Family Therapy in Washington, DC

My name is Nakia Watson. I am a licensed clinical social worker and have been working in the field for over a decade. Clients that I typically work with are those who may be experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, work conflict, relationship/family conflict, or life transitions. I often use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in my work with clients. I am a firm believer in the potential of mindfulness methods; grounding, deep breathing, and guided meditation just to name a few. I utilizes empathy, collaboration, and active listening to empower the individuals I work with.

There are times when things are not going as well as we'd like in our family, social or work relationships, particularly post-Covid. You may feel alone, depressed, anxious, or have conflict or discomfort with those you care about. In my psychotherapy practice I help couples, individuals & families restore their sense of well being and connection. People learn how to be more present and intentional in accordance with their values. Partners learn to be safely available to each other through a dialogue process that teaches more effective listening, deeper understanding and empathy. In person and Telehealth meetings are offered.

Grounded in the alliance between the patient and clinician, psychotherapy provides a forum to communicate, organize, and manage thoughts and feelings. Treatment focuses on the expression and examination of emotion, exploration of avoidances, and identification of recurring themes and patterns. In addition to the cathartic impact, psychotherapy engenders flexibility of thought, tolerance, and opportunities to make more informed choices. I provide individual, couples, and family therapy for a variety of concerns, including: • Depression • Anxiety • Trauma • Relational difficulties and interpersonal conflict • Life transitions • Loss and grief • Stress management.

Specializing in working with individuals aged 14 and above, I offer a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore and address a variety of mental health challenges. My expertise includes mood disorders, family dysfunction, religious trauma, and supporting adults who have experienced childhood trauma. I have a deep understanding of the unique stressors faced by teenagers, particularly those dealing with high stress and relational aggression. I use an empathetic and holistic approach to empower clients to navigate their emotional struggles and develop effective coping strategies for a healthier, more balanced life.

I work with adults of all ages on a variety of issues including but not limited to ADHD,anxiety,depression, family conflict, coping, adjustment, and quarter- and mid-life crises. As a life-long competitive athlete, I also work on issues within the sports psychology realm. I will work with you as a partner to define your goals, identify what may be holding you back from living the life you want, and explore realistic ways to make positive change. I offer a safe, honest, and judgment-free space to share and grow. I incorporate cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and mindfulness approaches to tap into and leverage your many strengths.

Do you keep asking yourself "When is this going to get better?" or "Why can't I figure this out?" or "Why does this keep happening?" Your past experiences might be causing you to be fearful or angry or defensive and negative feelings often get us stuck in unhelpful repetitive patterns. When those feelings and patterns are interrupting your productivity at work or are causing communication or connection problems with friends, family members, and romantic partners, counseling can help.

Do you: Feel stuck and unable to move forward? Want to perform better under pressure? Feel overwhelmed and anxious? I help people manage the tension between what one has already achieved and what one still ought to accomplish. Together we explore questions about why powerful feelings and thoughts emerge, and how these emotions can be expressed and attended to in the most beneficial way.

Strengthening Prides uses evidence based treatments designed to empower youths and help them acquire the tools needed to fortify cohesiveness within home, school, and the community.

I view therapy as a process that can facilitate healing and change, as well as understanding and fulfillment. Whether stuck in a conflicted relationship, feeling lost, struggling with depression or anxiety, adjusting to a transition or life change, feeling unable to break unhealthy patterns or resolve past issues and pain, it can be difficult to know where to start. Together, we can explore the issues you face and identify the direction you want your life to take and the steps needed to get you there. Once established, our relationship can provide the foundation and safety for this process.

Limitless Possibilities provide clients the respect, privacy, and confidentiality that every human being deserves. We seek to create a safe and nurturing environment, free of judgment and criticism. We provide a safe atmosphere where one can search within themselves to find answers through greater self-awareness and self-directed growth.The goal is to empower our clients to work towards improving their decision-making skills and practices through reflection, targeted insight, and strategic goal setting. We are excited to assist our clients with taking the next steps in finding their way towards healing, and peace.

I believe that each individual that seeks therapy makes an important decision to create a change. I understand that asking for help and taking the first step feels difficult. I am qualified with professional and life experience for 30 years to assist you in making the desired change. I am sincerely committed, enthusiastic, dedicated, and available to assist you to take charge and create that positive desired outcome to discover the road to recovery. My mission is to provide quality psychotherapy and recovery services for late teens, adults, couples, and families for them to reach their fullest potential and personal growth.

Please note that all sessions are via tele-medicine. I believe that clients seeking counseling services desire tools for living a better life, and I strive to provide those tools. I do not push change on clients, but rather helps them articulate how they want their lives to be, and then collaboratively set out to put the foundation in place to create that life. I feel that clients gain the most from the counseling experience when they feel supported, encouraged, and understood by their therapist. This process works best in a warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental space, which I provide.

The Community Counseling Services Center (CCSC) is a training clinic located at The George Washington University, near the Foggy Bottom metro. We provide affordable mental health counseling services to individuals within the Washington, DC metro area. We offer evidence-based individual, family, career, and couples counseling to address a wide variety of mental health concerns, relationship issues, and interpersonal challenges. Our clinicians are master’s students in our Clinical Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling programs and doctoral students in our Counseling and Supervision Ph.D. program.

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. 

The current climate of our society has been a stressful and enduring situation for people which has lead to or uncovered trauma, anxiety, or other overwhelming thoughts. It can be difficult to navigate these mental health stressors by ourselves or even with the support of friends and family. This is why reaching out for professional support can be impactful as you are able to discuss stressors in an empathic space and gain healthy coping skills.

My passion is teaching people how to realize their potential. I can help you let go of old patterns and fears and develop more of your SELF. I bring 30 years of experience helping people face their challenges in more constructive ways. Adversity can unleash creativity and new parts of your SELF rather than leave you cynical, isolated and exhausted. I have significant expertise in treating trauma and other mental health issues that perpetuate unhealthy patterns. With an integrative, gentle approach, I will support you in building your own internal and external resources to make vital changes in your life.

Welcome— I’m so glad you’re here. I’m Terah Ryan, a Clinical Social Worker and therapist in Maryland and the District of Columbia. It’s my commitment to create a safe place for you to explore your thoughts, emotions, patterns, and relationships to create a more meaningful self. I work with adults of all ages experiencing concerns such as chronic illness, grief, loss, relationship or family issues, anxiety, and troublesome or stressful life transitions. My clients find me to be supportive, collaborative, and direct. I also have substantial experience working with healthcare professionals and supporting caregivers of loved ones.

Loss is the universal human condition. At times, all of us move with a sense of "lostness" - be it around a death, a relationship, our sense of safety, hopes for the future. Yet as a culture, we have a hard time being with loss and accompanying grief. I believe that loss and grief deserve attention. You may know exactly why you are seeking therapy, or you may something may just feel off. My role is to help you learn about yourself and your losses. I hold special interest and skill supporting people with experiences of infertility/pregnancy loss, relationship loss, trauma, illness and death and dying.

My approach to therapy is to create a context in which individuals, couples and families can know themselves in terms of their inherent strengths, competencies and capacities. I believe that when people experience themselves this way, they are most able to deal with stress, disruption, anxiety and depression in their lives. In my work with families and couples, I focus on interpersonal connection and work to help people experience the ways in which they make a positive difference to one another.