I aim to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can openly express yourself. Through compassionate listening and collaborative dialogue, we'll work together to help you gain clarity, develop coping skills, and make positive changes.

Calm honest communication. Looking to listen because you drive the plan in our working together.

Working with you, alongside you, and for YOU, to take care of the emotional wellbeing that defines YOU. Life can present some difficult challenges. With the right support, these can be an incredible opportunity to grow. I offer deep empathy and active listening skills. I meet you where you are, and assist you in developing strength based techniques that you can use in reaching your goals in a non judgmental environment. I am also offering group counseling and workshops online that will assist you in taking care of your mental health.

WE CAN HELP HEAL YOUR RELATIONSHIP. "Why does my partner overreact?" "Why do I get so triggered?" "How come the punishment doesn't fit the crime?" “Why can’t he be more supportive?” “Is anything I do ever enough for her?” While you are feeling hurt, you have an added layer of confusion. You simultaneously love your partner and even hope to stay in this relationship to keep your love, family, and dreams intact. You are torn in a tug-of-war of emotions and desire to feel understood, accepted, and embraced by your partner. HEAL YOUR RELATIONSHIP AT ITS ROOT! Your dynamic is being driven by vulnerable and deep emotions. Those deep emotions are sensitive ‘raw spots' that are easily provoked and can cause you intolerable emotional discomfort- and leads to a “fight-or-flight” (anxious, angry, avoidant) response. This starts a negative cycle that creates more distance between you. CHANGE IS POSSIBLE! In therapy with us, you will learn strategies to respond differently and avoid slipping into old negative cycles of criticism, questioning, defensiveness, shutting down, and avoidance. We’ve helped HUNDREDS of people experience EMOTIONAL INTIMACY by learning how to effectively share and receive each other’s deeper emotions.

I offer compassionate and evidence-based therapy to help you navigate life's difficulties. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or trauma, I can provide the support and tools you need to heal and grow. I'm here to listen without judgment and offer guidance on your journey toward healing and well-being. Together, we'll explore your thoughts and feelings, develop coping strategies, and build resilience. I believe in your ability to overcome challenges and achieve your goals. Through therapy, we'll work collaboratively to identify your strengths, develop practical solutions, and empower you to live a fulfilling life. I am available to clients across the state, allowing you to visit with me in the comfort of your home through telehealth, whether it be during the week or in the evenings or on weekends.

I believe that my mission in life is to help others by providing the space in which they can share their struggles and concerns without judgment. Life is difficult, and more than anything else, I think we all crave to be listened to. I enjoy listening, and I like to help others to listen, too. By listening carefully we can create deep connection with others. Strong connection helps make life a bit easier and more enjoyable. Being a therapist has been a dream of mine ever since I was in middle school and my brother brought his introduction to psychology textbook home from college! I love to understand why we all do the things we do, and I enjoy helping others to understand themselves and those around them better, too.

I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC)

Psychotherapy can help you claim and enjoy more in your life. We can all use help in finding our way at different times in our lives. You may be ready for more happiness in your life, more satisfaction, creativity, success, confidence, peace, friendships - or greater depth to your relationships. You may not have been able to find it on your own. I have experience, training, compassion and a mindful approach that can help you develop traction on the path that is truly yours. My focus is on helping you develop your ability to see yourself, your circumstances and your challenges with a fresh eye, allowing your to create the changes in your life that you really want. To the work that we can do together, I bring over fifteen years of experience as a psychotherapist, plus a depth of understanding from my experience as a husband and father and from my experience as a firefighter and paramedic. The work that I do is not about being broken or ill; it is about being more alive: * Shifting away from negative anticipation and belief in powerlessness, toward actualizing your own authentic power and vitality * Increasing creativity in your life * Living a life infused with clarity as to the abundance available to you, on place of an expectation of scarcity * Discovering the relief and pleasure in living authentically, honestly, as the "real you" * Feeling your feelings, all of them, more fully and with less fear * Finding the pleasure of taking relationships to a deeper level; enlivening friendships and reinvigorating relationships gone stale * Moving beyond the pain of the past - physical, emotional, spiritual or otherwise; letting go of outdated, limiting ideas or beliefs about yourself and finding joy in being alive. You can do this. We'll work to get you there.

In my practice I use a variety of cognitive-behavioral techniques; visual guided imagery, Imago intentional dialogue and exercises, Voice Dialogue, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), EMDR, and stress reduction techniques. I provide a safe, comfortable, compassionate, and fun environment.

Claudette Gadson is currently a Supervisee in Social Work (SISW) Resident of the State of Virginia with years of experience. She treats clients of all ages and specializes in depression, grief, trauma, posttraumatic stress (PTSD), anxiety, and suicidalhomicidal ideation.

As a clinician, I am committed to creating a safe, supportive space where clients feel seen, heard, and understood. My approach is rooted in empathy and a person-centered philosophy, meaning I meet each individual exactly where they are in their journey. I believe healing begins with a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust, respect, and genuine connection. I specialize in helping clients process trauma using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), supporting individuals as they work through complex, life-impacting experiences. In addition to trauma work, I provide compassionate care for those navigating grief, depression, and anxiety. I work with adolescents, teens, and adults, tailoring each session to meet the unique needs and goals of the individual. Whether you are seeking support during a difficult time or looking to better understand yourself, I am here to walk alongside you with care, curiosity, and respect.

Maybe you're a new parent wondering why this doesn't feel the way you expected. Maybe anxiety has been running the show for so long you've forgotten what calm feels like. Or maybe you're in the middle of a life transition — a move, a career shift, a relationship change — and you just need someone in your corner. I'm Shelby, and I get it. I specialize in working with women, couples, and individuals who are navigating the messy, overwhelming parts of life — especially the transition to parenthood, relationship struggles, and those seasons when everything feels uncertain. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in your strengths. I'm not here to fix you — you're not broken. I'm here to help you reconnect with yourself, build skills that actually work, and find your footing again. We'll use mindfulness, practical tools, and honest conversation to help you move from surviving to thriving. I offer telehealth sessions across DC, MD, VA, NY, and FL. If you're ready to feel like yourself again, I'd love to hear from you.