Find Telehealth Therapists Licensed in District of Columbia

From a space of non-judgment and sensitivity, I believe it is my job to provide a supportive environment for us to explore patterns that contribute to the pain and challenges of your everyday life. I aim to bring light to different ways of being, so you can experience less pain, more satisfaction, and a better quality of life. We all get stuck at some point in our lives. It is my job to be present in those "stuck" moments so that we may collaborate in discovering the origins of the pain while identifying a path to well-being that fits for you.

At Starobin Counseling we focus on helping people repair and strengthen their relationships with themselves and their relationships with others. We regard relationships as central to the therapeutic process. Some challenges in life are purely personal, but most problems express themselves in the intersections people have with other people. Therapy helps people repair their inner selves, often injured by relational ruptures, and learn and practice being in relational health with one another. Therapy helps people hear themselves think, experience feelings, gain new perspectives. We help people recognize and strengthen their own vitality and resiliency so they can unlock their capacity for compassionate and meaningful connections. We are a neurodiversity-minded, neurodiversity-affirming, gender-affirming, and culturally aware and sensitive practice.

Is life supposed to look like this? Is this how I’m supposed to feel? How many times have you asked yourself these questions, questioned why you are on this earth, questioned your existence? For me, the answer is that I have asked myself this countless times. Most of my life I had people tell me who I was. What I was allowed to say, what I was allowed to feel, and what my opinions should or should not be. I was expected to conform, to not take up space, to obey. I never felt like I belonged anywhere. I longed for it. I wanted to know myself. I wanted to be seen. So, I went to therapy. My therapist helped me acknowledge the distorted mirror that had been held up in front of my face for so long by others. She helped me stop waiting for others to see me, to validate me, and guided me to my own gut-wrenchingly painful but oh so beautiful journey of self-exploration and healing. I wish that I could say to you that I have always had a strong identity and sense of self, but the truth is that I needed someone to let me know that they saw me. That they understood me. Have you ever felt seen? I mean really seen. Seen for everything you are. The rawness that comes with that. It makes us feel alive, it validates us, and it permeates us with energy. Energy to engage, energy to connect, energy to contribute. I want to help you become a reflection of your highest self. I want to help you get to know yourself. I want to weather the storm of life with you, be there to see you in your most exquisite moments but also in your most broken. I specialize in working with relationship concerns, men’s issues, and trauma work (I do eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) which is a specialized treatment for trauma. I also help with alcohol and substance use that is causing you concern (or curiosity), old coping mechanisms stemming from childhood, existential depression, anxiety, and relationship stressors. As a therapist, I want to help my clients relinquish their stories of pain and help them move towards a future that no longer feels limited. So, let’s begin. Let me provide you with a safe, warm, judgment-free, space of acceptance. A space to be seen. A space to heal and grow. I am so excited to see you.

David Sternberg, LICSW, has been a practicing psychotherapist in Washington, D.C., since 2002. He specializes in treating young adults (20s and 30s), who are experiencing anxiety, depression and stress related to major life transitions. At DC Talk Therapy, all 10 of our therapists specialize in working with young adults (20s and 30s) with anxiety, depression and relationship problems. In our practice, we have a substance abuse specialist, an OCD specialist and a therapist who works with the LGBTQ community. Since we opened our practice in Washington, D.C., in 2012, we've helped nearly 2,000 people live happier and more fulfilling lives. Our therapists use a variety of therapeutic approaches but primarily use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT focuses on modifying maladaptive or distorted thoughts about ourselves or the rest of the world as a way to change resulting feelings and behavior. Our therapists believe that psychotherapy can be tremendously rewarding, even life-changing. We see therapy as very much a collaborative process, so we ask clients for feedback throughout the process. We want the client's experience to be as valuable as possible. Our office staff answers the phone live Monday through Friday 9 am-5 pm and they can often schedule you an appointment within 2-3 business days.

Welcome. I believe that meaningful change begins with a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust, authenticity, and collaboration. My goal is to create a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel comfortable exploring your thoughts, emotions, and experiences without fear of criticism. Together, we'll work to better understand the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, build on your existing strengths, and develop practical strategies to help you move toward a more fulfilling life. My approach is integrative and tailored to each individual's unique needs. Drawing from cognitive-behavioral, dialectical, relational, and other evidence-based approaches, I adapt therapy to fit your goals rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all model. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, identity development, life transitions, or the stresses of everyday life, I strive to provide therapy that is compassionate, insightful, and grounded in practical change. I have particular expertise in working with postpartum mood and anxiety disorders and completed advanced training in perinatal mental health through Postpartum Support International. I have extensive experience supporting college students, graduate students, and young professionals through my years working in university counseling centers. I also provide LGBTQ+ affirming care, creating a welcoming and inclusive space where clients can explore issues related to identity, relationships, and life transitions with authenticity and support. Above all, I value creating a therapeutic experience where you feel understood, respected, and empowered to make lasting change.