I am a therapist who specializes in helping individuals manage and overcome social and relationship anxiety. Whether you struggle with social interactions, fear of judgment, or difficulty navigating relationships, I understand how challenging these experiences can be. My goal is to provide a safe, supportive space where you can feel heard and understood while working through the barriers that hold you back from living more fully and authentically. In our work together, I focus on building a solid foundation of self-awareness and self-compassion. We'll explore the root causes of your anxiety and identify negative thought patterns that may be contributing to your stress in social situations. By gaining insight into how anxiety affects your thinking and behavior, we can work together to challenge these unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier, more realistic perspectives. I also teach practical tools and techniques to help you manage anxiety in the moment, such as mindfulness, grounding exercises, and relaxation strategies.

Hello, I’m Kumi Pledger, LCPC, and I am currently accepting new clients. I am also available on Sundays to better accommodate busy schedules. I provide therapy for children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, and LGBTQ+ clients. I support individuals facing a wide range of concerns, including healing from traumatic experiences, navigating relationship challenges such as narcissistic abuse, managing anxiety, low motivation, and stress, supporting new and expectant mothers, addressing eating disorders, adjusting to new environments or careers, coping with grief and loss, and improving sleep and insomnia. My work is grounded in creating a safe, compassionate, and supportive space where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered. I combine professional training with personal insight to help clients reduce anxiety, eliminate unwanted behaviors, restore emotional balance, and reconnect with joy, purpose, and confidence in their lives. I work best with clients who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or pulled in many directions, particularly during life transitions or periods of identity change. Many of my clients appear strong and capable on the outside but feel exhausted, disconnected, or uncertain internally. I understand the complexities of cultural expectations, family dynamics, and the pressure to manage multiple responsibilities. My ideal client is ready to gain clarity, strengthen boundaries, and live more authentically. Clinically, I integrate evidence-based approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based techniques, and culturally responsive therapy. These approaches help clients increase self-awareness, identify patterns contributing to distress, and develop practical coping strategies that support long-term growth and healing. If you often feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or unsure of your next steps, you are not alone. Life transitions, parenting responsibilities, cultural pressures, and personal identity challenges can create stress and uncertainty. With the right support, meaningful change is possible, and I am here to help guide you on that journey.

Hello! I’m Nina, a Licensed Clinical Therapist who has been working in trauma intervention for 17+ years. Before becoming a therapist, I worked as a rape crisis counselor, a trauma-healing self-defense instructor, and trauma-informed care consultant for non-profits. I approach therapy using multiple modalities. I believe in the mind-body connection and integrate mindfulness and body-based interventions where needed, including a focus on the physiology of stress and emotions. I use a wholistic approach to therapy, exploring all your identities, ambivalences, and values, and believe that understanding your upbringing and cultures are critical to how you cope and relate to the world and yourself in it.

Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in the state of Florida since 2021. I am also currently licensed in Massachusetts and Colorado. I attended Rivier College for my BA and University of New Hampshire for my MSW. I have worked in multiple settings, including healthcare, hospice , adoption, addiction, and general outpatient mental health and relationships.

Hey there, I'm Paris a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in MD and a National Board Certified Counselor. I have over 8 years of experience in the mental health field. I work with children, adolescents, and adults fostering an environment where you can tackle anxiety, depression, family issues, self-esteem, life transitions and more. I am all about encouraging mindfulness, creating self-care routines, and setting realistic boundaries for a healthier/happier life. I approach therapy through a holistic lens meaning I am seeing you as a whole not just how you present certain parts. Together we can start this journey of self-discovery and growth to navigate this wonderful and messy thing we call life.

Welcome to Core Therapy & Healing. At Core, I provide mental health services for adolescents and adults ages 14-40 to help promote healthy living and wellness. Please note: I do not treat children under 14 or adults over 40. PLEASE READ THE ENTIRETY OF MY PROFILE BEFORE SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT. Thank you for your cooperation. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker licensed in New York and Maryland. I specialize in assisting individuals to better navigate anxiety, stress, depression, emotion regulation, trauma, PTSD, grief, and other mental health concerns. I am passionate about providing a safe space for individuals and giving them the tools they will need to improve their lives and become better versions of themselves.

I have been a practicing Clinician for the past 20+ years. I have worked with a broad range of individuals from ages 8 yrs. old through adulthood and into old age. My two plus decades in the field have been dedicated to assessing, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of mental and emotional challenges, building a strong foundation of competence and professional reputation. I have cultivated a deeper understanding of human behavior and resilience which enhances my ability to help clients navigate their own complexities.

As a licensed clinical mental health counselor with 11+ years of experience, I have worked with a range of clients and mental health challenges. My expertise centers around helping people heal from past hurt, calm down anxious thoughts, and find their voice to create healthier relationships. My approach is collaborative, strength based, and holistic. I believe everyone has everything they need within them to live their best life. My role is to support and encourage you on your journey to uncover your inner strengths to live a life in peace and wholeness. Together we will explore multiple aspects of your life and set goals in each area. I will teach you new skills and support you as you become stronger and more resilient in overcoming your stressors.

Great to meet you! I am Dr. Shannon D. Howard, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC, LPC) for the states of DC & MD, a Certified Life Coach, and an Author. I have been helping individuals, children, couples, and families navigate grief and loss, trauma, anxiety, adjustment, depression and more for over 24 years. My educational background consists of a dual Master's in both Counseling and Clinical Psychology. I received my first master's at Towson University in 2000, a second Masters and Doctorate in 2008 and 2010 from The American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University. I minored in Philosophy as well as Women's Studies at Frostburg State University. I possess specialized training in areas of trauma, specifically in the assessment and treatment of sex offenders and survivors of sexual assault. I have worked in an adult inpatient psychiatric hospital, a day program for adults with chronic and acute mental illness, as well as on an outpatient basis as a private practitioner and with a group practice. I worked with Parole and Probation to help clients maintain compliance and management while on the registry. As a Certified Life Coach, I help coaching clients discover what they truly desire. We collaborate to create a roadmap to move forward and build a future that feels grounded and authentic to you. At present, I offer a full range of services and am open to accepting new virtual clients. I am LGBTQIA+allied, sex-positive, kink-friendly and nurturing to clients within this community. I also help clients navigate open relationships (ENM), polyamory, and non-traditional relationships. **I CAN ONLY SEE CLIENTS WHO ARE IN THE STATES OF DC AND MD AT THE TIME OF THEIR SCHEDULED **Individuals & families ONLY at this time.

I earned my Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Washington, DC. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) currently practicing in the state of Maryland. I have 9 years of experience working with adults and adolescents diagnosed with mental illness, trauma, substance use disorder and co-occurring disorders. I am an empathic therapist who takes a person-centered approach to assisting clients on their pathway to well-being. I believe the therapeutic relationship is an important partnership and clients should have an active role in the work necessary to facilitate the changes one desires.

Before I tell you a bit about me, I wanted to caution any new clients of thinking that a spot is open on my calendar when they schedule. My calendar is unable to sync with my other work calendar so it looks empty, while being very filled. Thank you 😊 I am a well-rounded therapist. I have had experience in very fluid environments, which means I can adapt to any disorder and process with you ways of tackling it together. Furthermore, I build rapport very easily with clients because I am very open and empathetic to what clients are going through. I have been in the field for 11 years now. I help young adults and adults tackle life's challenges through various interventions that help them thrive in the world.

Hello, My core belief is that all people are created equal; therefore, everyone has equal right to leave to their fullest potential. I earned my master’s in social work from University of Maryland, School of Social Work, Baltimore, MD in 2010. I have Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical (LCSW-C) in MD, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in DC and Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) in VA. For more than 10 years, I have utilized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), humanistic, person-center, strength-focused therapy and other psychotherapy Intervention to assess, plan, implement and evaluate individual or family in diverse therapy environment. I am commented to assist people to live life to their fullest potential because we all have one life to live, and we deserve to be in peace with ourselves. I have worked with people in LGBTQ+ community both in individual and couple session. I am WPATH qualify to write gender affirming surgery letter.

Meet Tara Zandi, LICSW – a compassionate and highly skilled therapist with over a decade of experience supporting adults, children, and families. Tara holds a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and an MSW in Clinical Social Work, blending deep academic knowledge with practical expertise. She’s trained in a powerful range of evidence-based approaches, including CBT, DBT, PCIT, EMDR, and even yoga for children—offering a holistic and personalized approach to healing. Whether working through depression, anxiety, or behavioral health challenges, Tara meets her clients with empathy, insight, and culturally sensitive care. Fluent in English and Farsi, Tara creates a welcoming space for diverse communities to feel seen, heard, and supported on their journey toward wellness.