Find a therapist in District of Columbia — covered by insurance


Top therapists in District of Columbia accepting new patients
Headway brings accessible mental health support to Washington, D.C. residents with 897 licensed providers specializing in talk therapy and medication management. With 70+ insurance plans accepted and average savings of 75% per session, finding the right fit for your mental health needs has never been easier.
I enjoy connecting with clients by learning their individual stories. By understanding my clients, I can connect them to a specific modality for treatment. I am empathic and caring. My goal is to support each of my clients reflect on their lives and become emotionally strong.
Clients often tell me they feel both deeply understood and gently challenged in our work. You won’t be met with quick fixes or surface-level advice. Instead, I offer a grounded, relational space where we can slow down, get curious, and make sense of the patterns—emotional, relational, historical—that are shaping your current struggles. I’m especially attuned to the inner lives of high-achieving adults: those who appear competent on the outside but feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unseen underneath.
I’m trained in psychodynamic therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and EMDR, and I approach each client with a blend of clinical precision and emotional presence. You can expect warmth, honesty, and an active collaboration toward lasting emotional change.
As an Asian, Christian mom of two from Northern VA, with experiences in both big cities and the suburbs, I’ve navigated the challenging expectations stemming from diverse cultural, generational, and societal influences. I’ve learned that being confined by limiting beliefs and labels can create a narrative that leads to distress and isolation. I believe that openness, discipline, and compassion within a safe space foster both acceptance and meaningful change.
Great to meet you! I am Dr. Shannon D. Howard, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC, LPC) for the states of DC & MD, a Certified Life Coach, and an Author. I have been helping individuals, children, couples, and families navigate grief and loss, trauma, anxiety, adjustment, depression and more for over 24 years.
My educational background consists of a dual Master's in both Counseling and Clinical Psychology. I received my first Master's at Towson University in 2000, a second Masters and Doctorate in 2008 and 2010 from The American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University. I minored in Philosophy as well as Women's Studies.
I possess specialized training in areas of trauma, specifically in the assessment and treatment of sex offenders and survivors of sexual assault. I have worked in an adult inpatient psychiatric hospital, a day program for adults with chronic and acute mental illness, as well as on an outpatient basis as a private practitioner and with a group practice. I worked with Parole and Probation to help clients maintain compliance and management while on the registry. As a Certified Life Coach, I help coaching clients discover what they truly desire. We collaborate to create a roadmap to move you forward and build a future that feels grounded and authentic to you.
At present, I offer a full range of services and am open to accepting new virtual clients.
I am LGBTQIA+allied, sex-positive, kink-friendly and nurturing to clients within this community. I also help clients navigate open relationships (ENM), polyamory, and non-traditional relationships.
**I CAN ONLY SEE CLIENTS WHO ARE IN THE STATES OF DC AND MD AT THE TIME OF THEIR SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT.
*We offer a 10- minute grace period before logging off of the platform. Please reach out to reschedule your next appointment. There us a $150 fee for appointments no shows and for cancelations not made 24 hours in advance.
I have had the opportunity and blessing to work with individuals from all dynamic backgrounds and in those endeavors have acquired a great appreciation and respect for what each individual struggle with. It is my hope and responsibility to get them through this
My focus is to help you heal, energize, and become aware of how you want to define yourself. This is achieved through providing a client-centered environment while creating a treatment plan to move you toward feeling more self-love. I utilize techniques from solution-focused, cognitive behavioral, and narrative therapies to help you feel more comfortable and capable in your own skin.
Hi, I'm David the founder of Oram Psychiatry, a private practice that serves all of New York, DC and Maryland. I am dedicated to delivering compassionate, individualized mental health care and I've been recognized by Todays Nurse as a top provider, which reflects my commitment to excellence in psychiatric care.
I specialize in diagnosing and treating a comprehensive range of psychiatric disorders, including neurodevelopmental disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bipolar and depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, dissociative disorders, somatic symptom disorders, feeding and eating disorders, elimination disorders, sleep-wake disorders, sexual dysfunctions, gender dysphoria, disruptive and conduct disorders, substance-related and addictive disorders, neurocognitive disorders, personality disorders, paraphilic disorders, and other mental health conditions.
Welcome to Thrivewell Counseling Services. I’m Kevin Stafford, LICSW, a clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience helping individuals manage life’s challenges with confidence and clarity. I specialize in supporting adults experiencing mild depression, anxiety, and adjustment difficulties. My goal is to create a space where you feel seen, heard, and supported as we work together to help you move from simply getting by to truly thriving.
About our therapists serving District of Columbia



- 96%Anxiety
- 94%Depression
- 86%Stress management
- 75%Trauma
- 74%Relationship issues

- 97%Aetna
- 82%Cigna
- 80%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 63%CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- 46%Kaiser Permanente of the Mid Atlantic

- 99%English
- 6%Spanish
- 3%French
- 1%Yoruba
- 1%Igbo

- 99%Online only
- 1%In-person or online

- 81%Woman
- 18%Man
- 1%Non-binary

- 55%Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
- 22%Licensed Professional Counselor
- 15%Nurse Practitioner
- 4%Clinical Psychologist
- 2%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist

- 100%Individual therapy
- 34%Family therapy
- 20%Couples therapy
- 11%Child or adolescent therapy
Frequently asked questions


Find the right therapist for you
Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Therapist in District of Columbia
Searching for therapists in DC starts with finding someone whose experience matches what you want to address. Across the District of Columbia, therapy needs and available therapists can vary by neighborhood, schedule, and care format. You may be looking for support with anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, work stress, or life transitions. As you compare DC therapists, look for specialties, approaches, and training that match your needs, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, couples therapy, or experience supporting people through major life changes.
Location and logistics can shape whether a therapist is a strong fit. In Washington, Capitol Hill, and Georgetown, some people prefer an office that works with their commute, while others choose virtual sessions for more flexibility. It can also help to compare appointment availability, whether a therapist is accepting new clients, and whether they offer a free phone consultation. Reading therapist bios before booking can show you how each therapist describes their style, session structure, and areas of focus, so you can make a more informed choice.
Therapy in the District of Columbia can be expensive without insurance, and using in-network coverage is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs. Headway helps you search for therapists who match your preferences, verify your insurance, and see your estimated cost before you book. Nationally, Headway partners with over 100 insurance plans, and your specific coverage depends on your plan and location. You can browse therapists, review bios, and book directly when you’re ready.
If you're experiencing or worried about violence, threats, or coercion in your relationship, couples therapy isn't usually the right starting point — individual support is safer. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788) can help you think through next steps.





































