Family Therapy in Bethesda, MD

After years of working in New York, I am now happily serving the Maryland, DC, and Virginia community. I am a clinical psychologist providing evidenced based treatment to adults, children and adolescents. I have extensive experience working with a broad range of issues including anxiety, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and low self-esteem. My specialty training in the treatment of eating and weight disorders offers a unique perspective as an expert in the implementation and practice of family-based treatment for anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

Accepting NEW clients — Feelings of anxiety, depression, and grief are totally normal responses in these difficult times. My goal as a therapist is to guide clients through whatever is keeping them from living their happiest lives — whether the issue is more recent/situational, or a deeper issue that has been draining someone’s energy for years (or a lifetime). I operate from a collaborative, strengths-based perspective to help clients understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I help clients develop skills and strategies to mitigate OCD, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and trauma/PTSD symptoms that interfere with well-being.

I work with individuals, couples, families, and children. I specialize in addiction, relationship issues, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, trauma, family conflict and grief. My greatest intention is to help clients understand themselves better and improve their quality of life and relationships. I cater my approach to each client, responding to their own unique problems and personality style. This is not a "one-size-fits-all" practice.

Envision being hopeful and not feeling overwhelmed by sadness or worry, struggles with relationships, or loss of connection with others. Envision calmly coping with grief over the death of a loved one, the end of a close relationship, life transitions, or feelings of regret. Envision having courage, confidence, and clarity as you face life's struggles.

Welcome! With over 18 years of experience and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology granted at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, I am eager to start working together... You desire more than just relief from your symptoms; you seek understanding, connection, and lasting change. You want to rebuild your relationships, find peace within yourself, and develop the resilience to face life's challenges. You would be motivated by a deep desire for personal growth and a commitment to building a healthier, more fulfilling life.

I have tremendous respect for people who make the difficult decision to enter in to psychotherapy. I work collaboratively with older children, adolescents, and adults, in individual, couples, and family therapy. My goal is to explore collaboratively the troubles that have led them to seek treatment at this time. I try to provide a safe, non-judgemental environment, where one can develop insight to better understand and ultimately change behavioral and relational patterns that get in the way of happiness and fulfillment. I have extensive experience working with depression, anxiety, and trauma, as well as relationship difficulties and life transitions.

I believe we are all finally recognizing that a more holistic approach to treatment is needed. With over 40+ years of experience working in community mental health and private practice, I know the importance on our assessing and understanding all of the ways society impacts every individual. Everything around us matters, even beyond our personal relationships with our families, colleagues and friends. Speaking as a proud social worker, I know to effectively diagnose and treat a human problem needs a fully inclusive, psycho-social model of evaluation. I am here, tailored to help for your specific and unique needs.

I am an experienced therapist who finds real joy in helping one person/couple/family at a time regain control of their life, improve their situation, find a better path, or understand who they really are at the deepest levels along with core relationship patterns. I have 37 years of clinical experience and specialized postgraduate training in a variety of approaches.. Trauma is a primary specialty though I am trained to address a range of problems. I want you to feel safe and comfortable when we meet so developing a trusting relationship will be important. My style is interactive; you will decide if I'm a good fit for what you need.

My background as a family therapist means that I am trained to look at problems within a relational framework, whether that be between people, social systems, or the varied components of self within a single individual. The longer I practice, the more I believe that suffering and symptoms arise when we are disconnected from these relationships; disconnected from our bodies, from our emotions, from our needs, from our communities, and from others…

Life may be harder than you expected. You may feel stressed, depressed, or anxious. You may be struggling with a decision. Relationships with your family are complex. You may want to improve communication with your partner. Parenting is tough. You may have suffered a loss, & you don't know why it still affects you. You may have put a dream on hold while you attended to family matters, & now you wonder if you are still capable of fulfilling that dream. You may feel you have been given gifts, but you aren't using them to their full potential.

Selecting the right therapist is an important, personal decision. You deserve to work with someone who is compassionate and highly skilled in helping to bring about desired changes in your life. In nearly thirty years of clinical experience, I have helped people attain more satisfying personal and family relationships, cope with symptoms of anxiety or depression, and learn to better manage the stress of daily life.

Hi, I’m Samantha! I specialize in helping individuals and couples through various life challenges, including creating more fulfilling relationships, exploring identity, and managing chronic illness. My therapeutic approach is informed by my diverse background as a therapist, sex educator, and chronic illness advocate. I create a safe and non-judgmental space where clients can explore and process their experiences, find validation, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and of their relationships. I am dedicated to providing a supportive environment where you can heal, grow, and live authentically.

Your child is witty, funny, quirky, maybe even a bit weird. Not everyone gets them, but you love their creative, fast brain. Still, you feel a distance growing between you, and you crave a better understanding of what their behaviors mean and how to support a neurodivergent child. You want to find a therapist who also delights in your family, offering gentle understanding and guidance toward finding your strengths, expressing feelings, and overcoming challenges. I help bright, creative families thrive as they navigate the complex emotional landscape of raising a child with unique needs.

I am deeply passionate about supporting every person I encounter to lead a life worth living. I offer a warm and mindful space to celebrate strengths and explore challenges while balancing the dialectics of acceptance and change.

Our goals for you are clear: help you to find your best self and most fulfilled life. We specialize in providing psychotherapy for children, adults and groups. We also provide parent guidance to help the parent improve the child's well-being and solidify familial relationships. Testing is also a specialty at McGhee & Associates. We also consult with parents about school settings, educational accommodations and education-related stressors.

I believe in clients' innate ability to heal and grow, and in helping them to tap into their inner wisdom and resources. I have worked creatively, effectively and empathically with couples and individuals struggling with relationship difficulties, painful childhood and life experiences, personal and work stress, anxiety and depression, and social isolation. I have helped clients with complex needs in a variety of settings, including inpatient psychiatry, LGBTQ-friendly mental health services, university student counseling, and family services. I feel passionate about my work and view therapy as a collaborative, interactive process.

Brittany LaFleur is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Supervisor (LCPC-S) with a deep passion for aiding individuals in their journey towards becoming their best selves, hence why she started Your Best Self therapeutic services in 2018. Brittany creates a safe & confidential space to guide clients’ exploration of their inner worlds. She has a dynamic, compassionate & direct style of connecting with clients and leads a team of several other talented therapists.

I am a Licensed Clinical Marriage & Family Therapist (LCMFT) & native of Bethesda, Maryland, with over 30 years experience working with individuals, families, & couples. I have training in Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT) & I work from that model with my client couples. I am working towards full IRT certification. I am passionate about helping couples create new connections through enhanced communication skills, & through learning how to communicate clearly & with compassion, understanding, and love.

My individual clients include those dealing with mental health challenges; making decisions about career or relationships; or pursuing more fulfilling approaches to life. I work with couples of all ages, stages, and compositions, addressing communication, infidelity, loss of passion, infertility, parenting, strengthening relationships, and deciding. I work with couples struggling to decide if and how to continue to work on deeply troubled relationships and solidifying commitment. I see families dealing with communication issues, creating appropriate boundaries, and working through separation, divorce, and blended family issues .