Existential Therapists in Laurel, MD

My goal and my motto is: "Encouragement for Change and Empowerment to Heal". I provide counseling to individuals, couples, and families. My focus is to help you identify, manage, adjust and heal from whatever unpredictable life experiences, that have caused you distress. I partner with you to develop healthy and effective coping skills, in an effort to promote a positive and optimal quality of life. If your life has been compromised by depression, anxiety, past trauma, stress, lack of motivation, etc., and you are struggling with work-life balance and/or stagnation, you are who I want to help!

Depression, fear, and anxiety are some of the most common and uncomfortable emotions that we can experience at some point in our lives. Through counseling and treatment, we are able to help you recover motivation, perspective, and joy that you once had in your life.

Life is full of ups and downs, and sometimes, the downs can become so overwhelming when we are tackling life’s obstacles on our own, or with limited resources and support. I want you to know that you are not alone! We have all had struggles; I can certainly relate to that! Know that there is hope and the possibility for change exists if we really want it. I am Donalee Watson-Dwyer, LCPC, and I am currently a therapist with ROH Mental Health and Wellness Services, LLC, where our focus is on providing a ray of hope in seemingly hopeless situations.

With over 10 years of experience in the field and in various settings including schools, community-based, child welfare, the justice system, and in hospitals both emergency and psychiatric care, has allowed me to build a specific skill set and expertise in managing issues surrounding grief and loss, anxiety, depression, work-related stress, equity, mood disorders, interpersonal issues, victim awareness, anger management, abuse, trauma, and ADHD. Sometimes we don’t realize how a little positivity can go a long way, until it is, that you're in need of support.

I specialize in working with people with a history of trauma, offering several powerful therapeutic modalities to provide relief, recovery, and deep healing. I am also effective helping with anxiety, depression, and difficult life transitions. Many people come to me after they have gone as far as they can in traditional talk therapy, wanting to explore a more body-based, creative, and experiential approach. I bring extensive training and expertise, along with 35+ years of professional experience. In addition to psychodrama, I now offer Ketamine-assisted therapy. I work with individuals, couples and groups.

I empower individuals and couples to live their best lives by equipping them with the skills to make permanent change in their lives. I focus on assisting clients with unpacking emotional baggage from emotional, physical or sexual childhood trauma which has led toxic relationships or addictive behaviors. My ideal client is ready to make the changes to become his/her best self by doing the work necessary to unpack emotional baggage from his/her past that is weighing him/her down. My ideal client is ready to move from just surviving to thriving!

Why struggle through life's challenges alone? Why not seek help today. I believe that each individual client has within themselves the power to change, live their ideal intended life, and maintain satisfying relationships. The counseling experience should provide an environment that is supportive, nonjudgemental, safe, and encouraging. Over my 15+ years of experience I have been known to challenge my clients to confront their issues, and develop the inner fortitude to deal with life's many challenges. If you're dealing with grief from the loss of a loved one, trauma, battling depression, anxiety, or stress, I can help.

My practice has helped individuals gain independence, address problematic issues and have a more rewarding lifestyle while developing healthy relationships since 1996. I have worked extensively with adults, couples, families, and teenagers suffering from depression; emotional and sexual abuse disorders; addictive behaviors; and other mental illnesses. My office is located on the second floor of Pennington Center. The building has a handicap access entrance.

One Spirit Counseling is founded on my belief that everyone has the power to heal themselves. My goal in counseling is to help people find their power and connect with their ability to heal and become whole. In addition to my Pastoral Counseling degree from Loyola University, I have a Master of Public Health and am a Certified Health Education Specialist. My public health and education background speak to the physical, behavioral, and environmental health that each of us require to survive while my mental health and spiritual training help bring healing to emotional wounds.

I believe that each one of us knows exactly how to heal ourselves; however, the message gets lost inside ourselves for various reasons. I see my job as merely helping the individual attain the clarity to see for themselves the choices they've made. Once they understand the unconscious decisions that drive their behavior they can begin to make positive changes. My style is very relaxed and interactive. I try to create an environment that feels nonjudgmental and safe; where the individual feels cared about, encouraged and empowered.

You want better than "fine". Even though you are (sometimes just barely) keeping your head above water, you hope there is a bigger, brighter life for you, maybe just out of sight. It's exhausting and dispiriting to feel stuck, going around in circles. You know you are ready for something to shift, to gain some real traction for lasting change and you need some help to get there. I'd love to help. Find more clarity & ease in your mind, more trust in your body, and learn to befriend all parts of yourself, especially the parts that have been challenging and that you'd usually prefer to just ditch. Get to way better than "fine".

Out of the hundreds of therapists listed, how do you know who is right for you? Most likely, you’ll want to talk to an experienced therapist who understands how struggling with stress can lead to feeling depressed, moody, irritable or anxious. Whether, you’ve lost connection with your family or find yourself spending needless energy meeting the expectations of others; you’ll want to talk to a therapist who will help you feel safe and supported.

My goal as a therapist is to help you reach a deeper understanding of your struggles and to help create awareness in your life. My belief is once these strengths are recognized and practiced, we can begin working towards our greater potential and begin the healing process or better management of our daily life. I believe people are resilient and have the capacity to heal, if we choose to. I teach practical skills and provide tools that you, you and your partner, child(ren), and family can use every day.

Healing can begin today! Guidance of Hope, LLC offers online and in-person counseling geared towards reconstructing your life to address challenges, changes, and pain to create growth, peace, and empowerment! My goal is to provide multiculturally competent and inclusive clinical services that are grounded in evidence-based practices. I specialize in Trauma, Depression, Stress and Anger Management, Self-Esteem,Relationship /Communication Issues, Anxiety Disorders, Dual Diagnosis Disorders, and Grief.

My ideal client is an adolescent attending high school, whose dealing with emotional issues in their school settings, they're in need of some guidance in determining an appropriate identity and career path. They're seeking vocational guidance from a lack of understanding of the world of work and how their unique abilities and skills fit into it.

I help individuals of all ages experiencing anxiety, frustration, loss, fear, confusion, etc. to regain a sense of grounding and clarity in their lives through the use of person-centered psychotherapy and Art therapy. My clients may utilize talk therapy and/or non-threatening art materials and age appropriate directives to aid in the their therapeutic process. I have extensive experience with clients who have experienced or are currently experiencing childhood trauma (medical and otherwise), chronic illness, loss of a family member, mental illness, and generalized anxiety.

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.

Welcome! To remedy something means to set right or to cure. The beauty of being human is having the capacity to set things right within ourselves. To set something right is not always to suggest that something is wrong, but it does mean that to be human is to provide ourselves with much deserved grace and compassion. Life can be defeating at times, as we tirelessly work towards a version of ourselves that seems unattainable. If you have found yourself here, it is important for you to remember that who you currently are is also the person responsible for who you seek to become.

The overwhelming grip of anxiety can cast a relentless shadow over your daily existence, leaving you feeling isolated and burdened. A persistent sense of worry, fear, or unease may seem all-consuming. Depression, with its profound impact on your sense of joy and purpose, can lead you to question the very essence of your being. As you navigate the complexities of modern life, the concept of work-life balance often feels like an elusive mirage, always just out of reach. Striving for professional success while nurturing personal relationships can lead to feelings of burnout and exhaustion. You are not alone.