LGBT therapists in Columbia, MD

With 8 years of experience in the mental health field, I firmly believe in the parity of mental and physical health. Life often leads us into dark tunnels, and my role in therapy is to guide individuals toward the light at the end of those tunnels.

Seeking support can feel like a big step, and I'm glad you're here. My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable being yourself—without judgment, pressure, or the need to have everything figured out. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood changes, trauma, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges, we'll work together to help you move toward healing and balance.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. I provide comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and supportive therapy using an evidence-based, holistic approach. I believe mental health is about more than managing symptoms—it's about improving your overall quality of life and helping you thrive.

My clients often describe me as warm, humorous, open-minded, energetic, and easy to talk to. I also believe in being direct, honest, and solution-oriented because I know that meaningful growth comes from combining compassion with practical strategies. I enjoy helping people recognize their strengths, build resilience, and develop skills they can use long after our sessions.

I work with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults experiencing a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD and trauma-related disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders. I also support clients navigating life transitions, grief, relationship challenges, stress, and emotional regulation.

I believe healing happens through collaboration, trust, and hope. Whether this is your first time seeking mental health care or you're continuing your journey, I'm here to meet you where you are and help you take the next step toward living a healthier, more fulfilling life.

There's a particular exhaustion that comes from being strong for everyone — from carrying your history in your body, from holding complexity in a world that keeps asking you to pick one lane. Whether you're sorting through old trauma, navigating mood swings that feel out of your control, or sitting with the weight of relationships that have hurt you, you don't need to figure it out by yourself. Many of my clients are high-functioning people who've been told they're fine — and they're tired of pretending that's the whole story.

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology. I bring eight years of clinical experience serving individuals of various ages and cultural backgrounds within an outpatient clinic setting.

My areas of specialty include trauma, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and life transitions. In my practice, I explore your unique life experiences, values, and goals. I focus on understanding your underlying psychological symptoms, functioning skills, and emotional needs to help reconnect you to your authentic self through acceptance and meaningful self-discovery.

Working in the field for 24 years has opened my eyes and ears to many experiences. While your life experience is unique, we will work together to find ways to get you to your best life. I have worked in a hospital setting, inpatient mental health, outpatient mental health, PHP, IOP, Dual Diagnosis, rehab, residential treatment and community settings to a variety of clients in various backgrounds.

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.

I work with men who are in a “next chapter” season, high school and college students stepping into adulthood, and high-performing professionals and entrepreneurs who carry a lot and rarely have a real place to put it down. A lot of the guys I support feel stuck in confusion, relationship stress, fatherhood pressure, or the weight of past experiences that still show up in the present. My style is warm, direct, and easy to talk to, but I’m also honest and strategic. I help you get clear on what’s driving you and what’s blocking you. My background includes a B.S. in Sociology from Florida A&M University, an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Bowie State University with psychotherapy training, clinical training in a men’s resource setting, and service as an Army chaplain assistant.

Hi, I'm Dr. Arthur Chen, a licensed psychologist in Boca Raton and a Clinical Director. My passion is helping you navigate challenges and build lasting well-being through evidence-based strategies, genuine empathy, and active collaboration.

I specialize in Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, eating disorder recovery, and substance abuse recovery. Our practice, where I'm Clinical Director, also handles severe issues like bipolar disorder and psychosis.

My style is active, empathetic, and results-oriented. I don't just listen; I provide direct feedback and insightful questions to deepen your self-awareness. I'll gently challenge you to explore new perspectives and identify patterns, always in a safe space. My core is unconditional positive regard and profound care, ensuring you feel safe and accepted, truly heard and understood.

My strength is equipping you with practical skills for daily life. I provide concrete tools to manage difficult emotions, improve communication, develop robust coping mechanisms, and cultivate emotional resilience. My commitment is tangible results: symptom reduction, sustainable recovery, deeper self-discovery, and ultimately, an improved quality of life. Whether you want to "figure things out" or enhance your mental fitness, I'm here to guide you.