LGBT therapists in Bel Air, MD

Hi, I'm Precious! I'm a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who believes therapy should feel like a conversation, not an interrogation. I work with teens, adults, couples, and families experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, relationship challenges, life transitions, and trauma. My goal is to provide a supportive, judgment-free space where you can be yourself while learning practical tools that help you feel better, grow, and move forward.

I focus mostly on behavior change. That might be a change from how you think about yourself, relationships, work, or something else. I can help you explore that. My role is to support you in believing that change is possible.

I also work in an open-ended environment. There is no contract or set number of sessions. Therapy should be flexible, and everyone's frequency is different. Most people notice growth within 10 sessions.

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 am a Board certified clinical social worker with nearly 40 years of experience in helping people navigate the therapy process. Seeking help takes courage, but the benefit of getting therapy is immense and can be life changing and life affirming. Most of my career I have helped people suffering from chronic medical illnesses and the anxiety, depression, and medical trauma (PTSD), they can face. I am comfortable with all medical diagnoses, but specialize with helping patients who struggle with, POTS, EDS, CRPS, Chronic Pain, Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disability, and autism spectrum disorder. I also have treated ADHD, ODD, and sexual and physical trauma.

As a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) who has been practicing for over 10 years, I can promise support, empathy, and engagement. Additionally, I have formal training in trauma treatments, TEAM-CBT, RLT couples counseling, and years of experience with several other approaches. I enjoy working with individuals and couples, i am an LGBTQIA+ ally, and i love my job!

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-C), LICSW who mainly specializes in adult individual, couples, and family counseling. I am currently licensed in MD, DC, DE, and FL. I have 20 years of experience providing therapy for individuals, families, and couples. I also have over 28 years of experience working in various social work settings. I am a certified life coach, a licensed minister as well as an author. I believe that every person has the right and ability to live a purposeful and fulfilled life. My goal is to empower, affirm, and build individuals to reach their maximum potential. I will never impose religious beliefs on my clients and will always value and support their individual perspectives. I enjoy facilitating workshops on various life issues, divorce, grief and loss and empowerment. I have facilitated several trainings for other professionals, and I have conducted training around Grief and Loss, Trauma Informed Care, and Understanding Child Development.

When was the last time you felt truly heard? Life can feel as though you're stuck in a maze without a map or sense of purpose. You may feel broken, alone, or depressed, but you're not. I've successfully helped clients work through challenges, learn effective coping skills, and view life in a realistic, positive way. I've helped clients with chronic illness maximize their quality of life. We'll set up a plan that meets your current needs, then empower you to reach your goals, together.

I am a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over two decades of experience across a wide range of therapeutic settings, including family, adolescent, individual, group, adult, outpatient, residential, and day programs. I help clients enhance their quality of life by using evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

I have been practicing therapy for about 5 years, receiving my master's degree from Saint Leo University in 2023 and my LCSW-C licensure in 2026. My main focus areas are complex trauma and attachment based issues, but I also am very effective at dealing with individuals with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and Autism.