Therapists in Washington, DC
I am in-network with BlueCross BlueShield/Carefirst, Anthem, and Aetna. I bill insurance directly.
I am in-network with BlueCross BlueShield/Carefirst, Anthem, and Aetna. I bill insurance directly.
My ideal client is someone who is committed to self-love, self-exploration, and growth; yet may be unsure of how to use these tools to enact change. This person may be an apprehensive novice to the world of therapy or a veteran consumer. All are welcome.
My ideal client is someone who is committed to self-love, self-exploration, and growth; yet may be unsure of how to use these tools to enact change. This person may be an apprehensive novice to the world of therapy or a veteran consumer. All are welcome.
Through an empathic, supportive, and collaborative therapeutic approach, I will focus on helping you understand what is getting in the way of you feeling more fulfilled in life. Perhaps you question your ability to sustain meaningful and lasting relationships. Or you worry about how others see you, spend too much energy trying to please people, and doubt your attractiveness and worthiness to them. I believe therapy can help you develop a more authentic relationship with yourself, allowing you to be more clear in your communication with others. I have ample experience and enjoy working with clients struggling with depression, anxiety, grief/loss, and career concerns.
Through an empathic, supportive, and collaborative therapeutic approach, I will focus on helping you understand what is getting in the way of you feeling more fulfilled in life. Perhaps you question your ability to sustain meaningful and lasting relationships. Or you worry about how others see you, spend too much energy trying to please people, and doubt your attractiveness and worthiness to them. I believe therapy can help you develop a more authentic relationship with yourself, allowing you to be more clear in your communication with others. I have ample experience and enjoy working with clients struggling with depression, anxiety, grief/loss, and career concerns.
It gets much better from here. No matter what you're going through, our expert providers are here to help with online mental health care tailored to you. Brightside Health offers personalized psychiatry, proven therapy, or both to help you feel better. Get started right from home, with appointments in as little as 2 days.
It gets much better from here. No matter what you're going through, our expert providers are here to help with online mental health care tailored to you. Brightside Health offers personalized psychiatry, proven therapy, or both to help you feel better. Get started right from home, with appointments in as little as 2 days.
I’ve had the privilege of working in the mental health field for over 18 years, supporting individuals with a wide range of life experiences. I bring an eclectic and individualized approach to therapy, honoring the uniqueness of each person’s story and the strengths they carry into the healing process. My work is deeply rooted in trauma care, and I specialize in supporting survivors of sexual violence, childhood abuse, domestic violence, and military combat trauma. I pay close attention to how trauma impacts both the brain and body, and I integrate that mind-body connection into our work together in meaningful and empowering ways.
I’ve had the privilege of working in the mental health field for over 18 years, supporting individuals with a wide range of life experiences. I bring an eclectic and individualized approach to therapy, honoring the uniqueness of each person’s story and the strengths they carry into the healing process. My work is deeply rooted in trauma care, and I specialize in supporting survivors of sexual violence, childhood abuse, domestic violence, and military combat trauma. I pay close attention to how trauma impacts both the brain and body, and I integrate that mind-body connection into our work together in meaningful and empowering ways.
Are you anxious that you might not be able to handle this big life challenge with your physical & emotional wellbeing, authenticity & integrity, and values & serenity still intact? Are you hopeful that maybe, just maybe, you can come out on the other side of it with new growth & wisdom? Are you struggling to navigate life and find fulfillment, love, & belonging as someone who's “different”, even from some of the people & communities you love most? Are you feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, unseen, unheard, or unfulfilled in your relationships? Do you wrestle with inner whispers of shame, and wonder “Am I enough? Am I good enough?"
Are you anxious that you might not be able to handle this big life challenge with your physical & emotional wellbeing, authenticity & integrity, and values & serenity still intact? Are you hopeful that maybe, just maybe, you can come out on the other side of it with new growth & wisdom? Are you struggling to navigate life and find fulfillment, love, & belonging as someone who's “different”, even from some of the people & communities you love most? Are you feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, unseen, unheard, or unfulfilled in your relationships? Do you wrestle with inner whispers of shame, and wonder “Am I enough? Am I good enough?"
Paula Natalia Otero
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, LCPC
3 Endorsed
Washington, DC 20010
Not accepting new clients
Does it ever feel like you’re caught between worlds? Whether you’re adapting to life in a new country, reconciling your family’s expectations with your own, or feeling the weight of being “the first” to figure it all out, life can feel overwhelming. Maybe you’re an immigrant building a new chapter far from home, a first-gen juggling cultures and identities, or in a relationship trying to navigate your differences while staying connected. You’re doing your best, but inside, the self-doubt, anxiety, and disconnection are exhausting. You’re longing for clarity, connection, and a life that feels like your own.
Does it ever feel like you’re caught between worlds? Whether you’re adapting to life in a new country, reconciling your family’s expectations with your own, or feeling the weight of being “the first” to figure it all out, life can feel overwhelming. Maybe you’re an immigrant building a new chapter far from home, a first-gen juggling cultures and identities, or in a relationship trying to navigate your differences while staying connected. You’re doing your best, but inside, the self-doubt, anxiety, and disconnection are exhausting. You’re longing for clarity, connection, and a life that feels like your own.
Do you feel stuck? Maybe you can't seem to shake the blues. Maybe it’s a loss. Or you can’t make a crucial decision. Perhaps jittery moods have reduced your functioning. Or you’re unable to control unhealthy behavior. Maybe every conversation with your spouse becomes an argument.
Feel more confident, improve your relationships, move from illness to health, reconnect with your creativity, learn valuable coping skills, take control of your life and just feel better. I can help you move forward through obstacles, uncovering your true potential. Our work helps you feel resilient, so you can set and reach your goals.
Do you feel stuck? Maybe you can't seem to shake the blues. Maybe it’s a loss. Or you can’t make a crucial decision. Perhaps jittery moods have reduced your functioning. Or you’re unable to control unhealthy behavior. Maybe every conversation with your spouse becomes an argument.
Feel more confident, improve your relationships, move from illness to health, reconnect with your creativity, learn valuable coping skills, take control of your life and just feel better. I can help you move forward through obstacles, uncovering your true potential. Our work helps you feel resilient, so you can set and reach your goals.
I am a Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) in the District of Columbia. I have extensive experience working with children and teenagers ages 5-18, as well as adults. I have worked with individuals who experience ADHD, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, anger outbursts, and stage of life transitions. I also have experience working with families who are experiencing anxiety, depression, ineffective communication styles and trauma.
I am a Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) in the District of Columbia. I have extensive experience working with children and teenagers ages 5-18, as well as adults. I have worked with individuals who experience ADHD, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, anger outbursts, and stage of life transitions. I also have experience working with families who are experiencing anxiety, depression, ineffective communication styles and trauma.
Are you feeling anxious, depressed or struggling in your relationship? Let’s meet. For over 30 years, I have been providing psychotherapy services to individuals and couples. It is a pleasure to see clients grow, resolve problems, and begin to feel in ways they never imagined. I create a safe, supportive, and affirming environment for exploring and gaining insight into the challenges you face, and together we will find new ways to react to, cope with, and address them. My goal is to help you find meaningful and lasting solutions that improve your mood, sense of well being and relationships.
Are you feeling anxious, depressed or struggling in your relationship? Let’s meet. For over 30 years, I have been providing psychotherapy services to individuals and couples. It is a pleasure to see clients grow, resolve problems, and begin to feel in ways they never imagined. I create a safe, supportive, and affirming environment for exploring and gaining insight into the challenges you face, and together we will find new ways to react to, cope with, and address them. My goal is to help you find meaningful and lasting solutions that improve your mood, sense of well being and relationships.
Michelle Cortright
Licensed Professional Counselor, MEd, LPCMHSP, NCC
Washington, DC 20036
Not accepting new clients
I am a holistic therapist committed to creating space for clients to connect with their authentic selves and heal from within. I hold a M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Vanderbilt University and am a licensed professional counselor, certified EMDR therapist, breathwork guide, and wellness coach. I am passionate about empowering others to create a life in which their souls shine brightest and focus on opportunities for healing from trauma and major life challenges including addiction/substance abuse, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, stress and life transitions, interpersonal development, and self-actualization.
I am a holistic therapist committed to creating space for clients to connect with their authentic selves and heal from within. I hold a M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Vanderbilt University and am a licensed professional counselor, certified EMDR therapist, breathwork guide, and wellness coach. I am passionate about empowering others to create a life in which their souls shine brightest and focus on opportunities for healing from trauma and major life challenges including addiction/substance abuse, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, stress and life transitions, interpersonal development, and self-actualization.
Therapy is a brave step towards healing. I provide a safe and supportive space where we work together to explore your struggles. Together, we uncover unconscious thought patterns, regain injured energy, and work to create new coping strategies. We do this through a mix of deep exploration, therapeutic challenges, and warm encouragement. With a dash of humor
Therapy is a brave step towards healing. I provide a safe and supportive space where we work together to explore your struggles. Together, we uncover unconscious thought patterns, regain injured energy, and work to create new coping strategies. We do this through a mix of deep exploration, therapeutic challenges, and warm encouragement. With a dash of humor
I’m Tasja—an empowering, insightful, and direct therapist who meets you exactly where you are while helping you grow into who you’re becoming. I believe healing isn’t linear, and progress often looks like clarity, confusion, breakthroughs, and adjustments all at once. My work centers emotional intelligence, self-awareness, resilience, and the belief that people evolve when they feel supported, safe, and understood. I blend evidence-based care with a grounded, human approach to help you slow down, explore your patterns, and reconnect with the strongest version of yourself.
I’m Tasja—an empowering, insightful, and direct therapist who meets you exactly where you are while helping you grow into who you’re becoming. I believe healing isn’t linear, and progress often looks like clarity, confusion, breakthroughs, and adjustments all at once. My work centers emotional intelligence, self-awareness, resilience, and the belief that people evolve when they feel supported, safe, and understood. I blend evidence-based care with a grounded, human approach to help you slow down, explore your patterns, and reconnect with the strongest version of yourself.
I believe that everyone has the capacity to accomplish their goals. My role is to help you uncover and understand the obstacles and trauma that are getting in the way of achieving what you desire, and then help you tap into your inner resources to succeed. With empathy and authenticity, I work alongside my clients to promote healing and discovery of their power to change. Whether you are experiencing symptoms related to anxiety, depression, grief and loss; problems with relationships, parenting, or self-esteem; or a general sense of disconnectedness – whatever it is – I recognize that therapy is self-work, and it's not easy.
I believe that everyone has the capacity to accomplish their goals. My role is to help you uncover and understand the obstacles and trauma that are getting in the way of achieving what you desire, and then help you tap into your inner resources to succeed. With empathy and authenticity, I work alongside my clients to promote healing and discovery of their power to change. Whether you are experiencing symptoms related to anxiety, depression, grief and loss; problems with relationships, parenting, or self-esteem; or a general sense of disconnectedness – whatever it is – I recognize that therapy is self-work, and it's not easy.
Welcome! By visiting my page, you're already one step closer to building a life that you love. I work best with clients (mostly in the early to middle adulthood age range) who feel anxious, depressed, inferior, out-of-balance, insecure, defensive, weak, traumatized, overwhelmed, defeated and/or maladjusted; as well as those who simply just want to develop insight into their own psychological world. I will help you to identify and process root wounds and sources of suffering in order to help you not only heal and bounce back, but to actually bounce forward, in your life. Expect to move towards healing, balance, and optimal wellness.
Welcome! By visiting my page, you're already one step closer to building a life that you love. I work best with clients (mostly in the early to middle adulthood age range) who feel anxious, depressed, inferior, out-of-balance, insecure, defensive, weak, traumatized, overwhelmed, defeated and/or maladjusted; as well as those who simply just want to develop insight into their own psychological world. I will help you to identify and process root wounds and sources of suffering in order to help you not only heal and bounce back, but to actually bounce forward, in your life. Expect to move towards healing, balance, and optimal wellness.
Are you feeling overwhelmed with anxiety, stress, or depression? Are you looking to improve your relationships or add new ones into your life but aren’t sure where to start? If you are struggling with disordered eating, fertility, burnout, self esteem, body image, relationships, or career, we can work together to bring about concrete, long term change. I work with college students, young adults, mid-career professionals, and all the life transitions in between. I specialize in areas of anxiety, depression, eating disorders, relationships, and career changes.
Are you feeling overwhelmed with anxiety, stress, or depression? Are you looking to improve your relationships or add new ones into your life but aren’t sure where to start? If you are struggling with disordered eating, fertility, burnout, self esteem, body image, relationships, or career, we can work together to bring about concrete, long term change. I work with college students, young adults, mid-career professionals, and all the life transitions in between. I specialize in areas of anxiety, depression, eating disorders, relationships, and career changes.
Life is like your favorite card game. Sometimes you are dealt a good hand, and sometimes you are dealt a bad hand. How you play that hand determines the outcome. If life has gotten difficult for you and you need help sorting through and coping with the challenges that you have been facing, please contact me. Together, we can explore and identify the issues that have led to your depression, anxiety, stress, feelings of hopelessness, trauma, relationship challenges, post-traumatic stress, grief, loss, life transitions, and any other obstacles you face.
Life is like your favorite card game. Sometimes you are dealt a good hand, and sometimes you are dealt a bad hand. How you play that hand determines the outcome. If life has gotten difficult for you and you need help sorting through and coping with the challenges that you have been facing, please contact me. Together, we can explore and identify the issues that have led to your depression, anxiety, stress, feelings of hopelessness, trauma, relationship challenges, post-traumatic stress, grief, loss, life transitions, and any other obstacles you face.
My name is Natasha Watkins, and I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in DC, Maryland, and VA. Navigating life’s transitions and challenges can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. I specialize in working with individuals like you who need help managing relationships and life complexities, process challenging experiences, and seek personal growth. Whether you're feeling stuck, questioning your next step, or seeking clarity in your relationships, I provide a space for honest exploration and practical change.
My name is Natasha Watkins, and I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in DC, Maryland, and VA. Navigating life’s transitions and challenges can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. I specialize in working with individuals like you who need help managing relationships and life complexities, process challenging experiences, and seek personal growth. Whether you're feeling stuck, questioning your next step, or seeking clarity in your relationships, I provide a space for honest exploration and practical change.
Simply put, an ideal client is the one who just shows up. Whether or not you have been gently encouraged to seek therapy or you have made the decision on your own, it takes courage and intention to move forward on your journey towards growth, self-awareness, and healing. I tend to work well with clients who appreciate elevating and employing their level of introspection and insight. Ideal clients prefer and are open to delving deeper beneath the surface while at the same time understanding and appreciating the importance of behavioral based tools, techniques and interventions that ultimately help practical functionality.
Simply put, an ideal client is the one who just shows up. Whether or not you have been gently encouraged to seek therapy or you have made the decision on your own, it takes courage and intention to move forward on your journey towards growth, self-awareness, and healing. I tend to work well with clients who appreciate elevating and employing their level of introspection and insight. Ideal clients prefer and are open to delving deeper beneath the surface while at the same time understanding and appreciating the importance of behavioral based tools, techniques and interventions that ultimately help practical functionality.
I provide compassionate support to individuals navigating the effects of trauma, complex life transitions, depression, anxiety, and relational challenges. I also hold space for those carrying the weight of marginalization, cultural displacement, or the stressors that arise during the perinatal period. My practice is an inclusive space where clients from all backgrounds, cultures, and identities are welcome. As a bilingual therapist, I am able to offer services in both English and Italian, and I value the richness that language and culture bring to the therapeutic process.
I provide compassionate support to individuals navigating the effects of trauma, complex life transitions, depression, anxiety, and relational challenges. I also hold space for those carrying the weight of marginalization, cultural displacement, or the stressors that arise during the perinatal period. My practice is an inclusive space where clients from all backgrounds, cultures, and identities are welcome. As a bilingual therapist, I am able to offer services in both English and Italian, and I value the richness that language and culture bring to the therapeutic process.
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How does your Therapist compare?
Number of Therapists in Washington, DC
3,000+
Average cost per session
$184
Therapists in Washington, DC who prioritize treating:
| 93% | Anxiety |
| 87% | Depression |
| 79% | Relationship Issues |
| 74% | Self Esteem |
| 69% | Stress |
| 68% | Trauma and PTSD |
| 66% | Life Transitions |
Average years in practice
13 Years
Top 3 insurances accepted
| 66% | Aetna |
| 64% | BlueCross and BlueShield |
| 62% | Cigna and Evernorth |
How Therapists in Washington, DC see their clients
| 51% | In Person and Online | |
| 49% | Online Only |
Gender breakdown
| 80% | Female | |
| 18% | Male | |
| 2% | Non-Binary |