LGBTQ+ Therapists in Gaithersburg, MD

Do you ever feel like no one really listens to you or understands you? Are you a person of color or a part of the LGBTQIA + community and feel discriminated against or rejected? Life comes with many challenges and while you may try your hardest to beat those challenges but sometimes you need a little help. So how can I help? My goal is to assist you with self-discovery, self-healing, and empowerment to face life head-on. I specialize in working with adults and adolescents with of various racial identities and/or sexual identities.

I enjoy working with adolescents and adults of all ages, but I have a particular passion for working with college students and LGBT individuals. I also enjoy working with folks with a variety of concerns including mood disorders, relationship issues, low self esteem, body image concerns and gaming addiction. With expertise in the treatment of eating disorders, I enjoy helping people develop a healthier relationship with food and weight. I believe in using evidence based practices to achieve the most change in the shortest amount of time. Allow me to help you tackle your goals and gain more fulfillment out of life.

Adults experiencing little interest or pleasure in doing things, shame and guilt, uncontrollable worry, school and work stress, transitions, difficult family, social and professional relationships and low self esteem collaborate with me to learn actionable, lifestyle appropriate and culturally affirming skills. I guide you to discover your strengths and use them to resolve the difficult things. We will identify triggers; reframe irrational thinking patterns; modify maladaptive behaviors; improve distress tolerance; decrease the frequency, intense and duration of symptoms; manage guilt, shame and rumination and more.

Motherhood, transitions, grief, BIPOC and LGBTQ + identity, career stress, irrational thoughts, sadness, worry, relationships, trauma, conflict avoidance, self esteem and concentration issues are my areas of clinical expertise. I use Trauma Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to decrease and manage the frequency, duration and intensity of their symptoms.  I'll incorporate your values, identities, faith and cultural practices and belief systems. We will identify symptoms and implement long-term coping strategies that are practical for your personality and lifestyle.

Currently accepting new Clients! Life has many challenges which can be overwhelming to navigate. We provide a compassionate and safe environment for our clients to address these challenges openly without judgement. Our therapist are bilingual (Spanish) and will help you work through the barriers to optimum living, such as: stress, relationship issues, self-esteem, depression, substance abuse issue, complex trauma, grief and loss, and anxiety. We also provide parenting skills, premarital counseling, as well as career coaching.

Dr. Kaveh is the owner/director of Washington Psychological Wellness. Dr. Kaveh is passionate about helping people live the lives they have envisioned by bringing values of honesty, kindness, humor & compassion to the practice. She works to inspire change, create greater self-awareness & improve one's life. She provides a comfortable and collaborative environment in which you can take risks and explore different ways of thinking, feeling & being. Her aim is to help you gain clarity about the underlying causes of your problems, provide strategies to help you cope & empower you to trust your inner voice & live each day authentically.

Teens and adults navigating identity, relationship stressors, self-esteem, concentration issues, multicultural relationships, anxiety, school or work stress, depression, separation or divorce, codependency and trauma work with me to gain coping strategies. We'll replace negative thoughts, reframe negative interpretations, learn positive behavioral skills to create and maintain positive mood, healthy relationships. We'll identify triggers, understand how the past affects and informs the present, improve ability to regulate, and uncover patterns/trauma that impact you and implement new behavior patterns.

Welcome! I am the Owner and Co-Founder of Melanated Wellness, LLC. Our mission places particular emphasis on better serving and empowering the Black, Neurodiverse, and LGBTQIA communities. I specialize in working with adolescents, 16 and older, through adulthood as they navigate their journeys of growth, healing, and development. Training and clinical expertise at Melanated Wellness is centered upon compassionate treatment for issues related to trauma, anxiety, PTSD, neurodiversity and sexual and gender identity. Clients will be welcomed to a collaborative space where they can identify their needs to begin working towards wellness.

I am a very compassionate and empathetic therapist that values the importance of a positive client-therapist relationship. I work to create a safe, non-judgmental atmosphere in which healing and self-exploration can occur. I am LGBTQ + affirming and knowledgeable about specific topics such as exploring relationships, gender, sexuality, coming out, and transitioning. I particularly enjoy working with clients who would like to find out more about their true selves and their place in the world.

Guilt and shame; life transitions; patterns of seeking validation; relationship difficulties; worry; trauma; mood swing are some of the reasons clients come to me for coping skills. We'll work to reduce the cognitive, emotional and behavioral impact of experiences, thoughts, behavior patterns and mood. Assertiveness and personal autonomy; resolution of early life and family of origin issues; increased effective communication; reduction in guilt, sadness, worrying, rumination, shame, codependency and improved self esteem are my clients therapeutic goals.

Do these statements resonate with you? You feel like you're treading water or drowning. The weight of the world feels so heavy that you can't leave your bed. You feel overwhelmed by difficult relationships. I have helped clients navigate these issues in the context of their anxiety and depression. I’ve also developed a passion for LGBTQ counseling and sex health. Perhaps you are on a gender or sexuality journey or you are curious in pursuing a certain lifestyle with your partner. Regardless of what brings you here, we will work together to draw the roadmap for your personal fulfillment, peace, and growth.

What is it for you? Is it the lack of motivation? The Over-thinking? The never feeling good enough or need to be perfect? The “I don’t know who I am?” The loss of identity? The failed relationship/s? The hopelessness? The unexplained sadness? The lack of support? Well life can be very overwhelming and the desperation to feel better as you navigate through life can leave you feeling stuck. I specialize in working with individuals (adults) of color struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem or body image issues, autism, intergenerational and religious trauma, and LGBTQ +. I am dedicated to the Black/Caribbean community.

Thanks for stopping by and for allowing me the chance to be of assistance in your journey toward self-discovery. My approach is empathic and non-judgmental, encouraging and supporting clients in finding their own best solutions. I received my Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and am a Licensed Psychologist in the State of Maryland. I completed my APA-accredited internship at the College Counseling Center at New Mexico State University, and have had a variety of training opportunities including in the Chicago Public Schools, private practice, and counseling centers.

Washington Psychological Wellness is passionate about helping people live the lives they have envisioned by bringing values of honesty, kindness, humor and compassion to the practice. Therapy can inspire change, create greater self-awareness and improve one's life and relationships. Our clinicians provide a comfortable and collaborative environment in which you can take risks and explore different ways of thinking, feeling and being. Our aim is to help you gain clarity about the underlying causes of problems, provide strategies to help you cope and empower you to trust your inner voice and live each day authentically.

I specialize in treating anxiety disorders, OCD, and challenges associated with life transitions. I also work closely with individuals in the LGBTQIA + community. I enjoy helping others find compassion and acceptance for themselves. This is the foundation of positive change. If you find yourself consumed with worry and stress, difficulty being present, or need support while you are navigating a challenging life transition my practice may be a good fit.

As you’re looking for a therapist, it’s important to find someone you feel comfortable opening up to, and maybe even sharing aspects of your life that are hard to discuss. My clients often go there with me quickly; they can tell that I will be warm, supportive, nonjudgmental, and honor their trust. My approach to therapy is multicultural, LGBTQ + affirming, sex/kink positive, and I have a background working with first gen people. Clients who want to better understand and express their emotions have found therapy with me helpful for learning communication and skills they weren’t taught growing up.