Desiree Spencer
My work is grounded in the belief that our emotional and physical well-being are deeply connected. With years of experience in hospital and medical settings, I've supported adults and families through health challenges, caregiving, and some of life's most difficult transitions.
I understand that people's mental health is influenced by more than their thoughts. it can be affected by family dynamics, financial stress, medical diagnoses, parenting responsibilities, relationship difficulties, etc.
In therapy, I work with adults who are navigating major life changes such as divorce or separation, relationship changes, becoming a new parent, career or lifestyle changes, caregiving, or starting a new chapter in life. I also support individuals adjusting to a diagnosis, chronic illness, or the emotional impact of caring for a loved one.
First session
Clients should feel heard, understood, emotionally safe, and hopeful about the possibility of change. The first session is not about fixing everything, but I hope clients will recognize that they do not have to navigate everything alone.
Strengths
I bring the ability to recognize that people can experience the same situation differently. I offer a real-world perspective. I understand that people's mental health is influenced by more than their thoughts. it can be affected by family dynamics, financial stress, medical diagnoses, parenting responsibilities, relationship difficulties, etc.
Ideal clients
Ideal client is any adult (any age) navigating a significant life transition who needs emotional support, perspective, and practical tools to move forward. Women or men who are going through divorce/separation, relationship challenges, adjusting to fatherhood or motherhood, people suffering from grief/loss, new medical diagnoses, people going through career changes, caregivers suffering from the stress of caring for their loved ones
Ongoing work together
I will work to help people move from understanding their struggles to developing the confidence, skills, and emotional tools to make changes that are meaningful.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
This is based on the relationship between our thoughts (what am I telling myself about this situation?), our feelings (how foes that thought make me feel?), and our behaviors (how do I respond because of that feeling?). I help understand these three things and consider alternative ways to interpret the situation.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Black / African American
Woman
Top specialties
Chronic Illness / Medical Issues
First Responders/Healthcare Workers
Life Transitions
Other specialties
Grief
Recent Hospitalization
Serves
Adults (18 to 64)
Couples Counseling
Elders (65 and above)
Individual Therapy
Man
Woman
Doesn't specialize in
Child or Adolescent
Childhood / Intergenerational Trauma
Dissociative Disorders
Personality Disorders
Licensed in
District of ColumbiaLicense LC50082105
Accepted insurance
Kaiser Permanente