Humanistic Therapists in Washington, DC

We all carry within us a dream, a purpose, a strength that flows, like water through our veins and every part of our being. It even flows through fear, pain, disappointment and all sorts of perceived failure. It gives meaning to life. It heals. It inspires. DreamWell LLC was born out of my dream to facilitate healing and to positively impact the lives of others. I hope to empower and support you in addressing the issues that have interrupted the flow of your personal and professional life and dreams.

I am accepting new clients at the moment via secure app. Sending that first message can be hard, but is also so empowering. I'll be excited to work with you towards your goals. Anywhere you are in your life. Therapy changes lives. My approach is integrative, humanistic, short, strategic with focus on Transactional Analysis. The ultimate goal of TA is Autonomy (freedom from a childhood script) that is achieved when 3 skills are released or recovered: Awareness, Spontaneity, and Intimacy. Cure as an ideal rather than merely making progress and learning new choices. We share a contract of change. Therapy has a beginning and an end.

Are you suffering from the effects of PTSD, anxiety, depression, sudden loss, and/or chronic pain? If so body-oriented psychotherapy may help facilitate your recovery. By working to address the root causes of nervous system imbalance, a body-psychotherapy approach can empower you with tools and skills to re-negotiate and resolve difficult and traumatic experiences. My approach in therapy is client-centered and my work is just to facilitate and provide the optimal conditions for healing to take place. I also hope to impart knowledge and skills for people to work with themselves effectively outside of therapy.

Welcome to a space where healing, growth, and self-discovery are at the heart of every conversation. I’m thrilled that you’re considering embarking on this journey with me. As a therapist, I bring a unique blend of empathy, understanding, and cultural sensitivity to our sessions. Life has its way of presenting us with challenges, and it’s a testament to your strength that you’re seeking support. In our time together, my goal is to create an environment where you feel heard, valued, and empowered to explore the depths of your thoughts and emotions.

Being in distress and discomfort is hard, tiring, and sometimes discouraging. "I'm struggling with something, but what can I do about it?" "Why is it so easy for everyone else?" "I just want out of my head, and back into my life." I believe successful therapy is a collaborative effort that helps you build a real, authentic, and happy life. Therapy can be helpful when sensitive topics and difficult challenges feel intimidating and overwhelming. As your therapist, I will listen to and learn about your challenges. We'll find a pace that works for you and I'll help you keep your goals in focus. 

Therapy is a powerful tool for change. I believe that therapy works when people feel safe and challenged. The goal is for you to feel more competent, hopeful and happy in life. I will work with you to explore, understand and find strategies to move out of difficult situations. You may be searching for therapy because you are depressed, anxious, have low self esteem or feel stuck. You may be struggling with questions of identity, issues of fertility, career possibilities, unhappy relationships, aging parents, retirement. Change can happen at any age.

Finding a place we can trust to tell our stories is essential to finding a path to healing, recovery, and transformation. Therefore, it is essential to find someone that can help you reach your potential to transform your life. We all are born with an innate capacity to develop happy and healthy lives. However, sometimes life experiences such as hurts and traumas can interfere with our development and we may become unhappy or unsatisfied with our lives and adopt self-defeating thinking and behavioral patterns.

I enjoy working with individuals, couples, and families. When thinking about the stages of change, I prefer to meet clients where they are; and am willing to work at a pace they feel comfortable with at the start of treatment. Individuals come to treatment with a myriad of goals and needs. Specific issues may be difficult to pinpoint. However, one of my goals in the overall process is to see clients who are open to changing their current dynamic or patterns, with the hope of a more favorable outcome.

My ideal client(s) are those struggling with both trauma and relationships. Trauma can deeply impact how we relate to others, whether it be experiences from childhood that have persisted in creating struggles over the life course, or impactful instances in adulthood a person still struggles with. I am especially interested in people who struggle with attachment issues in relationships. The ideal client is one who is receptive to change, can take ownership of their life, and has the capacity for self-reflection. They would be interested in creating a more fulfilling life for them, based on the meanings the create in their own lives.

Michael F. Shea, LICSW, is a integrative psychotherapist operating a private practice in Washington, DC with over 28 years of experience. Utilizing a holistic approach to health and healing, he integrates the disciplines of Social Work, Mind-Body Medicine, and Spirituality to aid those who seek self-awareness. He works with individuals, couples, families, groups, and corporate executive teams. His specialties include: addictions, mood disorders, pain management, crisis intervention, spiritual crisis, and strategic planning. He is certified by and is on the faculty of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, DC.

Would you like to live a more balanced and fulfilling life and know something needs to change but are not sure where to begin? I help adults gain the insight they need to re-work patterns and beliefs in order to discover who they are and what they want. My style is warm, genuine, and collaborative and my work is rooted in effective therapy techniques with a spirit of creativity. Some of the issues I address include: depression, anxiety, self-esteem, eating disorders and body image, relationships, creative and career fulfillment, and navigating life transitions and existential dilemmas. Read more at www.fionagriffintherapy.com.

Phoenix Counseling Centre is a Christ-based organization that serves to provide individual, family, child, marriage and autism diagnostic therapy services. Phoenix Counseling Centre was founded on the principles of Christ. We believe honesty, integrity and compassion are the cornerstone of our practice. Our clinicians are dedicated to the personal growth of each individual client; each with years of experience in counseling. Our humanistic approach is client-centered and based in the Jungian and Rogerian theoretical perspectives. We work cooperatively with each client to eliminate barriers to their personal mental health.

The journey of life is complex. We can often find ourselves struggling with difficult emotions, challenging circumstances, and protective parts that no longer serve us. Sometimes, these patterns can be greater understood by connecting with the influences of our past. I also believe our lives are greatly influenced by the relationships around us and how we show up in them. As a therapist, I value creating a collaborative and authentic space for you to explore your relationships, your experiences, and yourself. Together, we will work to move towards empowerment, self-acceptance, and self-compassion.

My belief that the therapeutic relationship is the key element of successful treatment informs my practice. This working relationship, based on mutual trust and shared goals, allows for self-exploration and ultimately personal growth. In working with individuals, couples, families and/or groups I think that connecting the dots between past and present allows the client to have a better grasp on what is influencing her/his feelings and life choices leading to greater empowerment and life satisfaction.

Accepting NEW Clients Online and In-Person. I help clients grow, heal and learn new ways to manage the stress and anxiety of work/life balance. I help clients who are struggling with identity based stress. I provide a safe environment for couples to work on improving their relationship. With a deep passion for helping others, I have dedicated my career to providing a safe and compassionate space for individuals from diverse backgrounds. My goal has always been to create a supportive environment where my clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, and relationships. I have worked extensively with African American youth and adults.

Have you experienced a recent or past traumatic event? Do you have trouble expressing how you feel? I have advanced training in working with survivors of trauma, and extensive experience working with families who struggle to communicate effectively. I use the therapeutic relationship to create a safe space for clients to explore thoughts and feelings in order to set goals and move forward. Primarily using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness techniques, individuals are able to heal from past experiences and to lead satisfying and productive lives.

Are you wanting more from yourself yet feel lost or stuck in a life going in circles? Psychotherapy can be an emotionally challenging yet transformative experience that helps you reclaim the vitality of living openly and freely in your truest self. In a compassionate and nonjudgmental setting, our guided and collaborative reflection will help you unlock the past to gain insight into the motivations driving your thoughts and actions in the present. This process of self-discovery can empower you to make real and meaningful changes that promote healing and actualize your capacity for fulfillment and success.

At times the road to your fullest life is found by moving through trauma, rage, loss, and betrayal. How we cope with those hardships is important. Therapy can help you become more aware of suffering, the sources that are causing it, and tools to help you overcome it. I invite us to imagine a life beyond fear, shame, and regret. One where you feel your innate wisdom, compassion, and capacity, to live life more fully despite all of its complexities.

You’re here because something’s not working. Whether it’s a specific event or just life piling up, I can help. Therapy with me blends visual arts with Internal Family Systems (Level 1 trained) parts work to explore your strengths and your stuck spots. You might find my approach beneficial if you relate to any of the following: you see yourself as an overachiever or perfectionist, find it hard to set boundaries, spend a lot of time in your head, struggle to sit with intense emotions, feel lonely despite being surrounded by people, have faced loss or trauma, or want to take up more space in your own life.