OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions Therapists in Maryland

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.

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.

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.

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.

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'm a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Massachusetts and a registered telehealth provider in Florida. I received my Masters from The Chicago School of Mental Health Counseling and have been practicing for 5 years. I support individuals in overcoming negative experiences that seem to interfere with their current lives. I help my clients shed the burdens of their traumas and other ill experiences to find self-worth, self-respect, self-confidence, and self-love.

First I want to acknowledge your effort to get help for your issues. You may be struggling with relationships, depression from a loss, anxiety about your future, memories of a terrible incident in the past, or an abusive childhood. Whatever it is that is getting in the way of your current life and your goals for the future, when you have the courage to work through these seemingly impossible challenges, you will find hope and your life will get better. I'm here to walk with you on this creative journey, your path to healing and wholeness. As an expressive arts therapist with degrees in Pastoral Counseling and Early Childhood/Special Education, I bring my experience working with children and families, counseling those with mental health challenges who combat racism and poverty, and accompanying people struggling with recovery or a trauma history. In addition to verbal therapy, I use the expressive arts and psychodrama techniques to dig more deeply into troublesome issues with an underlying strengths-based approach.

My name is Dawn Sheree Paramore, a Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health with a Doctorate in Prevention Science, which aligns with my passion for helping individuals heal, grow, and thrive. With over a decade of experience in the mental health field, I specialize in working with individuals navigating trauma, depression, anxiety, and significant life transitions. My approach is rooted in compassion, evidence-based practices, and a deep understanding of the impact of adversity on mental and emotional well-being. I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and trauma-informed techniques to help clients recognize and reframe unhelpful thoughts, manage overwhelming emotions, and develop practical coping skills. Through Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), I support individuals in safely processing difficult experiences, building resilience, and regaining a sense of control and safety in their lives. I also incorporate psychoeducation into my work, believing that when clients understand what they’re experiencing and why, they're empowered to take active steps toward recovery. Whether someone is dealing with the effects of childhood trauma, struggling with feelings of worthlessness, or facing significant life changes like loss, career shifts, or relationship challenges, I walk alongside them with empathy and professional insight. I meet people where they are, offering a safe space to explore their story and rewrite it with strength and purpose. My mission is to help people move from surviving to thriving by providing therapeutic support that is both affirming and transformative. Healing is possible, and I’m here to guide that journey with care, skill, and a belief in every person’s ability to rise.

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, 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.

My name is Amber (#TheUrbanConsciousTherapist) I am a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical, graduating from Morgan State University with my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Social Work. I have experience supporting and working with children, adolescents, and adults who have encountered crises and trauma(s) and those dealing with depression, anxiety, high stress, transitions, grief, relationship problems, women’s issues, and race-gender schema (Strong Black Girl/Woman expectations).

“I’m just so frustrated and angry! I don’t even know why!” Have you ever felt that? That sense of confusion or desperation to know WHY you feel the way you do or what emotion you are even feeling?? Well, My name is Amanda and I am a licensed clinical professional counselor and I hope to help you with that! I have my Masters in Counseling psychology and my overall goal is to allow my clients a safe space to open up and process any thought or feelings that they have. I have almost 5 years experience, with 4 of those being post-grad. I have a good bit of experience working as a crisis counselor, so crisis intervention, management, safety planning, and solution based therapy is an area that I do not shy away from. I also enjoy outpatient therapy, that means you! 😊 I have worked with many clients who have suffered with trauma (childhood, relational, adult, etc), anxiety, depression, ADHD, and much more. I strive to maintain a safe and nonjudgmental environment for my client. In relation to my style, I tend to be personable and warm. I want to listen to your story and what has shaped you into you before jumping head on into the deeper emotions. I plan to put myself into your shoes and into your darkness so we can find the light together!

I am a licensed clinical social worker SW12568 (Florida license) and LCSW-C #32454 (Maryland license). I am also a general practitioner whose specific areas of expertise are the treatment of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. I use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), positive psychology, Strength-based therapy, Supportive therapy, and mindfulness to empower individuals and help them realize and strive to reach their full potential.

Greetings, I am a licensed mental health clinician licensed in Maryland, DC and Virginia with over seven years of experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. My approach to therapy is holistic and strength-based, focusing on helping clients navigate and resolve a wide range of life’s challenges. By drawing upon each individual’s unique strengths, I work to foster resilience and encourage a continuous journey of healing, growth, and self-discovery. My goal is to create a supportive environment that empowers clients to uncover deeper insights, develop effective coping strategies, and enhance their overall well-being.

Hello, I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In my 15+ years of experience I’ve worked with adolescents, adults, couples and families to identify challenges and use their strengths and values to overcome them. I have experience working with clients who are having mental health or emotional challenges that affect work, school, home, and community relationships and success. I also have experience with athletes being a former professional athlete myself. My goal is always to partner with clients to identify the problem, manage emotions related to the problem and develop and implement strategies to decrease or eliminate the problem.

Welcome to therapy! I am Theresa and would be pleased to share a bit about myself. Do you find yourself waking up on most days feeling anxious or depressed and/or feel as if you're simply existing in survival mode? I'm glad you're making the first step to feeling better. Starting therapy is hard! A lot of us end up in therapy because we have been condescendingly told there is something wrong with us, or that "we need help."

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.