Washington
Photo of Emily Star, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
Emily Star
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
Email Me
Email Me
Photo of Emily Star, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW

Emily Star

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW (she, her)

Verified by Psychology Today Verified by Psychology Today
2 Endorsed
Washington, DC 20010
Waitlist for new clients
Waitlist. Contact to join the list for in-person and online therapy.
Washington, DC 20010
My website
Connect with Emily Star
Photo of Emily Star, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
It's normal to be going through a hard time. But if you haven’t yet discovered what helps you manage your unique stressors, relationships, and boundaries, then life likely feels so much harder than it needs to. If you're feeling stuck, having an outside perspective can help you see different paths through a difficult terrain. Whether your troubles stem from internal or external issues, I know that by creating a warm and reflective space where we explore your worries, challenges, and motivations, you can find places of relief and even joy.
In much of my work, I use cognitive and exposure-based therapies (such as ERP, I-CBT, ACT and DBT) to help people with anxiety, panic and OCD. It's absolutely possible to learn different strategies to regain trust in your self (even if you tend towards obsessional doubt), tolerate discomfort, and become more compassionate towards yourself.
I’d love to hear more about you, your experiences in therapy if you’ve tried it before, and what’s coming up for you now. You can reach me by clicking the "email me" button under my photo on this page, and we'll find a time to talk soon.
Emily Star now for a free 15 minute consultation

My Practice at a Glance

Waitlist. Contact to join the list for in-person and online therapy.

Washington, DC 20010

near the U St metro (green line)

Washington, DC 20001

My website
You can join session online from DC, Md, Pa, or Va, or meet with me in person (offices in Columbia Heights and near the U St stop).
I specialize in Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD) and Eating Disorders 
$185 Per Session  
I see individuals and couples  
Connect with Emily Star
Photo of Emily Star, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW

My Practice at a Glance

Waitlist. Contact to join the list for in-person and online therapy.

Washington, DC 20010

near the U St metro (green line)

Washington, DC 20001

My website
You can join session online from DC, Md, Pa, or Va, or meet with me in person (offices in Columbia Heights and near the U St stop).
I specialize in Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD) and Eating Disorders 
$185 Per Session  
I see individuals and couples  

Finances

Fees

  • Individual Sessions $185
  • Couple Sessions $250
  • Sliding scale: apply if you may be eligible

Payment Methods

Health Savings Account, Mastercard, Visa
"
My fee for an intake session is $200, and regular sessions are $185, and I provide superbills that you can send to your insurance carrier for reimbursement (if you have OON benefits). I also run an OCD group using I-CBT and ACT concepts, which is $75/session, and has sliding scale spots.
Photo of Emily Star, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
Emily Star
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
for a free 15 minute consultation now.
"
My fee for an intake session is $200, and regular sessions are $185, and I provide superbills that you can send to your insurance carrier for reimbursement (if you have OON benefits). I also run an OCD group using I-CBT and ACT concepts, which is $75/session, and has sliding scale spots.
Photo of Emily Star, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
Emily Star
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
for a free 15 minute consultation now.

Qualifications

  • Verified by Psychology Today Licensed by State of Maryland / 26310 Emily Star
    License state differs from primary location state.

    • Education and Years In Practice

  • In Practice for 7 years
  • Attended University of Maryland - Baltimore, MSW, Graduated 2020

    • Additional Credentials

  • License: PA LCSW CW025165 / 2024
  • License: DC LICSW LC200003445 / 2024
"
I love helping people learn tools to manage anxiety and OCD, and draw from Inference-based CBT (I-CBT), Exposure/Response Prevention (ERP), and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). I also specialize in treating BFRBs (hair-pulling, skin-picking, nail-biting) using ComB/Habit Reversal Training
Photo of Emily Star, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
Emily Star
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
for a free 15 minute consultation now.
"
I love helping people learn tools to manage anxiety and OCD, and draw from Inference-based CBT (I-CBT), Exposure/Response Prevention (ERP), and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). I also specialize in treating BFRBs (hair-pulling, skin-picking, nail-biting) using ComB/Habit Reversal Training
Photo of Emily Star, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
Emily Star
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
for a free 15 minute consultation now.

Specialties and Expertise

Top Specialties

  • Anxiety
  • Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)
  • Eating Disorders

Expertise

  • ADHD
  • Alcohol Use
  • BFRBs skin picking, hair pulling/trichotillomania
  • Coping Skills
  • Depression
  • LGBTQ+
  • Life Transitions
  • Mood Disorders
  • Phobias
  • Relationship Issues
  • School Issues
  • Sleep or Insomnia
  • Stress
  • Trauma and PTSD
"
I use cognitive-behavioral, acceptance-focused and exposure-based therapies to help people with anxiety, eating disorders, panic, OCD, and related conditions. It's absolutely possible to learn different strategies to regain trust in your senses (even if you tend towards obsessional doubt), tolerate discomfort, and become more compassionate towards yourself.
Photo of Emily Star, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
Emily Star
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
for a free 15 minute consultation now.
"
I use cognitive-behavioral, acceptance-focused and exposure-based therapies to help people with anxiety, eating disorders, panic, OCD, and related conditions. It's absolutely possible to learn different strategies to regain trust in your senses (even if you tend towards obsessional doubt), tolerate discomfort, and become more compassionate towards yourself.
Photo of Emily Star, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
Emily Star
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
for a free 15 minute consultation now.

2 Endorsements

Melissa Murphy
Melissa Murphy
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW, C-DBT
Emily is a kind and talented therapist. She is extremely dedicated to meeting the needs of her clients. Emily is a trusted colleague and I refer Clients to her often.
Andrea Creel
Andrea Creel
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C
I always refer to Emily for clients in need of evidence-based therapy to treat OCD and related conditions. Her expertise and caring demeanor make her an excellent therapist.

Client Focus

Age

Teen , 
Adults

Participants

Individuals , 
Couples

Communities

Bisexual Allied , 
Gay Allied , 
Lesbian Allied , 
Non-Binary Allied , 
Queer Allied , 
Racial Justice Allied , 
Transgender Allied

Age

Teen , 
Adults

Participants

Individuals , 
Couples

Communities

Bisexual Allied , 
Gay Allied , 
Lesbian Allied , 
Non-Binary Allied , 
Queer Allied , 
Racial Justice Allied , 
Transgender Allied

Treatment Approach

Types of Therapy

  • Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
  • Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
  • Compassion Focused
  • Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
  • Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
  • Feminist
  • Gottman Method
  • Habit Reversal Training / ComB
  • Inference-Based CBT (ICBT for OCD)
  • Integrative
  • Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Person-Centered
"
We can work together to find the kinds of therapy activities that resonate most with you and are evidence-based for your current challenges. I'm a big fan of the metaphors from ACT and I-CBT (and have lots of visuals that can help bring them to life)...grounding skills from DBT...but I also love making spreadsheets to create exposure hierarchies for ERP! And sometimes, we just talk.
Photo of Emily Star, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
Emily Star
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
for a free 15 minute consultation now.
"
We can work together to find the kinds of therapy activities that resonate most with you and are evidence-based for your current challenges. I'm a big fan of the metaphors from ACT and I-CBT (and have lots of visuals that can help bring them to life)...grounding skills from DBT...but I also love making spreadsheets to create exposure hierarchies for ERP! And sometimes, we just talk.
Photo of Emily Star, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
Emily Star
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
for a free 15 minute consultation now.

Groups

I-CBT for OCD group skills class - for adults

Photo of Emily Star, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
Hosted by
Emily Star

This class will go over the 12 modules of Inference-based Cognitive Behavior Therapy for OCD. By learning strategies to see through OCD's trickery in a group setting, group members will gain confidence in their ability to label obsessions and intrusive thoughts, and decrease their drive to perform compulsions. The group structure offers increased accountability + opportunities to connect and receive compassion from others who get it. Cohort forming for adults in Mar 2025.

Expertise

Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)

Types of Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Age

Adults

Session Cost

$70-$80

Group Meets

Every Wed 5 P.M. - 6 P.M.

Location

https://www.emily-star.com/disentangle-ocd-skills-

Washington, DC 20010

Email Emily Star about this group

Body Doubling Accountability Group: Recent Feds+

Photo of Emily Star, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
Hosted by
Emily Star

Join Emily Star & Beat the Bots Résumé Services for community, snacks, and supportive space to get hard things started. Who: Recent/current feds & government contractors & other impacted folks Date: Tuesday Apr 8, 2025 Location: Dandelion Collective in Columbia Heights, DC (address provided upon completion of registration - please note that the space is not wheelchair-accessible) Cost: Suggested donation $0-10, no one turned away for lack of funds please email emily@emily-star.com for registration

Expertise

Grief

Age

Adults

Session Cost

$20

Group Meets

Second Tue 1:30 P.M. - 3 P.M.

Location

Dandelion Collective

Washington, DC 20011

Email Emily Star about this group

Location

Primary Location

Washington, DC 20010

Email Me

My website

Additional Location

near the U St metro (green line)

Washington, DC 20001

Nearby Areas

Cities

Counties

Zips

Neighborhoods

"
You can join session online from DC, Md, Pa, or Va, or meet with me in person (offices in Columbia Heights and near the U St stop).
Photo of Emily Star, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
Emily Star
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
"
You can join session online from DC, Md, Pa, or Va, or meet with me in person (offices in Columbia Heights and near the U St stop).
Photo of Emily Star, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
Emily Star
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW