Therapists for college students near Washington, DC

My approach to therapy is compassionate, collaborative, holistic and individualized, meeting you where you are. I am passionate about the process of therapy and will help you to develop insight, identify and reach your goals and enhance wellness. I specialize in treating couples and individuals coping with mental health and relationship concerns. My aim is to engage in collaboration to illuminate, foster insight and clarify what is within as well as the path ahead. I have over fifteen years of psychotherapy experience working with individuals, couples and families utilizing a combination of DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), MBCT (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Psychodynamic and Relational techniques among other modalities. My goal is to provide a safe place for growth, development and healing. Please take the first step and schedule a free 15 min phone consultation to meet and discuss how to proceed.

I believe we all grow and heal differently. Sometimes it's through exercise, music, quality time with loved ones or the occasional tv marathon; and sometimes it's through the relationship created in therapy where your whole self can be seen without judgment or shame. I support high schoolers, college & graduate students, and adults dealing with a range of concerns including depression, anxiety, major life & relationship transitions, identity development, as well as those seeking an edge in sport/mental performance. I bring an honest, curious, and eclectic approach, striving to make therapy flexible and interactive. I am solution-focused, often combining IFS and CBT with motivational enhancement, mind-body integration, mindfulness, and positive psychology. I aim to highlight and expand your compassion, courage, confidence, and coping skills. If you are adjusting to something new, discovering who you are, or motivated to make a meaningful change, let's dive in. Together, we will work towards harnessing your inner strengths while mending the parts that make life feel challenging. I look forward to greeting you with patience, acceptance, and warmth.

I am a holistic psychotherapist with over 12 years of experience treating trauma (PTSD/CPTSD), anxiety, depression, ADHD and grief and loss. I am licensed in DC and Virginia, with both virtual and in-person openings. My office is steps off the redline metro in Dupont Circle. While I work with teens and adults, I particularly enjoy working with college students who want to alleviate stress, adjust to college life demands, and improve their relationships. I have advanced training psychodynamic work, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and Internal Family Systems. To start this work, you don’t need to know exactly what it is you are looking for or the words to identify what’s specifically going on in your life. All you need to know is you want something more. Together, we’ll process the past, discuss the present, and work toward the future you want and deserve. We’ll untangle emotions to gain more clarity and confidence. You’ll learn to listen to your body’s wisdom to guide your healing. And we’ll move at a pace that works for you. In our initial sessions, we will better understand your therapy goals collaborate to create a plan for addressing them in a way that helps you get your life back. Most of my clients see a gradual lifting of symptoms within the first few weeks and sustained improvement thereafter. Please call or email to schedule a free 15 minute consultation to talk about whether I would be a good fit for you as a therapist. I look forward to meeting you!

Adulting can feel exciting, overwhelming, confusing, and all things in between. Whether you're navigating college, career stress, family dynamics, relationships, or simply trying to figure out who you are and where you're headed, I'm here to provide support. I specialize in working with teens and young adults who are feeling stuck, anxious, disconnected, or unsure about their next steps. I have extensive experience working with clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, suicidal ideations, relationship challenges, low self esteem, and personality disorders. I recognize the importance of building a therapeutic relationship, as I believe it is the foundation for effective therapy. I aim to hold a space that's non-judgmental and real, where you can bring in what's hard, what's confusing, and what's hopeful. If you’re looking for a therapy space where you can both cry & laugh, I’m here when you’re ready!

Are you feeling stressed? Unbalanced? Is the college transition overwhelming? We help you find your roots and live life fully. We work with clients experience educational stressors, career stressors, going through life transitions and having adjustment difficulties. Contact us today to start your journey in feeling so rooted in yourself that nothing disturbs your peace.

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I am a licensed professional counselor with extensive experience supporting individuals through periods of growth, healing, and self-discovery. My background includes working with young adults, college students, and culturally diverse populations, which has deepened my commitment to providing affirming, inclusive care. I specialize in helping clients manage anxiety, depression, identity exploration, and relationship challenges. Drawing from evidence-based approaches, I tailor therapy to each person’s unique goals and experiences, ensuring that our work together feels meaningful and empowering. My aim is to offer a space where you feel understood, supported, and equipped with practical tools to navigate life’s challenges and build a future that feels authentic to you

Joseph Melendez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He is licensed in DC, Virginia, Florida, Maryland and New York. He graduated from New York University with a Bachelor’s and Master of Social Work. Joseph is heavily involved with the LGBTQIA+ community and is a proud affirming provider. Additionally, he actively supports and works with individuals with disabilities, an area that is often overlooked. Joseph is a holistic and integrative therapist and his core principles are compassion, collaboration, and transparency. He has extensive experience in counseling individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, work/life balance stressors, life transitions, substance use, and other areas. He provides counseling to couples and families to address stress, communication concerns, and conflict. Joseph utilizes various approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Interpersonal Therapy, Existential Therapy, Gottman Training and Parent Management Training. He is committed to helping clients feel their best and believes clients are the experts in their journey. Joseph hopes to work with you soon!

I work with adolescents, teenagers, and adults who have experienced or are currently experiencing anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, negative thoughts, and relationship difficulties. I help clients to develop skills to manage or eliminate symptoms related to negative thoughts, mood disorders, personality disorders and more. I take the time to fully understand what’s going on in every situation, so our solutions reflect the whole picture, not just one piece. I am skilled at evaluating, diagnosing, and treating psychological and mental health disorders; providing direct, compassionate care to clients; and helping them recognize, and put into practice preventative measures. I am committed to understanding each client and creating treatment plans to set them up for long-term success. I use motivational interviewing, TF-CBT, DBT, and relaxation strategies to help clients regulate and improve daily functioning. I enjoy helping clients find solution oriented strategies, become self-aware, and identify negative thoughts or emotions.

The Sterling Group is a team of therapists that specializes in supporting college students and young adults. Being an 'adult' and having it all 'figured out' can feel like a lot of pressure. What they don't tell you is the road to adulthood doesn't end in college, when we graduate, or even in the few years following! Life as a college student can be hard and complicated, but therapy doesn't have to be! Our team at The Sterling Group is made up of therapists who 'get it.' We understand today’s unique demands and pressures of being a young adult. We’ve been there ourselves and our expertise is in helping you get unstuck. It is possible to unlearn negative patterns and replace them with new tools to better handle the hard stuff. We’re here to help you regain a sense of empowerment and control over your life and better manage whatever challenges come your way. Therapy doesn’t have to be stuffy or intimidating. Whether meeting virtually or in our office, our priority is to create a space where you feel comfortable and at ease to be yourself. We’re made up of therapists who have been exactly where you are. And we are as goal-oriented and outcomes-driven as the clients we work with. We want you to see early results so you start to see change and gain confidence in yourself and your continued progress.

I work with folks to navigate challenges with life transitions, self-image, relationships, anxiety, stress management, trauma, grief, perfectionism, and burnout.

I believe in the power of my clients to make positive changes in their lives once they gain the necessary insight and skills in our sessions. As a therapist, I seek to empower clients as they explore, express and honor their truth. I draw from humanistic and multicultural frameworks to gain a better understanding of clients’ experiences. To respect the diversity in my clients’ needs, the interventions I use follow an integrative approach, including: interpersonal, cognitive-behavioral, and mindfulness-based methods. I have several years clinical experience working in university mental health settings, and thus have a strong skill-set in supporting the concerns of undergraduate, graduate students and young professionals. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety, mood, relationship concerns, identity development, and life transitions. I also have expertise in addressing concerns related to international and immigrant identities (especially Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African individuals). To find out more about my approach and to see whether we might be a good fit, please give me a call for a free phone consultation.

The transition to college or graduate school can be a time of tremendous change. Adapting to new environments, relationships and levels of independence can feel overwhelming in even the best of circumstances. For those who are navigating mental health challenges, complicated family or friend dynamics, shifts in identity, grief, or loss, that transition can generate feelings of anxiety, panic or paralysis that may affect daily functioning. I was a client long before I became a therapist, so I know how daunting it can be to open yourself up to a stranger – to let them see those private parts of yourself that might have been a source of judgment, fear, pain or shame. It took me many years to ask for help, in part because I viewed it as a sign of weakness. Now, through the lens of both my professional and lived experiences, I see this first step you are taking for what it is – one of the ultimate signs of strength. I honor the courage it took to access that strength. I can’t guarantee that the work ahead will be easy – but you won’t have to do it alone. My goal as a therapist is to meet you where you are and walk with you as you move toward where you want to be. I strive to create a therapeutic space that is authentic, safe and non-judgmental. My approach to our work together is relationship-based and trauma-informed. I believe that therapy is most effective when the connection between client and therapist is grounded in trust and compassion. I invite you to reach out so that we can explore, together, whether I might be the right person to join you on your journey toward new insights, self-awareness and growth. Please note that discounts are available to full-time students on a case-by-case basis.

I am a pragmatic practitioner who combines an extensive background in humanistic, interpersonal, and psychodynamic theory with cognitive behavioral techniques. My aim is to get to know each client as an individual and not rely on a pre-determined program for what works. Everyone is different. I especially enjoy working with clients who are curious about themselves and willing to take the risk of seeing and understanding themselves more clearly in order to make the behavioral changes they need to improve their lives. Of course, there are times when anyone may be in difficult situations that are not of our doing (for example, dysfunctional family systems, mistreatment by those who have power/authority, COVID restrictions) and the changes we need to institute are better self-care and more compassion. As a Ph.D. Psychologist with a post-doctoral fellowship in group and couples, my practice offers individual, couples, and group psychotherapy.

Anxiety, depression, life transitions, or challenges in your personal or professional life can leave you feeling drained and overwhelmed. Managing these challenges is not something that you need to figure out on your own. Therapy is an effective way to help you gain better understanding of yourself and to create tools to help overcome the negative feelings and challenges that are impacting your life. I welcome the opportunity to work with you to begin putting your unique tool kit together and moving towards a more meaningful and fulfilling life. I'll work with you in a non-judgmental, collaborative, and supportive way. With empathy, warmth, and humor, I'll bring my knowledge and extensive experience into our work together, and tailor your therapy to you. When we meet, I think you will find I'm down to earth, clear, and compassionate.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Whether you're feeling inundated by challenging life experiences, navigating life transitions, or struggling with a relationship that's depleting your personal resources, I welcome the opportunity to work with you. You don't have to figure this out on your own. The fundamental value of therapy is being able to speak with an empathic person about what is happening in your life. It is an opportunity to be heard and recognized in the midst of whatever is occurring for you. Believing that within you is the capacity to create contentment and growth, is at the heart of personal change. With empathic support and understanding comes the opportunity to develop insight around your perceptions of yourself and the world. As an Integrative Psychotherapist, I employ a range of approaches based on your personal style and needs. If you're considering therapy but not sure whether it's for you, I invite you to call me for a free consultation. My office is located steps from Dupont Circle Metro. I congratulate your courage to reach out for help and look forward to accompanying you on this journey.