Blue Cross Blue Shield Therapists in Maryland

PLEASE NOTE: 15-minute CONSULTATION CALL REQUIRED BEFORE SCHEDULING AN INTAKE. INTAKE WILL BE CANCELED before a call. Book a call at Contact-at-carriefreshourconsulting-dot-com Hello there, and thank you for reaching out—that’s a meaningful first step. I’m Carrie Freshour, LCSW-C, a licensed clinical social worker with more than two decades of experience supporting individuals through complex life challenges. My [cash-based] private practice is intentionally small, serving only a handful of clients at a time, so I can offer highly personalized, trauma-informed care. To ensure I can meet your needs with my current availability, a brief phone consultation is required. If we’re not the right fit, I’m happy to provide thoughtful guidance and warm referrals. I primarily support adults and young adults navigating anxiety, burnout, relationship challenges, identity transitions, and the lingering impact of trauma—especially systemic and institutional trauma that often goes unnamed but deeply shapes how we show up in work, family, and community. My approach blends clinical expertise with real-world experience. I help clients: Rebuild confidence and self-trust interrupt patterns of self-sabotage navigate conflict and communication challenges heal from environments that felt unsafe, invalidating, or toxic understand their nervous system responses and regain a sense of control I’m direct, compassionate, and unafraid of hard conversations when they lead to clarity and growth. I believe people are far more resilient than they realize, and sometimes they simply need a safe space—and the right tools—to rise again. If you’d like to explore working together, please message me with your phone number and three options for a 15-minute consultation call within the next one to two weeks. Taking this step takes courage. I’m honored to walk beside you as you move toward the life you want. Stronger together, Carrie PLEASE NOTE: If you schedule an intake, it will be CANCELED before a consult call

You may feel like you're struggling, that its too hard to change, or that relief simply isn't possible. Perhaps anxiety keeps you up at night, sadness follows you through your days, or your relationships leave you feeling misunderstood and emotionally drained. I believe there is an integrative center within each of us that naturally guides us toward healing. The situations, losses, and difficulties that arise in life, as painful as they are, can become the very impetus we need to grow into a fuller, more joyful version of ourselves. Healing isn't about fixing what's broken. It's about reconnecting with who you already are beneath the weight of everything you've been carrying. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of experience helping people untangle the thoughts, wounds, and patterns that keep them stuck. My work spans anxiety disorders, depression, stress management, trauma, addiction, illness, and relationship issues. I have a particular passion for supporting individuals recovering from toxic or controlling relationships — people who have spent years doubting themselves or wondering if what they experienced was "bad enough" to deserve support. It was. You do. My therapeutic style has been described as warm, respectful, and collaborative. I create a supportive environment where you feel genuinely seen, not just heard, and where an honest, trusting relationship can develop at your own pace. I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, I draw from a range of evidence-based modalities tailored to what you truly need. I enjoy working with clients from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds and bring both clinical depth and genuine curiosity to every therapeutic relationship. You deserve to feel lighter. You deserve to understand yourself more deeply, release what no longer serves you, and build relationships that feel safe, nurturing, and real.

A client comes in to see her therapist and is 10 minutes late. She sits down and apologizes for her tardiness, to which the therapist replies that no apologies are necessary as clients are only late for their first session. The vignette illustrates something that I see in clients repeatedly who come into my office. Many should have come in at least a year or two ago but for some reason think that the problems they experience are still manageable. While I admire the will of many of those who still manage life like the proverbial Dutch Boy and the dike, I believe that asking for help is a strength of its own. In therapy, I come from the perspective of someone that had to receive help at various times in my life. I've also had a meandering career path, meaning that I've worked in several fields and industries prior to becoming a therapist and have been able to do ground-level empathizing with people who work in blue and white-collar professions.

My Personal Journey: I am a Muslim African American man, married since 1993, and the father of two adult daughters. Raised as the seventh of ten children in a working-class Catholic family, we moved from subsidized public housing and became the first Black family in our middle-class White neighborhood. This early cross-cultural experience taught me that struggle is a universal human condition, sparking my lifelong desire to become a therapist. Following the passing of my father when I was 14, my path briefly pivoted. I spent my late teens and early college years studying Theology and Philosophy to become a Catholic Priest. Ultimately, my deep desire for marriage and family led me back to my original calling of clinical social work, allowing me to blend my spiritual depth with professional therapy. Professional Background & Expertise: I have been a behavioral health professional since 1984 and a Maryland Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) since 1993. I have decades of independent practice, providing clinical therapy, consultation, and Deen/Life coaching to a global clientele across the US, Canada, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. My Therapeutic Approach: I offer a judgment-free, deeply respectful partnership to help you uncover your inherent strengths. I work with clients from all backgrounds to navigate depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship issues, and all forms of addiction (including behavioral compulsions). I customize our work, starting with an eclectic approach and educating each client about the range of treatment options we can collaboratively select to understand and address their conflicts, struggles, concerns, challenges, and the impact of life experiences that led them to seek professional assistance.

I am an experienced therapist licensed in Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, and Kansas. I work with adults seeking thoughtful, results-focused support during periods of stress, transition, grief, or relationship strain. Many of my clients are capable, high-functioning people who feel stuck despite doing all the "right things." They may be managing anxiety, burnout, or relationship challenges while appearing to have it together on the outside. They are looking for more than temporary relief—they want clarity, practical tools, and meaningful change. My approach is active, collaborative, and grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and relational therapy. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, we identify the patterns driving distress and build skills that support lasting change. I earned my master's degree from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. Clients often describe me as supportive, direct, compassionate, and realistic—with a grounded sense of humor. Find me at: www.PeggyDeCarlisTherapy.com

As both a registered nurse and a licensed professional counselor, I can offer my clients a unique range of support. I am not licensed to prescribe medication, however, I can support clients as they make changes to their medication by helping them identify and describe how the medication is affecting them. I also support clients by helping them to seek physical health support to rule out any underlying medical condition that may be impacting their emotional health. I work with clients to help them understand why they feel and behave the way they do. Identifying maladaptive coping skills and replacing them with effective coping skills that are tailored to each individual client.

As a License Professional Counselor, I have been in practice for 20 years. I have worked in public school sector and private practice working with children and adults. My goal is to help people identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in a judge-free environment. I believe therapy is a journey and a process to learn to look at any situation as a learning experience to help themselves and gain knowledge to help others in the future.

My name is Stacey Gray and I have been in the field of Social Work for over 20 plus years. My experience includes community outpatient mental health, school-based support and residential treatment centers working with individuals across the life span who are dealing with various mental health concerns that inhibit them from living their lives to the fullest potential. My client population is primarily is working with adolescents and adults who are seeking help with depression, mood disorders, anxiety, ADHD and family and relationship stressors. Throughout my career in private practice I have experience working with many modalities and have come to believe that there is no one size fits all approach to therapy. My primary focus during the treatment process is to ensure that the client feels that there is hope for change. Regardless of what you have experienced or are currently experiencing there is an opportunity for healing.

I’m a therapist who offers a thoughtful, practical space to help you understand patterns, navigate emotions, and move forward. I work collaboratively, blending evidence-based tools with a warm, human approach tailored to your needs. My style is calm, direct, and supportive, helping you make sense of what’s happening and what to do next. I offer a steady, nonjudgmental space to explore challenges and build healthier ways of relating to yourself and others. Provides measurement-informed care and therapeutic alliance.

Welcome, I am warm, attentive, and capable! Seasoned with wisdom, curiosity, and plenty of skills to help individuals who are ready to embrace every part of themselves! Are you feeling stressed and overwhelmed by life circumstances? Have you been struggling to make things make sense but instead find yourself stuck in cycles of frustration despite attempts to figure things out on your own? I specialize in helping women with anxiety and depression disorders. I love creating a safe, non-judgmental environment that enables you to get to the core of your struggles. Together we can find clarity and identify what's not working and explore evidence-based techniques to help you breakthrough cycles and overcome. We'll integrate mindfulness practices and use holistic approaches to address your mind, body and spirit needs. I do understand that pursuing therapy can feel uncertain but you're making the right choice to invest in your healing and growth. Looking forward to working with you. Cynthia Holden, LCPC

I bring a strong foundation in race-based trauma work and a client-centered and holistic healing approach. I’m especially passionate about supporting Black men and women on their journeys through the 21st-century Diaspora. As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oregon, and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Washington state, I’m a compassionate therapist who believes deeply in healing, growth, and personal transformation. You don’t have to face life’s challenges alone. Please Note: Therapy does not FIX anything! Therapy is an act of courage and self-love. I have extensive experience working with adults from ALL ethnic, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds. I am particularly passionate about formulating alliances that will inform and strengthen the individual on their individual and collective journey in the 21 Century. Therapy is not a bad word. I would love to help you identify the right approach for your healing.

A mental health therapist is a compassionate professional dedicated to supporting individuals as they navigate life’s challenges. With specialized training in evidence-based practices, the therapist provides a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their emotions, identify unhelpful patterns, and develop strategies to foster growth and healing. By combining professional expertise with empathy, the therapist helps clients build resilience and discover their own strengths. ⸻ Prospective Clients Prospective clients may include individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship issues, or significant life transitions. Others may simply seek personal growth, stress management, or improved self-understanding. Clients come from diverse backgrounds and present unique needs, but all share a common desire for guidance, healing, and support. Whether someone is seeking short-term solutions or long-term care, the therapist tailors treatment to meet each client’s goals. ⸻ Impact on Clients’ Lives The impact of therapy can be profound. Clients often report improved emotional well-being, healthier coping strategies, stronger relationships, and greater confidence in their ability to handle stress. Therapy can help individuals break free from cycles of self-doubt, manage overwhelming emotions, and build more fulfilling lives. Over time, the therapeutic relationship itself can serve as a model for healthy communication, trust, and personal growth—empowering clients to carry these skills into all areas of their lives.

I’m a licensed therapist who works with individuals experiencing anxiety, overwhelm, and life transitions. I understand how easy it is to feel stuck in your thoughts or stretched too thin trying to manage everything on your own. My approach is supportive, collaborative, and focused on helping you feel better in your day-to-day life—not just during sessions. I use a blend of practical, evidence-based approaches like CBT, DBT-informed strategies, and solution-focused therapy to help you build coping skills, shift unhelpful patterns, and move toward meaningful change. During our time together, my goal is to create a space where you can finally exhale. I take a warm, down-to-earth, and nonjudgmental approach. We’ll not only explore what’s been weighing on you, but also focus on practical tools you can use in your daily life—whether that’s calming racing thoughts, setting boundaries, or feeling more in control of your emotions.

I have been practicing therapy for over twenty years. I received my Master's degree in Social Work from Florida International University and my PsyD. in Grief Counselling from Breyer State Theology University. I have experience with individuals, couples, and families. Some of my primary areas of expertise are family and relationship conflict, intimacy related issues and difficulty with various life changes and transitions. I specialize in assisting those who may be going through a rough patch in life or have experienced the death of a loved one. It is important to have a strong therapeutic relationship with your therapist and to feel that they are a good match for you. I want you to feel that therapy is a safe and non-judgmental place to share your thoughts, and feelings. I believe that counseling should primarily be solution-focused to help you achieve your goals and begin to see improvement as soon as possible.

Hi! I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor based in Maryland I provide teletherapy services to clients in North Carolina and Vermont, and Maryland. I received my master's degree in counseling psychology from Antioch New England Graduate School, New Hampshire in 1992 and My Bachelors in Transpersonal Psychology from Burlington College, Vermont, 1987. I do IFS, EMDR, and Somatic work to help clients find lasting and transformative changes in their lives. I incorporate Spirituality into my work. I teach mindfulness and The Law of Attraction, and creative visualization. I am a CPTSD survivor, and I have used these therapies personally to find lasting peace and joy. I enjoy providing compassionate, supportive therapy, and deep insight orientated, transformative therapy. I enjoy helping clients reduce stress, heal codependency, and heal trauma, depression, and grief. I teach clients to find their inner confidence, and courage, to set boundaries with others and stop "people pleasing". I teach clients to Love themselves and communicate clearly and compassionately with others. I help clients to get to the root of their problems, learn to regulate their emotions, and find peace in the midst of worry and distress. I help clients learn to set boundaries in healthy relationships and to leave abusive relationships.

Hi! I'm Kathleen --a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) based in Maryland. I received my Masters's degree from the University of Baltimore, and have been practicing for over 10 years. I help adults struggling with the fallout from trauma learn how to decrease symptoms of anxiety. Through our work together, we'll help you develop a tailored plan to decrease your anxiety and improve your quality of life.

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 a warm and supportive space for adolescents and adults experiencing anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, grief, self-doubt, or major life transitions. Many of my clients appear strong and capable on the outside while privately feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or disconnected from themselves. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and gently direct. Using Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and trauma-informed care, I help clients understand the patterns beneath their struggles, develop practical coping skills, strengthen boundaries, and rebuild trust in themselves. With a multicultural background and diverse life experiences, I am especially mindful of how culture, family expectations, identity, and caregiving responsibilities can affect emotional well-being. My goal is to help you feel genuinely understood as you create a life that feels more peaceful, confident, and authentic.

Hello- I'm a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) based in Maryland, am a certified Holistic Health Coach and a Board Approved Supervisor. Specialties include: Perinatal, Adoptions, Life Transitions, and Work/life balance. Susie has advanced training in Perinatal Mental Health, Adoptions, Mindfulness Based- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Post Traumatic Growth. I help new moms adjust to parenting while managing various challenges and redefining self care.

Hi! I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Texas. I received my Masters from LeTourneau University and have been practicing for 4 years. I work with adult clients living with self-esteem issues, anxiety, depression, and anger. The goal is to provide a safe space for clients to openly talk, gain self-awareness, and identify ways to overcome their challenges.

Rebecca is a therapist who works with adults and couples navigating relationship challenges, life transitions, and emotional stress. Her approach is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in evidence-based practice, integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and other therapeutic modalities to promote both practical change and deeper self-understanding. Rebecca helps clients identify and shift unhelpful patterns in their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships while developing skills that support emotional regulation, effective communication, and more intentional ways of living and relating. Her goal is to help clients gain greater clarity, resilience, and confidence as they navigate life's challenges and work toward meaningful, lasting change.

Hi, I'm Gabriella, I have been a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) since 2013, but I have been in the mental health field since 2006. We all know that in recent years, specifically starting in 2020, our life as we knew it drastically changed. Our relationships with our family, friends, coworkers and even ourselves appeared to stall indefinitely. We had to learn to maneuver in different ways to try and have a sense of "normalcy." But as we tried to navigate this new way of life, our mental health has suffered. We have noticed that depression, anxiety, and relationship/interpersonal issues have been rising because we have isolated ourselves for so long. As people, we are social beings and tend to gravitate towards social situations. Within the last year, rules and mandates have eased, and we are resuming to our "new normal," and maybe we are feeling hesitant and vulnerable to step out. Reaching out for help is very difficult but the most rewarding decisions you make. We can work together to make step by step goals so you can achieve your success.

**Hello there! My name is Alexis Staton, LCSW-C.** I am a first-generation graduate and postgraduate African American cisgender female dedicated to breaking generational cycles. My own life experiences have drawn me to this field, and I understand that doing the work on oneself is a significant and challenging task. I hold both a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a Master of Social Work with a focus on Urban Child Welfare and Families from Morgan State University. As an interventionist, I strive to connect authentically with my clients, empowering them to embrace all their experiences, which ultimately shape who they are and how they "show up in the world." As a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) mental health therapist, I bring almost a decade of clinical experience to my practice. I have provided both intensive and outpatient treatment, helping clients overcome anxiety, depression, and trauma through various treatment modalities designed to promote optimum functionality. My work often included participating on interdisciplinary teams, maintaining ongoing collaboration with primary care providers, psychiatrists, and public school IEP teams, among others. This holistic approach ensures comprehensive care and supports the diverse needs of my clients. My goal is to facilitate healing and growth, helping individuals achieve their best possible mental health and well-being.

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.

Welcome! My name is Christian; I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has spent over the last 9 years assisting individuals negotiate through some of life's hardest challenges - anxiety, depression, OCD, mood disorders, grief, life transitions, and other life circumstances - through approaches of compassion, sensible support, and insight. I have worked across multiple settings, including outpatient treatment, community programs, residential treatment, employee assistance programs, and other acute settings. I believe there is no universal method for therapy because each of us has a unique journey in life. Therapy works best when the conversation feels authentic, along with following a clinical approach that is clearly defined and best fits YOU. Outside of work, I enjoy music, hiking, kayaking, and board games.

I am a licensed therapist specializing in couples therapy for traditional partnerships, with a focus on strengthening communication, rebuilding trust, and deepening emotional connection. My work supports couples in navigating recurring conflict patterns, intimacy challenges, and life transitions with greater understanding and resilience. In addition to couples work, I specialize in trauma processing using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I help clients process unresolved trauma in a structured and supportive way, with the goal of reducing emotional distress.