Book 100+ of the best UnitedHealthcare/Optum therapists in Maryland

With experience as a secondary school teacher, mentor, and basketball coach, I have had the privilege of guiding individuals not only in academics and sports but also in navigating life’s challenges. Over the course of more than 10 years in social work and 4 years as a mental health therapist, I have gained extensive knowledge in the helping and healing process, which forms the core of my work. I am a dedicated and compassionate individual who embraces multiple roles in both my personal and professional life. As a husband and father, I am committed to providing love, support, and guidance to my family. Professionally, my journey reflects a deep passion for encouraging growth and positive transformations in other's lives. My empathetic nature enables me to connect with people on a personal level, fostering trust and openness which are essential elements in building a successful therapeutic relationship. While all of us are complex individuals, I see each person as holding unique potential and strengths—like a personal "password" waiting to be unlocked. I am driven by the belief that everyone can become the best version of themselves, and I am here to help them discover and activate that potential. My approach is one of support, encouragement, and understanding as I walk alongside others on their journey to growth and healing.

Hello and Welcome! I am Tammy Jones, a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Maryland. I have been in the helping profession for many years and thoroughly enjoy working with and helping others. I aspire to ensure that clients feel safe in the therapeutic environment and that they are comfortable talking with me about their personal selves. I will meet the client where they are in their journey and strive towards providing them with the tools to navigate through their depression, anxiety, and grief and loss, so they may improve their individual functioning. Therapy can stimulate personal development in areas that you wish to grow. I am willing and ready to listen when you are ready to begin your journey.

Today you are one step closer to a new you, feeling empowered and on a positive path to growth and well-being. As a Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy and a solution-focused therapist, I aim to help you uncover your true potential and lead a life worth celebrating. While we can't change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life. By applying complementary therapy approaches and techniques, we will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

My name is Nikki Smith. I’m a licensed clinical professional counselor licensed in the state of Maryland and in Georgia. I have been practicing for over 14 years. I work with individuals, groups and families to identify treatment goals and collaboratively execute those goals, using a range of modalities such as CBT, ACT, Mindfulness, Person Centered, etc. I am very eclectic in my therapeutic approach and treatment is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client. I’m so eager to start this journey of self-love and bring a little “easy” to your life.

Hi! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in the state of Maryland. I have been in the profession for over 20 years and my areas of focus with children and supporting women their perinatal health. My therapeutic approach is cognitive behavioral therapy. I also use a strength-based and solution-focused approach to guide you toward emotional healing. I have foster a therapeutic environment that is nonjudgmental and analytic which leads to greater understanding and enables me to support working on issues and concerns.

Tasha Allen is a licensed mental health professional who brings motivation, compassion, and empathy to every client interaction. With a deep commitment to personal and professional growth, Tasha continually seeks to expand her skills and strengthen her reputation as a conscientious, diligent, and proactive clinician. Her approach is rooted in culturally responsive, evidence-based practices that prioritize the unique needs of each individual and family she serves. Clients who work with Tasha can expect a safe, supportive, and collaborative environment that fosters personal growth. Outcomes often include improved mood and behavior, increased self-esteem and self-awareness, stronger coping mechanisms, and meaningful connections to helpful resources and community support systems.

Great to meet you! As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and current Ph.D. candidate in Counseling Education and Supervision, I am passionate about providing compassionate, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed care to children, adolescents, and adults. My clinical work is driven by the belief that everyone deserves access to a safe, affirming space where their voice is heard and their story matters. With years of experience in school, community, and private practice settings, I specialize in supporting individuals from diverse, underrepresented, and crisis-impacted communities. Mental health is not one-size-fits-all, and seeking support is a courageous step toward growth and healing. I’m honored to walk beside my clients as they navigate life’s challenges, process difficult emotions, and rediscover their inner strengths.

I have over 15 years of experience helping to improve the lives of my clients through compassionate, client-focused care. I specialize in anxiety, depression, PTSD, relationship issues, stress management, grief, and chronic illness, among other mental health and substance use issues. I utilize various evidence-based techniques, including, but not limited to, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches, to empower my clients on their journey.

I am an experienced clinician with 27 years of practice. I have worked in school, hospital, and clinical settings with groups, individuals, and families. I am also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a veteran of the United States Air Force. I currently work in elementary and middle school settings where I provide support to students and staff to manage behavioral and academic difficulties.

Hello, I am Melisha Harris a licensed clinical social worker. As a therapist, I create a safe and compassionate space where you can explore your story, heal, and grow. Whether you’re dealing with depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, life transitions, or simply seeking greater clarity and peace, I’m here to support you. Counseling can help you rediscover your strengths and build the life you deeply deserve. If you’re ready to take that next step, I’ll walk with you to create a safe and welcoming environment that allows clients to explore, heal and improve your quality of life.

Hello! I'm a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with over 18 years of experience, proudly serving clients in Maryland and Virginia. I hold a Master’s degree from Towson University and specialize in supporting adults navigating anxiety, depression, and life transitions. My goal is to help clients gain clarity, build resilience, and move toward becoming their most authentic and empowered selves.

In my 5+ years of clinical experience, I have formed deep therapeutic connection with my clients. I have primarily worked with adult women & men (18+) & couples. With diagnoses ranging from anxiety, depression, panic disorder, bipolar 1&2, personality disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, eating disorders, adjustment disorders, PTSD .I have a very wide range of experience and feel confident in my abilities to create a safe space for you to work on feeling your best self. I utilize a person-centered approach. I find it important to get to know someone and what they are going through personally before identifying best therapeutic practices. I work primarily with Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. The overwhelming majority of people have a hard time prioritizing themselves and their mental health. I encourage you to prioritize yourself and start your journey to wellness with me. This is the first step. You deserve it. Let's make strides forward, together!

I provide mental health services for ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS AGES 14-40 to help promote healthy living. PLEASE READ THE ENTIRETY OF MY PROFILE BEFORE SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT. Thank you. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker licensed in New York, Maryland and Virginia. I’m bringing 10 years of experience to my work. I specialize in working with youth and adults to target various mental health concerns, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, anger management, stress management, future planning, family conflict, relationship issues and grief. 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 a master of science in mental health counseling from Capella University. I am trained to work with individuals, groups, families and couples. I also have extensive knowledge and sensitivity in working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, bipolar, difficult life transitions, parenting issues, relationship problems, LGBTQIA issues and other life challenges. My understanding of counseling comes from many different theoretical orientations. I believe that the client or clients have the solutions to their dilemmas within one’s self. Therefore the counselor does not have the “answers” to the client’s “problem” but is a facilitator of the process that helps the client take responsibility and action and come to a resolution. I am here to support and guide you on that journey.

Hello, Ari here. Are you constantly putting out fires? Do you ever feel like a better life is waiting for you but you just can't seem to reach it? You know what you need to do but you're still nervous. I’m here for you. Together, we will put you in the best position to make clear choices about your life with confidence. Working together, we will help you regain control of your automatic thoughts and feelings so that YOU can make conscious choices and own them.

Monique Woodby- Sibley is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LCPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) with a Masters of Mental Health Counseling Degree. She has experience working with diverse populations of individuals, families, and couples in a varietyof treatment settings including inpatient, outpatient and community based services. She has availability on weekends and evenings.Monique has a broad range of clinical experience working with individuals in the areas of depression, anxiety, bipolar, stress management, crisis prevention and substance abuse. She is eclectic and utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT), Person Centered Therapy,Acceptance and Commitment therapy, Dialectical Therapy, Psychodynamic therapy andMindfulness/Relaxation. Monique uses a therapy approach that emphasizes the client's capacity to make choices and develop to their maximum potential. She believes in being authentic and transparent in order to create a safe and non-judgmental environment for the client.

Kiti Jackson is a Licensed Therapist (LCPC) in Maryland. Kiti has a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Psychology and a Master of Arts in Human Services and Counseling. Led by her desire to help others, she also earned a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and EMDR therapist, she specializes in helping clients with trauma. Kiti has extensive experience working with adolescents and adults. Kiti is an islander from Oahu, Hawaii, who has an affection for the outdoors. She enjoys spending time with her four children and husband. Her years as a military spouse taught her to be flexible because things can change in the blink of an eye. She enjoys long walks with her husband and their three Akitas. You will often find Kiti binge-watching Monk, biking, traveling, and exploring various foods.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, continuing a family legacy of service in the field. With over a decade of experience, I've worked across diverse settings, including hospitals, home health, and outpatient centers. Currently, I specialize in Individual Therapy, considering it a genuine privilege to support individuals during their most vulnerable moments.

Hello, I'm Shashana Carter. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and board-approved supervisor, with over 15 years of professional, life and clinical experience. I work with individuals 18-70 to resolve conflict and improve functioning in the lives of my clients. My specialty areas include depression, trauma, grief, life direction, excessive eating, stress, anxiety and relationship issues. Using an evidence-based person-centered approach, and solution-focused perspective will empower clients to overcome obstacles achieve realistic goals and provide solutions to problematic issues getting in the way of living a healthier lifestyle and having a more positive mindset.

Welcome! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 8 years of diverse experience and I continue to evolve in new treatment models. I have worked with individuals, families, and couples alike. I have specialized training in depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and women's issues. In my approach to individual therapy, I utilize treatment methods such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused and Strength Perspectives.

Hello, 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.

Hi! I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in MD (initial license), and been licensed in 8 other states (AZ, CO, ID, NE, NV, VA, UT), actively practicing for 16 years, helping adults with anxiety, self-esteem, anger issues, gaining coping skills and strategies, discussing different perspectives and insights toward self, relationships with others, and their situations. I have been working with adults with existential crises, issues with motivation, and communication challenges effectively. Additionally, I like working with older adults and adults who are going through phase of life changes. Right now, I am pursuing a doctorate in Clinical Psychology and doing externships for neuropsychological assessment and therapy. I'm interested in helping older adults and assessing mild cognitive impairment and dementia. ***Due to my externship hours and schedules, along with starting my internship in September, my availability is extremely limited and subject to change frequently. I cannot provide long term therapy. I cannot accept new clients when my internship starts in September this year. If you make your first appt with me, please fill out the intake form without skipping questions thoroughly so that I can assess and provide more appropriate referral providers before meeting. I apologize for the inconvenience.

Are you feeling depressed and anxious? Are you finding your life is in turmoil because you have to make a change? Maybe you are changing careers or jobs, you’re recently divorced, your home is now an empty nest, or you are retiring. These are only a few of life’s transitions that can bring on depression and anxiety. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, the therapy I use most often, states that A (Antecedent action or event) + B (our belief about that antecedent action or event) = Consequences, (depression or happiness). If you think of a transition or event (A) as a negative experience (B), you will experience the consequences of your belief, as depression and anxiety (C-negative) or as happiness and excitement (C-positive). Unfortunately, many of us view a transition or change as a bad thing, a time when we are facing the unknown without a map. I would like to help you see change as an opportunity, a time for growth and exploration. Come with me. Together we can make change a positive force for a bright future. please schedule appoints only on the hour.😀

Do you ever feel like nobody is listening to you? or trying to help you make sense of your struggle? Do you feel that what you are going through makes you feel alone like nobody gets you? Been there...I get it...and I feel you. I will be the first to admit that I don't understand everything but I have enough life experience, to relate to you on some level. I try my best to build our work together on trust, integrity, understanding, and honesty. I work best with individuals who are willing to do the work, the hard work so that you can create an empowered life and improve your quality of life. I focus on issues that include: anxiety, alcohol use/abuse, marijuana use/abuse, depression, psychosis (first episode), life transitioning, and trauma. I work with ages 14 and older, veterans, men and women. I offer group counseling services for substance abuse (alcohol & marijuana), and specialty services for immigrants such as forensic mental health evaluations and adulting courses.

Dr. Simone Blanchard is the Executive Director and Lead Therapist of Inner Light Consulting and Therapeutic Services in the metro Washington DC area. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and holds her LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor) in Maryland and Washington, DC. She is also a Trauma Specialist whose training includes working with children impacted by childhood sexual abuse. Dr. Blanchard is a sought-after speaker by both lay and professional audiences. To the general community, she speaks about parenting skills, relationship healing and building, childhood development, and natural healing modalities. To professional audiences, her presentations include mental health diagnoses, interventions, treatment, and prognoses; relationship healing and building; suicide prevention; mind-body connection; and global trauma. Dr. Blanchard earned her graduate degree with high honors in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marymount University. She was inducted into the Psi Chi International Honors Society in Psychology and the Delta Epsilon Sigma National Honor Society. She is an International Psychology with a special concentration in global trauma. She has studied with master practitioners in spirituality, human development, and restitution.

Hi! I'm a Licensed Certified Social Work Clinician (LCSW-C) based in Maryland. I received my Masters from the University of Maryland and have been practicing for 16 years. I help adolescents, adults, families and couples managing emotional discourse and distress impacting their ability to function at their highest healthiest potential. I am also certified as a certified clinical trauma practitioner with expertise in various treatment modalities such as CPT, CBT, EMDR, and ACT therapies.

I am a solo single mother, solo 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. The remarkable moments and the the difficult ones ( in some obvious ways or in subtle ways that sometimes sneak up on us) can cause us to go through life merely surviving or struggling, often feeling alone. It doesn't stop there. Often the life and soul work is also challenging (but rewarding process) , that can make you feel alone too! My role is to fill in that gap. You do not need to be alone. The work should be experienced in a safe, loving, and understanding environment. 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, the best we can.

My name is Circe Dunwoody. I am a license psychotherapist. In my psychotherapy practice I help couples and individuals to overcome life difficulties by using cognitive behavior therapy. Many couples and individuals feel overwhelmed by the desire to balance the high demands from work and family life. They report feelings of emptiness and loss of drive. Some report feeling of depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. Others contemplate divorce as a solution to decrease the pressure they are internalizing. You can contact me for help if you are experiencing some of the feelings I have mentioned above, and you are ready to make changes in your life. l work with couples and individuals in a safe and confidential platform environment. In life we all need support and understanding from others. Sometimes the best solution is to seek professional help. Having emotional support is extremely helpful. Relying on friends or family members is also helpful. However, you may not want to overwhelm them with problems. The most intelligent solution is seeking professional help.