Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?

In 2014, I made the choice to switch career fields from government to mental health. Some probably thought I was being foolish to pursue another career when I already had one at the State Department. But you see, I wanted to give more and see tangible results that improved the lives of others sooner rather than later. This all came about due to a mentorship opportunity with the nonprofit Collegebound where once a week I met with my mentee to help her meet her academic and personal goals. I saw what a difference I could make in the life of someone and volunteering was not enough for me. I enrolled six months later at New York University to pursue a Master's degree in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness. Many years later, I completed my doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from American University. I haven't looked back.

At some point in life, we all feel stuck and need to pivot. Often when we are looking for solutions to our problems the sage advice is to try something NEW. Why? Because our brains respond to novelty – it helps us adapt and manage stress. Therapy for many can be that reset. It takes bravery and grit to start a new therapeutic relationship. I'm so glad you are here today. Let me tell you a bit about me. I'm a licensed Clinical Psychologist in Virginia, military brat, and mother of three little ones. I provide virtual therapy (individuals & couples) and psychological assessment (primarily ADHD and Trauma evaluations) for the DC, MD, VA area (otherwise known as DMV). I specialize in working with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and trauma. I work with adults who are experiencing challenges with concentration, anxiety, eating/body image, depressed mood, flashbacks related to trauma, irritability or a combination of these factors. Many of my clients are amazingly kind, generous, and driven individuals who hold themselves to high standards. Often our work is focused on increasing flexibility, building trust, acceptance and self-compassion. We pivot, when needed, we laugh when it is appropriate. This process is not linear and unique to every person. I'd be honored to begin that process with you whenever you are ready to get started.

I became a therapist because I’ve always been passionate about helping people feel understood and supported during difficult moments in their lives. What motivates me to continue is seeing clients gain insight, build resilience, and make meaningful changes that improve their emotional well-being and relationships.

Hi, I’m Katelyn Barnett, LPC. I work with adults and adolescents navigating anxiety, trauma, relationship stress, and life transitions, helping them build healthier coping skills and gain greater emotional clarity.

I became a therapist because I have always been deeply curious about people. I want to understand how someone’s mind works, what shaped them, and what they need in order to feel safe, seen, and supported. Over time, that curiosity turned into a genuine passion for helping people reconnect with themselves in a way that feels empowering rather than overwhelming. What motivates me to continue is witnessing those small but meaningful shifts. When someone starts to feel a little less alone, a little more regulated, or begins to trust themselves again, that matters to me. I also value creating spaces that feel neuroaffirming, culturally aware, and genuinely human.

Dear future clients, I'm a bilingual therapist fluent in both English and Spanish, dedicated to providing compassionate support and guidance to Neurodivergent individuals (both Autism and ADHD), anxiety, depression, and life transitions. I create a warm and welcoming space where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to navigate their mental health journey. I also offer neurodivergent assessments and group counseling. I am supervised by Cassandra Holt Kimbell, LPCC- S 11336, at Freestyle Supervision and EMDR Group LLC. My approach is rooted in empathy and openness, tailored to each client's unique needs and goals. I'm committed to helping individuals uncover their inner strengths, develop effective coping strategies, and build resilience in the face of life's challenges. If you're struggling with managing Autism or ADHD symptoms, anxiety and depression, or navigating significant life changes, I'm here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can work towards a brighter tomorrow, where you feel empowered to overcome obstacles and live a more fulfilling life. Reach out today and take a step towards positive change.

I thought of becoming a therapist even as a child. I later benefited greatly from therapy myself. I have found being a therapist to be a great privilege as I witness individuals begin to feel and do better.

I hope to explore your story, concerns, and life goals. I provide individual therapy for adults age 18+. I provide therapy to children age 3-12 and their caregivers. I specialize in working with women and children with histories of loss, grief, and trauma. In addition, I have lived experience with autoimmune conditions and can offer an empathetic perspective to those who experience such challenges. I utilize a number of therapeutic approaches including CBT, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and Play Therapy. Play is the child's symbolic language & natural medium of expression. Through play therapy, children can express their experiences, feelings, needs, wishes, and perceptions of themselves, others, and the world. I am in-network with Samaritan and InterCommunity Health Network CCO. I am not able to take other Oregon Health Plans.

I became a therapist because I wanted to help others tackle life's challenges and see their own strengths. I continue working as I believe everyone's therapeutic journey is different and there is so many more people to help. I also wanted to bring something fresh to field and incorporate the use of geek therapy in sessions by pulling from geek culture as a mythological artifact. Take any faction of the pop culture world. Bring it to your mind. There are interesting characters with engaging and completing story lines that weave together to create it's own story web. We can then separate out the lessons they teach: friendship, resiliency, family connections, saving the world, becoming a personal hero, dealing with loss, grief, depression…the lessons buried or contained in these pop culture artifacts can connect in a multitude of ways to teach important life lessons. And these lessons are delivered through characters with whom we can feel connected.

I believe therapy is an adventure of self-discovery—an opportunity to explore your story and uncover your strengths. My approach is collaborative and adaptive, drawing from CBT, ACT, DBT, SFBT, and Person-Centered Therapy, as well as Geek Therapy and the Hero’s Journey framework when it fits your interests. Whether you connect through fandoms like anime, video games, or tabletop RPGs, or prefer a more traditional approach, I meet you where you are. Together, we’ll navigate your challenges, build insight, and move toward a renewed sense of balance and purpose. Every hero’s journey is unique. I look forward to walking beside you as we navigate yours together.

I became a therapist to support people through both their proudest moments and their most difficult challenges. The client–therapist relationship is uniquely powerful—offering a space that can be hard to find anywhere else. I strive to create an environment where clients feel safe showing up exactly as they are, free from judgment, and open to exploring what may be standing in their way. I was especially inspired by the ongoing need for accessible, compassionate mental health support. Navigating life’s most vulnerable moments can feel overwhelming and isolating, and no one should have to face those experiences alone. My goal is to ensure that my clients feel supported in every part of their journey—their pain, challenges, accomplishments, and growth, which is what motivates me to continue.

Haley is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) providing outpatient therapy to teens (16+), adults, and couples. She approaches counseling with the belief that every person has the capacity for growth, healing, and meaningful change. Through a collaborative and compassionate process, she works with clients to better understand the patterns, experiences, and ways of coping that may no longer be serving them. Haley integrates evidence-based approaches to support clients in exploring their internal experiences, strengthening their emotion regulation skills, and developing greater self-awareness and self-compassion. Haley is committed to creating a warm, empathetic, and judgment-free space where clients feel heard, respected, and supported as they work toward lasting and meaningful growth.

I became a therapist because I saw how many people were taught to survive instead of truly live. Trauma doesn’t just come from what happened — it comes from the systems, relationships, and environments that told you who you had to be to stay safe. I was drawn to this work because I believe healing is not about “fixing” yourself, but about uncovering who you were before you had to adapt, hide, or harden. What motivates me to continue is walking alongside people as they begin to trust themselves again. Trauma can disconnect you from your body, your voice, and your sense of identity. Therapy becomes a space to gently excavate what was buried — your instincts, your boundaries, your worth — and to build a life that isn’t organized around fear or survival, but around choice and authenticity. I believe healing is an act of empowerment. It’s about learning to feel safe enough to be real, to take up space, and to decide who you want to be outside of the roles trauma assigned you. My work is rooted in helping people reclaim themselves — not as they were told to be, but as they truly are.

I’m happy to see you! You may feel stuck, moving between overwhelm and numbness. You tried therapy before without lasting relief and find yourself scrolling, staying busy, or avoiding hard feelings to get through the day. In relationships, you may hold back, worry about conflict, or feel responsible for keeping the peace. You’re not looking for quick fixes anymore—you want to understand why these patterns keep showing up and get to the root of what’s driving them. You’re ready to reconnect with yourself and others, build self-acceptance, break long-standing patterns, and move toward a life that feels more grounded and authentic. I bring 12 years as an occupational therapist into my trauma-informed therapy work, helping people heal by addressing both mind and body. Using EMDR and body-based approaches, we explore relationship patterns, anxiety, depression, and the effects of trauma and emotionally abusive experiences—supporting lasting, meaningful change. I'm honored to help you rediscover who you were before outside forces made you doubt your worth. I'm passionate about supporting you to understand your emotions, reclaim your agency, and build an authentic, fulfilling life. Walking alongside you as you reconnect with yourself and create meaningful change is deeply meaningful to me.

I had a very turbulent childhood and dealt with anxiety and depression as an adolescent. Having people invest in me, believe in me and see past the behaviors really helped me get better and heal. I hope to be a support for others going through hard seasons...

Hello, my name is Jessica and I am a marriage and family therapist in California. I specialize in offering trauma-informed care. I am bilingual in Spanish. I work with children, teenagers and adults. My approach is client-centered and integrates CBT and DBT interventions that will help clients to challenge negative thinking patterns and identify healthy coping skills that are sustainable for them.

I became a counselor because I have a passion to help others to create their best selves.

Located outside of Austin, TX. Since graduating from Texas State University with a Master's in Professional Counseling, I have gained over 15 years of experience in working with individuals and families with addiction issues. I have worked with both adolescents and adults. I have experience dealing with issues related to trauma, anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. My approach to counseling to be the person to help guide you on your journey and provide outside insight and observation. I used humor and laughter during session and believe it is an important tool. Most of all I believe it is about finding the right fit and I hope to be your right fit on your journey. Let's get started!!!

I chose this field to combine clinical expertise with compassionate care. I’m motivated by the impact thoughtful treatment can have on a person’s quality of life and by partnering with patients as they work toward stability and well-being.

Hello, I’m Dr. Francesca Derius, a psychiatric nurse practitioner dedicated to helping individuals achieve emotional balance and clarity. I offer personalized, supportive care grounded in clinical excellence, empathy, and respect for your unique journey.