My style is gentle yet firm, supportive yet challenging, as I endeavor to create an environment where clients feel safe to express their true selves in therapy.

Andrea provides a safe, calm, non-judgmental space for engaging in therapy. Although very straightforward, Andrea is validating and approachable.

In my practice, I work with adults, defined as approximately age 20 and older. I work with individual clients, with couples, and with groups. In group therapy, the clients are almost always in individual therapy as well, with me, with my co-therapist, or with another therapist who has referred the client to the group. I work with clients presenting a variety of issues, including: *Depression Relationship Issues *Life Transitions *Anxiety *Addictive Behaviors *GLBT Issues *Anger *Grief and Loss *Sense of Self/Self-Esteem *Men's Issues *Trauma and PTSD *Partners of Abuse Survivors *Adult Children of Alcoholic/Dysfunctional/Abuse Families *Couples Issues, including Re-Marriage, Extramarital Relationships, and Step-Families I have had experience working with diverse groups of people. I have been a consulting psychologist to an orthodox yeshiva, I have worked with Catholic seminarians, I have taught and supervised trainees in a largely Catholic Pastoral Counseling program, and I have taken numerous workshops in working with Gay, Bi, and Lesbian, and Questioning clients. In addition, I have been involved in Multicultural work since 2001, and seek to keep an open mind and continuously question my assumptions about people whose lives are different from mine. I believe that psychotherapy is an interactive process that calls for both the client and the therapist to be as fully involved as possible. Therefore, I participate actively with my patients, sharing my thoughts, impressions, and reactions to what we are talking about. I believe that people can change even long-standing patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior if THEY participate actively. My job is to create a space where clients can be curious and learn about the ways of thinking, feeling, and acting that they bring to their lives, and about how these ways work for them and against them. I create this space by bringing both my professional training and understanding and my human compassion, empathy, and respect. In my practice, I typically meet with people once a week; if there is a need for additional support, or if we decide together that more intense work is called for, meeting twice a week can be very useful. Even meeting once a week allows clients to develop enough comfort with me and with therapy for our work to be effective and helpful. Regarding my theoretical grounding, I have intensive training in Psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral, Gestalt, and Existential therapeutic approaches, and I draw from each of these as the client's situation, needs, and goals call for. Some therapists subscribe to and identify with one school of thought and apply that way of thinking and working to every client. I first work to understand each client's particular issues, needs, and style of thinking and feeling. THEN, I use the approach and methods that I believe would be most useful to that patient, and remain open to using whatever else might work based on what develops. Therefore, my orientation is eclectic, and my methods are determined by the client's personality and needs.

Paula O’Leary is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia who has worked in the mental health field for 15 years in a variety of settings, including outpatient, school, community-based, residential, hospital, and correctional settings.

I have been working in the helping field related to counseling for almost 20 years. In that time I have learned that the best way to help others is to be an excellent listener, to be compassionate, empathetic, and to collaborate with individuals to assist them in gaining the tools that they need to make positive change in their lives. I work hard to encourage clients that the strength for change lies within them and my job is to help them find it. I utilize a great deal of mindfulness based techniques and believe that learning the process of becoming more mindful in life can be extremely beneficial to problem solving and learning to sit with discomfort. As a counselor I do not believe that I have all of the answers or can fix anyone, however, I do believe that if the client is willing to do the work to create change in their life that I can assist them in doing so successfully. Ultimately, my goal for the counseling relationship is to assist clients in managing stress more effectively and learning skills that can be used well after the counseling relationship has terminated, in a straightforward and honest approach.

My primary treatment approach is cognitive-behavioral which is solution-focused and generally shorter-term, however, in reality, we all generally benefit from a variety of therapeutic strategies and i will often utilize complementary and eclectic techniques that enables a more personalized treatment approach and relies on best practices for your specific issues. You will find me to be an active and engaged therapist and we will work together in a team-oriented and collaborative style. I often recommend activities to practice between sessions, and these might include a journal, trying out new communication skills and problem-solving or coping techniques that we have practiced, brief reading assignments, some research, relaxation techniques, and a variety of other options. I believe humor is an important element in the therapeutic process, and to life in general, and I strive to create a relaxing and trusting environment with my clients. I am very happy to answer any questions you might have, and if I am unsure, I will do all that I can to help point you in the right direction. I consider it an honor to assist clients on their personal journey in therapy. Participating in therapy is an important step in reclaiming your happiness and satisfaction and I take me role in providing assistance on that journey seriously as I appreciate the time, cost, and emotional investment of this choice.

I work collaboratively with my clients to help them learn new coping skills, create positive changes, and attain the goals they have for themselves. My clients view me as supportive, nonjudgmental, and practical. I work with professionals, including MDs and attorneys, as well as stay-at-home moms and students. I specialize in helping people manage anxiety and stress, perfectionism, self-esteem issues, codependency and relationship concerns, and depression. I also support clients who are navigating in vitro fertilization (IVF) and a challenging fertility journey. I help my clients create a more balanced, meaningful, and fun life for themselves. This can include managing negative self-talk, learning to be more assertive and set boundaries, and re-evaluating self-care.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 25 years of experience. I’ve worked in both community-based services and private practice, supporting individuals and families facing chronic homelessness, child and family needs, and crisis intervention. I specialize in helping adults navigate relationship challenges, grief, and major life transitions, while fostering growth, peace, and purpose.

Elena Papathanassiou is a Master of Social Work (MSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Virginia who provides therapeutic care to teens and adults seeking help with depression, anxiety, trauma, suicidality, and LGBTQIA+ concerns. She strives to maintain a high level of cultural competency while working with diverse groups of people, with sensitivity to the unique struggles of those with intersecting identities. She completed her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Pittsburgh and her Master of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 4 years of experience supporting individuals through life transitions, anxiety, grief, mood challenges, trauma, and substance use. I specialize in working with adults who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from themselves, their relationships, or their sense of purpose. Many of my clients come to therapy seeking clarity, healing, and a more grounded sense of self. Together, we work to understand patterns that no longer serve them, build resilience, and cultivate meaningful change.

Danielle Ginter is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) in Virginia, with over 7 years of experience assisting adults who need help coping with anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress, trauma, and posttraumatic stress (PTSD).

I provide individual therapy (in person andor virtually) for late adolescents and adults in the greater Washington, DC area and I am PsyPact licensed so can see people in participating PsyPact states. I also provide comprehensive ADHD assessments. I have a particular passion for working with young adults who are figuring out and navigating their next "chapter" of life. I aim to help individuals capitalize on their strengths and work with their limitations, change their responses to interpersonal problems, and help them form new and improved healthy relationships and ways of relating to their world that does not repeat previously unhealthy patterns. By bringing support, encouragement, humor, and a nonjudgmental perspective to our work together, I meet clients where they are, whether they have been to therapy before or are exploring therapy for the first time. Knowing how important the therapy relationship is, my primary goal is to make my clients feel heard, understood, and hopeful. I adapt my approach and style, as needed, to work with my clients' unique needs. I am always happy to jump on the phone for a brief consultation to determine if we may be a good fit to work together.