Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Gaithersburg, MD

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.

Hi, I’m a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner providing compassionate, personalized mental health care for adults and young adults. I believe healing happens when you feel heard, understood, and supported — not rushed or judged.

I work collaboratively with my clients to create treatment plans that fit your goals, lifestyle, and values. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, or trauma, we’ll take the time to understand the whole picture and find what truly works for you.

My approach combines thoughtful medication management with therapy-informed care, education, and practical coping strategies. My goal is to help you feel more balanced, confident, and in control of your life.

If you’re ready to take the next step, I’d be honored to support you on your journey.

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!

My intention is to provide a judgment-free space where we can talk about what is going on and collaborate to move forwards in the best way possible. I am flexible in my approach to counseling, and I tailor my counseling style based on the needs of each person I work with. I enjoy working with a wide range of clients (age, gender, concerns, etc.) and I am passionate about what I do. I am into fitness and healthy lifestyle, and I support my clients with creating their own foundation of wellness.

I’m a therapist with more than 10 years experience in the field, in a wide variety of different settings. I prefer to utilize a Person-Centered, Solution-Focused perspective in providing treatment, and I'm highly practiced in a variety of CBT-based techniques. I'm happy to speak at length with patients about childhood traumas, their subconscious needs, and the impact of family upbringing on their adult lives- but that doesn't have to be therapy!

When navigating challenges like anxiety, depression, or trauma, it is easy to assume that something is fundamentally wrong with you. If you are struggling with low self-concept, anger, or substance usage, you might view these obstacles as personal failures. My goal is to completely shift that narrative. Together, we will look at what is going on with you, rather than what is wrong with you.

Since 1993, I have spent over 30 years helping individuals recognize their innate strengths and leverage them to overcome life’s hardest hurdles. Throughout my career, I have developed deep clinical expertise, obtaining specific, formal certifications across multiple states to ensure you receive highly credentialed and adaptive care.

Taking that first step to reach out for support can feel intimidating. Because of this, our introductory session is designed to be a safe, collaborative space. We will explore what is currently going well, examine the challenges you are experiencing, and align on your expectations for therapy. My primary objective is to establish an empowering professional relationship built entirely on your strengths.

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’m committed to providing a respectful, compassionate, supportive, caring, and evidence-based mental health services in a safe space and supportive environment. I strive to listen without judgement because I understand each client’s unique circumstances, and work collaboratively to maintain and develop individualized treatment plans that promotes recovery, personal growth, and emotional wellbeing.

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 dual board-certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner. After several years of clinical practice, I earned my doctoral degree in 2021. My experience spans both behavioral and family health settings, including hospital-based behavioral health units, partial hospitalization programs, and intensive outpatient care.

I specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of mental health conditions, including ADHD, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, panic disorder, and PTSD. My approach is grounded in evidence-based practice and emphasizes holistic, collaborative care.

Together, we will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs, goals, and values through a shared decision-making process.

I am committed to creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment and to addressing disparities in mental health care. If you’re struggling, you don’t have to go through it alone. I’m here to support you with compassion, expertise, and care.

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.