Asian Therapists in Silver Spring, MD

Understanding who you are or what you are feeling is difficult when you are not even sure what words to use to describe your experience or what questions to ask yourself. Naming that is a big step. You may put on a mask to navigate the world in order to reduce the pressures you feel from society. High expectations when you were younger may make mistakes seem unacceptable. The journey to explore who you are may seem lonely. You may notice similarities in the relationships you form now with the relationship you have with your family. The early traumas in your life may be triggering you now in ways that are frustrating and upsetting.

I am of South Asian descent and open to clients of all backgrounds. However, I know there is a great need for therapy in South Asian communities. I grew up witnessing how harmful stigma can be surrounding mental health. I am an avid believer that everyone is entitled to therapy. We can work together in your journey of healing! You do not have to suffer alone nor feel shameful about it. I strive to create a space that is warm and inviting.

Do you live in a culture that's different from your culture of origin? Are you tired of fighting with your partner constantly without finding a path to move forward? Is the feeling of lost and disempowerment keeping you up at night? You relationship doesn't have to suffer through those conflicts in the dark. Your relationship does not have to be a battleground for your differences, it can be a rich soil for meeting your unmet needs. Therapy is the right place for you and your partner to explore the complex emotions. If you are not sure what you are experiencing, therapy also allows you to get closer to the unknown.

Your family immigrated here to make a better life for themselves. This is your home, but you’ve always felt out of place. Either you’re discriminated against because your name and appearance make you “not American enough.” Or you feel like a traitor to your family and cultural identity by over-assimilating and being “too American.” You can’t win. So instead, you hide, certain that any attempts you make will only isolate you further. On the one hand, you want to honor your heritage, but on the other, you’re terrified of being treated like an outcast. It all feels so impossible, and you don’t know where to turn.

If you are seeking a therapist at this time, it is likely that you are at a crossroads in your life. And perhaps your desire for change is becoming stronger than being where you are. Asking for help can be intimidating for a number of reasons. What I hope I can provide is a space where you feel safe enough to explore your options. We will work collaboratively to develop a foundation of resilience and confidence. We will work together to develop insight into your problem.

Starting college. Moving over seas. Racial discrimination. Navigating romantic breakups. When you are experiencin a major life change it can cause worry, sleeplessness, irritablility and even depression. Sadly, it seems that major changes don't just happen in isolation. In fact, you are likely struggling due to a combination of expereinces that are further complicated by society's view of people from your background. It's not fair. As a clinician at PlayfulLeigh Psyched, I will help you get to where you or your teen wants to be.

As a clinician born in Trinidad and Tobago, I work with young adults and adults including those who are immigrants, have been through the foster care system, are going through life transitions and experiencing career, relationship and identity challenges. We'll identify triggers; manage or resolve responses and reactions related to PTSD, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, depression and more. We'll identify the psychological impact of past and current experiences and relationships on mood, behavior and thought patterns.I affirm BIPOC, AAPI, Latinx, LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent clients.

​Trauma does not discriminate. It can happen to anyone no matter their circumstances. Fortunately, there are also treatments that can help. In my 18+ years of experience, I have born witness to the incredible resilience of individuals who have experienced trauma and firmly believe that recovery is possible. I have expertise in working with survivors of all forms of trauma including (but not limited to) service members, veterans, journalists (awarded certificate through JTSN), childhood abuse, chronic invalidation, developmental trauma, intergenerational trauma, race-based trauma, and interpersonal violence.

Hi! I am a culturally competent, trauma-informed therapist. My potential clients are looking for someone compassionate who can help them navigate the complexities of their lives. I am dedicated to providing a safe space for my clients to process and reflect on family systems, intergenerational and cultural-related issues and trauma, enmeshment, unhealthy attachment and boundaries, work-life balance and productivity, and/or other relationship conflicts. Self-esteem and self-worth issues, women's issues, avoidant behaviors, and unhealthy thinking patterns are just some of things we may work on in our sessions together.

Has life thrown a lot at you? Maybe you’ve successfully gotten through past difficulties, only to find your old ways of coping no longer serve you. Let’s work together to find your healing. With warmth and acceptance, I work to unlock your connection to and trust in your strengths, wisdom, and creativity. We'll shape an understanding of who you are, where you’d like to be, and what tools work for you to build skills and find solutions to your goals. Using my foundation in the neurophysiology of stress and trauma, I will partner with you to cultivate cognitive and body-based tools to cope and find new responses to present challenges.

Jennifer Oh is a postdoctoral training fellow and registered psychological associate. Jennifer completed her MSW at the University of Georgia and earned her M.A. in Education from Brooklyn College. She received her doctoral degree in counseling psychology from Radford University in Virginia in August 2022. Most recently, Jennifer completed her doctoral internship at Johns Hopkins University Counseling Center where she specialized in working with and treating a diverse population of students. Jennifer integrates evidence-based treatments using emotion-focused, psychodynamic, and mindfulness techniques.

I believe that effective therapy is rooted in the importance of the individual, and built on trust, comfortability, and unconditional empathy. My treatment approach is person-centered, using methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Strength-Based skills, and Behavioral Modification. I value taking the time to understand my clients’ passions so that I can integrate these into their treatment to build connection in creative ways. I want my clients to be able to not only process their experiences during our sessions, but also leave with practical tools that fit for them.

Hello. Thank you for visiting my page. I believe that you have the potential to heal and grow regardless of your age, gender, social status, experience, and depth of pain. My goal is to help you acknowledge and trust your own strengths to overcome any struggles. When individuals come to therapy, they may feel out of balance with difficult feelings, perceptions, behaviors, and/or thoughts. With a holistic view of a person as a complex being with different facets and strengths, I aim to facilitate my clients' self-awareness, self-regulation, self-expression, and self-exploration toward recreating wholeness.

I work with adults to process and gain skills to manage or eliminate frequent grief and loss; influence of culture on immigrant women's mental health; anxiety and depression; women's issues that affect women’s self-concept and self-esteem; parent-child relationship problems; strained adult sibling relationships; women impacted by past or ongoing marital conflict, divorce or separation; and depression or anxiety developed during pregnancy or after childbirth that causes behavioral and emotional issues. I facilitate processing of experiences, thoughts and emotions and developing short and long-term interventions and strategies.

Family relationships, postpartum experiences, transitions, worry, school and work stress, sadness, immigrant experiences, persistent self-doubt and trauma are some of the things I support individuals through. I provide space to process the psychological stress caused by interactions with people, places and systems that are demeaning, hostile, dismissive and insensitive to minority groups. My clients are able to improve distress tolerance; improve communication and relationships; ​develop assertiveness and autonomy; address family-of-origin challenges; adjust to life transitions; resolve trauma and more.

Hi! I’m Arlene Paulson, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-C) and I work with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, loneliness, relationship difficulties and parenting challenges. I work collaboratively with you to address the life challenges you are facing. With a focus on TEAM-CBT techniques, mindfulness, and creating new habits, we will find what works for you. As an immigrant, the process of figuring out my values and finding my identity was especially challenging early on. I’m here to use my experience, education, tools and perspective to support you in your journey towards emotional well-being.