Taylor Lerner, Psy.D.

Welcome to my practice! Therapy can be a powerful tool in relieving distress, learning about oneself, and living a more fulfilled life. I believe that at the heart of successful therapy is a collaborative, open, and warm relationship. Through curiosity and acceptance, I help my clients gain more appreciation for their emotions, assist them in recognizing their strengths, and aid them in identifying opportunities for growth. I strive to help my clients obtain the tools necessary to overcome roadblocks, which often keep them from reaching their full potential. I work with clients from diverse backgrounds and life stages and welcome the opportunity to treat individuals facing a wide range of concerns. Given my training and experience working with adolescents, college/graduate students, and young professionals, I have a deep understanding of the challenges these individuals face as they navigate life transitions. In particular, I specialize in helping individuals with self-esteem concerns, relationship difficulties, depression, anxiety, trauma/loss, and disordered eating. Taking the step to begin therapy can be difficult. With the right therapist, however, therapy can be an important and rewarding tool to living a more satisfying, authentic, and fulfilled life. I invite you to contact me to see if I may be a good fit for you. My office is metro-accessible, conveniently located in the Dupont Circle area of Washington, D.C. I have daytime and evening hours available.

At the core of my philosophy is the understanding that a nurturing, open, and trusting relationship is paramount for therapy to be successful. To that end, I bring warmth, curiosity, and compassion to my clinical work and aim to foster a safe space where you can freely express your thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. While therapy can be hard work, I aim to work collaboratively with you, to respectfully challenge you, and to assist you on a path toward personal growth and positive change. I believe that everyone possesses strengths and the resources to overcome obstacles; my role will be to help you discover, activate, and build upon your innate abilities in order to live a life you want and deserve. As a psychodynamically-trained therapist, I believe that our early life experiences shape the way we understand ourselves and interact with those around us. In our work together, I aim to help you identify and become more mindful of the origins of your problematic thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is with this increased insight and deepened understanding that you may learn to live more flexibly, authentically, and with a greater sense of self-compassion. Because everyone is unique, I tailor my work to fit each individual's needs, integrating other treatment modalities when appropriate.