Find a therapist in Washington DC
If you're not sure where to start, Octave can match you with a therapist in Washington DC based on your needs and preferences, making it easier to move forward with confidence.
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High Satisfaction Rate
Susanna Shapiro
LCSW
Virtual
Specializes in Addiction (not substance use), ADHD +31 moreSpeaks Portuguese, SpanishI am passionate about working with people of all cultures and backgrounds to overcome obstacles to achieve their most meaningful and fulfilling lives. I specialize in helping couples on the brink with an active and relational approach. Why not bring curiosity, humor and love into the therapy space? This journey is hard, serious work, and it can also be fascinating and fun! My specialized training and experience in structural family therapy and trauma therapy help me guide clients towards freeing themselves from harmful patterns and moving towards their goals.Next available:Sun Aug 30 @ 3PM
High Satisfaction Rate
Sarah Beth
LCSW
Virtual & In-Person
Specializes in Anxiety, Family Conflict (1 adult in session) +5 moreWe might be a good fit if you're a caregiver seeking affirming care for queer and transgender youth, or a queer or trans person looking for a compassionate, relationally focused therapist. I offer therapy that invites creativity, directive activities, and concrete tools for self-regulation. I believe therapy can be a connective, playful space for self-expression, identity exploration, and improving relationships with self, family, partners, and community. My approach blends polyvagal theory, IFS, and Emotional Freedom Technique.Next available:Tue Sep 1 @ 7PM
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High Satisfaction Rate
Sophia Sills-Tailor
LPC
Virtual
Specializes in ADHD, Anger Issues +15 moreI create a space where you can talk freely, laugh a little, and sort through what’s been weighing you down. I consider myself a professional secret keeper who believes healing happens through honesty, humor, and connection with ourselves and others. My style is relaxed but intentional, helping you find calm in the chaos, set boundaries, and rediscover balance and self-care techniques. You don’t have to have it all figured out—just be willing to show up as you’re ready to do the work.Next available:Tue Sep 1 @ 10AM
High Satisfaction Rate
Yasir Mohamed
LPC
Virtual
Specializes in Couples Therapy (2+ adults in session), Divorce +3 moreI work with couples and families struggling with relationship concerns. My focus is to understand individual needs and feelings that one tries to meet and how unmet needs manifest in the form of conflict in the relationship. We first understand the concerns and then work through these concerns, developing strategies that are mutually beneficial and work for all those involved in the relationship.Next available:Mon Aug 31 @ 9PM
High Satisfaction Rate
Lisa Stanford
LCSW
Virtual
Specializes in Anxiety, Depression +9 moreMy approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, and rooted in compassion. I believe in creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where you feel seen, heard, and supported. I tailor each session to meet your unique needs, drawing from evidence-based practices like Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Faith-Based Counseling. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, perinatal/postpartum, or relationship challenges, I walk alongside you with curiosity and care—offering challenging tools that offer lasting growth. I see therapy as a good pair of shoes; it has to fit!Next available:Fri Sep 4 @ 4PM
Lasting Relationships with Clients
Aigner Fells
LPC
Virtual
Specializes in ADHD, Anxiety +11 moreI encourage clients to reflect on past experiences, identify current challenges, and gain awareness of patterns and reactions. Through this awareness and an effective therapeutic partnership, we will work together to develop desired goals and various treatment strategies. While I tailor my techniques to fit the needs of each client, one thing that remains constant is my desire to normalize the art of therapy. I spend my sessions not only providing treatment but also creating a safe space. It is not until we feel safe enough to let our guards down, can we truly make progress.Next available:Tue Sep 1 @ 3PM
High Satisfaction Rate
Arkilah Womack
LPC
Virtual
Specializes in ADHD, Anger Issues +15 moreI have experience working with adults, youth, and families in the community mental health setting, implementing various evidence-based treatment modalities to address issues such as trauma, family conflict, parenting, and much more. I am a person-centered therapist who enjoys collaborating with clients in treatment, as empowerment is the goal. I also approach challenges from a holistic perspective, integrating and tailoring treatment modalities according to the unique strengths and needs of the client. In treatment, I assume a trauma-informed approach with respect to and consideration of the "whole person".Next available:Sun Aug 30 @ 2PM
Oluwafemi Sanya
LPC
Virtual
Specializes in Anger Issues, Anxiety +9 moreSpeaks YorubaI believe meaningful change begins with feeling understood, respected, and safe. I strive to create a warm, collaborative therapeutic space grounded in genuine human connection. My integrative approach helps clients explore how past experiences, relationships, and patterns influence their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, while focusing on strategies to promote insight, emotional regulation, and sustainable change. I honor clients’ experiences and work at a pace that feels supportive.Next available:Mon Aug 31 @ 3PM
High Satisfaction Rate
Karen Curtis
LPCC
Virtual
Specializes in Anxiety, Depression +8 moreMy passion is helping families adjust to significant life changes. Whether you are entering into marriage, welcoming a child into your family, or realizing that it is time to refocus on your marriage, my goal is to help you strengthen and grow your family bond. Building self-awareness is vital to any relationship between two adults or parent and child. Creating your own family dynamic and parenting perspective is a unique process for each family. It is healthy to seek support.Next available:Mon Aug 31 @ 7PM
Lasting Relationships with Clients
Natalie Nichols
LPC
Virtual
Specializes in Anxiety, Burnout +6 moreI have worked for nearly 20 years with various human and social services programs. I have worked for programs focused on those with developmental disabilities, those needing supported employment, and those needing housing, and outpatient mental health services. Working with various human services populations has allowed me to work with diverse people. I am well versed in several counseling techniques and have compassion for being a service to others. My counseling skills are unique in nature, often taking a person-centered counseling approach to meet the client where they are to build the therapeutic relationship quickly.Next available:Wed Sep 2 @ 2PM
Frequently asked questions about therapists in Washington DC
What matters for your care is that your therapist is licensed in the state where you live. To see an Octave therapist, you are matched with a clinician licensed in Washington, DC, whether you meet online or in person. Some licenses fall under interstate agreements that let a therapist practice in more than one state, but you never have to sort that out yourself. Octave confirms every therapist is licensed to work with Washington, DC residents before matching you.
To practice in Washington, DC, a therapist must hold an active Washington, DC license. That means completing a master's or doctoral degree in a mental health field, finishing thousands of hours of supervised clinical work, and passing a national or state licensing exam. Licenses are renewed on a schedule and require ongoing education. Every Octave therapist practicing in Washington, DC holds a current Washington, DC license, reviewed by our clinical team before they join.
Washington, DC therapists practice under several license types, most commonly Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). You may also work with psychologists who hold a PhD or PsyD. All are qualified to provide talk therapy, and the right fit depends on what you want to work on more than the letters after their name. Octave works with licensed therapists across these credentials in Washington, DC.
Yes. If your Octave therapist in Washington, DC is not the right fit, you can switch at any time at no additional cost. Finding the right match matters more than getting it right on the first try, and it is common to need a session or two to know. Just let us know and we will help you find another licensed Washington, DC therapist who suits your needs.
No. You do not need a diagnosis, a referral, or a specific reason to start therapy in Washington, DC. Many people see a Washington, DC therapist to work through stress, relationships, life changes, or feelings that are hard to name. Your therapist focuses on your goals and what you want to get out of care, not on putting a label on you.
Start with what you want to work on, then look for a Washington, DC therapist whose experience and approach match. Practical fit counts too: whether they take your insurance, their availability, and whether you feel comfortable with them. With Octave, you answer a few questions during intake and get matched with a licensed Washington, DC therapist who fits your needs, so you do not have to sort through directories on your own.
Look for an active Washington, DC license, which confirms the therapist has met the education, training, and exam requirements to practice in Washington, DC. Common credentials include LCSW, LMFT, and LPC, along with psychologists who hold a PhD or PsyD. Beyond the license, check that their experience lines up with what you want to work on. Every Octave therapist in Washington, DC is licensed and reviewed for credentials, experience, and clinical approach before joining the platform.
In everyday use, "therapist" and "counselor" often mean the same thing: a trained professional who provides talk therapy. Both can be licensed to treat mental health concerns, and what matters most is their license, training, and experience, not the title they use. Octave connects you with licensed Washington, DC therapists whose background fits what you are looking for.
A therapist provides talk therapy to help you work through thoughts, feelings, and behavior. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose conditions and prescribe medication. Some people work with both. Octave provides therapy in Washington, DC, and if medication is something you want to explore, your therapist can talk it through with you and help coordinate care with an outside prescriber.
"Therapist" is a broad term for any licensed professional who provides talk therapy. A psychologist is one kind of therapist, someone with a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) who may also do psychological testing. Both provide therapy, and for most people the choice comes down to fit and experience rather than the specific degree. Octave works with licensed Washington, DC therapists across these backgrounds.
The most important things are a valid Washington, DC license, experience with what you want to work on, and an approach you feel comfortable with. Practical details matter too: whether they are in-network with your insurance, how soon they are available, and whether you connect with them in early sessions. Octave weighs these factors when matching you with a licensed Washington, DC therapist, so you are paired with someone who fits both your needs and your schedule.