Existential Therapists in Alexandria, VA

I enjoy working with clients of all ages and genders who are coping with anxiety, ADHD, co-dependency, low self-esteem, addiction, depression, life transitions, grief, identity and existential issues. I also have extensive experience working with people who are struggling with ambivalence surrounding change, goal-setting, and motivation.

‘What’s your story?’ I ask because the stories we tell ourselves and about ourselves can offer tremendous insight. Narrative counselors like myself explore client stories for behaviors, expectations, perceptions, and values which fail to align in effective ways. We believe these incongruences are responsible (both directly and indirectly) for the miseries and hardships that prompt therapy. The work of therapy involves deconstructing what doesn’t make sense and reimagining what remains. I enjoy working with anyone whose story feels ‘stuck’ and wishes to reimagine themselves anew.

Does it ever feel like it's all too much? I can help you or your child move from overwhelm and inertia to navigating life with confidence, ease, and joy. I help you see your innate wisdom so that you can create goals, remember dreams, and find a deep, abiding sense of contentment within yourself. Many clients I work with were told they were "too sensitive" or "overdramatic" as a child. I am skilled at guiding you reconnect with younger parts of yourself and shift unhelpful core beliefs. My areas of expertise include anxiety, trauma, ADHD, and existential dread. I am licensed in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Hello! My name is Miko and I am a counseling resident at Counseling and Forensic Services, Inc. I offer an open-minded, judgment-free, collaborative approach when helping clients achieve their personal goals. I have experience working with diverse communities with a variety of concerns including but not limited to LGBTQ+, HIV+, trauma, depression, anxiety, life transitions, issues of death and dying, personality disorders, sexual abuse, sexual offenders, and more.

Whether you are feeling down, anxious, overwhelmed - or struggling with self-acceptance and self-esteem, perfectionism, grief, career, or relationship issues - I offer a warm and compassionate approach to therapy. I primarily utilize Person-Centered and Existential approaches to help clients explore meaning in their lives and promote self-compassion. My approach can help you to recognize your own strengths and resources, as well as your capacity to adapt, grow, and demonstrate resilience when faced with challenges.

I practice adult psychotherapy that appreciates and explores the richness and complexity of interactions between body, mind, soul, and spirit. My therapeutic work aims to help clients not only to get 'unstuck' from current symptoms and problems, but also to 'look forward' to their next stage of self-growth. Working with an integral psychology, I draw upon cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and humanistic-existential treatment modalities but add meditation, guided imagery, and dream work. In addition to seeing individuals and couples, I guide groups on 'care of the soul', loss and grief and spirituality.

I tailor my services to each client and their unique needs, always from the humanistic approach. That means that I see my clients first and foremost as human beings, having what we would consider a human experience. Clients experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship issues, job issues, or really any other type of discomfort will benefit from my integration of mindfulness and meditative practices into their treatment, alongside the use of building the psychological tools that empower them to create measurable changes to their circumstances.

Dr. Clairissa Richardson is a seasoned practitioner informed by research, boasting an impressive 8-year tenure in diagnosing and treating psychological disorders. As a devout Christian and dedicated social worker, Dr. Richardson champions the integration of spirituality-based therapies in her practice. She earned her doctorate degree in social work from Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts, complemented by Bachelor's and Master's degrees from The Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.

You deserve to live an authentic and fulfilling life, and we are here to help. We treat adults, whether you're seeking help alone or as a couple. We specialize in anxiety, depression, ADHD, family/romantic relationships, and existential issues. Our expertise extends to working with international clients, expats, and individuals of exceptional talent. Our motto is simple: Heal. Learn. Grow. We treat our clients with respect and honesty while focusing on practical solutions. Our mission is to empower you to reconnect with your core values, helping you live better as you grow and learn more about yourself.

Therapy is a means to shed old narratives, and explore new ways of thinking & being in the world. Individuals & couples working with me are typically interested in healing from trauma, seeking symptom relief/coping skills, engaging in self-discovery, and cultivating satisfying sexual relationships. Most of my work focuses on treating sexual & religious trauma & working with LGBTQ+ populations on their journeys of identity discovery (yes, I work with cis/straight folks, too). Helping clients foster a deep sense of inner knowing is my passion. Currently offering therapy for clients in DC, VA, MD & TX.

Life, amidst its transcendent beauty, can at times be challenging, leaving us feeling lost and searching for meaning. Sometimes these feelings are triggered by a specific event, such as the death of a loved one, a major life transition, a breakup or a traumatic experience. Other times, we just can’t seem to pinpoint the catalyst for these emotions. Therapy can be one tool to help during these times. I believe that the role of the therapist is to provide a secure relationship that can be utilized for personal growth, self-reflection and long-lasting change.

I specialize in helping individuals and couples navigate relationship problems, difficult thoughts and feelings, painful experiences, existential issues, and life changes. Together, we’ll come to a shared understanding of your concerns, and develop a balance of emotional processing, skill-building, and action to help you meet your goals. My aim is to help you cultivate more adaptive ways of thinking, behaving, and relating to foster a life that is rich, meaningful, and connected to what matters most to you. In sessions, I am down-to-earth and warm. My patients tell me they appreciate my deep care, insight, and thoughtful questions.

Understanding ourselves and our lives can be difficult. On the one hand, we may be prone to a sea of critical internal or external voices which make self-examination torturous. On the other, well-meaning people in our lives may be so eager to validate us that we are never quite able to face ourselves honestly. So, counseling is essentially about receiving the support to work creatively with all of this noise long enough to allow change to happen in and through you. The only way to do this to let someone get to know the real you. If we can do that, therapy can be a deeply authentic, radically human, even life-changing encounter!

If you are seeking a therapist, it stands to reason you could use a hand with some challenge in your life. Forging an alliance with a mental health counselor can be one of the more significant relationships one creates. I aim to listen in a way that makes you feel safe exploring your emotional depths. I will point out things you have said and strengths you possess when you most need to be reminded of them. Bring your sense of humor. While this endeavor is one I take seriously, laughter can sometimes be the momentary vacation from ourselves and our challenges that we need.

As a therapist and musician, I work to create a space that welcomes and inspires you to see new possibilities, discover your inner voice, create deeper connections in your life, and move steadily toward your dreams. I offer individual and couples therapy, and I run general process groups as well as Creative Expression and Dungeons and Dragons groups. I specialize in using relational perspectives to help you get unstuck.

I am extremely passionate about helping clients work through the rough and uncomfortable experiences of their lives. I believe every person comes to therapy with their own individual needs, and my role is to help facilitate their individual needs. Therefore, I adapt my interventions based on a comprehensive assessment of who you are and exactly what you need.

Life circumstances can sometimes leave you feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, unheard, and disconnected. As difficult as seeking help may be, it is the first step to moving towards healing and healthier relationship with self and others. My clients are seeking a safe, non-judgmental, and culturally sensitive space that leaves them feeling heard, validated, and connected. My specialties include relationship and familial issues, mood and anxiety disorders, children of divorce, trauma, women dealing with divorce, and couples. I am extensively trained in attachment and systems modalities, trauma-informed interventions, and mindfulness.

Every person and family has the ability to become happier and healthier. I help adults, children and families overcome barriers such as negative self beliefs, overwhelming feelings, and negative past experiences that can get in the way of being true to yourself and more connected to others. My goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental environment where people learn about themselves and try new ways of coping and overcoming challenges.

Hello! I am a current LPC Resident at Counseling and Forensic Services. I have 12+ years working with children, adolescents, and their families. I use an integrative approach in working with children, using a variety of therapeutic methods that are developmentally age appropriate and child-centered. I received my master’s at The State University of New York at Oswego in Counseling Services with a Certificate of Advanced Study in Mental Health Counseling at St. John Fisher.