LGBT therapists in Gaithersburg, MD

Hi, I’m Marli. I’m a licensed social worker in Maryland, Virginia, and DC, and I enjoy working with children, teens, and adults. I have a special interest in supporting college students and young adults as they navigate the challenges, transitions, and self-discovery that often come with this stage of life. Originally from Maryland, I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Maryland and my Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. Outside of work, I love spending time with my dog, traveling, getting creative through arts and crafts, and being around family and friends.

I specialize in medication management in treating mood, anxiety, psychotic, and substance use disorders. In the past, I worked as an RN in a dual diagnosis inpatient psychiatric unit. Recently, I have working in an outpatient private practice.

I am a therapist based in Maryland, dedicated to helping Maryland individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges and build meaningful skills for growth. My path to this work began with a belief in the importance of accessible, evidence-based care for anyone seeking support—whether during difficult times or as part of personal development.

I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Psychology from UMBC in 2015 and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2016. My professional experience includes supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, working with transitional-age youth, providing outpatient therapy in community mental health, and serving Veterans through the VA. These diverse roles shaped my therapeutic style, which is compassionate, practical, and results-oriented.

I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, and sleep difficulties, with advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), and other evidence-based treatments. I also have extensive experience supporting LGBTQ+ clients and survivors of trauma.

In therapy, I strive to create a safe and collaborative environment where clients feel understood and empowered. My approach is evidence-based and goal-directed, while always tailored to each person’s needs. Therapy can be a place not only to work through challenges but also to build skills, strengthen resilience, and foster long-term growth.

Most of us never saw healthy communication growing up—and that makes connection feel harder than it should. As your relationship therapist/coach, I help individuals and couples develop relational competence so you can break old patterns, communicate with clarity, and create more secure and nurturing relationships.

• My in-person days: Tuesdays, Thursdays.
• My online days: Monday afternoon, Wednesday morning, Fridays.

Whether you are struggling with the far-reaching impact of past trauma, relationship challenges, anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other ongoing health issue or simply wanting to invest in a bit of self-exploration and growth, I am so glad that you have begun your search for the best facilitator in that journey. I believe in meeting people where they are and allowing you to set your own pace for healing. I look forward to assisting on your healing journey in any way that I can.

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.

Hi, I’m Shannon! I’m a licensed clinical social worker who genuinely believes that finding the right therapist can make all the difference.

Over the past 13+ years, I’ve had the privilege of working with children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and families, supporting people through a wide variety of experiences and stages of life. This diverse experience has taught me that everyone’s story is different—and that therapy should be tailored to the person sitting in front of me.

I’m a warm, down-to-earth therapist, and I want my clients to feel comfortable being their authentic selves in therapy. You don’t have to have the right words, know exactly what you need, or have everything figured out before starting. We can start wherever you are.

Throughout my career, I’ve supported clients navigating everything from everyday stress and anxiety to major life transitions, relationships, family challenges, chronic illness, and other difficult or unexpected circumstances. I also bring specialized experience in pediatric hematology/oncology and survivorship, which has given me a unique perspective on the emotional impact that significant life changes can have on individuals and families.

My practice is fully virtual throughout Maryland, allowing me to provide therapy in a way that is comfortable, convenient, and accessible.

Most importantly, I want you to feel like you have a therapist in your corner—someone who will listen, understand, and work alongside you.