Therapists in Washington, DC

I am a trauma-informed somatic counselor, working with adults at various life stages. I serve a diverse population, with a particular focus on the experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals. At the core of my practice is the belief that in knowing ourselves, we can show up more authentically with others. Whether your concerns revolve around relationships, sexual identity and gender expression, work-life, anxiety, or depression, I will help you find what you need to navigate your next right steps.

I work with create space for BIPOC, AAPI, Latinx, LGBTQ+ (diverse) clients toprocess their experiences and identify ways to advocate for themselves and manage the impact of their experiences. We'll identify cognitive, emotional and behavioral patterns and your strengths as we work to alleviate or eliminate sex or intimacy related challenges, identity related distress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, pressure or overwhelm, discrimination or privilege, shame, transitions, self-esteem and more. We'll work to manage or reduce the adverse impact relationships and experiences on current cognitive, emotional and behavioural functioning.

Sandhya Sharma is a South Asian Indian LPC and certified addictions specialist who works with: Adults, Teens, LGBTQ community, and International Communities. Sandhya will help create a safe and supportive therapy environment and work with you collaboratively to both accurately assess your strengths as well as areas of struggle. She will develop a treatment plan with you to help you facilitate behavioral changes that more successfully meet your goals. Sandhya will help you look at the ways you have been currently coping with life’s problems and help you to develop new strategies from a strengths-based perspective. 

I believe that resiliency is in each of us. You may have tried multiple ways to create change for yourself and found it difficulty to break out of unhealthy patterns. These feelings may be affecting your work, relationships, or health. I have worked with many individuals and couples who struggle with creating change long term. Whether you've tried therapy before or this is your first time, deciding to step outside your comfort zone and try something different is the first step to a more fulfilling life.

People seek psychotherapy feeling unhappy or helpless to bring about change in their life or fulfill their dreams. Patients are overcome with symptoms of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse or other problems, which in reality are unconscious defenses, blocking repressed feelings about something that went wrong, often in childhood, which is not yet resolved. These defenses once were adaptive, by protecting and helping them survive, but are no longer effective. I help people work through their underlying grief and face their feelings (sadness, anger, disappointment, yearning, powerlessness) surrounding trauma or loss, enabling them to engage in more free, authentic, satisfying lives.

*Now Accepting Tele-therapy Clients* Do you find yourself feeling sad, anxious, unhappy with life circumstances? Are you having relationship difficulties, feel stress from work, or have a child experiencing difficulties? I offer comprehensive assistance to change and work through many of life's challenges. If you find yourself suffering from any of these situations, or if you do not feel quite like yourself, let us help you begin on the road to improvement by addressing patient concerns, including but not limited to the following:

What's wrong with this relationship? The same problems keep on repeating time after time. So what does a study of psychology reveal? A well-trained and experienced psychotherapist can help to shine a light into the dark unconscious places which shroud the mysteries. This helps to bring the issues into consciousness, and once there, allows you to work with them. This work involves change. There may be many underlying issues including: mental states of anxiety and depression, an addiction, anger, lack of trust, various stressors, poor communication, extended family interferences, and more.

Prior to opening my private practice in Georgetown, I worked at the Kolmac Clinic on K Street in Washington, DC, an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. I work with clients to improve self-esteem, identify what it is that they really want in their lives and help them to improve the overall quality of their lives and thrive more fully.

The pandemic has challenged our connection to those we love, to finding and sustaining new friendships, to our sense of belonging. For some of us, depression and anxiety are affecting us as never before. How can we get our needs met during this time of uncertainty? I believe that together we can make a plan to live our best possible life, keeping hope in our hearts, connecting with our loved ones, adapting and adjusting to this new world.

The populations with whom I work are adults, children, and couples. My primary modalities are Two-Person Psychology & Relational Theory, with which I focus on the importance of the therapist being a part of the therapeutic process, and working with folks from the beginning of treatment until the end; never wanting the client to feel they are alone on this journey. I hope my process helps my clients feel confident in themselves so that they can find the courage and fortitude to change, which is the hardest thing a person can do.

I work primarily with women who are struggling with identity crises and self-acceptance, depression and anxiety, self-trust and overwhelm. First, we have a history-taking and goal-setting session. We then use gentle self-care to establish a healthy mental wellness routine. Next, I guide you toward your goals. Our work together is complete, usually after 6-12 months, when you have met those goals and have a strong, accepting sense of who you are.

It hurts to be in crisis not knowing where to start and how to get help, particularly these days. As a psychotherapist and a psychoanalyst I will work with you, closely listening in a safe and containing environment, so we can process painful experiences and understand patterns and behaviors that affect your wellbeing, productivity and relationships; we will work together to develop pathways towards emotional growth that could facilitate meaningful and lasting changes and healing from past traumas, leading to a more fulfilling, productive life.

My greatest reward is helping clients explore ways to change their lives, allowing them to feel hopeful about the future. I work from a person-centered perspective, allowing my clients to determine the pace & direction of therapy. I have extensive experience working with people struggling with various issues, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, OCD, addiction, & self-esteem. I use CBT, DBT, & Motivational Interviewing techniques, based on the needs of the individual. I believe that we all need someone to talk with who will really listen & accept us as we are, without judgment; this is my goal as a therapist.

The Pincus Center specializes in working with clients to build a life filled with pleasure and joy. We will help you to find your inner voice, establish your own goals and find a path that works for you. There is no one true way to do therapy or to live your life. We will help you find the tools to ride the waves of emotions that we all experience instead of being pulled under. We can't make everything perfect but we can make it better. We focus on issues around body acceptance, sexual freedom, neurodiversity, shame, low desire, sexual functioning issues and a wide variety of other mental health issues.

Adults clients work with me to gain insight and skills to manage or eliminate anxiety, substance use, overwhelm, mood changes, inadequacy, shame, worry, sadness, concentration, transitions/adjustment, immigrant/expat identity and experiences, relationships, trauma, grief and more. We'll collaborate to complete a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and treatment plan/goals. We will explore how and why you adopted certain cognitive, behavioral and emotional patterns and identify new skills to manage or eliminate symptoms. I can incorporate your values, faith and traditions.

I believe that by mastering our past we have the power to change our future. I use integrative approaches to assist clients with identifying their strengths and overcoming barriers that are impeding their happiness and emotional well being. I firmly believe that if we change our thoughts we can change our lives and my goal is to assist you through the process to lasting change.

My goal is to create a safe and accepting environment that allows us to better explore the issues you are facing. I believe that one of the most important elements of counseling is the therapeutic relationship. I value a trusting, open, and interactive relationship that allows us to improve insight into your struggles and issues, and develop a plan for recovery and healing.

Do you struggle with substance use? Has addiction taken over your life? Your past does not have to dictate your present or your future. You can recover from traumatic experiences. In therapy, you can defuse the factors powering addiction. You can build practical coping skills for sustained recovery. You can save your relationship with couples therapy. I am a social worker with advanced training in substance abuse, harm reduction, and trauma therapy. Experienced therapist for teenagers. Reach out now. I look forward to hearing your story and helping you, your teenager, or your relationship get back on track.

Therapy is a journey through which we find our authentic selves and become the best we can be. I have expertise in working with alcoholism, addictions, and recovery issues; and with relationship, couple and family issues. I have worked in the field for over twenty years. I work with adults and adolescents, in individual, couple and family modalities. My approach is to meet you where you are, and to help you to move towards your goals, overcome obstacles, and achieve maximum growth. I use several therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and strengths-based techniques. Website: practicaltherapy.net.