LGBT therapists in Gaithersburg, MD

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 Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from University of Maryland University College, a Master of Science Degree in Marriage & Family Counseling Therapy and a PhD in Advanced Studies in Human Behavior from Capella University.

I specialize in working with couples experiencing communication difficulties, conflict, trust issues, infidelity, intimacy concerns, life transitions, and relationship distress. I work with couples of all backgrounds and identities and provide an LGBTQIA+ affirming and inclusive environment.

I believe therapy should be a place where you feel supported, but also challenged to grow. I strive to create an environment where clients feel heard and understood while also encouraging honest reflection, personal accountability, and meaningful change. My goal is to help couples strengthen their connection, improve communication, rebuild trust, and create healthier ways of relating to one another.

Please note that I offer couples therapy on a self-pay basis only. Insurance companies generally reimburse services that are tied to an individual's mental health diagnosis and do not typically cover relationship or couples counseling. My fee for couples therapy is $150 per session.

I am a Board certified clinical social worker with nearly 40 years of experience in helping people navigate the therapy process. Seeking help takes courage, but the benefit of getting therapy is immense and can be life changing and life affirming. Most of my career I have helped people suffering from chronic medical illnesses and the anxiety, depression, and medical trauma (PTSD), they can face. I am comfortable with all medical diagnoses, but specialize with helping patients who struggle with, POTS, EDS, CRPS, Chronic Pain, Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disability, and autism spectrum disorder. I also have treated ADHD, ODD, and sexual and physical trauma.

I started my career in social work with Meals on Wheels, moved on to Big Brothers Big Sisters, and then to the Department of Social Services. Over the last 2+ decades I’ve worked with individuals, groups, families, and couples (inpatient and outpatient). Most recently, I felt called to do more to help individuals move through adulthood with acceptance and healing. That’s what led me here, fulfilling my lifelong dream to be a therapist, counselor, and life coach.

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.

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 focus mostly on behavior change. That might be a change from how you think about yourself, relationships, work, or something else. I can help you explore that. My role is to support you in believing that change is possible.

I also work in an open-ended environment. There is no contract or set number of sessions. Therapy should be flexible, and everyone's frequency is different. Most people notice growth within 10 sessions.

You are not your symptoms! I obtained my doctorate to practice and research five additional years of evidence -based ways of healing. I ave been weel-trained in CBT & Creative Arts, Adlerian - early relationships, & Gestalt therapy, EMDR, and EFT. I help my clients practice the freedom from negative thoughts/feelings. using Positive Psychology.

I see ages 5 - 95. The focus of treatment is YOU. I work with trauma, co-dependency, anxiety (OCD, PTSD, C-PTSD), Recovering from SUD (familiy primary), Separation/Divorce, Spiritual Issues, LD/ADD & depression.

My background is in all aspects of mental health and substance abuse.

Uraina, is a LCSW, with 10+ yrs or experience. She is a therapist who Is compassionate and understanding, who meets the clients where they are. Enjoys helping clients to feel empowered to find their own true potential. She has the understanding that each client's needs are unique to their own situations. She specializes in CBT, TFCBT, Trauma, MI, Mindfulness, Attachment Disorders, LGBT communities, Grief, Substance Use, Boundary Setting, Relationships Issues and more.

I believe that meaningful change happens through connection, trust, and collaboration. As a therapist, I see us as partners in the therapeutic process—working together to better understand your experiences, build on your strengths, and create lasting change. I am deeply committed to providing culturally responsive care that honors each person's unique story, values, and identity. I truly love the work of psychotherapy and consider it a privilege to walk alongside my clients as they heal, grow, and move toward the life they want to live.

Ka'ra Johnson is a LCSW-C, LCSW licensed in MD, VA, DC, and OH. She received both her Masters in Mental Health Counseling and Masters of Social Work from Capella University. She specializes in treating Trauma, Mood Disorders, Forensic Clients, Crisis Interventions and Life Transitions. Her modalities of therapy are: Trauma informed CBT, REBT and Motivational Interviewing.