Parenting Therapists in Frederick, MD
I work with children, adolescents, and parents who are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to help things improve.
With over 30 years of public school and counseling experience, I support children, adolescents, and parents navigating emotional, behavioral and school-related challenges.
I commonly help with:
Anxiety and emotional regulation
ADHD and executive functioning
Behavioral concerns and parent child-conflict
Social skills and peer relationships
Family stressors
I work with children, adolescents, and parents who are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to help things improve.
With over 30 years of public school and counseling experience, I support children, adolescents, and parents navigating emotional, behavioral and school-related challenges.
I commonly help with:
Anxiety and emotional regulation
ADHD and executive functioning
Behavioral concerns and parent child-conflict
Social skills and peer relationships
Family stressors
I have a passion for working with women experiencing grief, anxiety & burnout—whether from loss or the demands of parenting, career, or caregiving and seek to provide a supportive environment for healing both past and present wounds.
I am a licensed clinical social worker, in private practice in MD, NJ and NY specializing in individual and family counseling. My eclectic background allows me to tailor the treatment to your individual goals and give your practical support from day 1.
I have a passion for working with women experiencing grief, anxiety & burnout—whether from loss or the demands of parenting, career, or caregiving and seek to provide a supportive environment for healing both past and present wounds.
I am a licensed clinical social worker, in private practice in MD, NJ and NY specializing in individual and family counseling. My eclectic background allows me to tailor the treatment to your individual goals and give your practical support from day 1.
I specialize in two primary areas: supporting military families navigating the unique stresses of service, deployment, and reintegration, and helping families who are parenting neurodivergent children (including those with ADHD, Autism, etc.).
My goal is to foster understanding, resilience, and effective communication within the home. I also work with those struggling in the wake of leaving a high-control group, focusing on identity recovery, boundary development, and complex trauma healing.
I specialize in two primary areas: supporting military families navigating the unique stresses of service, deployment, and reintegration, and helping families who are parenting neurodivergent children (including those with ADHD, Autism, etc.).
My goal is to foster understanding, resilience, and effective communication within the home. I also work with those struggling in the wake of leaving a high-control group, focusing on identity recovery, boundary development, and complex trauma healing.
I am passionate about helping women that were diagnosed with ADHD and Autism in adulthood. If you’re a highly-sensitive person (HSP) or a recovering people pleaser, let’s work together on coping strategies that will help you thrive. I provide LGBTQ+ and Neurodivergent affirming care to ages 14+. I am trained as a Brainspotting Practitioner: a transformative therapy that helps clients process and release deep seated emotions and trauma. This evidence-based practice can be done virtually with great results.
I am passionate about helping women that were diagnosed with ADHD and Autism in adulthood. If you’re a highly-sensitive person (HSP) or a recovering people pleaser, let’s work together on coping strategies that will help you thrive. I provide LGBTQ+ and Neurodivergent affirming care to ages 14+. I am trained as a Brainspotting Practitioner: a transformative therapy that helps clients process and release deep seated emotions and trauma. This evidence-based practice can be done virtually with great results.
Melissa Ward
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, MS, LCPC, NCC
Frederick, MD 21701
Waitlist for new clients
I work with parents to create strategies that lower anxiety, address fears about the future, and improve the family's quality of life.
**OUR OFFICE IS NOW PROVIDING TELEHEALTH SERVICES** No matter how long you have doing, thinking or feeling the same thing- you CAN change. Each person can shape their lives, and counseling can help remove the roadblocks keeping you stuck. Counseling should be both affordable and accessible- and I work to address each client's unique goals. By focusing on communication skills, lowering anxiety, and encouraging positive possibilities, I help clients move forward to achieve their potential.
I work with parents to create strategies that lower anxiety, address fears about the future, and improve the family's quality of life.
**OUR OFFICE IS NOW PROVIDING TELEHEALTH SERVICES** No matter how long you have doing, thinking or feeling the same thing- you CAN change. Each person can shape their lives, and counseling can help remove the roadblocks keeping you stuck. Counseling should be both affordable and accessible- and I work to address each client's unique goals. By focusing on communication skills, lowering anxiety, and encouraging positive possibilities, I help clients move forward to achieve their potential.
I can help by teaching skills, prompting and providing creative coping strategies, and conflict resolution to youth, parents, and families.
I am a compassionate, trauma-informed therapist who works with children, teens and adults navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relationship stress. Drawing on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness-based, holistic approach, I help clients build practical skills for emotion regulation, communication, and resilience. With the younger clients, I uses play therapy as a way for youth to express and strengthen coping strategies.
I can help by teaching skills, prompting and providing creative coping strategies, and conflict resolution to youth, parents, and families.
I am a compassionate, trauma-informed therapist who works with children, teens and adults navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relationship stress. Drawing on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness-based, holistic approach, I help clients build practical skills for emotion regulation, communication, and resilience. With the younger clients, I uses play therapy as a way for youth to express and strengthen coping strategies.
Areas of special interest include anxiety, depression, stress management, self-esteem, life transitions, personal growth, parenting challenges, and relationships.
I use a strengths-based approach to help you rediscover your assets, strengths, and abilities. The revelation of these will help you overcome obstacles that may be standing in your way to live a healthier, happier, more fulfilling life. I will work alongside you at your own pace and comfort level to help create a warm, safe, nurturing, and most importantly trusting environment. Together, we will work towards your healing and growth.
Areas of special interest include anxiety, depression, stress management, self-esteem, life transitions, personal growth, parenting challenges, and relationships.
I use a strengths-based approach to help you rediscover your assets, strengths, and abilities. The revelation of these will help you overcome obstacles that may be standing in your way to live a healthier, happier, more fulfilling life. I will work alongside you at your own pace and comfort level to help create a warm, safe, nurturing, and most importantly trusting environment. Together, we will work towards your healing and growth.
Parenting adult children can he more difficult than ever.
With perspectives gained over many years, I can help you prioritize and formulate a plan. You can restore hope even when it has been hard to imagine.
Parenting adult children can he more difficult than ever.
With perspectives gained over many years, I can help you prioritize and formulate a plan. You can restore hope even when it has been hard to imagine.
I have worked with children as young as two, using Child- Parent Psychotherapy and I use play therapy techniques when working with kids of all ages.
The majority of my experience has been supporting children healing from trauma. I have also worked with children and adults on reducing symptoms of anxiety, ADHD, and other challenges they may be facing. I value empowering caregivers with information and skills to best support their child. I prefer to see children in-person. I am able to meet with adults in-person or virtually.
I have worked with children as young as two, using Child- Parent Psychotherapy and I use play therapy techniques when working with kids of all ages.
The majority of my experience has been supporting children healing from trauma. I have also worked with children and adults on reducing symptoms of anxiety, ADHD, and other challenges they may be facing. I value empowering caregivers with information and skills to best support their child. I prefer to see children in-person. I am able to meet with adults in-person or virtually.
I've spent a lot of time working with families and parents who are supporting kids with mental health challenges, and I'm DBT-trained, so I often focus on practical tools you can actually use in real life.
Therapy is a space for growth, building resilience, and learning how to handle life’s ups and downs. Whether you’re trying to find calm in the middle of chaos, navigate a big life change, make sense of your emotions, or just figure out what’s next, I’m here to support you. I work to create a safe, comfortable space where you can show up as yourself and feel heard without judgment. By being genuine and honest in our work together, I aim to build a trusting relationship that helps you feel supported every step of the way.
I've spent a lot of time working with families and parents who are supporting kids with mental health challenges, and I'm DBT-trained, so I often focus on practical tools you can actually use in real life.
Therapy is a space for growth, building resilience, and learning how to handle life’s ups and downs. Whether you’re trying to find calm in the middle of chaos, navigate a big life change, make sense of your emotions, or just figure out what’s next, I’m here to support you. I work to create a safe, comfortable space where you can show up as yourself and feel heard without judgment. By being genuine and honest in our work together, I aim to build a trusting relationship that helps you feel supported every step of the way.
Humans heal through relationships. Our wounds form in connection, and it's in connection that they're repaired. This is especially true for couples: the patterns that cause pain are often the same patterns that, with the right support, can become a source of deep healing and renewed closeness.
Working together means creating a safe space to slow down, understand each other's underlying needs, feeling and sensitivities, and rebuild trust and connection from the ground up.
Humans heal through relationships. Our wounds form in connection, and it's in connection that they're repaired. This is especially true for couples: the patterns that cause pain are often the same patterns that, with the right support, can become a source of deep healing and renewed closeness.
Working together means creating a safe space to slow down, understand each other's underlying needs, feeling and sensitivities, and rebuild trust and connection from the ground up.
I realize that it is important to understand culture, upbringing, parenting styles, essentially the world that the client lives in, in order to truly be empathetic to a person's issues and life challenges.
I also have experience working with active-duty & retired military members. My approach is direct, goal directed and strengths based and always meets the client where they are. I use a variety of techniques when working with clients to promote client growth and change.
I realize that it is important to understand culture, upbringing, parenting styles, essentially the world that the client lives in, in order to truly be empathetic to a person's issues and life challenges.
I also have experience working with active-duty & retired military members. My approach is direct, goal directed and strengths based and always meets the client where they are. I use a variety of techniques when working with clients to promote client growth and change.
I can also teach parents how to practice Child-Centered Play Therapy at home with kids ages 3-10 years old to address a wide array of behaviors and strengthen attachment between child and caregiver.
I’m highly experienced in working with children, adolescents, and families, but recently, I’ve expanded my focus to adults—and I’m loving every moment of it! I have been told that I speak fluent "kid", but enjoy the complexities of working with adults who were wounded as a child.
I can also teach parents how to practice Child-Centered Play Therapy at home with kids ages 3-10 years old to address a wide array of behaviors and strengthen attachment between child and caregiver.
I’m highly experienced in working with children, adolescents, and families, but recently, I’ve expanded my focus to adults—and I’m loving every moment of it! I have been told that I speak fluent "kid", but enjoy the complexities of working with adults who were wounded as a child.
Frederick Christian Counseling
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW-C, BCPCC
Frederick, MD 21702
As Board Certified Professional Christian Counselors (BCPCC), we offer care that is distinctively Christian & clinically excellent. We have been extensively evaluated by the AACC & NACC in areas of personal integrity, Biblical principles, personal spiritual journey & walk with Jesus Christ, beliefs about the Bible, & clinical skills. We believe in bringing problems in to the light & applying biblical truth. We are encouragers: lending hope to the hopeless, prescribing interventions, teaching healthy coping skills, & challenging old ways of thinking. We believe therapy is the method, but that ONLY Jesus is the healer.
As Board Certified Professional Christian Counselors (BCPCC), we offer care that is distinctively Christian & clinically excellent. We have been extensively evaluated by the AACC & NACC in areas of personal integrity, Biblical principles, personal spiritual journey & walk with Jesus Christ, beliefs about the Bible, & clinical skills. We believe in bringing problems in to the light & applying biblical truth. We are encouragers: lending hope to the hopeless, prescribing interventions, teaching healthy coping skills, & challenging old ways of thinking. We believe therapy is the method, but that ONLY Jesus is the healer.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, grief, loss, parenting, or something else that feels like too much to carry, I can help.
I'm a telehealth therapist with 15 years of experience helping clients of all ages to learn and grow. My approach is warm, compassionate, and grounded in the present moment; we will stay solution-focused and work on helping you to feel like you are living life as the best version of yourself.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, grief, loss, parenting, or something else that feels like too much to carry, I can help.
I'm a telehealth therapist with 15 years of experience helping clients of all ages to learn and grow. My approach is warm, compassionate, and grounded in the present moment; we will stay solution-focused and work on helping you to feel like you are living life as the best version of yourself.
Whether it's adjusting to being a new parent, navigating a new stage with your child, or facing relationship struggles with family, I can help support your needs.
I provide the tools to adults and teens to navigate painful struggles resulting from trauma or stressful experiences. I use an integrative approach in thinking about the mind-body connection and the impact that both parts contribute to our overall health and healing. I utilize evidence-based therapies proven to build strength, resilience, and compassion.
Whether it's adjusting to being a new parent, navigating a new stage with your child, or facing relationship struggles with family, I can help support your needs.
I provide the tools to adults and teens to navigate painful struggles resulting from trauma or stressful experiences. I use an integrative approach in thinking about the mind-body connection and the impact that both parts contribute to our overall health and healing. I utilize evidence-based therapies proven to build strength, resilience, and compassion.
I am a skilled clinician with experience working with adolescents through adult clients. I have over 20 years experience in outpatient & inpatient settings seeing clients with a wide range of mental health diagnoses. My goal is to aid clients with negotiating difficulties and optimizing their functioning using validation, a person-centered approach, as well as various evidence based treatment modalities. Whether working in an individual, family, or couples setting, the aim is for clients to feel an increased effectiveness to cope with life stressors and build skills that will afford them the opportunity to live their best life.
I am a skilled clinician with experience working with adolescents through adult clients. I have over 20 years experience in outpatient & inpatient settings seeing clients with a wide range of mental health diagnoses. My goal is to aid clients with negotiating difficulties and optimizing their functioning using validation, a person-centered approach, as well as various evidence based treatment modalities. Whether working in an individual, family, or couples setting, the aim is for clients to feel an increased effectiveness to cope with life stressors and build skills that will afford them the opportunity to live their best life.
Young adults in college, changes in identity, new mothers facing all that comes with postpartum, attachment and communication challenges in relationships, or struggles with parenting.
In today’s world it is easy to feel disconnected and overstimulated. Whether it be from work, school, kids, friends, family, or romantic partners. You might often feel the overwhelming pressure to “have it all.” My goal as a therapist is to help you navigate and process your unique experiences free from judgement and centered around trust. I use a trauma informed, strengths-based approach tailored to your individual needs. I value helping you find meaningful connection within the world around you- and more importantly within yourself.
Young adults in college, changes in identity, new mothers facing all that comes with postpartum, attachment and communication challenges in relationships, or struggles with parenting.
In today’s world it is easy to feel disconnected and overstimulated. Whether it be from work, school, kids, friends, family, or romantic partners. You might often feel the overwhelming pressure to “have it all.” My goal as a therapist is to help you navigate and process your unique experiences free from judgement and centered around trust. I use a trauma informed, strengths-based approach tailored to your individual needs. I value helping you find meaningful connection within the world around you- and more importantly within yourself.
Parents and loved ones can be a powerful tool in eliciting growth and development.
In session I primarily utilize cognitive/behavioral strategies along with interpersonal and communication techniques. When appropriate, physiological relaxation strategies and parent training are also utilized. Working together we can address areas including anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, communication struggles, social interaction difficulties, and family conflict.
Parents and loved ones can be a powerful tool in eliciting growth and development.
In session I primarily utilize cognitive/behavioral strategies along with interpersonal and communication techniques. When appropriate, physiological relaxation strategies and parent training are also utilized. Working together we can address areas including anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, communication struggles, social interaction difficulties, and family conflict.
I work with clients to reprocess and release past traumas, especially parents and those in the helping professions who find issues from their past make it hard to show up as their best self in the present.
You’ve worked hard to heal- so why does it still feel so far out of reach?
Healing from past trauma is so much more than “making sense” out of what happened. So often, just talking through things is only part of the work, and can leave you feeling frustrated. After all, you show up every week and put in the work, shouldn’t you be “over it” by now?
Many clients tell me, ‘I know I shouldn’t blame myself or let this get to me—but I still do.’ That’s not because they’re doing anything wrong. It’s because trauma doesn’t just live in Talking alone doesn’t always reach those places.
I work with clients to reprocess and release past traumas, especially parents and those in the helping professions who find issues from their past make it hard to show up as their best self in the present.
You’ve worked hard to heal- so why does it still feel so far out of reach?
Healing from past trauma is so much more than “making sense” out of what happened. So often, just talking through things is only part of the work, and can leave you feeling frustrated. After all, you show up every week and put in the work, shouldn’t you be “over it” by now?
Many clients tell me, ‘I know I shouldn’t blame myself or let this get to me—but I still do.’ That’s not because they’re doing anything wrong. It’s because trauma doesn’t just live in Talking alone doesn’t always reach those places.
See more therapy options for Frederick
Nearby Parenting Therapists Searches for Frederick
- Boyds
- Clarksburg
- Damascus
- Fort Detrick
- Ijamsville
- Jefferson
- Middletown
- Mount Airy
- New Market
- Thurmont
- Urbana
- Walkersville
Parenting Therapists
What does therapy for parenting look like?
Therapists may work with parents individually, together, or include the whole family to find solutions for the problems a parent faces. Many parent-based therapies work on a parent’s relationship with their children, problem-solving within the family, and analysis of family dynamics. Therapy conducted remotely by video may be helpful in allowing a therapist to observe how families interact in their own homes.
When should a parent seek therapy?
When behavioral problems begin to disrupt the healthy functioning of a family, it may be a good time to look into therapy. If parents find that children are acting out in school, have started using drugs or alcohol, have developed eating disorders, or other similar red flags, a therapist may be able to help.
How long does therapy take for parenting problems?
Depending on the severity of a family’s challenges and the type of treatment utilized, therapy for parenting can last from weeks to months. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a pragmatic therapy type that can be brief, most often ranging from between 5 and 20 sessions. Structural family therapy, which inspects family dynamics, often takes several months. Parent-child interaction therapy is typically shorter-term, lasting between 10 and 20 sessions. For any therapy, the duration will depend on the progress made and results realized.
Can therapy help parents dealing with burnout or stress?
Parenting is difficult. Parents may dismiss or conceal feelings of exhaustion, overwhelm, or escape ideation—imagining withdrawing from their parental obligations altogether. but left unattended, these feelings can have negative effects on the whole family. A therapist can help parents work on the skills they might need to better cope with the burdens of parenting and help them be the best parents they can be.