I'm an active listener who listens without judgment. I provide reflection while working to understand your concerns and to help clarify issues.

Startasha Dillard is a licensed professional counselor in Virginia and the District of Columbia. She has 16 years of experience in the behavioral health field. She has worked with individuals with both mental health and substance use disorders. She has worked with adults seeking help with addiction, anxiety, stress, depression, trauma, anger, and relationship issues. She creates a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to share, and she always maintains an open ear, flexibility, and awareness necessary to meet the unique needs of the individual.

Are you hoping to deepen your relationships? Wondering where your “person” is? Feeling anxious or confused, or having a hard time imagining your future? Do you want to feel more authentic? Together, we can work toward understanding and growth. Through the relationship between us, we’ll explore how you communicate with others, consider the past experiences that informed who you are, and help you define who you want to become. Through collaborative, interactive sessions in an affirming, nurturing environment, you’ll learn more about yourself and how to implement strategies that enable you to live your life more fully and joyfully. My goal is to help you uncover your potential and establish positive lifestyle changes. With my support, you’ll examine your behavioral patterns, better understand and manage your feelings, and develop skills so that you can enhance your relationships and quality of life. I have over 15 years of experience as a psychotherapist who works with individuals and groups in the DC metro area. I’m psychodynamically trained, but my practice is far from Freudian psychoanalysis. My approach is eclectic - the most important thing to me is our working relationship, so I customize my work to serve you. Working with me, we’ll incorporate techniques from a variety of theories and methods including Relational Psychotherapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

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.

I help people change through developing a greater awareness for all of themselves, which allows them greater resources to deal with the struggles that they are experiencing. As clients develop greater awareness of themselves, including their wants, needs, emotions, and ways of relating to others, they tend to develop a wider range of choices in their lives. They learn to recognize what they do that keeps them from being their best selves. They also learn to tap into and use their own internal wisdom to help guide their choices, developing a greater authenticity in their lives. In relationships, couples and families develop greater intimacy and ability to use conflict to further their relationship through their greater awareness of themselves and their other family members. People I work with also learn with guidance and coaching to experiment with new ways of being with themselves and others in the world, which furthers their growth and development into more happy, fulfilled human beings. As an experienced psychotherapist and former graduate psychology professor, I have developed a wide range of expertise in helping others. I am honored and humbled by the courage and spirit of the people I work with and the struggles they face. I feel privileged to help people come to terms with pain, face challenges, and change their lives.

Mary Alice Fields is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 30 years of experience counseling couples, families, and individuals. Mary Alice earned her Master of Education (MEd) from Lindsey Wilson College.

I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC)

My 25+ years of experience has taught me the importance of making the time to listen and understand before I start making suggestions. This involves understanding each person's life story, administering assessment tools, reviewing relevant records, and interviewing other people that my client and I agree should be involved. I believe strongly in evaluating strengths as well as pain, with my feedback emphasizing the former. I also believe in letting my clients know about what research-based treatments are available to them so that we can collaborate in experiencing transformative change ASAP. I believe in setting life-altering goals before beginning, and checking on progress as we go. My intention is to promote healing, wellness, and happiness as thoroughly and as effectively as possible. With child and teen clients, I use a variety of methods to make each person comfortable (e.g., I use magic to connect with kids and teens, referring to myself as a wizard).

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.

I approach therapy as a partnership between you and me. You know you best and I know mental health. Between the two of us, we will develop a customized approach to help you heal from long-term wounds that just don’t seem to shift with self-help books, podcasts, or short-term work. I work best with individuals who are committed to treatment and thrive in developing a long-term relationship with a provider to help navigate complex issues like generalized anxiety, trauma, dissociation, and attachment issues. Most of my clients work with me on childhood trauma they have spent a lifetime avoiding, but now notice showing up in daily life as panic attacks, insomnia, appetite problems, relationship issues, and unpleasant memories.

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.

Hello beautiful soul, and welcome. I’m so glad you’re here. If you’re considering therapy, it probably means you’re ready to invest in yourself and create meaningful change in your life. That’s a courageous step, and I’m honored to support you on this journey. My approach to therapy is warm, compassionate, and deeply authentic. I believe that healing happens when we feel safe, seen, and supported, so I create a space where you can be fully yourself without judgment. I take a mindful and holistic approach, meaning I don’t just focus on the challenges you’re facing, I honor your strengths, your values, and the unique story that makes you who you are. Together, we’ll explore what’s holding you back, uncover your innate wisdom, and empower you to move forward in a way that feels true to you. I specialize in working with people who tend to prioritize others’ needs above their own, those navigating anxiety or Obsessive Compulsion (OCD), and anyone going through life stage transitions. Many of my clients are working to break free from old patterns, like people-pleasing, perfectionism, or feeling stuck in cycles of worry or self-doubt. If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place. I know how overwhelming it can feel to juggle life’s demands while trying to stay connected to yourself, and I’m here to help you find balance, clarity, and peace. When we work together, you can expect a supportive and collaborative relationship. I’ll meet you where you are, tailoring our sessions to what you need most, whether that’s practical tools to manage anxiety, gentle guidance to set boundaries, or space to process and reflect. I’ll challenge you when it’s helpful and offer insights to help you see things from a fresh perspective, but I’ll always follow your pace and respect your boundaries. My goal is to help you feel more empowered, confident, and grounded—not just in therapy, but in your everyday life. If you’re ready to start, or if you’re curious to learn more, I’d love to connect and see if we’re a good fit. Therapy is a partnership, and finding the right therapist is an important step. You deserve to work with someone who understands and supports you fully. I offer a free 30-minute consultation for anyone looking to explore more details about my services and therapeutic style.