LGBT therapists in Gaithersburg, MD

When you work with me you sign up to be challenged and empowered to change your own life.Through our work together, we will partner to be able to help you build the life you want. I cannot promise that it will be easy, but I can tell you that it will be worth it. Together, we will help you identify goals for your life, challenge your old ways of thinking that have been holding you back, and connect your thought patterns to your behaviors.

I am Dr. Christie Simon-Waterman, a dually certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over a decade of experience providing compassionate, evidence-based, and holistic care across the lifespan. My clinical background spans primary care, mental health, and community-based health, allowing me to care for the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

I earned my nursing education at Coppin State University and completed my doctoral training with a strong focus on health equity, leadership, and integrated care delivery.

In my practice, I specialize in:

• Anxiety, depression, trauma-related conditions, and mood disorders
• Integrated mental health treatment
• Substance use–related concerns and recovery support
• Care for underserved and marginalized populations

My approach is empathetic, collaborative, and trauma-informed. I believe healing happens best when clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. Together, we develop personalized treatment plans that may include therapy, medication management when appropriate, lifestyle interventions, and ongoing support tailored to your goals.

Above all, I am committed to creating a safe, supportive responsive space where clients can build resilience, restore balance, and move forward with confidence and clarity.

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.

Hi, I’m a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I graduated from Drexel University with my Master's degree in Nursing. I then completed my Post-Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I have over twenty years of experience working in healthcare. Psych has always been my passion. My experiences encompass working with clients across the life span, including Child and Adolescents, Adult, and Geriatric patient populations. I’ve provided services to clients presenting with many psychiatric disorders, such as Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, and more. I’m in the belief that mental health wellbeing is a priority. Human beings are resilient. Holistic care is the key to promoting better patient outcomes. Therefore, I believe that with an evidence-based practice treatment plan consisting of psychotherapy and/or a combination of psychotherapy and medication management, one will be able to control their mental health.

I’m a very compassionate, caring, and empathetic person. I strive to provide holistic care and collaborate with my clients to develop a treatment plan that they are comfortable with.

You should know that I take your concerns seriously, and I will meet you with compassion, respect, and zero judgment. I understand that reaching out for mental health support can feel intimidating, especially if you have faced stigma, felt dismissed in the past, or worried about what a diagnosis might mean. My goal is to help you feel safe and at ease from the very first conversation.

As a doctoral-prepared, board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over eight years of experience in psychiatric and mental health care, I work with individuals across the lifespan. I commonly support people navigating depression, anxiety, PTSD, stress-related concerns, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and other emotional or behavioral health challenges. I approach each person as a whole, not a label, and I take the time to understand your symptoms in the context of your life, your stressors, your strengths, and your goals.

In our work together, you can expect a collaborative, patient-centered approach. I believe treatment works best when you feel heard and involved, so we will discuss what you are experiencing, what has helped or not helped in the past, and what you want to be different moving forward. If medication is part of your care, I prioritize thoughtful, evidence-based decisions, clear education about options, and ongoing adjustments based on your response and preferences. I also value practical strategies and supportive guidance that you can apply between sessions.

Most importantly, I am passionate about each person I serve because I know you are important, and I recognize the courage it takes to seek help. My role is to offer steady, professional support and a trusting relationship as you work toward clarity, stability, and lasting wellness.

I am Dr. Senay Tedla, a doctorally prepared, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with extensive nursing experience in both medical and behavioral health settings. I provide compassionate, evidence-based care for adults experiencing anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma-related symptoms, attention difficulties, and substance-use concerns. My background as a clinician and nursing educator helps me explain treatment options clearly and support clients in making informed decisions about their care.

My background as a midwife for 22 years has prepared me to support you in your psychiatric journey. Although I specialize in maternal mental health, I enjoy general psychiatry for all genders age 14 and up. My philosophy is to provide integrative holistic psychiatric care that includes lifestyle changes, nutrition and medication. I attended graduate school at Yale School of Nursing and Frontier Nursing University. I am also certified by Postpartum Support International and am a lactation consultant. I am working towards my integrative psychiatry certification through the Integrative Psychiatry Institute.

I am a professional and person who is confident that you can have more confidence and contentment. As a trained psychotherapist clinician with 9.5 years experience, I counsel adults with concerns ranging from depression and anxiety to conflict, religious abuse, and marital and identity issues. My education from Hood College with a includes a specialized focus in grief and bereavement counseling. I welcome clients of ALL cultures, belief systems, races, and backgrounds.

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.""

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, and my goal is to make that first step feel a little easier. I approach my work with warmth, compassion, and genuine curiosity about each person’s story. I support clients in gently unpacking the thoughts and experiences that may be contributing to anxiety and depression, while offering empathy and practical tools along the way. You don’t have to navigate this alone—we’ll work through it together.

I bring empathy, humor, and a down-to-earth style to create a space where you can feel safe, seen, and truly yourself. Therapy should feel like a real conversation, not a script. I value connection and will support you with compassion—while also gently challenging unhelpful patterns. Together, we’ll explore what’s holding you back and help you move forward.