Therapists for college students near Washington, DC

My approach to therapy is compassionate, collaborative, holistic and individualized, meeting you where you are. I am passionate about the process of therapy and will help you to develop insight, identify and reach your goals and enhance wellness. I specialize in treating couples and individuals coping with mental health and relationship concerns. My aim is to engage in collaboration to illuminate, foster insight and clarify what is within as well as the path ahead. I have over fifteen years of psychotherapy experience working with individuals, couples and families utilizing a combination of DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), MBCT (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Psychodynamic and Relational techniques among other modalities. My goal is to provide a safe place for growth, development and healing. Please take the first step and schedule a free 15 min phone consultation to meet and discuss how to proceed.

I’m Sarah Beth (she/they), a White, genderqueer therapist. I am passionate about co-creating another world collectively, where all of our lives and inner worlds are precious. As a therapist for both children and adults, my hope is to provide a safe, affirming, and age-appropriate space for nurturing, acceptance, and self-exploration. I understand therapy as one tool, among many, for supporting youth and adults to find more joy and resilience in their daily lives. I provide individual, family, and couples therapy, with a specialization in supporting queer and transgender adults, youth, and their families.

The transition to college or graduate school can be a time of tremendous change. Adapting to new environments, relationships and levels of independence can feel overwhelming in even the best of circumstances. For those who are navigating mental health challenges, complicated family or friend dynamics, shifts in identity, grief, or loss, that transition can generate feelings of anxiety, panic or paralysis that may affect daily functioning. I was a client long before I became a therapist, so I know how daunting it can be to open yourself up to a stranger – to let them see those private parts of yourself that might have been a source of judgment, fear, pain or shame. It took me many years to ask for help, in part because I viewed it as a sign of weakness. Now, through the lens of both my professional and lived experiences, I see this first step you are taking for what it is – one of the ultimate signs of strength. I honor the courage it took to access that strength. I can’t guarantee that the work ahead will be easy – but you won’t have to do it alone. My goal as a therapist is to meet you where you are and walk with you as you move toward where you want to be. I strive to create a therapeutic space that is authentic, safe and non-judgmental. My approach to our work together is relationship-based and trauma-informed. I believe that therapy is most effective when the connection between client and therapist is grounded in trust and compassion. I invite you to reach out so that we can explore, together, whether I might be the right person to join you on your journey toward new insights, self-awareness and growth. Please note that discounts are available to full-time students on a case-by-case basis.

I am a pragmatic practitioner who combines an extensive background in humanistic, interpersonal, and psychodynamic theory with cognitive behavioral techniques. My aim is to get to know each client as an individual and not rely on a pre-determined program for what works. Everyone is different. I especially enjoy working with clients who are curious about themselves and willing to take the risk of seeing and understanding themselves more clearly in order to make the behavioral changes they need to improve their lives. Of course, there are times when anyone may be in difficult situations that are not of our doing (for example, dysfunctional family systems, mistreatment by those who have power/authority, COVID restrictions) and the changes we need to institute are better self-care and more compassion. As a Ph.D. Psychologist with a post-doctoral fellowship in group and couples, my practice offers individual, couples, and group psychotherapy.

Our dedicated therapists are honored to walk alongside you on your individual journey to personal wellness. Let us be a part of your healing process through personalized therapy, offering unwavering support and specialized care as you navigate life’s challenges. Together, we can create an individual therapy plan that empowers you to reach your mental wellness goals and strengthen your relationships. Your path to healing is unique, and our therapists are here with open hearts and compassionate care for all. Embrace this journey with us, and let’s foster growth and resilience together.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Adulting can feel exciting, overwhelming, confusing, and all things in between. Whether you're navigating college, career stress, family dynamics, relationships, or simply trying to figure out who you are and where you're headed, I'm here to provide support. I specialize in working with teens and young adults who are feeling stuck, anxious, disconnected, or unsure about their next steps. I have extensive experience working with clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, suicidal ideations, relationship challenges, low self esteem, and personality disorders. I recognize the importance of building a therapeutic relationship, as I believe it is the foundation for effective therapy. I aim to hold a space that's non-judgmental and real, where you can bring in what's hard, what's confusing, and what's hopeful. If you’re looking for a therapy space where you can both cry & laugh, I’m here when you’re ready!

Some clients arrive feeling the weight of their anxiety. Others are in the middle of a transition—navigating changes in relationships, family dynamics, or adjusting to a new diagnosis or ongoing health condition. These transition moments can bring a level of uncertainty that’s hard to tolerate and often lead to second-guessing, especially when your body or health begins to feel unpredictable or outside of your control. I also work with individuals who experience intrusive thoughts or feel caught in patterns meant to prevent something bad from happening. These thoughts can feel unsettling or even at odds with who you are—making them confusing, distressing, and difficult to talk about. For some, these experiences are connected to obsessive-compulsive patterns (often referred to as OCD), even if that’s not a term you’ve used for yourself before. There are effective, evidence-based ways to work with OCD patterns, and we can talk through what that might look like for you. At the heart of my work is the belief that therapy is a collaborative process. You should want to talk to your therapist, and from the very beginning, I focus on creating a space where you can talk openly about what’s actually on your mind. The relationship between therapist and client matters deeply. Meaningful change tends to happen when people feel understood, respected, and able to show up honestly— even when what they’re bringing to session feels messy, confusing, or hard to put into words. Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all, and no single approach works for every person or every situation. I draw from a range of approaches and tailor the work to each client’s needs, goals, and experiences. Depending on what feels most helpful, this might include building a clearer understanding of the patterns you’re caught in, exploring where those patterns come from, or finding new ways to respond to them. Across all of this, my focus is on helping you make sense of what you’re experiencing and shift the patterns that are keeping you stuck so they begin to have less of a hold on you over time.

I believe we all grow and heal differently. Sometimes it's through exercise, music, quality time with loved ones or the occasional tv marathon; and sometimes it's through the relationship created in therapy where your whole self can be seen without judgment or shame. I support high schoolers, college & graduate students, and adults dealing with a range of concerns including depression, anxiety, major life & relationship transitions, identity development, as well as those seeking an edge in sport/mental performance. I bring an honest, curious, and eclectic approach, striving to make therapy flexible and interactive. I am solution-focused, often combining IFS and CBT with motivational enhancement, mind-body integration, mindfulness, and positive psychology. I aim to highlight and expand your compassion, courage, confidence, and coping skills. If you are adjusting to something new, discovering who you are, or motivated to make a meaningful change, let's dive in. Together, we will work towards harnessing your inner strengths while mending the parts that make life feel challenging. I look forward to greeting you with patience, acceptance, and warmth.

We are a group practice with a shared passion for women's mental health. We treat a wide variety of concerns including reproductive and perinatal concerns, trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, LGBTQ+ clients, and ADHD/neurodivergence to name a few. We offer individual, couples, and family therapy and our team has experience in numerous evidence-based treatment modalities including EMDR, ACT, EFT, CBT, ERP, & DBT.

Joseph Melendez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He is licensed in DC, Virginia, Florida, Maryland and New York. He graduated from New York University with a Bachelor’s and Master of Social Work. Joseph is heavily involved with the LGBTQIA+ community and is a proud affirming provider. Additionally, he actively supports and works with individuals with disabilities, an area that is often overlooked. Joseph is a holistic and integrative therapist and his core principles are compassion, collaboration, and transparency. He has extensive experience in counseling individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, work/life balance stressors, life transitions, substance use, and other areas. He provides counseling to couples and families to address stress, communication concerns, and conflict. Joseph utilizes various approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Interpersonal Therapy, Existential Therapy, Gottman Training and Parent Management Training. He is committed to helping clients feel their best and believes clients are the experts in their journey. Joseph hopes to work with you soon!

I have provided individual, group, couples and family therapy in both school settings as well as private practice settings for close to 25 years . I utilize behavioral management tools, cognitive behavioral therapy, and creative therapies to encourage development of self, learn how to celebrate strengths and weaknesses and help clients feel accountable and more importantly, recognize they have the ability to grow. I also have a strong background in parent coaching, fertility counseling with particular focus on single moms by choice and support and aiding clients in working through life transitions. I have been working with children, adolescents , and adults for over 25 years and I have provided supervision to social workers for 10 years. My philosophy for all my clients young or old is that we must feel uncomfortable in order to truly grow. College is an especially special time that can be filled with significant changes and challenges. This can be an important time to recognize you are not an extension of your parents and figure out who you are on your own. I am currently available for supervision to Licensed Social Workers . I also have availabity for individual, couples and family therapy as well as parent coaching.

I work with adolescents, teenagers, and adults who have experienced or are currently experiencing anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, negative thoughts, and relationship difficulties. I help clients to develop skills to manage or eliminate symptoms related to negative thoughts, mood disorders, personality disorders and more. I take the time to fully understand what’s going on in every situation, so our solutions reflect the whole picture, not just one piece. I am skilled at evaluating, diagnosing, and treating psychological and mental health disorders; providing direct, compassionate care to clients; and helping them recognize, and put into practice preventative measures. I am committed to understanding each client and creating treatment plans to set them up for long-term success. I use motivational interviewing, TF-CBT, DBT, and relaxation strategies to help clients regulate and improve daily functioning. I enjoy helping clients find solution oriented strategies, become self-aware, and identify negative thoughts or emotions.

Whether you're feeling inundated by challenging life experiences, navigating life transitions, or struggling with a relationship that's depleting your personal resources, I welcome the opportunity to work with you. You don't have to figure this out on your own. The fundamental value of therapy is being able to speak with an empathic person about what is happening in your life. It is an opportunity to be heard and recognized in the midst of whatever is occurring for you. Believing that within you is the capacity to create contentment and growth, is at the heart of personal change. With empathic support and understanding comes the opportunity to develop insight around your perceptions of yourself and the world. As an Integrative Psychotherapist, I employ a range of approaches based on your personal style and needs. If you're considering therapy but not sure whether it's for you, I invite you to call me for a free consultation. My office is located steps from Dupont Circle Metro. I congratulate your courage to reach out for help and look forward to accompanying you on this journey.

Throughout the journey of a woman’s life there are many emotional shifts and challenges. Are you going through a difficult life event and feeling like it would help to have more support? Are you looking to learn ways to increase your emotional wellness, resolve conflicts, and feel more secure in your relationship with yourself and others? Ma Zen Space is where mindfulness, art, and cognitive therapy combine to offer you an opportunity to transform difficult moments into growth. Megan is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Art Therapist, and local Philadelphia mama. Her experiences as an art therapist combine together with her yoga teacher studies to provide the foundation of these therapeutic gatherings. Connect together in a space that is supportive and nurturing! Discover an opportunity to explore your emotions and questions in a safe, supportive, and nurturing space. Explore and grow through difficult moments in your life. Learn ways to manage stress, fatigue, feeling overwhelmed, depressed mood, and anxiety. Find connection so that you don't feel alone. Take time for yourself to find moments of support.

We all encounter challenges in life without caution. Handling the surge of emotions resulting from these unexpected experiences can negatively impact our behavior and interaction with others. My goal is to help you overcome those difficulties and re-imagine your life in the future. I am a psychotherapist who helps get to the root of your symptoms. Whether it’s anger, depression, anxiety, trauma, problems with self-esteem, or relationship difficulties, we will identify whatever hinders your growth to a better you. No matter where we begin, we work together, and your journey is based on the steps you choose to take.

Who would have known life could be so stressful and complicated- well we do! We understand that being studying is important but that there is a equal need to be healthy. Our practice provides clinical services while reducing the stigma associated with mental health.

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I work with individuals navigating trauma, identity exploration, relationship challenges, and major life transitions through a gender-affirming, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive lens. I am especially mindful of how trauma can impact safety, trust, and the nervous system, and I work at a pace that feels supportive and grounding, whether clients are feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, uncertain, or processing trauma related to identity, relationships, or systemic stress. With experience in queer and gender-affirming care, I take a creative, individualized approach to therapy that honors each client’s lived experience. I especially enjoy supporting LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent clients, college students, and those exploring identity and belonging. I offer a warm, collaborative space grounded in curiosity and compassion, helping clients build self-trust and resilience at their own pace. It can take a lot of courage to consider reaching out for support, especially if past experiences made it feel unsafe or unhelpful. Therapy does not have to be rushed or forced. If you’re curious about exploring things at a pace that feels respectful and grounding, I welcome you to take that next step when you’re ready.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.