Therapists in Washington, DC

In therapy, the focus inevitably turns to the balance between self and others. Being responsible for one's own needs while being responsive to others, whether in a relationship, school, or at work is a dynamic, and sometimes confounding, process. How do you find that balance, being true to oneself and a truely caring person? That's the work of therapy. I work with individuals, couples, families, and students. I have a recognized expertise with severe psychological trauma, depression, anxiety, and marital problems including infidelities. I am proud to have been twice highly recommended by Washingtonian Magazine.

I have been working with young to mid career professionals since 2012. Since then, I have become a therapist that Gen X, Y, and Z clients seek out to address various types of life challenges. I enjoy providing support and encouragement to people who are facing life stage transitions and change with all of the stress, anxiety, as well as the excitement that these events may bring. My training is in family therapy and I work within the frameworks of family systems, attachment theory, as well as grief/loss and living with loss.

Welcome and thank you for taking the time to visit my page! Whether you are just beginning your therapy journey, find yourself searching for help with continued healing or are you getting back in touch with yourself after time away from therapy, I would like to be there for you to help! I work with clients aged preteen-adulthood who have experienced trauma, mood disorders, ADHD, and learning disabilities. Additionally, I work with individuals in transitional life stages and caregivers who want to work through challenges in parenting/caretaking and also hope to prioritize their own mental health or life challenges.

I am licensed to practice in Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia and Texas. My mission is to provide ethical and professional clinical services to those overcoming trauma and those struggling with identity and relationship issues. My commitment to my patients is to empower, support, and guide them on a journey of healing and growth. I employ an integrative treatment approach in order to effectively meet my client’s needs. I work with clients in person and/or using Zoom.

The problem is not within you (even though it probably feels like it is), and yet you have the ability to shift things internally and externally to become more present, increase your connection to self and others, and to live more fully in accordance with your values. I have helped people to change their relationships with substances and other addictions; worked with military veterans to rediscover community and purpose as civilians; and supported those with complex trauma to build a sense of trust and safety in relationships.

Georgia O'Keeffe once said, "To create one's own world in any of the arts takes courage." Our practice has both art therapists and counselors (licensed in MD and DC), we understand the courage it takes to create a better life for yourself using comprehensive care. In addition, the integrated healing and creative processes provide a holistic approach to personal expression, growth and development. Whether your goals are managing depression, anxiety, and/or stress, enhancing your relationships, or creating a greater sense of stability and control in your life, we are confident we can provide you with the guidance and support you need.

I ascribe to an integrative approach based on a strengths model of treatment. I aim to assist clients in overcoming challenges they may face by helping them identify and access personal strengths. I have been trained in psycho-dynamic, interpersonal, family systems, empowerment, cognitive and behavioral therapies. I utilize an approach that best addresses the concerns/issues you may have.

MINDFULNESS-BASED SOMATIC PSYCHOTHERAPY & INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS: "What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." [Ralph Waldo Emerson]. All that you seek already lies within you. It is my great pleasure to assist you in opening up to your wholeness. Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship issues, chronic illness, pain, feeling stuck, existential/spiritual issues or simply seeking what you have been missing or what calls you, I am here to help you find the freedom, peace, love and joy you desire. I DO NOT PRESCRIBE NOR MANAGE MEDICATIONS.

I am a licensed clinical social worker in Bethesda, MD and have provided psychotherapy to individuals and families since 2009. My approach is warm, direct, and engaging with an emphasis on building trust and using the therapeutic relationship as a medium for change. I strive to create a space to explore patterns in relationships, emotional expression, and practicing new ways of being.

I am passionate about helping clients grow and heal by gaining insight, developing self-compassion, and utilizing the tools necessary to reach their full potential. I am particularly interested in the treatment of complex trauma, interpersonal and attachment difficulties, and race/cultural identity. Moreover, I have experience in developing and conducting psychoeducational workshops and trainings. I am is dedicated to providing comprehensive and personalized care to all my patients.

Make peace with your thoughts and emotions, silence your inner critic and experience authentic emotions. Increase peace and understanding in your relationships, learn to communicate in ways that facilitate connection and lessen conflict. Find clarity in your purpose and uncover what has been holding you back, keeping you feeling stuck. Identify triggers to feelings of anxiety, overwhelm, and imposter syndrome. End feelings of unworthiness and shame. Maximize your potential, and express yourself authentically. My name is Shalin Carter, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, these are the things I want to help you with.

We hold the key to all the answers we need on our journeys to self - actualization. In this day and time of fast-paced, quick stimulation and fixes gratification, we miss those opportunities to slow down and really listen to the our "spirit", our "gut instincts", the signs and signals our own body send to us to alert us when we are "out of balance" mentally and emotionally. As a result, we become clouded with doubts, mixed-messages, insecurity, etc. Right now, what is needed are those specific tools and strategies - just for you, in order to life to the fullest! Right Now! Let me help you in your journey to be the best you.

I love helping individuals and couples achieve their goals and aspirations. I offer a caring, safe, and healing environment that allows clients the opportunity to explore, experience, work through problems, and create solutions that expand their potential for growth and wellness. As a proponent of integrative and holistic therapy that honors the mind-body connection and its impact on well-being, health, and happiness, I attend to the whole person, not just a set of symptoms or problems. I emphasize teaching skills that develop inner resources for successful coping in life. I use a variety of methods, but the method has to meet your needs.

I will work with you to illuminate the meaning of your experience and help you practice greater self-acceptance. Therapy goals/counseling/education will be tailored to your unique needs. I may show you how to change your behavior by using Mindfulness/changing your thoughts, recovery/harm reduction tools to address substance use, guidance/education/resources for exploring sexual orientation/gender identity/transitioning/coming out, provide couples/individual work for better communication in relationships, and/or I can apply EMDR/somatic-based approaches for trauma/anxiety and even substance using/behavioral urges.

My practice prioritizes helping families to get off to a strong start, with a special focus on new parents and their babies. In-home services include: couples counseling, individual support around perinatal mental health for moms AND dads (aiming to prevent Postpartum Depression & Anxiety when possible), hands-on parenting support including my direct observation & modeling.

I am a psychotherapist located in Washington, DC offering individual, group, and couples therapy. I enjoy helping people live authentically and thrive in all areas of their lives. I pull from a variety of therapeutic approaches and techniques, but collaborate with each individual to create a space that best suits one’s unique set of needs and goals. My therapeutic style is warm, compassionate, and appropriately challenging. I am also a 200-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher, and incorporate mindfulness and body-based approaches in therapy where its appropriate.

Everyone deserves a chance to become their best selves. During defining transitions, I provide a safe place for you to be who you are. Whether you are 2 years old or 85 years young, you will enjoy a transformative experience. I know DC Metro folk and am experienced in the nuanced issues they face. If you are in a proactive self-seeking stanz, I can help you discover the panacea for which your heart has always desired. Thank you for considering me to be apart of your journey. I look forward to meeting you.

Sometimes life throws you a curve ball and you don't know how to react. Perhaps you are feeling sad or anxious. You realize that you need to make changes but you're struggling on your own. I can help you discover new ways of thinking and acting to change your life. You can learn to make better decisions for your life. We will work together to get you back on track. My approach is supportive and practical, caring and challenging. Your success is my success.

**Currently accepting adult teletherapy clients** Sometimes, the idea of meeting a new therapist can be a daunting, whether or not it's a person's first time. I do my best to ensure that my office is a welcoming and judgment-free space where clients can feel comfortable sharing about their lives and difficulties. I believe in a person's capacity to heal and grow, and I believe that my role is to facilitate this experience in a way that is unique to each client's personality and strengths.