Therapists for college students near Washington, DC

If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of yourself, you're not alone. As a psychodynamic psychotherapist, I offer a safe and confidential space to explore these challenges and uncover the underlying patterns that may be impacting your well-being. Together, we can delve into your past experiences, understand your current emotional landscape, and build the resilience needed to thrive during this pivotal time in your life.

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

I work with clients who may be struggling with depression, anxiety, and various mental health disorders. During our initial sessions, we'll review symptoms in depth and discuss a personalized treatment plan. My care approach is collaborative, holistic, and evidence-based. Symptom improvement is often reported by using treatment approaches such as medication, therapy, and lifestyle interventions.

Equip is the leading evidence-based virtual eating disorder treatment program on a mission to ensure that everyone with an eating disorder has access to treatment that works. Built by clinical experts in the eating disorder field and those who have experienced eating disorders firsthand, Equip fills the gaps in today’s insufficient eating disorder landscape. We provide fully virtual, evidence-based treatment through a multidisciplinary care team (which includes a medical provider, therapist, dietitian, and trained mentors), allowing each patient to achieve full recovery without disrupting their life. We treat patients of all ages and diagnoses in all 50 states, and we accept most insurance plans.

Are you someone who avoids social situations, seeks out reassurance from others, or describes yourself as a people pleaser or perfectionist? If so, you might be struggling with anxiety. Anxiety shows up in a variety of different ways. These challenges arise during major life transitions or may be associated with relationship, school, or work-related concerns. I have a special interest in working with young adults who experience anxiety and stress. I'm here to help you gain the tools you need to feel relief and to approach your life in a more authentic way. I utilize techniques from the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) perspective as well as from the acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) approach. Rather than work to remove anxiety altogether, I will help you learn ways to tolerate anxiety and discomfort and respond to anxiety in a healthier, more productive manner.

Starting college or graduate school —or navigating your way through them—can be both exciting and overwhelming. Many students find themselves facing stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, identity questions, academic pressure, or major life transitions, often for the first time. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. I specialize in working with college students and young adults, and I understand the unique pressures of university life—from managing expectations and finding your place, to coping with self-doubt, loneliness, or burnout. Whether you’re struggling or simply wanting to better understand yourself and grow, therapy can be a space where things begin to feel more manageable and more hopeful. My approach is warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental. I believe that meaningful change happens in a strong, trusting therapeutic relationship, where you feel safe to be yourself and explore what’s really going on beneath the surface. Together, we’ll work at your pace to better understand your experiences, build resilience, and develop tools that help you move forward with greater confidence and clarity. I have over 15 years of experience in the mental health field, including working in university counseling centers, where I supported students through many of the challenges you may be facing now. I’ve worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds and identities, and I am committed to creating an inclusive, affirming space where you feel seen and respected. I also have experience working with international students, students with disabilities and chronic health conditions, Deaf and hard of hearing students, and those navigating complex family or cultural dynamics. Reaching out for support can feel like a big step—but it can also be the beginning of feeling more like yourself again. You deserve support, understanding, and a space to grow. I would be honored to be part of that process with you.

Online Counseling for teens & adults in Washington, DC & Virginia I work with adolescents and adults with concerns such as anxiety, stress, perfectionism, depression, self-esteem, relationship issues (peer, spousal, dating, breakups), life transitions, academic and athletic pressures. My approach is based on my belief in the importance of the therapeutic relationship and having a safe, supportive, non-judgmental space where clients can feel understood, accepted, connected, can share and explore their experiences, strengthen and expand upon coping skills, and develop insights. I use a collaborative approach that includes working with clients in a compassionate and non-judgmental manner, utilizing evidence based practices that have scientific support for their effectiveness. I provide treatment that is compatible with my client’s strengths and goals in order to provide healing, growth and reduction of symptoms. My client’s have described me as: “very easy to talk to”, genuine, thorough, “down to earth”. I firmly believe that things can and will begin to get better. Please reach out to me directly and I'd be happy to set up a time to connect further to learn more about how I can most be helpful, provide additional information on scheduling and answer any questions.

Specialties: Transgender Psychiatry, LGBTQ+ Psychiatry, Anxiety, Panic, and Agoraphobia, Post-Traumatic Stress and Related Disorders, and ADHD, Depression. From the comfort of your home or a place that feels relaxing to you, we will connect via video and make sure you have the help you need. We believe that there is immense value to telepsychiatry, which is why we offer that service in over 20 states (see full list at www.balancepsych.org). Telehealth allows LGBTQ+ affirming mental health care to reach more people. Anxiety, depression, and more – so many of these are treatable conditions. Telepsychiatry makes it possible to get support from anywhere. We can work together when you are traveling or on work breaks. We take PacificSource Student Health Insurance, a primary student health insurer in Oregon, for both therapy and medication management.

I'm so glad you have taken the first step to reach out for support. My name is Jessie and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in DC and Maryland. I received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia in Psychology and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. I offer individual and family therapy and work with teens and adults. In my last four years of clinical practice, I have worked with a wide range of populations and presenting problems. While I do utilize evidence-based therapeutic interventions that have demonstrated efficacy in fostering lasting change, I believe that establishing a genuine, authentic, and nonjudgmental relationship between the therapist and the client is the real key to successful therapy. I will meet you where you’re at, as every individual needs something different out of therapy. I believe that by working together, we can figure out what that will look like for you.

Dr. Justin Leak is a 2016 graduate of the American School of Professional Psychology @ Argosy University (ASPP). He received his BA in Speech Communication and African & African American Studies from the Pennsylvania State University in 2002. Dr. Leak completed his MA at Lewis & Clark College in Counseling Psychology, with a specialization in Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy (MCFT) in 2008. Dr. Leak completed his APA-accredited internship at The John L. Gildner Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents (JLG-RICA), where he continues to work full-time as the Director of the Evaluation Unit and Case Manager for the Facility for Children. His Clinical Research Project was entitled: The Pressure of Maintaining Excellence: The Impact and Challenges of Combining an Electronic Peer-Mentoring Program with University Sponsored Counseling Services to Support Low Income College Students. In between his studies, Dr. Leak has worked with students and families in a variety of educational and therapeutic settings. These include working in the offices of Multicultural Affairs, Academic Advising, Career Advising, and most notably, Residence Life. For fun, he enjoys playing tennis, swimming, travel, and entering cooking competitions. Dr. Leak's therapeutic style pulls from several approaches, including psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral, and Family systems. He offers treatment for a variety of stressors including (but not limited to) mood, anxiety, self-esteem, relationship problems, and transitional life issues. He also specializes in psychological assessment, specifically diagnosing issues that impact behavior, mood, attention, and learning. He is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), American Counseling Association (ACA), and the National Register of Health Psychologists.

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.

Have you been struggling to understand your emotions, cope with changes or reduce depression, anxiety or guilt? Through encouragement and empowerment, we will work to reduce and heal the challenges you face. Having supported a wide variety of clients, I am passionate about working with both men and women to find and maintain freedom from their eating and co-occurring disorders by gently confronting barriers, building on strengths and challenging unhelpful relational and thought patterns. It is never too late to seek help and make change. Together we will help you not only cope with, but recovery from, your eating disorder, understand your emotions, reconnect with your values, and meet the goals you create for yourself. I've worked in various levels of care from inpatient to PHP eating disorder and general mental health programs. No feeling or problem is too big for us to face together. I am also offering clinical supervision to prelicensed professionals in PA and Washington DC who are in, or looking to work in, the eating disorder field. Because I started my career in DC, I have experience supporting those in various government agencies and branches of military.

As a therapist, I will always meet my clients where they are at the moment. My approach to therapy is holistic. I believe that therapy is client-led and my job is to walk with you side-by-side in your journey toward healing and growth. During sessions, I will lead with sensitivity, curiosity, and support. Our initial process will involve getting to know each other and developing a strong foundation of trust and safety. My ideal client is someone who is open to creating a partnership and ready to take on their counseling journey. This individual is ready to dive into some deep work and willing to be honest and is open to trusting a direct therapist to help them navigate life. This individual might not be aware of their issues at this time, but they are open to exploring them and creating goals to become a healthier version of themselves.

Are you trying to manage conflicting feelings, difficulty with relationships, trauma, grief, or simply facing the daily challenges of life? Sometimes a relationship with a skilled therapist can be a great place to explore these challenges and figure out how you can improve your quality of your life. I work with children, adolescents, and young adults who face struggles; some small, some big. Whether you’re looking for a therapist for yourself or for your child, I will tailor our work together to fit your needs. I have worked with kids of various ages, ranging from elementary to college age, and I have experience working in both school settings and in private practice. I specialize in working with trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, and relationship and identity issues. Children and young adults face many challenges stemming from their family of origin, questioning their identity, figuring out their way to becoming fulfilled adults, and much more. Our work together centers around how to help my clients to better understand their feelings and the way they think about the world, and how this all impacts their everyday choices. My therapeutic approach is based on Internal Family Systems (also known as “Parts Work”). This work stems from the belief that we are all made up of a system of dynamic, caring, and capable parts. When we experience trauma, some facets of our parts have to adopt extreme roles to protect us. Later on, these parts may need help letting go of their past experiences so they don’t negatively impact us. IFS work gives you the space and tools you need to approach your parts with curiosity, gain insight into them and why they were formed, understand what roles they play in your beliefs, actions, and relationships, and ultimately be able to heal yourself. In this work, I also use elements of Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Relational Therapy, and Mindfulness. For my younger or creatively-inclined clients, I include play and art therapy techniques to keep the sessions engaging and give clients creative modalities through which they can better express themselves. My success in treating clients lies in my ability to build trusting relationships with them. My goal is to create a warm, accepting, and encouraging therapeutic environment. I incorporate creativity and fun into my sessions while balancing the hard work that it takes to make meaningful life changes.

I am a Harvard-trained, Harvard-affiliated, board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist. I strongly believe that the best psychiatric care is centered on the whole person, not just on a diagnosis or a specific medication. I provide weekly therapy and work with patients to determine if medications can be of help. I do not believe that everyone needs a medication, but they can be useful in treating particular psychiatric symptoms; I will work with you in order to find the best treatment modality that meets your goals and needs. My training in psychotherapy includes psychodynamic psychotherapy, play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), Exposure/Response Prevention (Ex/RP) and Prolonged Exposure (PE). I provide psychotherapy for children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. In order to offer comprehensive treatment, I do not accept insurance in my private practice. I am currently conducting sessions via telemedicine only. Please feel free to send me an email to set up a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation so I can answer any questions and see if I can be of help.

You’re seeking to understand your past, reduce worries about the future, live authentically, AND hold onto your culture and values. You’re looking for someone who gets it from experience, someone you don’t have to count on to learn about your identity from the outside. Your culture, experiences, and even religion can impact your mental health, but can also help you heal. It’s a perfected dance in between all these identities and you walked the line delicately balanced until now. You’re not sure how to do it anymore without sacrificing yourself. You’re done feeling stuck, stagnant, and alone in trying to handle your struggles, so you’re ready to make some serious change that you know might rock the boat. It’s possible to have a therapist who understands who you are, what you need, and how to help you change your life in a way that doesn’t compromise any of this. You’re trying to balance your multiple identities and you want to understand how they can exist in harmony. You don’t want your culture overlooked in therapy. After all, your culture impacts everything - your thoughts, your feelings, your upbringing, your family interactions, and your worldview. Let’s explore your culture, upbringing, and identities to understand how they formed who you are, your worldview, and concerns. You are more than your problems and context matters! I support adult children of immigrants navigating anxiety & balancing culture and relationships.

We are a mental health practice that specializes in providing quality therapeutic services. We strive to create a comfortable and supportive environment in which you can engage in a healing self-discovery. We provide individual, couples, and family therapy from a modern approach. Our clinicians are not only well-versed in their specialties and fields, but they are also from the same places you are from. The goal is for your mental health provider to be someone who looks like you and who does not sympathize, but can empathize with you life experiences.

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.

We specialize in the pain you don’t always show. You give so much to others, but inside, there’s tension, guilt, and a quiet ache for something more. Through specialized integrative therapy, we help you release what’s stuck and reconnect with your peace, power, and purpose. Be the voice of your own healing, rewire your brain through therapy, yoga and mindfulness. Recognized Excellence and Trusted Credentials Our expertise is backed by leading organizations, certifications, and awards that validate our commitment to holistic mental health and wellness. These recognitions highlight our dedication to high-quality care, innovation, and culturally inclusive healing practices.

The clients I work best with often share a readiness to engage deeply with their own personal growth and face life's challenges head-on. They typically come from diverse backgrounds but share common experiences such as navigating life transitions, dealing with anxiety or depression, and seeking to improve their communication and relationship skills. My clients are often those who value a reflective and supportive space where they can explore their thoughts and emotions to foster healing and personal development. They appreciate a collaborative approach where they are active participants in their therapeutic journey.