Katie Frazee, LCPC, is deeply committed to delivering the most effective therapeutic experience for adults and elders facing challenges such as sexual abuse, trauma, PTSD, and substance use. Her primary goal is to facilitate significant behavior changes by enhancing her clients' abilities to cultivate and maintain healthy relationships, improving their coping skills, and promoting an empowered decision-making process. Katie understands that while clinicians can't fix others' problems, they can create a safe and supportive environment that empowers individuals to develop the skills needed for better life choices. With over a decade of experience in individual, group, family, and couples counseling, she holds multiple esteemed credentials, including Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Master Addiction Counselor (MAC). As a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Approved Supervisor and a Clinical Professional Counselor Supervisor, Katie offers specialized substance use and mental health services for clients and family members affected by addiction and mental health issues. Her priority is to ensure that each client feels understood and actively engaged in their therapeutic process, making therapy a transformative and productive experience.

Georgette Hughes is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Certified Trauma Professional dedicated to guiding individuals on their journey toward becoming their most authentic selves. With over fifteen years of experience, she has successfully assisted countless individuals in managing depression, anxiety, emotional regulation, and impulsive behaviors, as well as processing traumatic events. Georgette has worked with children, families, and couples, employing a variety of therapeutic modalities including Trauma-Informed Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy. She combines her expertise with an array of additional therapeutic tools tailored to meet the unique needs of those struggling with self-injury and post-traumatic stress. Understanding that change can be challenging, Georgette emphasizes the importance of commitment, practice, and courage in moving from unhealthy to healthy behavioral patterns. She inspires her clients to bravely explore and discover a meaningful, satisfying, and confident version of themselves, inviting them to embark on this transformative journey together.

Kelly Kirkpatrick, MA, LCPC, is a dedicated counselor who believes in the transformative power of hope. With her focus on helping clients navigate through stressors that can make hope feel elusive, Kelly emphasizes that counseling is a journey towards managing these challenges and creating positive change in life. Using a Motivational Interviewing (MI) approach, she meets individuals at their unique starting points, fostering an environment of collaborative exploration and goal-planning. Her expertise lies in working with individuals and their families who are dealing with the complexities of both substance use and mental health disorders. Recognizing that addiction is a family disease, Kelly's approach acknowledges its far-reaching impact, ensuring that her treatment and recovery strategies consider the needs of all family members involved. Additionally, she offers clinical supervision for LGPCs as an Approved Clinical Supervisor, providing the necessary support and guidance for upcoming professionals in the field.

Brandy Brandenburg is a dedicated and compassionate Clinical Social Worker and Therapist, LCSW-C, MSSW. She understands that everyone faces challenges at various points in their lives and believes in the importance of having a solid anchor to help navigate the storms of life. Whether her clients are healing from trauma, enduring significant life transitions, or dealing with profound tragedy, Brandy is committed to helping them find hope and resilience. Her approach is to come alongside clients in a supportive and empowering manner, drawing upon their inherent strengths to collaboratively set realistic and attainable goals. With expertise in women's issues, coping skills, and mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression, Brandy is prepared to meet individuals of all ages, including preteens, teens, and adults. She offers a range of therapeutic modalities including Compassion Focused, Trauma Focused, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and is dedicated to intersectionality in her work, ensuring that each client feels valued and understood. Brandy is passionate about connecting with clients wherever they are in their journey and providing the support they need to thrive.

Sandra Lake is a dedicated Clinical Social Worker with over twenty years of experience in supporting individuals facing various life challenges. Her expertise encompasses a wide range of issues including depression, anxiety, stress, grief/loss, chronic pain, trauma, substance use, and relationship concerns. Throughout her professional journey, she has effectively utilized therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and relapse prevention, working with individuals, couples, and groups alike. Sandra believes in the transformative power of learning techniques that can alleviate symptoms, emphasizing the importance of having an unbiased, supportive person as a sounding board for self-care in overcoming life's struggles. Recognizing the profound impact that anxiety and depression can have on daily life, she is committed to helping her clients challenge and reframe self-defeating thoughts, ultimately reducing the hold of despair and worry. Sandra's warm and compassionate approach creates a safe space for growth, healing, and resilience.

Sandra Lashley, PsyD, is a compassionate psychologist and psychoanalyst dedicated to guiding individuals on their journey to self-discovery and healing. Her collaborative approach encourages clients to explore their personal narratives and the circumstances that have shaped their lives. Sandra works closely with her clients to identify self-defeating patterns, navigate roadblocks in their professional lives, and overcome long-standing struggles with self-esteem and complex relationship dynamics. She also addresses mood-related challenges, eating and weight issues, as well as trauma and loss. By fostering a safe and supportive environment, Sandra builds meaningful connections with clients, making it possible to explore genuine solutions together. Whether individuals are in crisis or simply seeking to understand the roots of their recurring patterns, Sandra welcomes the opportunity to support their growth and positive change.

Larry Letich, LCSW-C, is a compassionate therapist dedicated to guiding adults and elders through the complex landscape of life's challenges. With a rich background in addressing an array of issues such as ADHD, relationship dynamics, and marital concerns, he provides a safe and welcoming environment for his clients. His expertise extends to trauma, grief, and men's issues, making him adept at helping individuals navigate significant life transitions.<br /> <br /> Incorporating a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Larry tailors his sessions to meet the unique needs of each individual or couple. Through a humanistic and integrative style, he focuses on fostering emotional well-being and resilience, empowering his clients to overcome obstacles and achieve personal growth. His commitment to inclusivity ensures that all individuals, including those within the LGBTQ+ community, feel valued and understood in their therapeutic journey.<br /> <br /> Larry combines his professional knowledge with genuine empathy, creating a supportive space for exploration and healing. Whether addressing mood disorders, anxiety, or coping skills, he is dedicated to collaborating with his clients to facilitate meaningful change in their lives.

Welcome to Great Strides, where the healing journey with horses becomes a transformative experience. Great Strides offers more than just traditional office therapy; it's a holistic experience that fosters a deep connection with trained, experienced therapy horses. These horses possess a remarkable ability to support healing and personal growth. Through mutually beneficial interactions, Great Strides facilitates the development of new skills, helping clients manage anxiety and heal from trauma, grief, or depression while releasing what no longer serves them. Providing Equine Assisted Psychotherapy since 1999, Great Strides currently serves adults. The therapy horses, with 12-20 years of experience, work alongside the therapist to present a compassionate alternative to conventional talk therapy. This approach is rooted in brain science, researched techniques, intuition, and creativity. All sessions are conducted in a serene farm setting, with no riding required and no prior horse experience necessary. Potential clients are invited to take a free farm tour to see the facility and meet the horses, ensuring a perfect fit for their therapeutic journey.

Melissa Ward, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, is dedicated to empowering individuals to transform their lives through effective counseling. Recognizing that change is possible, she focuses on removing obstacles that keep clients feeling stuck. With a commitment to making counseling affordable and accessible, Melissa tailors her approach to meet each client's unique goals. By enhancing communication skills, reducing anxiety, and identifying positive possibilities, she guides her clients toward reaching their full potential. Melissa works closely with parents, developing strategies that alleviate anxiety, confront fears about the future, and enhance the overall quality of family life. Her coaching techniques are often brief and solution-focused, helping families thrive. At MWCS, Melissa collaborates with Occupational Therapy Consulting, broadening the scope of support available to her clients. Serving teens, adults, couples, and families, she embodies the ethos of Hope. Possibilities. Change. Are you ready to break free from what's holding you back?

Ashley Williams is a compassionate Clinical Social Worker and therapist specializing in anxiety, relationship dynamics, and life transitions in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Recognizing that many couples and individuals find themselves feeling disconnected and misunderstood, Ashley supports clients who are facing these recurring conflicts in their relationships. With an understanding that communication can often break down, leading to feelings of criticism and defensiveness, Ashley assists couples and individuals in navigating back to a place of connection and stability. Known for her patient, validating, and empathetic approach, Ashley is also committed to challenging her clients and holding them accountable as they engage in the therapeutic process. Her advanced training in couples therapy includes Gottman Method levels 1-3 and Emotionally Focused Therapy, complemented by a yearlong certificate in the Developmental model from the Couples Therapy Institute. Ashley's goal is to guide her clients through their therapeutic journey, helping them unravel their interpersonal cycles and discover healthier patterns in their lives.

Brian Sharpless, PhD, MA, is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in treating personality, sleep, mood, and anxiety disorders. As a preferred provider for the Virginia Health Practitioner Monitoring Program, he has extensive experience working with impaired professionals in high-level positions, as well as psychologists and psychotherapists. He provides therapy, teletherapy (as a PSYPACT member), diagnostic assessments, and clinical supervision for fellow psychologists. With clinical training completed at prestigious institutions such as Penn State and the University of Pennsylvania, Brian operates from multiple office locations in the DC area, including Arlington, Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Frederick. He understands the challenges of selecting a therapist and emphasizes the importance of finding one who meets individual needs, offering a comfortable and research-informed environment. Brian is adept at addressing a variety of treatment and assessment needs, including rare disorders or sensitive issues that may be difficult to discuss. In addition to his clinical practice, he is an educator, writer, and researcher. Brian has trained therapists at Penn State, the University of Pennsylvania, and other esteemed institutions. He boasts over 50 professional publications, including three books published through Oxford University Press, and regularly shares his expertise through lectures in the US and internationally on psychotherapy and various clinical matters.

Marlee Bardenett is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) with a Master’s degree and National Certified Counselor (NCC) designation. She specializes in working with children, teens, and adults facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship concerns. Marlee is dedicated to creating a safe and nurturing environment where clients, especially children and teens struggling to connect with their families and peers, can develop healthy relationships. With considerable experience in assisting adolescents in high mental health crises within a partial hospitalization setting, she is equipped to help those dealing with suicidal thoughts, self-harm ideation, and school anxiety. Marlee employs psychodynamic and attachment-based therapeutic approaches, meeting clients right where they are in their journey. She is EMDR trained and is currently pursuing certification in Humanistic Sandtray Therapy. Her creative techniques enrich the healing process, particularly when words fall short. Marlee’s compassionate nature and diverse expertise make her a valuable ally in the pursuit of emotional well-being.

Ladelle Brooks is a pre-licensed professional therapist dedicated to supporting individuals navigating the complexities of their lives. She understands that many people pour their energy into caring for others—whether in their careers or personal relationships—but often feel overwhelmed and isolated when faced with their own challenges. Ladelle recognizes the questions that arise: Does anyone see my struggles? Will everything be alright? Will I make it through? She is deeply committed to ensuring that every person she works with feels seen and heard. With a compassionate approach, Ladelle stands by clients, affirming that they are not alone in their journey. Their feelings, challenges, and needs are significant and deserve attention. This marks the beginning of new possibilities for support and growth in their lives. By choosing to work with Ladelle, clients can expect to gain the confidence, clarity, and skills needed to pursue the fulfilling life they desire. Investing in one’s self-worth can lead to life-changing transformations—allow Ladelle the privilege to walk with you on this journey.