Therapists for college students near Washington, DC

Dr. Justin Leak is a 2016 graduate of the American School of Professional Psychology @ Argosy University (ASPP). He received his BA in Speech Communication and African & African American Studies from the Pennsylvania State University in 2002. Dr. Leak completed his MA at Lewis & Clark College in Counseling Psychology, with a specialization in Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy (MCFT) in 2008. Dr. Leak completed his APA-accredited internship at The John L. Gildner Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents (JLG-RICA), where he continues to work full-time as the Director of the Evaluation Unit and Case Manager for the Facility for Children. His Clinical Research Project was entitled: The Pressure of Maintaining Excellence: The Impact and Challenges of Combining an Electronic Peer-Mentoring Program with University Sponsored Counseling Services to Support Low Income College Students. In between his studies, Dr. Leak has worked with students and families in a variety of educational and therapeutic settings. These include working in the offices of Multicultural Affairs, Academic Advising, Career Advising, and most notably, Residence Life. For fun, he enjoys playing tennis, swimming, travel, and entering cooking competitions. Dr. Leak's therapeutic style pulls from several approaches, including psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral, and Family systems. He offers treatment for a variety of stressors including (but not limited to) mood, anxiety, self-esteem, relationship problems, and transitional life issues. He also specializes in psychological assessment, specifically diagnosing issues that impact behavior, mood, attention, and learning. He is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), American Counseling Association (ACA), and the National Register of Health Psychologists.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist and Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. For me, being a physician is more than a profession—it is a vocation to help indviduals flourish. My practice is devoted to students and young adults seeking thoughtful, individualized psychiatric care that extends beyond symptom relief. I provide comprehensive evaluations that consider medical, nutritional, lifestyle, and psychological factors—including laboratory testing when clinically appropriate—to identify the contributors to emotional and cognitive health. I also specialize in evidence-based de-prescribing for patients who wish to reduce or discontinue psychiatric medications for anxiety, attention difficulties, or substance use disorders. My approach is guided by precision, humility, and restraint: using the least intensive intervention necessary while drawing upon the full breadth of evidence-based medicine. Depending on each patient's needs and goals, I integrate psychotherapy, nutrition, lifestyle medicine, exercise, targeted supplementation, and, when appropriate, carefully selected medications into a personalized treatment plan. In addition to my clinical work, I have presented internationally on psychiatric deprescribing and medical ethics. My work has been recognized with awards from the American Psychiatric Association, the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions, the American Psychoanalytic Association, and other leading professional organizations. I am the Founder & Medical Director of Verigrate Health. I am licensed to serve patients in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Lousiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., and Wisconsin.

As a therapist, I will always meet my clients where they are at the moment. My approach to therapy is holistic. I believe that therapy is client-led and my job is to walk with you side-by-side in your journey toward healing and growth. During sessions, I will lead with sensitivity, curiosity, and support. Our initial process will involve getting to know each other and developing a strong foundation of trust and safety. My ideal client is someone who is open to creating a partnership and ready to take on their counseling journey. This individual is ready to dive into some deep work and willing to be honest and is open to trusting a direct therapist to help them navigate life. This individual might not be aware of their issues at this time, but they are open to exploring them and creating goals to become a healthier version of themselves.

College can be an exciting season but also one filled with pressure, uncertainty, and big transitions. Between classes, relationships, and figuring out your next steps, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or disconnected. At Grow and Thrive Wellness Space, I help college students navigate anxiety, depression, ADHD, low self-esteem, and faith or identity questions that often come up during this stage of life. My approach is down-to-earth and supportive, I listen, help you unpack what’s really going on, and work with you to find balance, purpose, and confidence again. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Therapy is a space just for you to breathe, reset, and grow.

Many students I work with seem to be “doing fine” on the outside but feel anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally drained inside. They may overthink constantly, put intense pressure on themselves to succeed, carry family expectations, or try to move forward while still feeling the weight of painful past experiences. Some feel responsible for everyone else’s needs. Others are tired of always being the strong one. Many feel alone with emotions that seem bigger than they expected. If you notice you shut down when things get intense, struggle to set boundaries, or feel stuck in patterns you don’t fully understand, there’s usually a reason for that. In therapy, we don’t just manage symptoms. We figure out what’s driving them. My goal is for you to feel more grounded, more confident, and more secure in yourself, not just getting through college, but actually feeling better.

Hello! I specialize in working with engineering and other STEM students that feel overwhelmed by their academic and personal lives. As a former mental health ambassador for two top engineering programs in the country, I have a wealth of experience working with students who are driven, highly intelligent and under intense pressure to succeed. I also work with engineers and engineering managers across STEM industries and can support students in their career exploration process. I am a neuro-divergent and LGBTQIA+ affirming provider that will take the time to tailor your therapy experience to exactly what you need. I am looking forward for the chance to meet you. Feel free to reach out for a free 15 min consultation to discuss how I can help you in your journey through and after school.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience supporting children, adults, and families navigating complex and often overwhelming life circumstances. My professional background includes work in child welfare, domestic violence services, and with families raising children or caring for loved ones with disabilities. These experiences have shaped my deep respect for resilience and my commitment to providing trauma-informed, culturally responsive care.

My core values are faith, family, social and economic justice. My worldview is quite simple. You see, I believe that everyone has a right to be in a good place mentally physically and spiritually. I find that I have evolved into a change agent - which is a natural profession for a social worker. The same steps that I have taken to secure my life, mentally physically and emotionally, are the very same steps I am willing to assist my patients/clients in taking. My specialties lie in my abilities to move a person or a family from a place of dysfunction to functionality. I strive to improve the quality of life those whom I counsel. My theoretical framework a solution focused, interwoven with resiliency theory, using a strength-based approach. I am just a chat away if you need me – 'how may I help you?"

Kristina sees teens, adults, couples, and families navigating: -stress -anxiety -depression -trauma -life changes and transitions -sexuality and/or gender issues -relationship challenges -pressure of the performing arts/sports worlds -acculturating and/or racial identity concerns -living with a chronic medical condition -grief Sessions take place in a warm, supportive, and non-judgmental tele-health atmosphere. Kristina: -uses compassion and kindness to cultivate the therapeutic relationship -empowers individuals to develop the skills/strategies needed to cope during challenging times -helps clients to build self-esteem while gaining personal insight -helps clients to recognize their strengths, value, and resilience -helps clients to start taking control and making positive changes in their life Kristina welcomes the opportunity to assist you on your journey, working together to relieve the challenges you face. Afterall, "emotional well-being is just as important to us as breathing is!"

Seeking therapy is often part of a painful journey. Things a person did on their own for their mental health & to connect with others have not worked. Sadness & fear interferes with their work & relationships. For some people seeking therapy, alcohol & drugs provide temporary relief from suffering; however, those behaviors sometimes cause further damage. It’s hard for them to accept compliments & they feel uncomfortable in their own skin, even after achieving things that are supposed to be fulfilling. They meet interesting, loving people, & they find it very hard to get close to them, leading to more isolation. I offer an opportunity for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, & past – to plan for things to be different in the future. I create a healing relationship with my clients, a refuge of clinically-sound & heart-driven support. Experience has taught me that people are much more than their symptoms – they are human beings dealing with human problems. If you’ve decided to try therapy, then I’m ready to work with you. In addition to working with people struggling with mental health & relationships, I am passionate about providing "outside help" to members of AA, DDA, NA, SMART Recovery, & other programs. Please call me today so we can schedule our first session and get you on the road to feeling better.

Are you navigating academic stress, burnout, perfectionism, or life transitions? At Neurodiverse Counseling, we provide neurodiversity-affirming therapy and adult ADHD and autism evaluations for students and young adults. We specialize in working with autistic individuals, ADHDers, and LGBTQIA+ clients. Clients often seek support for anxiety, depression, sensory processing differences, masking, executive functioning challenges, and difficulties with communication or relationships. Others come to us for help with low self-esteem, chronic illness, or processing trauma. We offer a compassionate space to heal, grow, and reconnect with your authentic self. Our team understands the unique pressures students face. We use evidence-based approaches including ACT, CBT, DBT, EFT, IFS, and trauma-informed care, alongside neurodiversity-affirming practices to support emotional regulation, executive functioning, and meaningful growth. We offer teletherapy across Massachusetts, Florida, and North Carolina. Our diverse team includes neurodivergent, BIPOC, multilingual, and LGBTQIA+ clinicians, bringing both clinical expertise and lived experience to our work. If you’re looking for therapy that is collaborative, affirming, and tailored to your needs, we invite you to schedule a free consultation.

Congratulations on taking the step to invest in your mental health. Together, we will tend to the wounds that have weighed heavy on you, gently unraveling things that no longer serve you. Through intentional skill building and healing, you will reconnect with the parts of yourself that have been forgotten, silenced, or sacrificed. As your therapist my goal is to guide you and walk with you through your journey of change. I will teach you the psychology of what you are experiencing, assist you with gaining and applying effective tools, hold you accountable to the goals you set, and provide you with an unbiased perspective to the situation you are facing.

RecoverED, LLC is a boutique psychiatric practice dedicated to helping patients who struggle with eating and body image concerns. Here you will find evidence-based, exceptional, compassionate, holistic, and personalized treatment that is tailored to each individual and their phase of recovery. We understand that every journey is unique, and our approach is designed to support you at every step. Your well-being is our priority, and we are committed to helping you regain a healthy relationship with food and your body.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Life is sometimes overwhelming and therapy can help create possibilities! I am here to support you in identifying what is making you feel stuck and work with you to become the best version of yourself. I offer a warm and compassionate place for clients to talk about their pain and feel understood. I work with college students and young adults experiencing depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, family and personal relationship difficulties, and academic or occupational stress. I draw from a variety of theoretical frameworks to meet the needs of the person I am working with. I am a LGBTQIA+ affirming and fat-positive therapist. I strive to create an inclusive and safe space for all clients. Looking for a therapist is a great first step towards healing and growing! Feel free to email me and I will then let you know my availability and next steps to setting up an intake session for us to get to know each other better. I look forward to hearing from you!

If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of yourself, you're not alone. As a psychodynamic psychotherapist, I offer a safe and confidential space to explore these challenges and uncover the underlying patterns that may be impacting your well-being. Together, we can delve into your past experiences, understand your current emotional landscape, and build the resilience needed to thrive during this pivotal time in your life.

Equip is the leading evidence-based virtual eating disorder treatment program on a mission to ensure that everyone with an eating disorder has access to treatment that works. Built by clinical experts in the eating disorder field and those who have experienced eating disorders firsthand, Equip fills the gaps in today’s insufficient eating disorder landscape. We provide fully virtual, evidence-based treatment through a multidisciplinary care team (which includes a medical provider, therapist, dietitian, and trained mentors), allowing each patient to achieve full recovery without disrupting their life. We treat patients of all ages and diagnoses in all 50 states, and we accept most insurance plans.

I work with clients who may be struggling with depression, anxiety, and various mental health disorders. During our initial sessions, we'll review symptoms in depth and discuss a personalized treatment plan. My care approach is collaborative, holistic, and evidence-based. Symptom improvement is often reported by using treatment approaches such as medication, therapy, and lifestyle interventions.

The Healing Suite provides therapeutic interventions to adolescents and young adults experiencing anxiety, depression, and stress due to trauma and life transitions. We specialize in supporting young people with various challenges that they'll encounter as they mature. We practice from a place of cultural sensitivity and we are LGBTQ+ affirming. It is our belief that each person is an expert on themselves and should be able to make choices that are in their own best interest. Call, text, or email us to set up a free consultation.

College life can feel like a high-speed juggling act. Classes, relationships, deadlines, family expectations, and trying to take care of yourself all compete for your attention. It can be hard to slow down and make sense of everything you are carrying. I work with students who want to pause, understand what is creating stress or disconnection, and refocus on what truly matters. If you want a therapist who will be your biggest cheerleader and also someone who will call you in when you need it, you are in the right place. My approach is trauma informed and grounded in CBT. Together we work to understand patterns, build clarity, and create real and lasting change. Finding the right therapist matters, especially when you are balancing a full schedule. If you are considering therapy, I invite you to visit my website and schedule a free consultation. This is your chance to ask questions, explore your goals, and get a sense of whether we are a good match. I offer virtual counseling for students located in PA, VA, and DC.