Grief counselors and therapists in Bethesda, MD

As a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, I provide personalized assessments, therapy, and medication management designed for you and your loved ones. Whether you’re facing depression, substance use, or personality challenges, I work with you to create a plan that helps you feel stable, supported, and able to live at your best.

My clients would describe me as caring, direct, supportive, humorous, affirming, and down to earth. If you are here and need these, then you are in the right place. I have been practicing as a licensed therapist for over 7 years and genuinely enjoy helping others reach their full potential. Life happens. But so does therapy, so let's give this a try!

I believe therapy begins with feeling safe enough to be honest and being heard without judgment. I want my clients to know that you don't have to have all the answers before coming to therapy. Sometimes taking the first step is the hardest part.

I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Maryland and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-C) licensed in Virginia and Maryland. I have worked in behavioral health for many years, with a particular focus on substance use, co-occurring mental health concerns, and trauma. My experience includes working with adults from diverse backgrounds and supporting individuals through residential, intensive outpatient, and outpatient levels of care.

I genuinely enjoy helping people recognize strengths they may have forgotten they have. I believe that your diagnosis, substance use, trauma, or past experiences are only part of your story—they do not define who you are. I will meet you where you are and work with you to identify where you want to go next.

I believe healing begins when clients feel emotionally safe, heard and genuinely supported. I strive to create a warm, nonjudgmental environment where you can openly explore your experiences, challenges, and emotions at your own pace.

Welcome

Hello, and thank you for considering me as your therapist. My name is Tarianda Ruston, and I have more than 25 years of experience working in the helping profession. I am a licensed clinical social worker in both Maryland and the District of Columbia, with a diverse background that has allowed me to support individuals and families through many of life's challenges.

Throughout my career, I have worked in child welfare, foster care and adoption, inpatient mental health, custody cases, special education, and school mental health. These experiences have provided me with a deep understanding of the unique challenges people face across different stages of life. My passion is helping individuals discover their strengths, overcome obstacles, and build the tools needed for lifelong emotional wellness.

I believe therapy is a partnership built on trust, respect, and authenticity. My role is not to tell you what to do or make decisions for you. Instead, I provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences openly. Through thoughtful questions, compassionate reflection, and evidence-based strategies, I will help you gain insight, clarify your values, and make choices that align with the life you want to create.

Hi, I’m Joi Dyson, LCSW-C — a therapist, life coach, and intuitive healer with 20 years of experience helping women break free from patterns that no longer serve them.

I specialize in working with women in their who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected — even when everything looks fine on the outside. Many of my clients are professionals, caregivers, or creatives navigating issues like perfectionism, depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, or chronic relationship struggles. You may have accomplished a lot — yet still carry a quiet, persistent feeling of “not enough.”

Outside of my work as a therapist, I enjoy spending time outdoors, riding my horses, and being with my family. These activities help me stay grounded and connected to what matters most in life. I value balance, authenticity, and meaningful relationships, and I bring those same values into my work with clients. I strive to create a welcoming, supportive environment where clients feel comfortable being themselves and working toward their goals.

My name is Derrick C. Gibson — Licensed Professional Counselor, Elder at Brookside Ministry Church of God in Christ International, and someone who has spent his career showing up for people that many systems had already written off. I hold dual Master's degrees in Guidance and Counseling and Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, and my work has taken me deep into Kanawha County, West Virginia — into the schools, into the judicial system, and into the lives of families navigating some of the hardest circumstances imaginable. I've worked with domestic abuse survivors, sexual abuse survivors, at-risk youth, and individuals managing anger — not from a distance, but up close, with real investment in real outcomes. I also serve as a Christian Counselor, which means faith is not a footnote in my practice — it's woven into the foundation. If you're looking for a counselor who brings both clinical training and a grounded spiritual perspective, you've found one.

Hello, and welcome. My name is Debby Falusi, CRNP, PMHNP-BC, and I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 17 years of experience in mental health care. I have worked with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults across a variety of settings, including outpatient clinics, inpatient psychiatry, telepsychiatry, substance use treatment programs, correctional facilities, and skilled nursing facilities.

I believe that mental health care should be compassionate, collaborative, and individualized. My approach focuses on creating a safe, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to participate in their treatment decisions. I work closely with each client to understand their unique experiences, challenges, strengths, and goals.

My areas of expertise include depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, trauma-related disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders. I provide comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and supportive psychotherapy while utilizing evidence-based practices to help clients achieve meaningful and lasting improvements in their mental well-being.

I understand that seeking help can be difficult, and I strive to make the process as comfortable as possible. Whether you are experiencing new mental health concerns or managing a long-standing condition, I am committed to supporting you on your journey toward healing, resilience, and improved quality of life.

I look forward to partnering with you to develop a treatment plan that aligns with your needs and helps you move toward your personal goals.

Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Trauma/PTSD, Mood Disorders, Psychotic Disorders, Substance Use Disorders, Stress Management, and Medication Management.

Please visit www.tendermindandsoulhealthcare.com for more information.

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!

Kim Prager, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker/Therapist, studied and trained at University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has 16 years of experience providing therapy to people from all walks of life, Most recently, she worked at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center's integrated executive medicine and oncology clinics.

She believes therapy is a place to be seen and heard and an opportunity for personal growth. Her approach is holistic and trauma informed, often with a focus on adjustment, interpersonal dynamics, grief, and loss.

She welcomes you to reach out to find a way to live more authentically, forge genuine connections, and prioritize value based goals that bring about positive change in your life.

I am a board certified psychiatric nurse practitioner for over 5 years, and I am also a board certified adult nurse practitioner for over 12 years. I began my nursing career graduating from university of MD with my bachelors, and then attended Johns Hopkins University for my masters. I decided to further my education by attending Brandman University to obtain my Doctorate and psychiatric mental health certification in 2018.

Starting therapy can feel intimidating, but you don’t have to figure things out alone. I’m Tamara Whittleton, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with adults navigating stress, anxiety, depression, and major life changes. I focus on creating a supportive environment where clients feel comfortable talking openly while developing practical strategies for growth and healing

Great to meet you!

As a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I believe prioritizing mental health is integral to happiness and stability in life. Seeking help can be one of the hardest parts, so congratulations on taking that step! I’m honored to share that I have been helping people for nearly 25 years... and counting! I look forward to working with you and uncovering the solutions needed to help you live the life you desire and deserve!