Grief counselors and therapists in Columbia, MD

My work centers on helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, ADHD, self-esteem challenges, and relationship concerns. I take a collaborative, client-centered approach, integrating modalities like CBT, DBT skills, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to support meaningful, lasting change. I strive to create a warm, affirming, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel safe to explore all parts of themselves, including identity, relationships, and personal growth. I work best with clients who are open to reflection and committed to doing the work both in and outside of session.

Therapy should feel real, honest, and worth your time. I work with adults navigating anxiety, trauma, fertility, pregnancy and postpartum struggles, first responder life, and all the messy in-betweens. As a trained EMDR therapist (and a mom of two and a fire wife who knows this world personally), I offer direct but compassionate support. You’ll get practical tools, honest feedback, and space to do the hard work, not just vent and leave. If you're ready to finally break old patterns, I’m here to help you get unstuck.

Laneka Montgomery is a compassionate therapist with experience supporting individuals navigating stress, trauma, depression, anxiety, grief, and life transitions, including end-of-life concerns. She works with adults, women, and couples facing relationship challenges and emotional distress.

Laneka is committed to creating a supportive, affirming space where clients feel heard and valued.

Looking for relationship help? To relieve the pain or find better ways to manage? The "secrets" of dealing skillfully with difficulties, differences and hurts, are not really secrets: you CAN learn these and many more relationship skills if you are curious, motivated and persistent. I'd like to help you: a) address and relieve your most pressing problems, b) set clear, realistic goals, and c) learn to avoid a tremendous amount of headache and heartache in the future.

I am a board-certified Nurse Practitioner with training in both primary care and psychiatric mental health. I have extensive experience providing care in community, correctional, and integrated care settings, where I work with individuals managing anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma-related conditions, and other mental health concerns.

I strive to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard and respected. I value thoughtful assessment, clear communication, and collaborative decision-making to help clients better understand their symptoms and treatment options. My goal is to partner with each client to develop a personalized care plan that supports both mental and overall well-being.

I have extensive experience working with complex trauma, attachment issues, family, and spiritually and religiously-based trauma.

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.

I am trained as a clinical social worker. I consider my patients in the context of their family, social and cultural background. I work with adults of all ages.

I am an aspiring musician who loves movies, music, and love fantasy books. I became a counselor to help myself and others better understand feeelings and to be more present and get more out of life. I believe therapy is most effective when it is connective and personal.