Grief counselors and therapists in Gaithersburg, MD

Humans heal through relationships. Our wounds form in connection, and it's in connection that they're repaired. This is especially true for couples: the patterns that cause pain are often the same patterns that, with the right support, can become a source of deep healing and renewed closeness. Working together means creating a safe space to slow down, understand each other's underlying needs, feeling and sensitivities, and rebuild trust and connection from the ground up.

This process can be challenging and may surprise you, but it often leads to real growth, deeper intimacy, and lasting change that is ultimately liberating.

I believe that it is important for everyone to know that they matter! While the content is serious in nature, I imbue a bit of levity and hope as appropriate.

I am motivated to help motivate and assist others to take the steps necessary in combating challenges and improving their quality of life.

I have worked with all ages, with professional experience spanning mental health, behavioral care, education, business, writing and more. I enjoy time with family & friends, fishing, crabbing, sports, writing, cooking, music, the great outdoors and more.

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!

Are you feeling anxious, stuck in old patterns, or unsure of where you belong in this complex world? Struggling to balance work and personal life? Maybe you’re navigating grief, a major life change, or carrying a sense of disconnection from yourself and those around you. You may also be trying to understand which parts of you feel genuinely your own and which have been shaped by family, culture, expectations, or experiences you have carried for a long time. If so, you don’t have to go through it alone.

With over a decade of clinical experience and backgrounds in International Disaster Psychology and Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, I bring a broad understanding of how our inner lives are shaped by more than symptoms alone. I am especially interested in the intersections of identity, culture, relationships, life experiences, and the larger environments we move through.

Therapy with me is warm, curious, and conversational. I want you to feel like you can bring your whole self into the room, including the parts that feel complicated, contradictory, difficult to name, or still in the process of becoming. Whether you are exploring cultural, racial, ethnic, spiritual, professional, relational, or personal parts of yourself, we can make space for your history while helping you understand who you are now and what you want your life to look like moving forward.

I approach therapy as a collaborative and nonjudgmental space where your story matters. I aim to be curious with you—exploring patterns, beliefs, and behaviors with care rather than criticism. While I draw on structured techniques from CBT, trauma-informed care, and narrative therapy, our work will always be shaped by your goals and needs. I believe that people thrive when they feel understood, and that therapy can be a place to reconnect with your inner strengths and values. Whether you're seeking tools for coping or space to process deeper emotional pain, I meet you where you are and walk alongside you. My hope is that you walk away with both insight and practical support—whether that’s a new perspective, a shift in self-compassion, or a concrete strategy to try between sessions. I work to ensure that therapy isn’t just a place to vent, but a space where meaningful change can take root.

I’m Ine Saka, PMHNP-BC, FNP, and founder of Empathy Wellness Center, currently serving Maryland and Virginia. As a board-certified psychiatric and family nurse practitioner, I provide compassionate, holistic, evidence-based care for children, adolescents, and adults. I specialize in ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety, and trauma, integrating traditional psychiatry with wellness-focused approaches to support mind, body, and spirit.

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor licensed in Maryland and Pennsylvania and nationally certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I believe therapy is a collaborative partnership built on trust, support, and mutual respect. My approach centers on balancing acceptance and change—meeting you where you are without judgment while helping you challenge unhealthy patterns, build new skills, and grow. Together, we will work toward meaningful change and creating a life worth living.

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.

I am a licensed clinical social worker in New York with over fifteen years of experience working as a therapist and a coach. I support clients navigating depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, OCD, parenting problems, career challenges, and life transitions.

I've worked with adolescents, couples, and families and I value creating a space where clients feel safe, understood and supported. I'm direct, yet compassionate, and I am not afraid to help you explore the "elephant in the room" so we can get to the root of what's keeping you stuck.

Hello, its pleasure to meet you. Sometimes we need someone to talk to or with about things that may bother us. Often times, we think we can resolve problems on our own but over time, we realize we need a professional to help us. I am the perfect stranger, we can meet in a safe environment and our conversations will remain confidential.

I am a licensed professional counselor and I have worked in this field for over 20 years. I received my Masters at Howard University in Washington, DC. , in counseling and have also received additional training at Catholic University. I am a nationally certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors.

I use several therapies to help my clients depending on what their needs are: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Person-Centered therapy and Eclectic Therapy.

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 an experienced therapist, licensed in Maryland, Ohio, Missouri, and Kansas. I will be your partner and tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. I have a master’s degree from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. I have been described as supportive, direct, caring, and compassionate, with a good sense of humor. I like to focus on identifying your strengths and helping you maximize them.