Secular and Non-Religious Therapists in Washington, DC
Ehrhardt Therapy and Associates
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LICSW, LPC
2 Endorsed
Washington, DC 20006
Beginning therapy can feel like a big step, but it’s often the first toward meaningful insight and lasting personal growth. We understand that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process. Our approach is tailored to you—whether you’re working through past experiences, navigating present challenges, or seeking greater balance in your life. You don’t have to do it alone.
Our goal is to create a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment where you feel comfortable sharing openly and working toward change.
Beginning therapy can feel like a big step, but it’s often the first toward meaningful insight and lasting personal growth. We understand that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process. Our approach is tailored to you—whether you’re working through past experiences, navigating present challenges, or seeking greater balance in your life. You don’t have to do it alone.
Our goal is to create a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment where you feel comfortable sharing openly and working toward change.
I work with clients who are distressed or confused by why they engage in the behaviors they do, whether it's addiction, anger, or relationship difficulties and challenges. I believe this is because my stance is non-judgmental and I genuinely believe that all behavior is rational given past experience or the actual situation, even if it is not helpful in the present. I work to help clients navigate how these behaviors may have arisen, to develop self-compassion, and then to provide support and strategies to do the hard work of adopting new, more helpful behaviors.
I work with clients who are distressed or confused by why they engage in the behaviors they do, whether it's addiction, anger, or relationship difficulties and challenges. I believe this is because my stance is non-judgmental and I genuinely believe that all behavior is rational given past experience or the actual situation, even if it is not helpful in the present. I work to help clients navigate how these behaviors may have arisen, to develop self-compassion, and then to provide support and strategies to do the hard work of adopting new, more helpful behaviors.
Guided by the wisdom of Jung's words, "There can be no transforming of darkness into light, without emotion," I specialize in unraveling the intricate threads of emotional intelligence. Grounded in a profound understanding of belief systems, my training delves into the core, where past ideologies shape your present reality. Embracing emotional intelligence is not just a skill; it's a transformative state-of-mind that shapes thoughts and heightens emotional awareness. I advocate not for change but for understanding and acceptance.
Guided by the wisdom of Jung's words, "There can be no transforming of darkness into light, without emotion," I specialize in unraveling the intricate threads of emotional intelligence. Grounded in a profound understanding of belief systems, my training delves into the core, where past ideologies shape your present reality. Embracing emotional intelligence is not just a skill; it's a transformative state-of-mind that shapes thoughts and heightens emotional awareness. I advocate not for change but for understanding and acceptance.
Welcome! My name is Joanne and I am part of a practice that validates and supports individual's unique life stories with empathy, curiosity, and with no judgment. Our goal is to provide a safe space where individuals or couples can work collaboratively to unlearn limiting thoughts and behaviors by replacing them with healthier strategies to cope with changes and manage stress.
Welcome! My name is Joanne and I am part of a practice that validates and supports individual's unique life stories with empathy, curiosity, and with no judgment. Our goal is to provide a safe space where individuals or couples can work collaboratively to unlearn limiting thoughts and behaviors by replacing them with healthier strategies to cope with changes and manage stress.
Modern mental healthcare is no longer confined to the boxes of conventional knowledge — it is integrative, expansive, and deeply human. I honor the complexities of who you are, weaving your unique story with multiple lenses and practices to foster small steps toward your progress and wellbeing each day. We focus on what you want to believe, feel and do, then make it possible by calming the nervous system, reprogramming past trauma, and teaching your brain and body that it is safe to create new beliefs and behaviors from a newer, more aligned and authentic self.
Modern mental healthcare is no longer confined to the boxes of conventional knowledge — it is integrative, expansive, and deeply human. I honor the complexities of who you are, weaving your unique story with multiple lenses and practices to foster small steps toward your progress and wellbeing each day. We focus on what you want to believe, feel and do, then make it possible by calming the nervous system, reprogramming past trauma, and teaching your brain and body that it is safe to create new beliefs and behaviors from a newer, more aligned and authentic self.
If you're looking to feel more grounded, stable, and at peace in your personal and professional life, I can help. I work with individuals struggling with overwhelming worry, feelings of inadequacy, fear that things can’t change, or the sense that life is happening to them rather than with them. I also support clients navigating complex family or romantic relationships, the integration of sexual orientation and/or gender identity with other areas of life, and processing grief from loss, death, or relationship endings.
If you're looking to feel more grounded, stable, and at peace in your personal and professional life, I can help. I work with individuals struggling with overwhelming worry, feelings of inadequacy, fear that things can’t change, or the sense that life is happening to them rather than with them. I also support clients navigating complex family or romantic relationships, the integration of sexual orientation and/or gender identity with other areas of life, and processing grief from loss, death, or relationship endings.
Eating disorders can be all encompassing and can start to take over so many different aspects of your life. It becomes hard to do anything without hearing the eating disorder’s disapproving voice in your head making comments about your food intake, your body, and most painfully, who you are as a person. This voice is not you. We can work together to help you fight back and regain your identity. You do not need to have an eating disorder for us to work together, I also work with those struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, life transitions, trauma, relationships, and identity.
Eating disorders can be all encompassing and can start to take over so many different aspects of your life. It becomes hard to do anything without hearing the eating disorder’s disapproving voice in your head making comments about your food intake, your body, and most painfully, who you are as a person. This voice is not you. We can work together to help you fight back and regain your identity. You do not need to have an eating disorder for us to work together, I also work with those struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, life transitions, trauma, relationships, and identity.
In counseling children and adolescents, I prioritize how you relate to others, how you feel, and how you behave. I provide counseling to people experiencing difficulty adjusting to parents’ divorce or separation; maltreatment, bullying or lack of acceptance; isolation and increased loneliness; increased conflicts with parents; and perfectionism and excessively high standards. These experiences can cause my clients to experience an increase in sleep loss due to worry, feeling unhappy or depressed, persistent negative thoughts, feeling distressed, obsessive-compulsive disorder and loss of confidence in themselves.
In counseling children and adolescents, I prioritize how you relate to others, how you feel, and how you behave. I provide counseling to people experiencing difficulty adjusting to parents’ divorce or separation; maltreatment, bullying or lack of acceptance; isolation and increased loneliness; increased conflicts with parents; and perfectionism and excessively high standards. These experiences can cause my clients to experience an increase in sleep loss due to worry, feeling unhappy or depressed, persistent negative thoughts, feeling distressed, obsessive-compulsive disorder and loss of confidence in themselves.
Life has a way of showing us that what used to work suddenly does not anymore. Maybe you are navigating a major change, or you have realized that the beliefs and patterns you have carried for years no longer fit. You might feel exhausted from trying to hold everything together, unsure of your direction, or aware that the ways you have been coping are now getting in the way.
Life has a way of showing us that what used to work suddenly does not anymore. Maybe you are navigating a major change, or you have realized that the beliefs and patterns you have carried for years no longer fit. You might feel exhausted from trying to hold everything together, unsure of your direction, or aware that the ways you have been coping are now getting in the way.
Do you find it hard to close your laptop or turn off work notifications, even when the day is technically over? Does your body still feel buzzing with unused energy, like you are bracing for the next email or request? Even during downtime, it can feel difficult to truly relax or step out of work mode. Many of the women I work with feel pressure to stay constantly available, struggle to say no, and worry about being seen as incompetent or unreliable if they slow down. That fear of dropping the ball often leads to overworking, people pleasing, and emotional exhaustion, even when things are going well professionally.
Do you find it hard to close your laptop or turn off work notifications, even when the day is technically over? Does your body still feel buzzing with unused energy, like you are bracing for the next email or request? Even during downtime, it can feel difficult to truly relax or step out of work mode. Many of the women I work with feel pressure to stay constantly available, struggle to say no, and worry about being seen as incompetent or unreliable if they slow down. That fear of dropping the ball often leads to overworking, people pleasing, and emotional exhaustion, even when things are going well professionally.
If your mind never shuts off, relationships feel exhausting, and big life changes hit you harder than most, you’re not broken, you’re not alone, and you’re in the right place. I create a safe and compassionate space where you can feel seen, heard, and supported. Together, we’ll uncover your strengths, build confidence, and create meaningful change. I offer virtual therapy in California, Florida, and Washington, D.C.
If your mind never shuts off, relationships feel exhausting, and big life changes hit you harder than most, you’re not broken, you’re not alone, and you’re in the right place. I create a safe and compassionate space where you can feel seen, heard, and supported. Together, we’ll uncover your strengths, build confidence, and create meaningful change. I offer virtual therapy in California, Florida, and Washington, D.C.
You feel stuck, so what if we could help you figure out not only what you want, but also how to get it? I help coach adults with anxiety from legal-related challenges (e.g., divorce, terminations, and moving) successfully navigate these transitions and create stability for their families.
You feel stuck, so what if we could help you figure out not only what you want, but also how to get it? I help coach adults with anxiety from legal-related challenges (e.g., divorce, terminations, and moving) successfully navigate these transitions and create stability for their families.
Work-Related / Academic-Related Stress, Performance & Relationships: working with diverse professionals (managers, lawyers, doctors, therapists, researchers, students) to improve their comfort / performance through increased awareness and regulation of difficult emotions, repetitive negative thoughts, challenging work relationships, as well as past experiences that influence current functioning (i.e., Tavistock model).
Work-Related / Academic-Related Stress, Performance & Relationships: working with diverse professionals (managers, lawyers, doctors, therapists, researchers, students) to improve their comfort / performance through increased awareness and regulation of difficult emotions, repetitive negative thoughts, challenging work relationships, as well as past experiences that influence current functioning (i.e., Tavistock model).
Welcome! I most enjoy working with people navigating trauma, dissociation, relationship concerns, substance use and big life transitions. Clients often begin therapy wanting to explore difficult childhood experiences, understand different parts of themselves or feel more connected to their bodies. Some find it hard to be present, like their heads are always foggy. Others learned to make themselves small, struggling to feel safe, express boundaries or build trust in relationships. Previous clients have described feeling braver, less overwhelmed and more comfortable taking up space following our time together.
Welcome! I most enjoy working with people navigating trauma, dissociation, relationship concerns, substance use and big life transitions. Clients often begin therapy wanting to explore difficult childhood experiences, understand different parts of themselves or feel more connected to their bodies. Some find it hard to be present, like their heads are always foggy. Others learned to make themselves small, struggling to feel safe, express boundaries or build trust in relationships. Previous clients have described feeling braver, less overwhelmed and more comfortable taking up space following our time together.
I am a bilingual social worker from Puerto Rico. I offer therapy in English and Spanish for children, adolescents, and adults. I know how important it is to feel understood and supported in the language and style that feels most natural to you. I use a patient-centered, trauma-focused, culturally competent approach to create a safe, welcoming space where you can explore emotions, build strengths, and feel truly heard. My experience includes working with middle and high school students in a school setting, as well as in medical settings with children, teens, and young adults.
I am a bilingual social worker from Puerto Rico. I offer therapy in English and Spanish for children, adolescents, and adults. I know how important it is to feel understood and supported in the language and style that feels most natural to you. I use a patient-centered, trauma-focused, culturally competent approach to create a safe, welcoming space where you can explore emotions, build strengths, and feel truly heard. My experience includes working with middle and high school students in a school setting, as well as in medical settings with children, teens, and young adults.
I work with individuals navigating trauma, identity exploration, relationship challenges, and major life transitions through a LGBTQIA+ affirming, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive lens. I am especially mindful of how trauma can impact safety, trust, and the nervous system, and I work at a pace that feels supportive and grounding, whether clients are feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, uncertain, or processing trauma related to identity, relationships, or systemic stress.
With experience in queer and gender-affirming care, I take a creative, individualized approach to therapy that honors each client’s lived experience.
I work with individuals navigating trauma, identity exploration, relationship challenges, and major life transitions through a LGBTQIA+ affirming, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive lens. I am especially mindful of how trauma can impact safety, trust, and the nervous system, and I work at a pace that feels supportive and grounding, whether clients are feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, uncertain, or processing trauma related to identity, relationships, or systemic stress.
With experience in queer and gender-affirming care, I take a creative, individualized approach to therapy that honors each client’s lived experience.
Dr. Barimany specializes is in adult development and interpersonal relationships. Human beings have fundamental needs for intra-personal and inter-personal happiness: to know oneself, make healthy decisions, be in fulfilling relationships, and to continuously build a life with meaning. She works with individuals going through phase-of-life transitions, couples, intergenerational female relationships (mothers and daughters, sisters, aunts), and therapists looking for their own personal therapy.
Dr. Barimany specializes is in adult development and interpersonal relationships. Human beings have fundamental needs for intra-personal and inter-personal happiness: to know oneself, make healthy decisions, be in fulfilling relationships, and to continuously build a life with meaning. She works with individuals going through phase-of-life transitions, couples, intergenerational female relationships (mothers and daughters, sisters, aunts), and therapists looking for their own personal therapy.
We all carry around a metaphorical bag of stuff with us. That bag is filled with our thoughts, feelings, and experiences; everything that makes us who we are. In therapy, we unpack your bag. We explore each item and get curious about it. How did that item get in the bag? What is the impact of carrying it around with you? Together, we make meaning of your items. Some items you will decide are essential. Others are weighing you down, and preventing you from being your authentic self. I can help you decide what you want to do with those items and how to do it.
We all carry around a metaphorical bag of stuff with us. That bag is filled with our thoughts, feelings, and experiences; everything that makes us who we are. In therapy, we unpack your bag. We explore each item and get curious about it. How did that item get in the bag? What is the impact of carrying it around with you? Together, we make meaning of your items. Some items you will decide are essential. Others are weighing you down, and preventing you from being your authentic self. I can help you decide what you want to do with those items and how to do it.
You don't need more validation. You need someone who'll tell you what they see.
Most people who find their way to me have already done
some version of therapy. They've sat across from someone
nodding. They've been told their feelings are valid.
They've left sessions feeling temporarily lighter and
permanently unchanged.
That's not what I do.
I work with high-achieving professionals, creatives, and
entrepreneurs in Washington DC — people who are
exceptional at reading rooms, managing optics, and
performing competence. People who are, privately,
exhausted by the gap between how they appear and how
they actually feel.
You don't need more validation. You need someone who'll tell you what they see.
Most people who find their way to me have already done
some version of therapy. They've sat across from someone
nodding. They've been told their feelings are valid.
They've left sessions feeling temporarily lighter and
permanently unchanged.
That's not what I do.
I work with high-achieving professionals, creatives, and
entrepreneurs in Washington DC — people who are
exceptional at reading rooms, managing optics, and
performing competence. People who are, privately,
exhausted by the gap between how they appear and how
they actually feel.
Kandace Jones
Licensed Professional Counselor, PhD, LPC
2 Endorsed
Online Only
Waitlist for new clients
I’m a behavioral health therapist and vocational rehabilitation counselor committed to helping people learn how to build confidence and love within themselves and healthier relationships with others. I also assist veterans and others in transition - whether it’s a career change, new health concerns, or a change in family dynamics.
I’m a behavioral health therapist and vocational rehabilitation counselor committed to helping people learn how to build confidence and love within themselves and healthier relationships with others. I also assist veterans and others in transition - whether it’s a career change, new health concerns, or a change in family dynamics.
