OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions Therapists in Maryland

Kevin Smith is a Licensed Clinical Practicing Counselor (LCPC)) in the state of Maryland. He has over 12 years of substance use disorder treatment experience and two years of mental health therapy experience. He specializes in dealing with depression, bipolar, PTSD, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders. Kevin completed his Master's degree in Counseling Psychology at Capella University in 2014. He is a former substance abuser with 21 years of sobriety and has overcome a myriad of disabilities and childhood traumas in his own life. This coupled with his professional experiences, enables him to provide the guidance, support, and encouragement his clients are seeking. Kevin utilizes a wide variety of therapy techniques, including but not limited to, CBT, motivational interviewing, person-centered therapy, existentialism, EMDR and solution-focused therapy modalities. We all face dark times, mountains, and challenges in our lives. Kevin is confident he has the ability to make you feel comfortable and confident as you begin this journey to a new you. If you are ready and willing to do the work to make the next chapter of your life your best chapter, schedule an appointment with him today.

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’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 am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have been in private practice for the past two years. However, my clinical experience goes far beyond that. I have worked in an inpatient setting, as well as along side of victims of domestic abuse. I love working with teen and women specifically. I have done a good bit of family therapy as well as crisis intervention in my previous clinical work. I feel passionate about empowering my clients and meeting them where they are in their journey toward meeting their own personal goals.

Hi! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker- Certified serving the state of Maryland. I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University in New York City, with a specialization in advanced clinical social work practice, and my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. My goal is to serve children, youth and adults who are striving to become the best version of themselves.

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.

Hi, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-C). I graduated from University of Maryland, School of Social Work, with a master’s degree majoring in Children and Families. I have sixteen years of social work experience and over eight years of clinical work. My greatest joy is to assist children, adults and couples struggling with anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues and life transitions, among others, to become better versions of themselves.

Hi! I’m Christina Fals, LCSW (she/her/hers) — a bilingual Hispanic American Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Washington, D.C., offering virtual therapy for clients in D.C. and Maryland. I provide a compassionate, culturally affirming space for individuals navigating life’s transitions, identity exploration, and emotional healing. I work with older children and teens (ages 12–17), as well as young adults and professionals in their 20s to 40s who are balancing multiple roles — student, partner, caregiver, or professional — while striving to feel more grounded, confident, and emotionally balanced. Many of my clients identify as Latino/a/x, multicultural, or queer, seeking a therapist who truly understands the intersection of culture, identity, and emotional well-being.

Kindly note: At this time, my practice is focused on supporting parents and families with children ages 6 and under. I am currently accepting new clients for daytime appointments only, between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Hi there—I’m Stephanie, a mental health counselor who specializes in the early stages of parenthood (a.k.a. the “sleep-deprived, overstimulated, and constantly Googling something” years). Whether you're feeling burnt out or short-fused (been there!), or your young child is having big feelings or baffling behaviors, therapy can help you find steadier ground where you feel seen, supported, and better equipped to meet the challenges of early parenthood—without losing yourself in the process. In my work with parents and children, I bring a deep understanding of early childhood development, emotion regulation, and parent–child relationships while using a flexible, compassionate approach. That might include individual therapy for you, joint parent-child sessions, or a combination of both. If you're carrying heavy feelings—like guilt, shame, self-doubt or even unexpected rage—you're not alone, and you're not broken. Therapy can offer relief, clarity, and practical tools to support both you and your child.

Hello! I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-C) based in Maryland. I earned my Master’s degree from the Catholic University of America and have been practicing for the past five years. I specialize in working with teens and young adults. My approach is grounded in neurodivergent-affirming care, creating a safe and inclusive space for individuals and families to feel understood, supported, and empowered.

I am a compassionate, empathetic, and intuitive licensed clinical professional counselor. I earned an MA in Professional Counseling with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialty at Liberty University. I have completed specialized training in TF-CBT, Certified-DBT (C-DBT), Certified Youth Mental Health Specialist (CYMHS), and EDMR. I have nine years of experience in group and individual therapy sessions. I enjoy working with my clients from a holistic perspective to assist them in healing their whole selves.

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.