DBT Therapists in Washington DC

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, skills-based approach designed to help individuals navigate intense emotions, strengthen relationships, and develop effective coping strategies. Originally created for those with borderline personality disorder, DBT is now widely used to support people facing mood disorders, self-harm, and other emotional challenges. With 12 DBT-trained therapists in Washington DC, you can access specialized care focused on mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Each Grow Therapy-verified therapist listed below is welcoming new clients, with timely availability to help you build emotional resilience and lead a more balanced life.

Availability updated: 8/30/2025

Rated 4.7 stars out of 5, 3 ratings

Aneesa King

LPC, 20 years of experience

Warm
Humorous
Intelligent

Specialties

Anxiety
Coping Skills
Depression
+8
I am passionate about helping others explore emotional, spiritual, and behavioral wellness in a way that connects mind, body, and soul. With years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and outpatient settings, I’ve dedicated my career to encouraging and empowering individuals on their journey toward healing and recovery. My goal is to help clients leave sessions with a sense of relief, greater clarity, and renewed hope for their journey ahead.
Virtual
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Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 13 ratings

Sashauna Darlene Gardner

LICSW, 11 years of experience

Warm
Open-minded
Solution oriented

Specialties

Anxiety
Depression
Spirituality
+7
Hi, I’m Sashauna Gardner, LCSW-C, LICSW, and founder of Destined for Healing. I’m a licensed therapist with nearly a decade of experience supporting individuals and couples through life transitions, emotional pain, trauma recovery, and relational struggles. My work is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and rooted in clinical best practices. I specialize in helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, identity concerns, faith-related pain, childhood trauma, and emotionally unavailable relationships. While I welcome clients of all backgrounds, I also offer Christian-integrated therapy for those who wish to include their faith. I specialize in trauma informed, faith-sensitive therapy that honors your story and makes space for healing at your pace. Together, we'll explore how early family dynamics, spiritual wounds, or unhealed relational patterns may be shaping your present struggles and help you break free from cycles of silence, performance, or self-neglect. I believe healing is sacred work and I see therapy as a safe and collaborative space to process grief, anxiety, complex family ties, and major life transitions without shame. If you're looking for a therapist who honors both your clinical needs and your spiritual journey, I invite you to connect. Let's build something rooted in truth, safety and restoration.
Virtual
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Rated 4.7 stars out of 5, 70 ratings

Willard Vaughn

LPC, 17 years of experience

Intelligent
Authentic
Humorous

Specialties

Mood Disorders
Personality Disorders
Self Esteem
+10
My name is Willard and I am a licensed counselor in several states. My practice primarily focuses on helping others deal with ambiguity. Often our thoughts and subsequently what we teach ourselves becomes rigid and fairly black and white. Using a pragmatic and authentic approach to therapy I help others to be okay with things that are beyond their control and work with them to establish themselves as the protagonist in their own story. This is primarily accomplished through conversation and allowing you the client to guide the therapy in the direction it needs to go.
Virtual
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Rated 4.2 stars out of 5, 141 ratings

Arega Gera

LICSW, 20 years of experience

Solution oriented
Direct
Open-minded

Specialties

Anger Management
Anxiety
Depression
+10
My name is Arega Gera. I always work to strive to create a safe and welcoming environment that allows clients to explore obstacles with concerns related to anxiety, depression, and/or . I focus on helping clients develop assertive communication & boundaries with themselves and those around them that can help improve their quality of life. Counseling can foster personal development in whatever way you may be seeking and help build the life you so deeply deserve. If that's what you're looking for, I'm here when you're ready to share.
Virtual
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Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 1 ratings

Katie P Gaitan

LICSW, 11 years of experience

Intelligent
Solution oriented

Specialties

ADHD
Anxiety
Depression
Hi! I’m a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) based in Washington, DC, with over 11 years of experience. I earned my Master’s in Social Work from The Catholic University of America. I support individuals navigating life transitions, emotional challenges, and relationship issues, helping them build insight, resilience, and meaningful change to become their most authentic selves. I will be your collaborative clinician in the pursuit of your goals.
Virtual
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Rated 4.8 stars out of 5, 53 ratings

Pablo Rodriguez

LICSW, 8 years of experience

Solution oriented
Empowering
Warm

Specialties

Personality Disorders
Self-Harming
Suicidal Ideation
Welcome! I'm a DBT Therapist and treat teens/adults struggling to regulate intense emotions; abandonment; self-harm; suicidality; intense relationships; and impulsivity. I use a mindful, curious, and a feedback-informed approach to support outcomes and your goals. Mindful humor is also used and can be so helpful for balancing emotional intensity. As a certified trauma therapist, I also support teens/adults overcome trauma symptoms. We are social beings and mental health is a social process. I invite you to reach out to the process of therapy to help improve the relationship between yourself, things, and others.
Virtual
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Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 55 ratings

Janet Muta

LICSW, 15 years of experience

Solution oriented
Warm
Authentic

Specialties

ADHD
Anxiety
Depression
+7
My name is Janet Muta and I am a Licensed Clinician with over 15 years of experience in mental health, behavioral issues and relationships. I treat individuals from diverse backgrounds. My approach is treating the whole person because most of the time our problems are the outcome of more than just one thing and when I get to know you I am able to address different issues that could be contributing to that one specific problem. We all experience some difficulties in our lives sometimes and we all cope differently. What works for one person/couple who are experiencing a similar situation may not work for another and so I personalize your treatment to fit you. Being in therapy is like being on a journey, I make sure you are in the driver’s seat and I become your great working GPS, guiding you to your desired destination. I also hold a degree in finance which sometimes comes handy when helping those who are stressed due to financial needs. Among the treatment modalities I use are: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Positive Parenting, Contingency Management...
Virtual
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Rated 4.3 stars out of 5, 9 ratings

Kassandra Barry

LICSW, 4 years of experience

Specialties

Anxiety
Depression
Trauma and PTSD
Greetings, I'm Kassandra Barry, a licensed clinical social worker available in Maryland, Virginia, and DC. Specializing in trauma, I help individuals navigate life's challenges, addressing concerns like mood, anxiety, relationships, and self-care. While many clients face PTSD, my support extends to anyone seeking understanding, seeking to enhance their lives, and fostering a sense of value and respect. I prioritize creating a space where you can be heard and supported. Your journey to improved well-being begins here.
Virtual
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Rated 4.8 stars out of 5, 4 ratings

Tara Zandi

LICSW, 17 years of experience

Authentic
Intelligent
Solution oriented

Specialties

Anxiety
Child or Adolescent
Depression
+8
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.
Virtual
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Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 23 ratings

Brenda Ferguson

LPC, 8 years of experience

Frequently rebooked

Authentic
Warm
Solution oriented

Specialties

Anxiety
Crisis Intervention
Trauma and PTSD
+9
Hi there! I'm a Licensed counselor for CO, NC, and DC. I received my Master's Degree in 2007 and have spent a good bit of my career in crisis and residential settings before transitioning to direct care. I help adults who have experienced adverse events and or trauma to heal and begin to live their lives in a more peaceful way.
Virtual
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Rated 4.8 stars out of 5, 52 ratings

Vanessa Okechukwu

LICSW, 15 years of experience

Warm
Solution oriented
Authentic

Specialties

ADHD
Anger Management
Anxiety
+10
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.
Virtual
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Rated 4.8 stars out of 5, 82 ratings

Jonathan Lam

LP, 25 years of experience

Warm
Humorous
Authentic

Specialties

Anxiety
Life Transitions
Men's Issues
+2
I am a psychotherapist and life coach with over 25 years of experience practicing in the Washington, DC, area. I specialize in human potential, relationship health, life transitions, and coping with stressful situations. I have trained extensively with professional and master coaches and I work with a diverse clientele that include young professionals at the beginning of their careers as well as executives and corporate leaders in the financial industry. I believe that clarity enables us to take a stand for what we want in life. It allows us to make a commitment to take action to create a meaningful and purposeful life.
Virtual
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Frequently asked questions

Why filter by District of Columbia rather than a neighborhood like Adams Morgan?

When looking for online therapy, you can see anyone that is credentialed in the state. We want you to find the best fit, therefore, Grow Therapy shows available therapists across District of Columbia from The Navy Yard to Georgetown! If you’d rather see someone in-person, you can change the filter from virtual and find a therapist near you in District of Columbia.

Will my therapist take insurance?

When booking you’ll be asked to verify with your Member ID. However, if you don’t have any of the insurances available you can select cash. Our therapists will have their cost of appointment on their profile. Individual session costs will vary.

How does the Specialty Filter work? Can I find a therapist that focuses on a specific issue?

The specialty filter is optional. You don’t need to check any boxes to see a provider. However, fit is very important when selecting an online therapist. If you have knowledge or experience to recognize what specialties you may need.

What are the "Clients say I'm" badges?

Grow Therapy asks patients about their experience with therapists after they have had a certain number of sessions. After enough responses, we add those characteristics to their profiles to help you find the best online therapists for you. We're still working on collecting this information from all our therapists.

Why use Gender, Age, and Identities filters?

Finding a provider with a similar life experience can be beneficial because it can be easier to establish rapport and potentially be understood quicker and clearer.

What to expect during your first session?

Your first therapy session is for you and your therapist to meet each other and to ask any questions that you have about the counseling process. This is where you can expect your therapist to do the same as they will ask questions to gain insight into your specific situation. In this first session the therapist is doing their part to gather as much information so they can better assess if they are able to meet your therapeutic needs.

Depending upon your provider's specialty, you may also discuss the methods the therapist will use. For additional information on therapy methods, please visit the Grow Therapy Help Center. Some people feel nervous before their first appointment, and that is totally normal! Coming prepared with a list of questions for your therapist may help. Remember, you're taking a brave step by seeking therapy, and it is okay to be nervous as you try something new.