In Person Therapists in Howard County, MD

Gillian McCusker is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years in hospice and oncology care, specializing in guiding clients through the journey of grief and loss. Gillian has experience working with adults at all stages of life and can provide support with life transitions, navigating relationships, and anxiety and depression.

I use a variety of techniques to match the needs of each client throughout each session. I primarily use DBT, ACT, and IFS therapeutic modalities. These techniques emphasize mindfulness, personal strengths, resilience, and choice. Additionally, I use compassion and explore my clients’ values to gently challenge them to find more effective ways of getting their needs met. At times I use improv, humor, and a conversational and dynamic therapeutic style to create a judgment-free, supportive, and safe environment; disarming the self-critic; and allowing my clients to express themselves freely.

I am a licensed psychologist specializing in evidence-based care for children, adolescents, young adults, and their families. I have expertise in the assessment and treatment of anxiety and depression as well as co-occurring behavioral difficulties. Additionally, I have extensive experience working with individuals with chronic and acute medical conditions such as elimination disorders (including toilet training difficulties), gastrointestinal/urological problems, headaches, chronic pain, kidney disease, diabetes, and sleep concerns.

I continue to derive immense satisfaction from becoming a psychologist and exploring many paths and points of view about the nature of "reality", personally in my own work on myself and with others in psychotherapy (from physical/behavioral/external levels to non-physical/subjective/internal levels). People who have participated in psychotherapy with me often describe deriving value from increased awareness, insight and understanding about their past and present circumstances, both internal and external. These results have led to resolving external behavioral issues and increasing their level of internal satisfaction about their life experiences.

Accepting new clients at this time. You're ready. You've been thinking about it, and you have a goal in mind. You're looking for a professional to offer guidance, give you tools, and help you stay on track. I am a therapist and art psychotherapist with years of experience helping adults, adolescents, and children with concerns such as depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD, trauma, rape/sexual abuse, and ADHD. I have worked in partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs for adolescents at risk, as well as adult inpatient and general outpatient settings for adults, adolescents, and children.

I have experience creating supportive therapeutic relationships with individuals, couples and family systems; challenged by depression, anxiety, trauma, infidelity, intimacy issues, family distress and other concerns.

Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes we need support to face our challenges. I believe it is possible to grow from our struggles and learn from the difficult experiences we go through. I work with adolescents and adults ages 18 and up and provide a client-centered approach that meets the unique needs of each person. I support my clients in building self-esteem, resolving core issues causing anxiety and depression, and developing coping skills to reduce stress. I strive to empower my clients to develop self-compassion, acceptance, and insight to improve quality of life and wellbeing.

Adult & Adolescent Counseling Services, LLC is an evidence-based mental health counseling practice dedicated to bringing quality services to Individuals & families in Howard County. I specialize in working with pre-teens, adolescents, and adults struggling with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, ADHD, executive functioning, and other social/emotional, and behavioral issues. At the core of my practice is the belief that a strong client/therapist connection is one of the most important factors in achieving a positive outcome in therapy. My goal is to provide clients with caring, compassionate, and effective counseling services.

If you are looking to understand your struggles in relationships or in dealing with anxiety and depression, I provide a means of healing from urgent pain and distress associated with the daily struggles of life and relationships. As human beings we are in need of consistent support and therapy can provide a safe, trusting environment for sharing our concerns and fears and facilitate growth in relationships and other areas of our lives. It allows us to feel empowered and more independent. Psychotherapy can enrich our understanding of ourselves and can enhance the quality of our lives.

If you've hit a crossroad in your life; if you're in a place you don’t want to be and want to make changes; if you are having difficulty with the relationships in your life; feeling lost, confused; working through anxiety or depression - I am here to partner with you to navigate these challenges and get to a place where you feel confident, empowered, & content in your life. Sessions are likely to be conversational, flexible, supportive and real (with a dose of humor of course!) I am a provider that values authenticity - who I am in the session is who I am outside of the session - my hope is you will feel safe to do the same!

After a thorough assessment, the clinicians at Excellis Consulting work with our patients to develop a treatment plan using compassionate, evidence-based methods for anxiety and depression as well as a number of other problems. I get great satisfaction from successes that we’ve had in this area. We are fortunate to have a number of clinicians from award winning institutions, such as Johns Hopkins, join our practice. Whatever your need, it’s very likely we can find a skilled clinician to help you.

Therapy can be a revelatory process and can bring us back to who we are at our core. I'm a therapist specializing in womanhood– managing work and burnout; adjustment to motherhood; mid-life challenges including overwhelm and overdoing; and the mature woman navigating mind-body and relationship changes. I have expertise in healing from toxic families and relationships. I'm adept at working with you towards the best version of you, leaving behind what's no longer working and helping you build strategies for growth. Change is never easy, but it's doable with grace, humor, and the use of real tools that we'll develop together.

Are you depressed, anxious, impulsive? Do you feel stuck and long to be free of self-defeat? From the very first session we will work In a direct, caring, and collaborative way to identify sources of difficulties in your life. We will develop a clear course of action and goals to help free up your innate potential to live a fuller, healthier life. Our work will pay close attention to your experience and help you work through difficult feelings. You can be relieved of painful symptoms, gain deep understanding of yourself, and be freed to access your own inner resources.

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.

Do you struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, or ADHD that affects your ability to function in your relationships, your work, and all the things you need to do to get through the daily grind? Do you feel exhausted and overwhelmed, wondering if there's even a light at the end of the tunnel? Do you ever wonder if life really can get better? Many people are struggling with anxiety and depression. Others are trying to overcome childhood abuse and trauma, and still others are trying to overcome the shame and frustration of constantly struggling with accomplishing their day-to-day tasks. I believe that there is hope for a better life.

With more than 20 years of psychotherapy, testing and consulting experience, I have a broad range of skills and personalize treatment to people's needs. My style is collaborative, and my therapy orientation is integrative; (i.e., I use several therapeutic theories and techniques). My clients often appreciate my genuine caring and kind but firm manner, and they tend not to terminate therapy prematurely.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by grief and loss, or perhaps you or a family member is facing a difficult late-life transition, I'd like to help. It's not uncommon to search for meaning and understanding during times of loss and transition, whether it be sudden, unexpected, or seen in the distance. The emotions can be all-consuming and may seem confusing, even stifling at times. If you are searching for a safe space to share your feelings and to make meaning of your loss or late-life transition, I'd like to provide that for you. My counseling is tailored to meet you wherever you are on your very unique journey.

Kimberly Williams is a licensed Master Social Worker in Maryland, practicing since 2002. She has an MSW from Howard University School of Social Work, and a BSW from Bowie State University.

Therapy is an opportunity to explore and challenge yourself to experience your life in a fulfilling way. I will work with you in a collaborative, non-judgmental manner to understand existing beliefs, thoughts and behaviors and then strive to help you reach your goals in terms of changing any of these areas. I respect your personal hopes regarding what you would like therapy to be. I have worked in a variety of settings with adults, children and adolescents who are struggling with relationships, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. I focus on providing support in a warm and accepting atmosphere.