment/relationship, 2) trauma/loss, 3) non-traditional families, 4) adoption, 5) ThirdCultureKid, 6) LGBTQ, 7) parenting issues
Other client populations I have worked with are those who are in cross-cultural / interracial relationships. I also have much experience working with children and teens. I can help parents figure the best way to address their child's challenges at home/school by providing "Executive Facilitator Role/Parent Consultation."
I have a breadth and depth of experience working with people, especially dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and loss. I believe in an approach based on client strengths and resiliency. The therapeutic process is constructed to develop effective coping techniques and strategies. This framework supports the clients in learning how to create a foundation and skills toolbox to meet the challenges of life today and the future.
I have a breadth and depth of experience working with people, especially dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and loss. I believe in an approach based on client strengths and resiliency. The therapeutic process is constructed to develop effective coping techniques and strategies. This framework supports the clients in learning how to create a foundation and skills toolbox to meet the challenges of life today and the future.
My name is Alesia. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of experience working with Adults, Children, Youth and Families. I obtained my master’s degree in Social Work from Howard University in May 1990. I am a compassionate therapist dedicated to providing the tools necessary to help you overcome obstacles and barriers that are keeping you from living your authentic life.
My name is Alesia. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of experience working with Adults, Children, Youth and Families. I obtained my master’s degree in Social Work from Howard University in May 1990. I am a compassionate therapist dedicated to providing the tools necessary to help you overcome obstacles and barriers that are keeping you from living your authentic life.
Our approach is holistic, integrating mind, spirit and body. Our ideal client will be interested in getting past the symptoms to deal with root causes/problems. We believe complete healing and freedom is possible, not just coping. Moreover Innerstanding of identity, purpose and destiny is existential to a healthy life.
Our approach is holistic, integrating mind, spirit and body. Our ideal client will be interested in getting past the symptoms to deal with root causes/problems. We believe complete healing and freedom is possible, not just coping. Moreover Innerstanding of identity, purpose and destiny is existential to a healthy life.
I help clients process life-changing events including job growth, relocation, loss and grief, chronic health diagnoses, and adoption.
My approach to couples therapy is based on EFT, Terry Real's RLT and Gottman Therapy. I’m experienced working with hetero, non-hetero, multicultural and LGBTQ couples helping them explore monogamous and ENM relationships and intimacy. I work with individuals balancing family, career, relationships, community, and self-care improving well-being.
I help clients process life-changing events including job growth, relocation, loss and grief, chronic health diagnoses, and adoption.
My approach to couples therapy is based on EFT, Terry Real's RLT and Gottman Therapy. I’m experienced working with hetero, non-hetero, multicultural and LGBTQ couples helping them explore monogamous and ENM relationships and intimacy. I work with individuals balancing family, career, relationships, community, and self-care improving well-being.
I am an experienced clinical social worker and therapist available to work with adults (18+) experiencing grief, loss, relationship or parenting challenges, and various life transitions.
I am an experienced clinical social worker and therapist available to work with adults (18+) experiencing grief, loss, relationship or parenting challenges, and various life transitions.
See more therapy options for Washington
Adoption Therapists
Does my adopted child need therapy?
Not every adopted child needs therapy. However, many can benefit from seeing an adoption-informed therapist, especially if they were victims of abuse or neglect, appear withdrawn or disconnected, have behavioral or developmental issues (which may or may not be related to their adoption), are struggling with feelings of grief or loss surrounding their birth parents, or find it difficult to establish an identity, a challenge that often becomes most apparent during adolescence.
When should adoptive parents seek therapy?
Prospective parents can benefit from therapy even before an adoption—for example, to voice worries and fears; to reconcile infertility struggles, if relevant; or simply to prepare themselves for parenthood. After the adoption, parents who are struggling to bond with their child; are unsure how to talk about adoption or related issues, such as race; or whose child is dealing with developmental, behavioral, or psychiatric concerns can address these and other issues with the help of an adoption-competent therapist.
Is family therapy appropriate for adoptive families?
Family therapy can be invaluable for strengthening the bond between adoptive parents and children, helping the latter feel more secure in their place in the family. Family therapy can also help adoptive families navigate complex communication issues—for example, parents who feel uncomfortable discussing race with their child, who in turn feels invalidated by their silence, or a child who has questions about his birth parents but avoids asking them out of fear of hurting his adoptive parents’ feelings.
What therapy is not appropriate for adoption issues?
A discredited therapy known as “attachment therapy” (sometimes called “holding therapy” or “rebirthing therapy”) should not be used to treat adopted and foster children, though it was largely designed for this population. Attachment therapy involves restraining, coercing, and punishing the child in order for them to “release” negative emotions and attach to their new caregivers—techniques that are abusive and dangerous and have even proven fatal in some cases.