Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Columbia, MD

It's a pleasure to work with children, adolescents, and young adults/adults to develop skills for everyday life. For more than 20 years I have specialized in working with children and adolescents who experience challenges in school, as well as their families. Concerned about mood or behavioral issues, distractibility/inattention, nervous feelings, grief and loss, trauma , and/or general developmental issues? I can help. In addition to traditional treatment modalities, I utilize creative modalities such as play, art, or music into treatment approaches to engage my clients.

Ever ask yourself, "I need someone to talk to." "I need to make changes." Have you endured trauma , feel depressed, or suffer from anxiety? Finding the support you need is NOT impossible. I believe therapy is not about “fixing” people but encouraging a space for self-care. I welcome my clients to show up as they are. I provide a nonjudgmental and empowering atmosphere. My goal as a therapist is to provide a warm, safe and collaborative environment. Clients can navigate and overcome all of their life’s challenges. I have 15 years of experience working with adults, adolescents, and children.

Hi, I’m JD! I’m a mental health therapist located in Columbia, MD with a holistic approach to life and wellness. I support people with identifying the barriers to their life satisfaction and establishing the changes needed to achieve increased states of happiness. And yes I said states because happiness, as in any emotion, is a feeling that will come and go. Sometimes lengthening those experiences comes from identifying the blocks and removing them.

“Mental health is not a destination, but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going” – Noam Shpancer, PHD. Sometimes in life we reach a point where we lose focus on the things critical to improving/maintaining our mental health and overall quality of life. I myself have once reached that point and it was then I realized the importance of having a strong network of support, including a therapist. I have come to learn that a tremendous amount of people feel alone, left out, or unheard; and so, I strive to create a safe space for people to be seen, heard, understood, and valued.

I believe that we are all wired to connect, change and heal. As a therapist, I work with adults (18+) who want to spark and kindle these innate abilities. Consider reaching out to me if you want help with anxiety, shame, low self-esteem, and/or depression. I aim to heal the root of pain, such as adversity, trauma , grief/loss, and toxic messages from society. I also enjoy working with clients who want help expanding on growth and change and effectively integrating them into existing life and relationships.

My speciality lends me the ability to understand active duty military, military families, veterans, and government employees. I love helping military members and veterans re-integrate back into life after deployment or separation as well as other common issues related to active duty service. I have extensive experience in helping military spouses and children with issues unique to the military lifestyle. I also enjoy helping military couples learn to communicate better with one another, especially during the post-deployment reintegration process.