Relational Therapists in Washington, DC

Therapy is a creative space where we collaborate to help you discover what you need to live a satisfying, joyful life, and develop the freedom and courage to make choices that honor these needs. As a former corporate lawyer, I have a special interest in working with professionals (particularly lawyers!) who feel stressed and stuck in their careers. I also love working with anyone else urgently asking: What do I actually want? How can I feel more at home in my life and in the world?

Welcome to my profile! I'm a compassionate and dedicated psychologist with 12 years of experience. I specialize in helping individuals break free from repetitive and "stuck" thought patterns that may be hindering their personal growth and well-being. Our minds have a tendency to get caught in loops of negative or unhelpful thoughts, which can create distress and limit our ability to thrive. I believe in empowering individuals to challenge and move beyond these patterns, allowing them to embrace new perspectives.

Are you ready to increase your self-awareness from a relational-cultural framework in addition to implementing tailored coping strategies in your everyday life outside of sessions? If you're new to therapy, you are also encouraged to try short-term care and can expect a welcoming and compassionate environment. Individual tele-therapy services are available during evenings and weekends for individuals 16 years and older who are located in the District of Columbia, Maryland or Virginia.

The populations with whom I work are adults, children, and couples. My primary modalities are Two-Person Psychology & Relational Theory, with which I focus on the importance of the therapist being a part of the therapeutic process, and working with folks from the beginning of treatment until the end; never wanting the client to feel they are alone on this journey. I hope my process helps my clients feel confident in themselves so that they can find the courage and fortitude to change, which is the hardest thing a person can do.

I work with individuals and couples who are coping with the impact of trauma, loss, anxiety, depression, as well as life and relationship transitions. My focus is relational and that the quality of emotional wellbeing rests on ones relationship to self and others.

Dwayne Phillips-McNamee is a Licensed Social Worker who works to provide a culturally sensitive, inclusive, equitable internal and external space for all clients regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious background, or any other factor. Dwayne works with adult individuals surrounding a variety of issues, including issues related to race and ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender identity, and relationships. He is particularly interested in working with black adults, those in and around the LGBTQ+ community, and those navigating issues related to building and maintaining relationships.

In my 20 years of clinical, academic, and advocacy experience, I have worked with clients who present with a wide range of issues. I specialize in recovery from trauma (particularly childhood abuse/neglect, sexual assault and domestic violence), successful movement through life transitions (young adulthood, career, parenthood, mid-life and loss), and repair of interpersonal relationships (including a specialty in couples therapy). I have advanced training in both trauma treatment and couples therapy, which uniquely positions me to treat couples where one or both partners have a trauma history.

Being in distress and discomfort is hard, tiring, and sometimes discouraging. "I'm struggling with something, but what can I do about it?" "Why is it so easy for everyone else?" "I just want out of my head, and back into my life." I believe successful therapy is a collaborative effort that helps you build a real, authentic, and happy life. Therapy can be helpful when sensitive topics and difficult challenges feel intimidating and overwhelming. As your therapist, I will listen to and learn about your challenges. We'll find a pace that works for you and I'll help you keep your goals in focus. 

My clinical expertise is in issues related to emotional regulation, trauma, loss, and early life attachment experiences. I have a particular interest in supporting parents of young children (particularly at this time and in relationship to COVID-related school and care transitions). My approach can broadly be described as insight oriented and rooted in attachment, relational, and interpersonal theories as well as self-psychology. My expertise rests on meaningful personal experiences and on continuing rigorous training and teaching.

Hello and thank you for having the courage and strength to learn more about YOU. Psychotherapy is a process and a process that I will take with you. About me: I began my career over 20 years ago, and have worked in several grassroots organizations with the common mission of empowering individuals. I have a love for service and advocacy particularity for the most vulnerable and disenfranchised groups.

I am a board-certified psychotherapist. In my practice I provide psychotherapy to adults, couples, and older adolescents, using psychoanalytic psychotherapy and analytical psychology. It is my goal to create a warm and supportive environment in which to work with my clients to heal relational wounds and other forms of trauma. I support clients in their process to gain deeper self-understanding and to foster personal growth through self-compassion. Together we can explore new ways of understanding old patterns of behavior.

I specialize in working with adults with eating disorders and disordered eating, and the conditions that often co-occur with eating concerns such as anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and trauma. I also have an extensive research background in chronic fatigue syndrome (sometimes called myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS) and have worked on multiple NIH-funded studies; I am aware of the unique challenges faced by individuals living with ME/CFS and other poorly understood, stigmatized health conditions. I provide evidence-based interventions that are tailored to my client’s needs and progress.

Welcome! I primarily work with clients who are struggling with life transitions or relational concerns. This may include leaving a faith tradition, gaining or losing a partner, exploring sexuality, dealing with old "stuff," working through identity 'stuff,' or getting unstuck. I work with clients from traditional to alternative and everything between, regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, race, orientation, spirituality or relational preferences. I am committed to a social justice practice of anti-racist and affirming care. I tend to see many clients who have had negative experiences with therapists in the past.

Finding the right therapist is an important part of having a positive experience in therapy. I am committed to working collaboratively with my clients to help them achieve their goals, manage difficult life situations and better understand themselves. My goal is to help you on your journey to a more fulfilling and balanced life. I am warm, accepting and non-judgmental. Whether you are looking for strategies to manage a challenging life situation, wish to improve your relationships or seek to increase your overall emotional well-being, I offer a safe environment in which you can explore these areas of your life.

I am a telehealth convert. Prior to 2020, I could never have imagined that connecting with a therapist online would be so effective. But as a working parent myself, I have personally come to not only value, but depend on the flexibility and accessibility that telehealth provides for my clients. I utilize a variety of therapy modalities with a solutions-focussed core in order to meet the needs of my clients. My style is relational and client-centered. I come from a strengths-based perspective and rely on the principles of third wave cognitive behavioral therapy and understanding the impact of our early family systems.

Welcome! I am a licensed clinical psychologist in the DMV and currently offering therapy and evaluation services out of my office in Downtown DC/Penn Quarter area and virtually. I provide individual psychotherapy with a strong skill-set in trauma-informed care for adolescents, young adults, adults, and women of color. I draw from my background in cognitive-behavioral skills training, family systems, and relational-cultural therapy. My approach is best described as warm, direct, and collaborative. Please reach out to me via email or phone call for a consultation to see if I could be a good fit for your needs.

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.

Knowing when to reach out for help is one of the most important things in life - I'm glad you're here. I work with clients to address anxiety, depression, trauma, and travel phobias; to navigate grief, life transitions, and relationship issues; and to establish a healthy sense of self that doesn't change with other people's opinions. I also work with individuals who aren't sure at first what they want to work on but have a vague sense that they aren't as happy as they want to be. Whatever the concern, we explore it in a safe and relaxed atmosphere and agree together on a plan to move forward.

At times the road to your fullest life is found by moving through trauma, rage, loss, and betrayal. How we cope with those hardships is important. Therapy can help you become more aware of suffering, the sources that are causing it, and tools to help you overcome it. I invite us to imagine a life beyond fear, shame, and regret. One where you feel your innate wisdom, compassion, and capacity, to live life more fully despite all of its complexities.