I work to foster an environment of open communication, where clients feel safe to express knowing they won't be judged or their concerns disregarded.

Hello, I am an LPC who is passionate about supporting all my clients through current stressors until growth and healing occurs. I listen, process the desire, and utilize the best theoretical approach in efforts to gain measurable success. The desire to help through listening and establishing reasonable goals. What drives me are the passionate individuals who are self-aware regarding change.

I believe that our most important periods of growth come out of our most painful moments and circumstances. I have chosen this profession because I believe in the power of working though pain to a better end. I consider it a privilege and an honor to participate in your journey to wellness. I work to create a safe, non-judgmental space for you to explore, in-depth, the reasons for unwanted emotions or circumstances, allowing you to overcome your challenges and to be able to better cope. I am truly a generalist, trained to help with a wide range of concerns. However, I do have a few particular specialties. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, and disordered eating. I also specialize in couples therapy and in the treatment of children and adolescents. I am a certified Gottman couples therapist, and I use Play Therapy techniques when treating children. I am also trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Systems, Psychodynamic Treatment, and Trauma-Focused CBT. Please reach out to see if I might be the right therapist for you or your loved one.

Accepting new clients- Life is hard. Most of us want to think that it gets easier but that only occurs when our skills (emotional, mental, physical, spiritual) improve. Therapy is the perfect place to learn and practice new skills while getting the encouragement to make it through life's toughest moments. And I am ready for you. I work with all clients and specialize in the BlackBrown communities, LGBTQ population, couples, and adolescents. I value intersectionality, solutions-focused work, and holistic practices. I specialize in following therapies: cognitive-behavioral, play, solutions-focused & strengths based. I value & support parent educationcounseling especially as parents navigate through the school system while raising a child with mental health concerns. I strongly value a holistic & organic approach to mental health progress. As a Counselor in an urban setting, I understand the time and transportation constraints that many clients may face. Therefore, I am able to provide on-site services (in-home andor confidential setting) or in my office.

My approach to therapy is largely cognitivebehavioral, with a strong emphasis on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) techniques, specifically learning to be mindful- noticing and accept your thoughts, feelings and physical sensations- while committing to behavior that is consistent with your own values. My experiences both in and out of the work setting are fairly broad so I feel I can address most issues clients present with. My style is engaging and supportive. I view our relationship as a partnership. I will spend the majority of our first sessions together listening to get to know you better. I believe that everything in our lives is interrelated, so at times I may let our focus move to whatever is particularly troubling to you that day. At other times, I may focus you back on the current problem we are trying to solve. I am married with two children and have had two career changes. I have experienced a wide variety of life stressors and have sought help when needed. I believe that these experiences have provided me with empathy, perspective and coping skills that I can use to help you.

I am a Resident in Counseling with over 2 years of experience, and I specialize in working with caregivers, as well as individuals managing anxiety, depression, parenting challenges, relationship concerns, and life adjustments. My goal is to create a supportive, safe space where clients feel heard and understood. I am passionate about guiding people through life’s challenges and helping them develop tools that foster growth, resilience, and lasting positive change.

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with one of our therapists, please use the contact form on our WEBSITE www.imaracounseling.com and a member of our intake team will be in touch with you within 24 business hours. Unlike many other practices you reach out to, we will respond and do our best to schedule you with someone who can assist you.

When we feel stuck in our lives, for weeks, or years, it can take a toll on us in ways we may not see. Time passes and we don't feel any further in our life. We're left feeling exhausted and alone in our pain. My name is Ryan, and I provide therapy for people who are looking to break free. Whether it's poor relationships, anxiety, depression, substance or process addictions, trauma, or a desire to deepen their connection with others, I help my clients find strength, flexibility, and compassion, returning themselves to the feeling of being whole. My job is to guide you through the things that have been holding you back in your life. I'm experienced in both modern and historical approaches; psychodynamic, attachment-based, internal family systems, addiction, and psychosynthesis. Regardless of the style of therapy, I specialize in creating safe holding for exploring emotional depth and healing.

Finding the right therapist can feel daunting. It might help you make your decision to know I felt I had to earn the right to accompany my clients on their psychological journeys. I earned that right not just through formal education, but also by embarking on the same psychological journey upon which I would ultimately accompany my clients. I offer therapy in a private, tranquil, picturesque office setting. Please give me a call to discuss how I can help you navigate the challenges you're facing.

You feel caught in cycles that no longer serve you, but after so long, you don’t know any other way. In the quiet moments, you might find yourself wondering, “What is wrong with me?” That stress often feels like a spring winding tighter in your chest: a constant state of waiting for the other shoe to drop, or a quiet numbing of your own feelings and boundaries just to get through the day. I want to offer you a different perspective: What if nothing is actually wrong with you? You aren’t malfunctioning; you are adapting. You are experiencing the exhaustion of a system that has worked overtime to help you survive. As an Internal Family Systems (IFS) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapist, I offer therapy for clients in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Together, we build a relationship with protective parts and gently process how trauma is held in the body and nervous system, at a pace that feels safe and supportive.

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.

I believe in meeting each client where they are. There is not one way to help someone resolve a problem in their life. I believe in helping my clients find the right path that works for them and following along beside them to provide wisdom in their lives to take the next steps and make better choices. A mental health professional should go above and beyond for their clients and I believe in this whole heartedly. My motto is "get me in your life and out of your life quickly so that you can live happy!"