Adoption Therapists in Washington, DC

Welcome to my site. Finding the right therapist can be daunting, so let me give you a sense of how I work. Most appreciate how engaged & active I am, We will explore not only the reasons for your difficulties, BUT more importantly, how stress affects your body; how you internalize thoughts of self & others. Thoughts lead to-> Beliefs -> Habits; automatic responses. I will give you tools to help with difficult emotions. I specialize in: 1) postpartum, 2) trauma/grief, 3) non-traditional family formation, 4) adoption, 5) ThirdCultureKid, 6) LGBTQ. I am open to explore non-traditional methods to assist you in the healing process.

I look forward to working with you, or your children, in overcoming current obstacles and life challenges. In my experience in working with adults, children, and families, they have all the strengths and resources they need within themselves, and can reach their full potential within a safe, empathic therapeutic relationship.

I have spent 42 years treating adults and couples suffering from depression, disabling anxiety, repeated relational problems, trauma, and grief.I also speciaize in child developmental and play therapies with a range of challenges for which I design treatment plans individually. I determine the course of child treatment according to my assessment of their level of development. I involve parents to varying extents in the therapy. Over the years, I have become most specialized working with separation/divorce, attachment, anxiety, depression, behavioral, and neuro-developmental, and adoption difficulties for children and their families.

I believe we are all finally recognizing that a more holistic approach to treatment is needed. With over 40+ years of experience working in community mental health and private practice, I know the importance on our assessing and understanding all of the ways society impacts every individual. Everything around us matters, even beyond our personal relationships with our families, colleagues and friends. Speaking as a proud social worker, I know to effectively diagnose and treat a human problem needs a fully inclusive, psycho-social model of evaluation. I am here, tailored to help for your specific and unique needs.

Touched by Adoption? The Barker Foundation recognizes that adoption is a lifelong journey, with normal developmental challenges and tasks. We will walk with you through and support you through your journey. Whether you are an adoptive parent with a child that is struggling emotionally or academically; a birth parent who is seeking understanding, reflection, or search and reunion; or an adoptee looking for support- we are here for you.

People come to me with the need for a non-judgmental space to explore their own lived experiences and express their thoughts and feelings. I specialize in supporting survivors of trauma and employ a client-centered, strengths-based approach. I help clients develop insight around factors influencing development, understand the mind-body connection, and explore individualized strategies for optimizing mental wellness. I have experience supporting clients around a variety of needs including anxiety, depression, grief and loss, neurodiversity, identity, special needs parenting, relationships, behaviors, and substance use.

The desire to experience relief in your current situation has led you to this very moment. We are here to help you. We work with clients who are ready to disrupt old patterns that no longer serve them and are experiencing circumstances like trauma (stemming from past/recent events), relationship concerns, stress, grief/loss, anxiety, divorce, parenting, transitions in life/work, seeking intrapersonal growth, money relationship/behavior struggles, self-esteem, family conflict, adoption/attachment, anger management and adjustment difficulties.

Are you seeking deeper attachment? I collaborate with couples and individuals to increase your inner awareness of self to share with others. I help clients process life-changing events including job growth and relocation, loss and grief, chronic health diagnoses, and adoption. I offer support for couples who want to strengthen their relationships and resolve issues preventing emotional and sexual intimacy. Where appropriate, I offer intensive therapy to bring clarity and begin the healing process of life experiences. I'm licensed in DC/MD/VA. My diverse background includes working in Silicon Valley, Wall Street and Main Street.

I’m a Black, multiracial, psychology associate in Washington, D.C., and I provide therapeutic services to adults of all ages, backgrounds, cultures and identities. While I work with all types of people, I have a particular interest in providing services to those who identify as multiracial, biracial, or mixed; BIPOC navigating predominantly white spaces; addressing issues of identity, family, relationships, and multicultural concerns. I also enjoy working with people in the midst of major life transitions - such as pregnancy, postpartum, adoption, marriage, break ups, loss, and career transitions.

As a psychiatrist and therapist, I offer both medication management and psychotherapy, fitting best mental health needs. I work with adolescents, adults and couples. I can help with the effects of traumatic experiences, with troubles of everyday living, interpersonal difficulties, sexuality, or infertility/adoption issues. I can help if you struggle with anxiety, depression, grief or with not reaching your goals. I assist couples in resolving painful, conflicted relationship issues. I also provide long-term therapy for self-exploration, and for changing complex personality patterns that make everyday life difficult.

Brenda Edmonds is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker in DC that specializes in Addiction, Adoption, Alcohol Use, Alzheimer’s, Anxiety, Behavioral Issues, Bipolar Disorder, Career Counseling, Child & Parenting Needs, Coping Skills, Depression, Domestic Violence & Abuse, Dual Diagnosis, Intellectual & Learning Disabilities, Medication Management, Self-Harming, Stress, Trauma & PTSD, Mental Health, Mood Disorders, and many other areas. Brenda’s 20 years of clinical experience has been widely dedicated to working with children and adults experiencing low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance abuse.

There are many layers and textures in each of our stories and individual healing journeys, that may make us believe that healing is impossible or that inner wellness after trauma is unattainable. You are worthy and capable of the healing you're envisioning. For many of us, a safe healing space is the first step in that journey back to self and is the support we’ve been searching for to become the next best version of ourselves. Together, we co-create the space you need to celebrate your innate wisdom; restore trust in your intuition and voice; and nurture your growth towards more healing and easeful living.

I bring to my practice the experience of forty years of professional work with individuals and couples, as well as the wisdom and personal growth that I have gained from dealing with my own life challenges. I am particularly effective with clients as they deal with forming and maintaining intimate relationships, sorting through identity and career conflicts, coping with grief and loss, and managing life transitions. Infertility and adoption issues have long been an area of expertise. All these situations are filled with intense emotionality and anguish yet demand solid, clear thinking.

Finding a therapist who is a great match is essential when you turn to counseling to help build or grow your family. You likely feel stressed, depressed, or isolated as you have encountered setbacks. I help individuals and couples experiencing infertility, coping with pregnancy loss, considering third-party reproduction or adoption, or deciding to live child-free. I have more than 20 years working with RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association. We will work as a team as I teach you to make challenging decisions, manage stress, enhance your relationship, heal from loss, and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.

I specialize in working with families, couples, groups, and individuals. I treat children as young as three, have experience with school phobia, adoption, blended families, gender issues, gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals, and the challenges of elderly. I am experienced working with psychoses, severe post traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, and problems of every day life. I have special expertise working with the LGBTQ+ population, with adolescents, sexual development, severe mental illness, post traumatic stress disorder, and physical illnesses.

I work with adults, adolescents, and couples, often in transition or crisis. If we work together, you will become more fully self-aware and present as you improve and deepen your relationships with others. I am a warm and engaged participant in the psychotherapy and problem-solving process and as such, I am continually awed by each person's story and the unique reservoirs found to deal with life's difficulties.

Hello and welcome! All of us encounter times when our lives don't look like we expected they would. My passion for the last 18 years has been helping adults heal from past pain/trauma & live into their courage and freedom. I specialize in assisting people with re-discovering joy and wholeheartedness following life transitions. Your journey MATTERS and the way that you walk through this difficult season matters. I offer online psychotherapy to Clients in NY, TN, VA & FL, & DC.

I work with adolescents , adults, couples and families. I enjoy working with clients from different cultures and backgrounds, and have supported many families who have experienced adoption. I consider myself an ally to the LGBTQI community and can help you through different challenges related to your sexual or gender identity, coming out, and transitioning.

My work with adults includes those with a trauma history, depression, anxiety, grief, relational issues, somatic symptoms with no medical explanation, feeling stuck or sensing that something is just “not right”, as well as healthcare providers & other first responders who have experienced increased stress during the COVID crisis. My experience with children includes those with a trauma history, adoption, depression, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, divorce, school refusal, low self-esteem, difficult peer & family relationships, immigration, & cross-cultural adjustments.