Find a therapist in Maryland — covered by insurance

Hi there, I’m Elizabeth, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with more than five years of experience supporting adults 18 and older. I went into psychiatry because I saw how deeply mental health and overall health are connected, and I knew I wanted to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I’m honored to walk alongside my clients as they move toward healing, growth, and greater wellness.

Welcome

Hello, and thank you for considering me as your therapist. My name is Tarianda Ruston, and I have more than 25 years of experience working in the helping profession. I am a licensed clinical social worker in both Maryland and the District of Columbia, with a diverse background that has allowed me to support individuals and families through many of life's challenges.

Throughout my career, I have worked in child welfare, foster care and adoption, inpatient mental health, custody cases, special education, and school mental health. These experiences have provided me with a deep understanding of the unique challenges people face across different stages of life. My passion is helping individuals discover their strengths, overcome obstacles, and build the tools needed for lifelong emotional wellness.

I believe therapy is a partnership built on trust, respect, and authenticity. My role is not to tell you what to do or make decisions for you. Instead, I provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences openly. Through thoughtful questions, compassionate reflection, and evidence-based strategies, I will help you gain insight, clarify your values, and make choices that align with the life you want to create.

I am a licensed clinical social worker experienced with 22 years of practice and a former connection with public safety as a First Responder. I have worked in a hospital, school, and clinical settings with groups, individuals, and families; all of which has imbedded in me a deep understanding of the challenges individuals and families face. As a dedicated therapist with a rich background in crisis intervention and community support, I bring a unique blend of experience and compassion to my work. I enjoy working with individual teens, adults, couples, and families around a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, ADHD, Spectrum, relationships, divorce, blended families, parenting, anger management, and low self-esteem; struggling with the challenges of everyday life. I believe that therapy is a collaborative process; where I assist in increasing self-awareness and personal strengths so there can be new perspectives gained while decreasing unwanted symptoms, and people can have a more meaningful life experience. I want to offer support, insight and compassion to help you cope with or overcome your challenges. I will work with you to facilitate positive change and the adoption of healthier attitudes and responses; you don’t have to navigate life’s challenges alone.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with more than 10 years of experience helping individuals navigate life's challenges with compassion, honesty, and practical support. I earned my Master of Social Work in Clinical Social Work with a concentration in Children and Families from the University of Maryland and my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Administration of Justice from Howard University.

I specialize in working with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, grief, stress, and mood-related challenges.

Seeking support can feel like a big step, and I'm glad you're here. My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable being yourself—without judgment, pressure, or the need to have everything figured out. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood changes, trauma, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges, we'll work together to help you move toward healing and balance.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. I provide comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and supportive therapy using an evidence-based, holistic approach. I believe mental health is about more than managing symptoms—it's about improving your overall quality of life and helping you thrive.

My clients often describe me as warm, humorous, open-minded, energetic, and easy to talk to. I also believe in being direct, honest, and solution-oriented because I know that meaningful growth comes from combining compassion with practical strategies. I enjoy helping people recognize their strengths, build resilience, and develop skills they can use long after our sessions.

I work with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults experiencing a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD and trauma-related disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders. I also support clients navigating life transitions, grief, relationship challenges, stress, and emotional regulation.

I believe healing happens through collaboration, trust, and hope. Whether this is your first time seeking mental health care or you're continuing your journey, I'm here to meet you where you are and help you take the next step toward living a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Welcome! I would be honored to work with you in exloration of you. With many years of experience, I want and intend to understand you, and offer improvement for whatever you seek. You can be your happiest and healthiest self , living your best life.

Let's talk.

My career has included time as a social worker, helping patients and families navigate cancer and traumatic brain injuries; and as a therapist, supporting individuals in pursuit of better mental health. Along the way, I began facilitating ad-hoc stress relief practices for my colleagues in the helping professions. I began to see that the healthcare workers, teachers, first responders, veterans and so on, were struggling with their own well-being while working tirelessly to serve others. Most of us are serving in helping roles in more than one area of our lives, beyond our work, we are caregivers, parents, volunteers, etc. While this can be rewarding, it can also be exhausting, overwhelming and lonely. It can lead many of us into a state of 'dis-ease.' I would love to help you find your way back to your WHOLE self.

I am Vanessa Namugalu, MSN, RN, PMHNP‐BC I help teens and adults who are overwhelmed, stuck, or newly diagnosed get clear, practical psychiatric care that actually fits their life. I offer same‐week consults for psychiatric evaluation, medication management, ADHD and adult autism assessments, brief evidence‐based therapy (CBT, TF‐CBT, SFBT), telepsychiatry, crisis stabilization, and substance‐use assessment. I prioritize safety, transparency, and practical skills so you leave each visit with a clear next step.

With 15+ years of clinical experience across crisis stabilization, inpatient psychiatry, correctional health, acute medical‐surgical care, utilization review, and outpatient settings, I combine deep clinical judgment with a trauma‐informed, patient‐centered approach. I coordinate care with families and interdisciplinary teams and offer both secure virtual visits and in‐person appointments.

Ready to see if we’re a fit? Book a 30‐minute quick consult, many patients secure a same‐week slot. If you need urgent help, write “urgent” when booking and my team will prioritize your request.

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Washington, DC and Maryland with over 10 years of professional work experience. I have been practicing for 6- years primarily helping clients with stress management, anxiety, coping with addictions, increasing motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. I also have experience working with depression and assisting in mood regulation and stabilization. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support and empower you in that journey.

Hello, its pleasure to meet you. Sometimes we need someone to talk to or with about things that may bother us. Often times, we think we can resolve problems on our own but over time, we realize we need a professional to help us. I am the perfect stranger, we can meet in a safe environment and our conversations will remain confidential.

I am a licensed professional counselor and I have worked in this field for over 20 years. I received my Masters at Howard University in Washington, DC. , in counseling and have also received additional training at Catholic University. I am a nationally certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors.

I use several therapies to help my clients depending on what their needs are: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Person-Centered therapy and Eclectic Therapy.