Book 10+ of the best Person of Color (POC) therapists in Maryland

I have been in the field for over 25 years and received my graduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh with an LCSW and QCSW. Blah, Blah, Blah! But those things aren’t as vital as me sharing with you what I bring. As you can see from my pictures, I am very optimistic and happy. I bring this same spirit to the therapeutic process. I strongly believe in healing through humor, so I laugh and help things seem organic in the session. My office is small, quaint, warm, and cozy. It always has an effervescent, calming scent that relaxes the room. You can sit on the couch or in a comfortable chair, and we will casually discuss the week’s challenges. You are the driver of your ship, the master of your life. Please think of me as a passenger in your car, taking directions as you guide each week on how we need to address your treatment needs. Let’s take this trip together!

Hello my name is Constance,
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the states of Virginia, Maryland, DC and Florida. I have 11 years of experience employed in behavioral health facilities, outpatient therapy clinics, correctional centers, and also providing medical social work/ therapy to oncology, emergent, and crisis patients in the hospital setting. Focusing on the client through a strength-based approach, building resilience and rapport is key in obtaining a therapeutic relationship and striving for successfully outcome.

Welcome! I am Lauren Capel, a licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in both Maryland and North Carolina. I received my Masters from University of Maryland School of Social Work, and am completing my Doctorate in Behavioral Health at Freed Hardeman University. I have been practicing clinically for over 16 years and have expertise working with adolescents, adults, and families. With a trauma-informed and solution-focused lens, I create a nurturing and affirming space where clients can process life's complexities, develop resilience, and create meaningful change in their lives. Whether you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or simply seeking a therapist who hears and understands what it means to be whole, I am here to help you move toward a life of wholeness and restoration.

I provide clients with a nonjudgmental, empathetic, and safe space to help them enhance their quality of life and overall well-being. My approach is culturally informed, as I acknowledge the social context and experiences that shape individuals' daily lives. I enjoy working with a diverse range of clients, supporting them as they tackle various challenges, and empowering them to discover effective coping skills for managing difficulties. I find fulfillment in helping clients overcome relationship issues, trauma, anxiety, depression, and other concerns. I truly believe that therapy, and the therapeutic relationship I build with clients, creates a space for healing, self-awareness, and personal growth. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and my Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Towson University. I specialize in working with adults, utilizing Person-Centered, Solution-Focused, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness techniques. I’m passionate about helping clients feel a sense of belonging while exploring different facets of their identity. I also have a strong understanding of Ethiopian and immigrant experiences, and I am a dedicated ally of the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. I work with many clients from these communities, addressing cultural and individual trauma. Additionally, I am bilingual in Amharic and able to support clients whose primary or only language is Amharic.

I am a Psychotherapist licensed in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. I have been a licensed therapist since 2013. I work with adults challenged by stressors in the present or struggling with old wounds from the past. As a therapist, my focus is to help clients build self awareness, identify their own internal strengths and external resources, and develop new tools and coping skills to face challenges.

Nancy Paz Welsh is a first-generation American of Salvadorian descent who is a bilingual (English & Spanish) Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Maryland and Virginia. She is a strong advocate and educator in mental health development and insightfulness, while also normalizing the importance of mental health therapy. In her work over the years, she has worked in various settings that have allowed her to provide services to adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families. Nancy has helped clients manage and navigate issues such as: trauma, anger, anxiety, depression, grief, relationships, parenting, life transitions, immigration, and other life stressors.

Are you looking to improve your communication, strengthen your relationships, and manage conflicts more effectively? Interpersonal skills are the foundation of healthy and thriving relationships—both personal and professional. I am a personal development counselor, currently providing individual and group therapy for adults aged 18 and older. I specialize in personal development and focus on improving your interpersonal skills (communication skills, conflict resolution, anger management, setting boundaries, problem solving skills, etc.). These skills are key parts of your personal growth and development. Strong interpersonal skills allow you to communicate more effectively, resolve conflicts constructively, and build healthier, more fulfilling relationships. Whether at work, with family, or in social settings, these skills help you navigate challenges with greater ease, build trust, and foster deeper connections with others. When you change how you show up in your relationships by improving yourself, learning to listen actively, expressing yourself clearly, and managing your emotions, you’ll notice that your relationships become more balanced and stronger. This growth can also reduce stress, boost your confidence, and improve your overall emotional health. I am here to support you every step of the way in achieving healthier and more fulfilling connections. I am licensed in Georgia, and Maryland, schedule an appointment with me to start your wellness journey.

Hello, I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In my 15+ years of experience I’ve worked with adolescents, adults, couples and families to identify challenges and use their strengths and values to overcome them. I have experience working with clients who are having mental health or emotional challenges that affect work, school, home, and community relationships and success. I also have experience with athletes being a former professional athlete myself. My goal is always to partner with clients to identify the problem, manage emotions related to the problem and develop and implement strategies to decrease or eliminate the problem.

I am an independent licensed clinical/certified Social Worker. I first started my career in Child Welfare in various states/levels of government as an investigator and elevated to a supervisory role. I also hail from the US Department of Veterans Affairs in a Management role. However, it is my pleasure to now serve as Therapist and in my private practice. My main specialty areas include, but are not limited to Depression, Anxiety, Trauma/PTSD, Intimate Partner Violence, Grief and Loss, Narcissism, Codependency, Geriatric, etc.

I am a new solo mother, private practice owner, and licensed clinical social worker – certified (LCSW-C), with more than 20 years of experience in the Mental Health Field working with a variety of mental and emotional issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, anger and stress management, childhood/adolescent developmental stressors, and life transitional stages. Life and soul work is a difficult but rewarding process that should be experienced in a safe, loving, and understanding environment. Life can be remarkable, but it can also be difficult in some obvious ways or in subtle ways that sometimes sneak up on us, causing us to go through life merely surviving or struggling, often feeling alone. As a holder of your pain, your hope, and your light, let me stand by your side and empower you to face obstacles and challenges. Let us go beyond surviving this life, but healing our hearts and mind so we can love and enjoy the moments we have right now.

Hello, my name is Ronak Makadia, and I am a licensed clinical psychologist with additional training in social work. As a second-generation, Asian American I quickly learned the stigma and shame attached to attending therapy, especially within the Asian American community. As a cis-gender woman of color, I value and will provide culturally competent services. Please note that I only accept adults and older adults who are high-functioning but need support to overcome barriers. Due to the nature of my private practice, I am unable to accept clients who are seeking treatment for trauma, substance use or severe mental illness. I work alongside patients to overcome any barriers they may be facing. I will always encourage you to create, learn, and consistently use healthy coping mechanisms. To avoid staying stuck, I collaborate with you in developing solutions to aid you in moving forward in your life. We all get stuck sometimes and I am here to help. Therapy does not have to be a painful experience and I will be here to guide you toward improvement in a welcoming, affirmative environment. I support the movement to destigmatize therapy and make mental health care accessible for all. I will continue to support this mission and provide quality counseling. Talk to me about scheduling a first appointment if you are interested in working together. I look forward to working with you!

Michelle Milligan, LCSW, for the past 25 years, is a dedicated and experienced Licensed Social Worker in multiple states with a strong background in providing therapeutic services across various disciplines. Her commitment to excellence and compassionate approach make her a valuable asset in medical, clinical, and psychiatric social work settings." I specialize in treating Racial Trauma in the workplace, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, Social and General Anxiety and Mood Disorders (depression and bipolar), Anxiety (Social Phobia and PTSD), Transitional Stressors (divorce, grief, occupational and family changes), couples and family counseling, behavioral problems with adolescents, ADD and AD/HD, and problems with anger and impulsivity.

I’m a born-and-raised New Yorker, raised by Caribbean immigrant parents who instilled in me the classic Millennial mantra: “You can achieve anything.” And while that belief fueled my ambition, it also came with a side order of generational challenges—perfectionism, chronic stress, anxiety, and a not-so-charming inability to gracefully handle life transitions. You know, the usual. But here’s the thing: hardship turned out to be my superpower. I became ambitious, self-aware, and checked all the right boxes, yet I couldn’t escape the cycle of mental and emotional roadblocks that left me feeling stuck, wondering how to truly move forward. This insight shaped not only my path but the way I guide others on theirs. Through my clinical work, I help high achieving millennials identify their patterns to move out of survival mode and into their surplus by bridging the gap between knowing and feeling —because being stuck isn’t who you are, and settling isn’t your story.