Meet Your Counselors
Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (DC & MD)
Mirshelle Edwards, LGPC
I also support clients as they navigate challenges related to family-of-origin, race, culture, privilege, belonging, and the impact these experiences can have on their sense of self and relationships with others.
Together, we identify triggers for distress, explore how past experiences influence the present, strengthen emotional regulation, uncover relationship dynamics, and examine behavioral patterns.
After understanding the purpose and function of the patterns, we develop and implement practical skills to manage or reduce the impact of anxiety, depression, betrayal, grief, trauma, bipolar disorder and challenges related to identity, roles/responsibilities, impulsivity, addictive behaviors, relationships, and transitions. I take a holistic, developmentally informed approach, addressing the whole person.
Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (Maryland)
Michele Jenkins, LGPC
I provide counseling to middle-aged women navigating the many transitions and challenges that can arise during this stage of life. Whether you are experiencing hormonal changes, shifts in family dynamics, career transitions, caregiving responsibilities, chronic illness, grief, or loss, therapy can offer a space to process these experiences and reconnect with yourself.
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Together, we explore evolving identities, changing roles, and the emotional impact of life transitions. Many women find themselves balancing the needs of others while struggling to attend to their own well-being.
I provide a supportive environment where clients feel empowered to honor their experiences, adapt to life's challenges, and cultivate a renewed sense of purpose and well-being.
Licensed Master of Social Work, Maryland
Isabella Difilippantonio, LMSW
I work with young adults navigating concerns related to sexuality, LGBTQ+ experiences, neurodivergence and neurodevelopmental disorders, depression, negative self-talk, identity development, and life transitions.
We'll identify opportunities to learn, relearn, or unlearn patterns that may contribute to anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, addictive behaviors, OCD tendencies, executive functioning challenges related to ADHD, social and sensory challenges due to autism/ASD, and other concerns. I help clients develop language for their experiences and better understand themselves and communicate their needs. I draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
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Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (MD & DC)
Jonay Boylan, LGPC
I take a holistic approach to treatment, helping clients explore how their environment, upbringing, relationships, cultural experiences, self-care practices, nutrition, physical activity, stress levels, and life experiences influence the way they view themselves, relate to others, and navigate the world.
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I have a particular interest in counseling individuals who have experienced discrimination, marginalization, identity-related stressors, or barriers to accessing support.
I use evidence-based models that prioritize active listening, empathy, and structured dialogue to help clients establish and maintain safety as we explore their thoughts, develop collaborative treatment plans, and identify, implement, and assess the effectiveness of short- and long-term coping strategiesleads to better understanding of themselves and others.
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Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (DC & VA)
Simran Puri, LGPC
I provide a supportive, compassionate space to explore, understand and address distress and mental health disorders related to life transitions, strengthening relationships, regulating emotions, or developing greater self-compassion. Life transitions, stress, and uncertainty can feel overwhelming, especially when paired with anxiety, ADHD, or self-esteem challenges are my clinical interest.
My goal is to help clients gain greater clarity, self-understanding, and confidence as they navigate these changes and make decisions that align with their values and needs.
I tailor each session to meet your unique needs, drawing from approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, psychodynamic and interpersonal work, motivational interviewing, and multicultural perspectives.
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Licensed Graduate in Social Work, (MD & VA)
Katheryne Schmidt, LMSW
I work with adults navigating life's expected and unexpected transitions, including changes in relationships, family roles, career paths, health, and identity. I have particular experience supporting individuals living with chronic illness and understand the unique emotional, relational, and practical challenges that can accompany ongoing health concerns.
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Whether you are facing a major life transition, grief and loss, relationship changes, a traumatic experience, or feelings of anxiety, depression, self-doubt, shame, or guilt, therapy can provide a space to better understand yourself and move toward meaningful change.
I also work with clients experiencing ADHD, low self-esteem, avoidant patterns, interpersonal difficulties, and challenges with emotional regulation.
Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (DC & VA)
Onyeka Onyekachi, LGPC
I specialize in working with young adults navigating questions of identity, belonging, and self-definition. My work is particularly focused on multicultural identity development, oldest-sibling and family-role dynamics, and the complex relationship between personal autonomy and mental health. Many of my clients find themselves balancing competing expectations from family, culture, relationships, and their own evolving sense of self.
Together, we explore the deeper purpose behind emotional, relational, and behavioral patterns, recognizing that many coping strategies once served an important function. Through a compassionate and curious approach, we examine how early experiences, family systems, cultural influences, and life transitions continue to shape the way you view yourself and interact with others.
Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (MD)
Krystal King, LGPC
I specialize in working with young adults navigating questions of identity, belonging, and self-definition. My work is particularly focused on multicultural identity development, oldest-sibling and family-role dynamics, and the complex relationship between personal autonomy and mental health. Many of my clients find themselves balancing competing expectations from family, culture, relationships, and their own evolving sense of self.
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Together, we explore the deeper purpose behind emotional, relational, and behavioral patterns, recognizing that many coping strategies once served an important function. Through a compassionate and curious approach, we examine how early experiences, family systems, cultural influences, and life transitions continue to shape the way you view yourself and interact with others.
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (MD)
Ama Kwadu, LCPC
As an EMDR-trained therapist, I provide counseling to help women experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder or addictive patterns related to hormonal shifts, relationship challenges, career and caregiving pressures, and medical issues. Through therapy, clients my clients might gain skills such as cognitive reappraisal—reframing situations to shift emotional impact—attention control, resilience building, adaptive coping, and emotion regulation. These tools support processing difficult experiences and reducing distress.
After establishing an emotionally safe and trusting space, I listen with compassion as you share your challenges and experiences—always at a pace that feels comfortable and supportive for you.
Associate Counselor (MD, DC & VA)
Elaine Powell
We will explore the connections between past experiences and their influence on present thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships— developing insight, coping skills, and healthier patterns moving forward. Our work focuses on resolving behavioral challenges and reducing or managing symptoms related to anxiety, ADHD, OCD, trauma, mood disorders, depression, ASD, and substance use. I provide counseling for teens and adults whose mental health is impacted by illness, life transitions, addiction, grief and loss, negative thoughts and emotions, relationship or attachment challenges, career or identity concerns, and trauma. We’ll look at how your experiences have shaped the way you see yourself and others—and build a more grounded sense of self.
Associate Counselor, (MD, DC & VA)
Emily Worthington
I am a therapist dedicated to supporting women and mothers who are balancing multiple roles, responsibilities, and identities. Together, we work to deepen self-understanding, clarify personal values and identity, and make choices that support overall well-being.
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My approach helps clients explore how their upbringing and relational experiences have shaped their sense of self, patterns in relationships, and feelings of safety or unsafety within themselves. I integrate education about the nervous system to help clients understand how experiences of safety, stress, and connection influence thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Through this process, we identify unmet needs and develop healthier ways of responding to life's challenges. My goal is to help clients build greater self-awareness, emotional resilience, and confidence in navigating their lives and relationships.
Associate Counselor, (MD, DC & VA)
Gardenia Louve Yao
Together we can learn about you, and understand where and when to make changes that will help you gain greater control over your life. I use compassionate questioning, reflective listening, curiosity and conscious attentiveness to enhance the emotional, relational, and psychological well-being of every patient.
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I've gained experience in individual counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, person-centered therapy, trauma focused therapy, teaching communication skills and executive function training, family dynamics, and administering clinical diagnostic interviews. Our therapeutic relationship and process will facilitate a complete integration of mind, body, emotions, intention and spirituality and help discovery and facilitation of innate strengths and your greater human capital.
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Associate Counselor, (MD, DC & VA)
Gerizim Perez
As a bilingual English- and Spanish-speaking therapist, I provide mental health counseling to young adults and adults navigating emotional challenges, relationship difficulties, and the lasting effects of painful life experiences. I work with individuals who experience intense emotions, anger, low self-esteem, self-criticism, sadness, and difficulties functioning in their daily lives. Many of my clients have experienced neglect, abuse, or other relational wounds that have left them feeling unsafe within themselves and in their relationships with others.
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I believe that healing begins when we bring the unconscious into conscious awareness. Together, we explore the impact of past experiences, identify patterns that may no longer serve you, and create opportunities for growth, self-compassion, and meaningful change.
Associate Counselor, (MD, DC & VA)
Alannah Muhammad
My clients are often emerging adults and adults who want to learn long and short term strategies to manage difficulties with peers, experiences related to mood changes and crying spells, being immigrant 1st/2nd/3rd generation American, anxiety related to work/school, adjustment and grief related to changes in relationships and relocation, feeling unloved, inadequate and/or insecure, early life experiences that currently affect self-esteem and relationships, school or career challenges, transitions to new adult roles and responsibilities. I am sensitive to the necessity of juggling cultural, gender and racial identities and managing cultural differences while meeting the expectations of community, family, and self. It is important for all people to feel safe and that they have a place of belonging. Through my practice, I try to ensure that my clients feel heard, seen, felt and supported.
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Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (MD) (MD, DC & VA)
Barba
At the heart of my work is helping clients understand how their early relationships with caregivers have shaped their identity, emotional patterns, and ways of relating to themselves and others. Together, we explore unconscious beliefs and relational dynamics that may be contributing to current difficulties, bringing greater awareness and understanding to experiences that may have previously felt confusing or overwhelming. Through this process, clients can begin to heal old wounds, develop healthier relationships, and cultivate a stronger sense of safety and trust within themselves.
I support clients in strengthening emotional regulation, improving interpersonal effectiveness, identifying and communicating unmet needs, and developing practical tools for navigating life's challenges.
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Licensed Graduate ProfessionalCounselor, (DC)
Lucy Freshour, LGPC
I especially strive to create a space where clients feel seen not only for their struggles, but for the full complexity of their identities and lived experiences. My work centers on helping clients build self-understanding that supports both healing and a more intentional, values-aligned way of living. I’m trained and experienced in helping folks with anxiety, depression, autism, bipolar disorder, family/relationship issues, perfectionism, ADHD, PTSD, OCD, BPD, and more. We’ll explore how the past informs current thought, behavioral, and mood patterns. We’ll identify problem-solving skills to manage difficult situations and emotions, develop a greater sense of confidence, increase safety and improve mood, functioning, and behavior. I’m supportive, engaged, professional, compassionate, and respectful of all your thoughts, feelings, dislikes, and experiences.
Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor, (MD, DC & VA)
Emma Mattingly, LGPC
I intentionally affirm and support clients who identify as BIPOC, AAPI, Latinx, LGBTQ+, and neurodivergent.
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I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), person-centered, strength-based, culturally responsive, and solution-focused approaches. Together, we explore and deepen understanding of your internal experiences while identifying and applying practical cognitive and behavioral strategies to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning.
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My approach is mind-body informed, collaborative, goal-oriented, and often short-term in structure. I support clients in processing lived experiences, belief systems, thought patterns, and the broader societal influences that shape them. Your identities, cultural context, and lived experiences are honored and integrated into our work in meaningful and empowering ways, supporting both insight and practical change.
Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor, (MD)
Sarah Cardenas, LGPC
I believe that the ways we seek closeness, respond to distance, navigate conflict, and repair after hurt often have deep roots, and understanding those roots can open the door to meaningful change. Rather than judging or trying to "fix" parts of yourself, we'll work to better understand what your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors may be communicating and how they're showing up in your relationships.
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I also draw from mindfulness, relational, attachment and behavioral therapies to you understand the connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. I incorporate attachment-based therapy to explore how early relationships shape your current relational patterns and sense of self.
Whether you are experiencing generalized anxiety, social anxiety, relationship difficulties, or a sense of feeling stuck in familiar patterns, I offer support in helping you better understand yourself and move toward greater connection, clarity, and fulfillment.
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Free Consultation - Reach out today!
Call for a free phone consultation to give you a chance to connect, ask questions, and get a feel for what working together might be like. This is an opportunity to share a bit about what you’re looking for, learn more about my approach, and explore whether the fit feels right for your needs and goals. Finding the right therapist matters, and this conversation is simply a supportive first step in that process—no pressure, just space to see what feels comfortable and aligned for you.
Text: 240-428-0465