Therapists for college students near Washington, DC

Therapy is a space to untangle patterns, fears, and old narratives so you can decide what actually serves you. I'm a doctorally-trained, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW-C) who works with adolescents and adults through depression, anxiety, trauma, OCD, life transitions and relationship struggles. Together we'll trace what's been keeping you stuck, work through experiences that still weigh on you, and build tools you can use in your daily life, so you feel steadier, clearer, and more yourself. Every process is shaped around your individual preferences and needs. I draw on evidence-based approaches with strong track records for lasting change, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD; which ones we lean on depends on what you're working toward. What stays steady through all of it is a grounded space where you set the pace, receive guidance shaped to your circumstances, learn to trust your own judgment again, and start living by your own design. I see clients in person at my Bethesda, MD office and online across Maryland, Virginia, Vermont, Colorado, and Washington, DC. If any of this resonates, please reach out. I'd be glad to hear what's on your mind and find out whether we're the right fit.

Anxious or traumatized by the political impact of the election on your identity, your family relationships, your future career, and/or your loved ones? Dreading the family political discussions when you go home or when they call? Finding your authentic self as a college student, grad student, post doc, or struggling to become your authentic self? Having difficulty in your relationships? Or just wondering how someone else you see on tik tok makes everything look so easy when you feel like you are falling apart? Well then, you are in the right place. Let’s talk about how we can work together to get you out of that funk! We’ll try the psychodynamic approach in which we uncover the patterns you may be stuck in and figure out how to make healthier ones. We’ll try using DBT skills to build better tolerance in dealing with struggles so that you can be more effective in your decision-making and happier with the results of your choices. We’ll try humanistic theory to focus on building or repairing from your foundation up. There are a lot of strategies at our disposal that we can try until we find the right ones. Together, we’ll continue to build your toolbox. I write accommodations letters and gender affirming care letters for clients. With me, we’ll tailor your therapy to meet your goals. The faster you reach out, the faster we can get started on a healthier you. Reach out for a free 15 minute consult!

I am a licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience supporting children, adults, and families navigating complex and often overwhelming life circumstances. My professional background includes work in child welfare, domestic violence services, and with families raising children or caring for loved ones with disabilities. These experiences have shaped my deep respect for resilience and my commitment to providing trauma-informed, culturally responsive care.

Hello, I’m Marsha Charlton, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, PMH-C (PSI), a board-certified Family and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I am passionate about supporting college students as they navigate the unique challenges of academic life and personal growth. With extensive experience in both primary care and mental health, I provide comprehensive medication management and supportive psychotherapy tailored to the needs of young adults. I also hold advanced certification in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International. This credential reflects specialized training in the assessment and treatment of mental health conditions during pregnancy and the postpartum period, including mood and anxiety disorders, trauma-related concerns, and adjustment challenges. In my practice, I integrate this expertise through evidence-based screening, thoughtful medication management during pregnancy and lactation, and psychotherapy approaches designed to support individuals during the transition to parenthood. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and evidence-based. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where patients feel heard, supported, and empowered to achieve their mental health goals.

I am so happy you are here! Starting therapy can be difficult, but you have already taken the first step! In my last 7+ years as a therapist, I have worked with teens and young adults who are experiencing anxiety, stress, and depression due to life transitions and/or trauma. In our first session, you will have the opportunity to share your story and we will work together to set realistic goals to meet your needs.

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You know something needs to change. You're tired of the way you've been feeling. Maybe you're struggling to identify what would help, or you already know what to do, but can't seem to find the motivation to follow through. Maybe you can imagine just what you want for yourself, but you get stuck when it comes to making changes you can stick with, leaving you frustrated, embarrassed, or disheartened. I'm here to help you identify what's working in your life and enhance it, and to find what isn’t working so you can determine, with clarity and kindness, what you want to change and how to develop the life you really want.

College life can be exciting—and stressful. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by classes, relationships, or the pressure to figure out your future, you’re not alone. Our practice provides supportive, student-centered care to help with anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Together, we’ll build tools to manage stress and support your well-being so you can thrive on campus and beyond. Reaching out is a sign of strength, and taking care of your mental health is one of the most important investments you can make in yourself—today and for your future.

Life is sometimes overwhelming and therapy can help create possibilities! I am here to support you in identifying what is making you feel stuck and work with you to become the best version of yourself. I offer a warm and compassionate place for clients to talk about their pain and feel understood. I work with college students and young adults experiencing depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, family and personal relationship difficulties, and academic or occupational stress. I draw from a variety of theoretical frameworks to meet the needs of the person I am working with. I am a LGBTQIA+ affirming and fat-positive therapist. I strive to create an inclusive and safe space for all clients. Looking for a therapist is a great first step towards healing and growing! Feel free to email me and I will then let you know my availability and next steps to setting up an intake session for us to get to know each other better. I look forward to hearing from you!

RecoverED, LLC is a boutique psychiatric practice dedicated to helping patients who struggle with eating and body image concerns. Here you will find evidence-based, exceptional, compassionate, holistic, and personalized treatment that is tailored to each individual and their phase of recovery. We understand that every journey is unique, and our approach is designed to support you at every step. Your well-being is our priority, and we are committed to helping you regain a healthy relationship with food and your body.

College life can feel like a high-speed juggling act. Classes, relationships, deadlines, family expectations, and trying to take care of yourself all compete for your attention. It can be hard to slow down and make sense of everything you are carrying. I work with students who want to pause, understand what is creating stress or disconnection, and refocus on what truly matters. If you want a therapist who will be your biggest cheerleader and also someone who will call you in when you need it, you are in the right place. My approach is trauma informed and grounded in CBT. Together we work to understand patterns, build clarity, and create real and lasting change. Finding the right therapist matters, especially when you are balancing a full schedule. If you are considering therapy, I invite you to visit my website and schedule a free consultation. This is your chance to ask questions, explore your goals, and get a sense of whether we are a good match. I offer virtual counseling for students located in PA, VA, and DC.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

This process of being and becoming that we engage with as humans can simultaneously be both beautiful and incredibly challenging. The decision to take part in therapy can begin a transformative process that allows you to develop greater insight as well as ignite necessary behavioral changes. This can help promote greater well-being, vitality, healing, growth, resiliency, and self-actualization. There is perhaps no greater gift to give yourself than to invest in a process of self-exploration. Such exploration will better enable you to develop a deeper connection with your authentic self so that you may reach your optimal potential. Ultimately, engaging in therapy can be an empowered step toward claiming a life that feels more fulfilling, intentional and aligned with your goals. In turn, there is no greater honor for me than to get to share a part of your journey. I believe therapy to be a collaborative and relational process. You can expecte me to treat you with compassion and respect. I am a licensed psychologist in private practice after working in university counseling centers since 2003. Most recently, I served as the Director of Counseling and Psychological Services at George Washington University since June 2020 after serving as Director of Counseling at Ursinus College since 2013. Prior to that I’ve worked in the counseling centers at Drexel, Columbia and Princeton University after completing my pre-doctoral internship at the counseling center at Johns Hopkins University and receiving my PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Georgia in 2010. Prior to that, I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Washington and Lee University and my master’s degree in psychological counseling from Teacher’s College, Columbia University Collectively, these roles allowed me to identify my passion for providing quality mental health services to the adult and young adult population, particularly in helping the undergraduate and graduate students navigate through identity, relational and transitional concerns and stressors. In these roles, I both provided direct therapy to university students as well as oversight for the delivery of counseling services- including staff supervision and management, evaluation and assessment of services and programs, establishing best practices for the centers that met the needs of the campus community and supported student development objectives as well as the academic mission. I most enjoyed working directly with students to address both clinical and developmental issues and frequently experienced that through therapy, they could better realize their potential. I am very excited to be returning to a purely clinical role to dedicate my energy to providing direct therapy. I provide a warm, compassionate, supportive and empowering environment in which I meet individuals where they are and help them to feel seen, heard, and affirmed in order to heal, learn and grow. I believe that each client must be understood as an individual whose sense of self has been informed through many social, cultural and relational interactions.

Hi, I’m Clayton, a licensed mental health counselor and marriage and family therapist. I believe that healing begins when we feel seen, heard, and accepted for who we are. My goal is to create a space where you can explore your thoughts and emotions without judgment — whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, identity concerns, relationship challenges, or simply trying to understand yourself on a deeper level. I work with individuals, couples, and families from all walks of life, including those in the LGBTQ+ community, students adjusting to new transitions, and anyone striving to improve their emotional well-being. My approach is collaborative and compassionate — blending evidence-based techniques with genuine curiosity about your story. Together, we’ll work toward developing insight, strengthening coping skills, and helping you feel more grounded and confident in who you are. Therapy is not about “fixing” you; it’s about understanding, growth, and learning to embrace your own perfect imperfections. If you’re ready to begin that process, I’m here to walk alongside you every step of the way.

Hi! My name is Alyssa, I'm an LCSW based in NYC and licensed in New Jersey (NJ) and Maryland (MD). I provide online virtual therapy to young adults and adults seeking support with relational trauma and complex PTSD, anxiety, codependency in relationships, people pleasing, and anyone interested in shifting their relationship with alcohol or are sober curious. If you struggle with trauma or anxiety, perfectionism, putting other people above yourself, low self confidence, and negative self talk I'd be happy to support you! Often these can impact our ability to take care of ourselves and lead to feeling drained and burnt out impacting our ability to keep up with school and work responsibilities or manage stress and emotions. I bring a trauma-informed, somatic, and holistic lens. I'm trained in EMDR, DBT, and somatic therapy. I also often bring in mindful self compassion, CBT, and experiential exercises like guided meditations and guided imagery. I believe one approach doesn't fit all and will pull from different modalities to tailor our collaborative treatment plan to meet your individual needs. Though my main priority and focus is building a trusting relationship between us first, so you feel it's a safe space to open up. My practice is fully virtual and I provide free 15 minute phone consultations to see if it's a good fit! I look forward to supporting your healing.

At Mala Mantis Counseling, we have been trained to support individuals, couples and families in finding healthy ways to manage overwhelming emotions. We specialize in the treatment of: Postpartum Depression Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Military Veterans, Active Duty and First Responders LGBTQIA+ Teachers and Healthcare Professionals Childhood Abuse and Neglect Generalized Anxiety Depression It's our intention to build individualized care for each of our clients, establishing mutually-agreed upon goals, and spending time developing the skills necessary to implement change. We're here to guide and support, offering insight and feedback. As the client, and an expert on all things you, we ask that you bring an open mind to the process as we work together to support your path towards the future you envision.

Hello! I specialize in working with engineering and other STEM students that feel overwhelmed by their academic and personal lives. As a former mental health ambassador for two top engineering programs in the country, I have a wealth of experience working with students who are driven, highly intelligent and under intense pressure to succeed. I also work with engineers and engineering managers across STEM industries and can support students in their career exploration process. I am a neuro-divergent and LGBTQIA+ affirming provider that will take the time to tailor your therapy experience to exactly what you need. I am looking forward for the chance to meet you. Feel free to reach out for a free 15 min consultation to discuss how I can help you in your journey through and after school.

I work with adults (18+) who have difficulty managing their emotions and who struggle with depression, anxiety, impulsive behavior, thoughts of suicide and self-harm, interpersonal problems, or problems functioning at work or school. I provide evidence-based treatments including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help my clients change ineffective behavioral patterns, develop more helpful ways of thinking, and accept difficult realities in order to build the lives they want. I see therapy as a collaboration between client and therapist to work towards their goals in treatment and in life. I specialize in DBT, a gold standard treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder and related problems with emotion regulation. I provide a range of DBT services for clients. I also use CBT to treat specific problems: panic, generalized anxiety, OCD, depression, and trauma. I can tailor treatment interventions to meet clients' individual needs. Through my validating and nonjudgmental style, I am committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based treatment to help you reach your most desired goals. I currently offer services including comprehensive DBT, individual therapy (DBT, CBT) and individual DBT skills coaching and consultation. Please reach out if you are interested in finding out more about therapy with me.

Hello, Thank you for taking a moment to learn more about me. I am a licensed clinical social worker who has experience helping college students through relationship difficulties, academic challenges, as well as struggles with the overall adjustment to life as an adult. My practice is fully remote for the foreseeable future. I offer appointments Monday through Friday 8 am to 7 pm. Have a great day, Kathi Nardella

Inside all the suffering you are experiencing at this time, you know who you are at heart. I want to help you work with unhealthy thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and return to yourself, a self that honors your core values. I am a compassionate therapist who provides goal-oriented therapy to adults dealing with anxiety, social anxiety disorder, depression, panic attacks, contamination and disgust OCD, trauma, complex family dynamics, and those working on long-term recovery from alcohol use disorder. Therapy should be goal-oriented and energizing! I am familiar with the most up-to-date therapy techniques from prior work in the Mass General Brigham healthcare system in Boston and training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, utilizing strategies from CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), DBT, ACT, and ERP (exposure and response prevention). I work with clients who are in Washington, DC, Massachusetts, and Virginia as I am licensed in all three locations and have lived and worked in all three. I look forward to supporting you on your journey! Please be aware that for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance I am only in network in Virginia.