Therapists in Doswell, VA

Your life, your concerns and your goals are of utmost importance when you choose a therapist. Finding the right fit makes a huge difference. I have more than 20 years of experience counseling individuals, couples, and families. I am well equipped and highly motivated to guide you as you achieve your goals. Your concerns are immediately addressed when you speak with me. I take time to get to know you and work to combine counseling theories and techniques to individually work with you. I have no cookie cutter treatment plans. My doctoral thesis focused on clinical outcomes.

Sandhya Sharma is a South Asian Indian LPC and certified addictions specialist who works with: Adults, Teens, LGBTQ community, and International Communities. Sandhya will help create a safe and supportive therapy environment and work with you collaboratively to both accurately assess your strengths as well as areas of struggle. She will develop a treatment plan with you to help you facilitate behavioral changes that more successfully meet your goals. Sandhya will help you look at the ways you have been currently coping with life’s problems and help you to develop new strategies from a strengths-based perspective. 

In 2018, Because of the busyness in Northern Virginia, I opened an online practice to make Christian counseling more accessible. After moving to Florida, I expanded the services. I am licensed as an LCSW in both Virginia and Florida. You can receive professional support from the comfort of your own space. I enjoy working with individuals who suffer from anxiety disorders, depression, relationship difficulties and stress management. I tailor your counseling experience to you, using worksheets, talk therapy, art, DBT workbooks, CBT and a variety of other research-based methods.

Who am I? I am HER, I am great, I am divine and I strongly believe that we are all that person. Coming from a military background where I served in the United States Navy for 10 years before being Honorably Discharged, I am very familiar with military life and transition. I do enjoy working with individuals from all different backgrounds and consider myself to be culturally competent. I believe that life, like therapy is about pushing yourself outside your comfort zone, embracing growth learning and developing healthy habits that ultimately makes an individual the best version of themselves.

I have been a clinician for 23 years. I have a Master's from the U of MD Social Work program. I have enjoyed wide-ranging training and employment in many settings, including supervising a county-wide suicide hotline, in an adolescent residential facility, intensive outpatient and in-home therapy. I have worked in diverse settings, such as Johns Hopkins Methadone/Suboxone program and for an AZ Native Tribal Nation. I am experienced in diverse treatment modalities, including DBT (couples and family) dual-diagnosis treatment, Imago and in Imago/communication focused couples therapy, and multi-systemic or strategic family therapy.

We all face challenges in life where we need more support and understanding. Therapy can be the key to help identify problems, offer solutions, and lead to the changes you are seeking. Acceptance and compassion are the foundation of my work. I help individuals, couples, and families deal with stress related to trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, life transitions, maternal mental health, complicated relationships, infidelity, parenting, and self-esteem. I have also worked extensively with Veterans and family members and understand the stressors unique to the military community.

I have a special interest in helping family members retain or regain relationships. Problems may arise from addiction, depression, or a variety of other issues. The opportunity to grow and move forward with life can be difficult, especially if you are battling addiction, with or without co-occurring disorders. We can all use a partner in this effort, someone that can provide tools, support and encouragement as we move through life. I see that as my role in your therapy. Let’s form a team so that you can enjoy life and reach your goals.

Life can be daunting and stressful, and there are solutions. I believe it is within us all to become energized to lead happy, productive lives. Sometimes we need some extra support to reach our goals. My favorite part about being a psychotherapist is helping people realize their strengths and become empowered to lead healthy lives. This power is within all of us, and I can help you tap into it. I have a very broad background in the mental health field for the past 30 years. My practice gravitates toward helping people who are in relationship with people who have Narcissistic personality traits.

Finding value and meaning whether you are in the valley or at the top of the mountain using a blend of traditional evidenced based interventions with an existential feel incorporating different philosophies and schools of thought.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 20 years of experience in the helping profession. I provide a safe, non-judgmental experience in my therapeutic approach. The therapeutic relationship is the key to doing transformative work and creating positive life changes. I welcome an opportunity to partner with you on the road to wellness. I have worked in inpatient hospital systems, outpatient, and residential treatment centers. I have a wide range of experiences with clients seeking to start or continue their healing journeys.

I specialize in working with adult individuals experiencing trauma, depression, anxiety, life transitions, and relationship issues and couples experiencing conflict or wanting to strengthen their relationships. I am dedicated to supporting individuals on their path to mental health and well-being. Because I believe that therapeutic rapport and alliance are paramount to therapeutic success, my goal in therapy is to hold a compassionate, safe, and non-judgmental space where clients feel seen, heard, and understood.

I work with adults and adolescents in the treatment of depression and anxiety and other mood disorders, trauma and grief, LGBTQ issues, relationship issues and Asperger’s syndrome/high functioning autism. I provide psychological assessment for individuals seeking gender-affirming care, and presurgical psychological assessment for bariatric surgery. I hold a master’s degree and a doctorate in clinical psychology, and a master's degree in dance/movement therapy. I recently graduated from Harvard Medical School's post-doctoral certification program in Writing for Healthcare.

My training in the art and science of counseling has allowed me to provide treatment for clients with a diverse range of behavioral and mental health concerns. I have worked in a variety of treatment settings using different modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based DBT and Play Therapy. I also specialize in the treatment of ADHD and PTSD. I have years of experience in the treatment of substance abuse and addictive behaviors. I provide ASAM (American Society for Addiction Medicine) - approved substance abuse assessments to determine severity and level of care needs for alcohol & substance abuse issues.

If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward and thrive. This quote by Martin Luther King is what I support my patients to achieve in life. Whatever mental health or situations that you are suffering with, you deserve the opportunity to thrive and find happiness, success, worth and meaning in your life. Let's connect and discuss how I could support what goals you are trying to achieve.

I have experience treating a broad range of issues including depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, relationship issues, life transition issues, work-related issues, stress management, self-esteem issues. I also work with co-occurring disorders and with couples who are struggling in their relationships due to addictive behaviors. When indicated, I work collaboratively with other therapists to maximize therapeutic benefits.

Taking the first step to start this journey is something that you should be proud of and know that it takes a lot of courage! I have made the comparison to clients that "finding a good therapist is like finding a comfortable pair of jeans or shoes sometimes you need to try on a few before you find the right fit for you". As a therapist, I am interested in making things comfortable for folks that they can feel safe in the space. I have been in the field for almost 29 years now and still very much adore being a social worker. It is an honor and privilege to witness people grow!

In my clinical practice, Sunstone Counseling, I help clients overcome a variety of concerns related to the symptoms of anxiety, panic disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, grief/loss, suicidal ideation, shame, low self-esteem, body image, betrayal, and relationship issues. I specialize in women’s issues (pregnancy, perinatal mood disorders, becoming a new mom, and sexuality issues) and couples work (premarital counseling, new parents, low/no sex, repair after an affair, and second marriages – to name a few). I completed Brené Brown’s Daring Way training and am a Certified Daring Way Facilitator.

Some commonly believed myths about couples counseling are (1) it’s the first step to divorce or separation, (2) a partner is going to feel outnumbered and gained up on, and (3) it involves nothing but tears, sweat, and pain. I am passionate about helping couples heal and rebuild trust after experiencing hurt, neglect, or an affair. I am all about helping couples find their spark again developing habits and communication patterns that help connect them and feel understood by one another. Couples therapy can be fun! Humor lowers tensions and brings a sense of lightheartedness into therapy, reminding us all that we’re only human.

I believe there is meaning in symptoms. We are designed to thrive. When something is out of balance our mind/body/spirit/relationships present symptoms to ask us to pay attention. I specialize in helping people discover what needs their attention. Then, I help people learn new skills so they are equipped to respond more effectively to their needs. I offer support as people practice necessary changes in their thoughts, managing their emotions, and interacting with others and their circumstances. Finally, I encourage and guide people as they seek to fully actualize their potential.