Grief counselors and therapists in Gaithersburg, MD

I'm a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specializing in comprehensive, evidence-based care for individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions. With years of healthcare experience and a compassionate, patient-centered approach, I provide personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique goals and needs.

Whether you're seeking medication management, psychotherapy, or a combination of both, I work collaboratively with you to develop an individualized plan that promotes lasting wellness and improved quality of life.

I also offer Spravato® (esketamine) treatment for eligible adults with treatment-resistant depression and depressive symptoms associated with major depressive disorder. To better meet the needs of busy professionals, students, and families, evening and weekend Spravato appointments are available in a comfortable, supportive clinical setting.

My goal is to provide accessible, high-quality mental health care that empowers you to achieve emotional wellness and long-term recovery.

I am excited to provide compassionate & competent care for transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive adults, and other LGBTQIA+ identities. In addition, I enthusiastically affirm asexuality and aromaticism, intersex folks, and all who experience marginalization, erasure, and/or invisibility within the broader LGBTQIA+ community. Anyone “questioning” is welcome!

I believe that healing happens when people feel truly seen, heard, and understood. My goal is to provide a safe, compassionate, and supportive space where you can explore life’s challenges, develop practical coping skills, and create lasting change. I hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology and use an integrative approach that combines evidence-based therapies with holistic techniques tailored to your unique needs and goals.

I am a Licensed Holistic Mental Health Therapist with over five years of experience in the helping profession. I’ve had the privilege of supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds as they navigate life’s challenges and transitions. My passion is helping people who are at a turning point in their lives and ready to step into a new level of healing, growth, and expansion. Whether you’re a new parent adjusting to motherhood, exploring your identity, healing from heartbreak, or uncovering childhood wounds, I am here to walk alongside you. Together, we’ll use holistic, heart-centered approaches to help you reconnect with yourself and create the path that feels most aligned for this season of your life.

Great to meet you! I am Dr. Shannon Howard, a Licensed 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.

*PLEASE NOTE YOU MUST BE IN EITHER DC OR MD AT THE TIME OF YOUR SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT!

**I offer a 10-minute grace period to all clients before logging off of the Zoom platform. If you wish to reschedule, please message me here on Headway.""