GEHA Therapists in Burtonsville, MD

Sometimes you just need a listening ear, sometimes you and your loved ones need someone to help improve your interactions, and sometimes you may desire to partner with someone to help you reach certain goals. My mission is to help you achieve what you want to achieve in a therapeutic environment. It is important for me to be a safe space for you to express yourself and listen to how I can team up with you to either get through a challenging time, and/or make changes that will be beneficial for your future. You are the expert on your life, and you have the power to get to where you want to be; I am here to assist.

Do you feel anxious, confused, sad, or depressed? Do you struggle with relationships or have difficulty navigating change? Does your child feel overwhelmed, struggle socially/emotionally, or have difficulty with peer relationships? Do you want to improve your overall quality of life? Reaching out for help is the first step in beginning to live your best life. Let’s work together in a nurturing, therapeutic, and safe environment to provide positive directions for your overall well-being.

I am a mental and emotional health advocate who strongly believes that mental/emotional wellness should be promoted and discussed more, especially in Black and Brown communities — we need it. I consider self-care to be the best care and believe the second that we choose to better ourselves, the world around us becomes better too. An uncommon level of strength is tapped into when people can acknowledge that they need help. Distinguishing the problem from the person, I strive to help people walk through the steps necessary to reach their happiest and most influential selves.

Life happens to all of us; stressors are inevitable, unresolved feelings may arise and it can all be just a little bit overwhelming. Despite our best efforts we may find ourselves overly stressed, alone, anxious, or just tired. Whether it’s dealing with a transition, a loss, a tragedy, a relationship, or just the daily highs and lows, we all deserve a place to decompress and process what life throws at us. Maybe this is a tough season for you, or maybe you just need support as you work on your goals. Therapy should act as both a safe space filled with warmth and compassion, and a brave space that challenges and empowers.

You are invaluable, but it doesn’t always feel that way. It seems you must put on a brave face for everyone, meanwhile, you feel as if you’re cracking under the pressure. Perhaps you’ve been taught to disconnect from your emotions, and it is affecting how you see yourself. Maybe people lack an understanding and appreciation for what it means to be you. You want for more but don’t think that you deserve it or engage in negative self-talk. Perhaps even you’ve made some choices you are not proud of and punish yourself as a result. You wish for a different life but it is difficult to let go of what you have known for so long.

Born and raised in New Jersey, this true Jersey girl fell in love with the concept of mind, body, and soul. A proud Trojan, Gabriela graduated from Virginia State University as a student athlete in 2019 with her bachelor’s degree in psychology. With an immense passion for the arts and mental health, she is currently attaining her master’s at Bowie State University in Mental Health Counseling with research interests of creative arts, self-expression/emotional regulation, and self-love for adolescents and young adults.

There are many things we endure throughout our lives. Some of which we may have a difficult time navigating. I am a Trini-American, Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor with a Master of Education in School Counseling from Bowie State University. I believe in in creating a safe space to allow clients to feel comfortable during their most vulnerable moments. As a therapist, my goal is to help clients find healthy ways of coping and adapting to the many things life throws at us.

I believe that all individuals have the resources within themselves to heal and thrive, but sometimes they may need a bit of help bringing those resources out. By drawing upon your unique characteristics, I will work with you to gain a greater awareness of yourself, refine your strengths, and become the best version of yourself. While my overarching approach is person-centered, trauma-informed, and solution-focused, I draw from a range of different modalities, tailoring to the specific needs and personality of each individual.

Are you looking for someone to hold you accountable? Has there been changes in your life that are stressful, overwhelming and unmanageable? Do you need a safe space to talk, vent and work through tough challenges? Let’s work together to develop solutions to any difficulty that you may be facing.

Do you feel broken and hurt on the inside? On the outside everything looks like you have it all together and to others your life looks great, but on the inside, you feel overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, and depressed. Are past traumas still haunting you? Do you find yourself struggling to handle the stressors of day-to-day life? Maybe you struggle with setting boundaries which often leaves you feeling used and unloved or maybe you find yourself going from one toxic relationship to another. Are you experiencing distress in your marriage or relationship, often feeling like you and your partner are speaking another language?

To me, an ideal client is a person who wants to live a fuller and deeper life through self examination. I believe that sitting and talking issues through with an objective third party can enable a client to see things in a new perspective and achieve more satisfaction in life.

Do you need an out-of-the-box therapist? Are you feeling sad or feel that you have little to no energy or oomph? Or maybe you just feel differently than normal and can't quite explain what's going on? Is life just flat out hard?! We get it, come talk to us! We are not your conventional therapists, and we are invested in you making it through this period of your life. We have a knack for empathizing and assisting real people find real solutions within themselves.

Have you ever thought…“There has to be more to life than this? What am I here for? No one understands me!” Do you sometimes feel as though you are not noticed or appreciated for what you bring to the table? Does anxiety, fear, worry, thoughts of traumatic events or depression seem to hang around longer these days? Ever think…“I can’t handle this! I don’t know what I’m going to do! Does anyone even care about what I’m going through?” I care and I am here to help you!

Since childhood, I've had a strong desire to help people. That desire grew to helping people identify what they need to create a fulfilling and enriching life through self discovery and acceptance. As a licensed therapist in Maryland and D.C., certified infant and early childhood mental health provider for over 11 years, I understand that in creating the life you want, sometimes, healing and restoration must take place. Helping people acknowledge and understand the integral parts of themselves through acceptance, self love and security in who they are is the focus of my practice and at the core of the work we will do together.

ARE YOU READY TO WORK OUT? When working on our "outer" body, we tend to neglect our "inner body" including our mental health. Why not take care of your WHOLE body? At SMR Counseling Services, we get your mental health in shape. We work one-on-one with clients acting as "personal mental health trainers" which allows us to respond to the unique needs of each individual.

One may face many obstacles throughout life and sometimes you need help getting through them. That’s okay! Think of going to therapy as the same thing as getting a physical checkup. Just as you'd seek a doctor for physical health, seeking therapy is a courageous step toward addressing your mental health. Isis understands the importance of this journey and commends you for taking that first step. Join Isis on this path of growth where you will explore your inner strengths that will help you become the person you want to be.