Existential Therapists in Columbia, MD

People who are seeking to change dysfunctional patterns in their emotional lives and interpersonal relationships or are undergoing major life transitions and loss, may benefit from my approaches to psychotherapy. Working from interpersonal, psychodynamic and emotion focused frameworks, I emphasize the importance of relationships - developmentally and throughout the life span. I have many years of experience assisting people with emotional, interpersonal, achievement-related and existential dilemmas. Adults of diverse racial, ethnic, and spiritual backgrounds, gender orientations, physical abilities, and health statuses are seen in my practice.

My focus in the counseling relationship is on promoting growth and healing by exploring the role of individual identity, coping strategies, support systems, and trauma in your life. I hope to help you find meaning, achieve personal goals, engage in healthy relationships, and confront past hurtful or painful experiences. I use a client-centered approach to therapy while also incorporating aspects of CBT, DBT, and existential psychotherapy.

Shelia Lipscomb is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) who has more than 2 years of experience working with teens, adults, and seniors who are suffering the effects of anxiety, anger, depression, ADHD, chronic stress, relationship issues, family conflict, academic issues, behavioral disorders, and more.

Congratulations on deciding to seek therapy! It isn’t easy work, but therapy can help you navigate your challenges and develop your strengths to build the life you want. I work with adolescents and adults individually, as well as people in romantic relationships (I am affirming of all genders, sexualities, and relationship structures). My experience is with helping folks to address mental health challenges like depression and anxiety, to communicate more effectively and develop healthier relationships, to navigate stressful life transitions and existential concerns, and to heal from trauma.

I support minoritized individuals as they navigate workplace discrimination and microaggressions, helping them cope and advocate for themselves effectively. My clients are often managing major life transitions such as job loss, divorce, blending families, or raising a neurodivergent child. I also provide specialized care for aging-related issues, including retirement and legacy planning, dementia, and age-related depression and anxiety. My clients seek to rebuild and redefine their lives after significant changes, striving for resilience, empowerment, and renewed purpose.

I specialize in helping people grapple with existential concerns, often related to grief, loss, and finding a path in life. I work well with people who are disillusioned with the world today and who struggle to reconcile their values with the tasks of daily living, as well as those who have suffered significant losses need help to find their footing once more and to reengage in their altered lives. I do not structure sessions, teach skills, or assign homework.

Are you a young adult struggling to envision your future? Are you feeling anxious or stuck? Have you been hurt or traumatized? Feel like your full potential is unreachable? Or frustrated with life? Be still. Breathe. Seek deep within, for YOU are the Guru. And you have the power to change things! Are you ready to transform your life, by feeling fulfilled in your passions and relationships? Are you ready to explore and journey into your own unique expression of self? Are you ready to tap into your true potential and gifts? Become a new radiant you with my support and guidance! All of you is welcome.

As a clinician, I have experience working with a wide variety of clients, primarily those facing anxiety disorders, depression, body dysmorphia, self-esteem issues, and trauma-related disorders. I'm passionate about helping clients process past experiences, build a stronger sense of self, and create a new route to contentment and peace.

Jack is a trans male, queer, white therapist who practices from a relational and liberatory framework. He is committed to cultivating a therapeutic space in which clients are simultaneously affirmed as experts of their own experience, and challenged to make fresh meanings of the past and imagine new paths for the future.

Do you want to achieve a level of self mastery where you deeply understand yourself and how you operate in this world? Do you want to make conscious choices in your life that bring you fulfillment and joy? Do you want to increase your self compassion and empathy and have an easier time navigating your relationships? Psychotherapy can help with all of this and more. As a therapist, I see us on a journey traveling together. I am a guide and I am here to understand your world. From that understanding, we will begin to explore possibilities, solutions, and ideas which foster growth.

You want things to be different but you don’t know where to start. You’re looking for a space to process the parts of your life that are feeling frustrating. You’re feeling stuck in roles and patterns that are not bringing fulfillment. You have experienced hardships in your past and want to begin or continue the courageous journey of working through these challenges and experiencing the freedom that exists on the other side. I get it and therapy can help. Through therapy, I aim to empower you, fostering confidence and resilience through recognizing your inherent strengths and potential.

Providing collaborative efforts to help assist individuals who may be navigating through challenging times and are in need of support. In life there are moments of uncertainty and unpredictability that may yield the need for specific guidance that is unique to the individual or family. I am able to offer warm concern that is focused on achieving personal change and growth goals. My ultimate purpose is to connect, understand, and grow therapeutic relationships that are tailored to the needs and desires of the client as a tool to encourage, motivate, and empower the building of self-growth and effective development.

Major transitions, family issues, excessive worry, or feelings of being stuck are hurdles we may face at some point on our life's journey. I provide a safe, non-judgmental space to support you or your loved ones through these issues and help you navigate life's challenges. My goal is to form a collaborative relationship with my clients so that we can explore the root of issues, identify barriers, and create pathways to help you move forward.

I believe that each one of us knows exactly how to heal ourselves; however, the message gets lost inside ourselves for various reasons. I see my job as merely helping the individual attain the clarity to see for themselves the choices they've made. Once they understand the unconscious decisions that drive their behavior they can begin to make positive changes. My style is very relaxed and interactive. I try to create an environment that feels nonjudgmental and safe; where the individual feels cared about, encouraged and empowered.

I am only offering virtual appointments at this time. My goal is to help my clients learn to cope with the problems and stress they may be experiencing and to help them identify ways to form healthier, happier relationships. To accomplish this, I seek to create a therapeutic relationship that promotes healing and growth, enhances insight and perspective, and helps clients figure out what they want from life and how to achieve those goals. The clients that I work with are individual adults and couples.

Are you feeling stuck, frustrated, or overwhelmed? Trying to make sense of past trauma or current life stressors? Or looking for healthier ways to cope with distressing emotions? I am here to help. I can assist you in developing insight & coping strategies to address your particular struggles. My therapeutic approach is holistic and tailored to each individual as I draw from Internal Family Systems, polyvagal theory, creative/arts-based expression, & mind-body healing. I have extensive training & experience in Mindfulness Based-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy for C-PTSD, & Prolongued Exposure Therapy.

Alexis Powers (MS, LCPC) is a licensed counselor/psychotherapist focusing on the treatment of young adults and life adjustment for older adults utilizing cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for the treatment of depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, AD(H)D, and adjustment disorder, She also offers the opportunity for clients to vent about life’s disappointments and difficulties. Her background also includes work in a local school system, as well as in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

If you are feeling stuck, unsure, hurt, or angry, I would like to journey alongside you to help you discover the path and healing that is right for you. I have also worked with members of the clergy, military, police, and firefighters, along with their spouses. In conjunction with my studies, I have done research with clergy and their families.

Do you struggle with negative feelings about yourself? Do you frequently compare yourself to others? Are you experiencing feelings of hopelessness and helplessness? Do you find yourself in chronic cycles of addictive behavior (overeating, binging & purging, alcohol or drug abuse, overspending. etc.) ? Are these addictive behaviors followed by feelings of guilt and depression? Are you easily overwhelmed? Are you feeling tired and discouraged? Are you suffering in silence with anxiety or visions of abuse? You no longer have to suffer. Emotional pain is an invitation to change!