Grief Therapists in Lyon Village, Arlington, VA

I am Ellen McCarter and I provide telehealth counseling throughout Virginia and Florida to individuals, couples, and families who are facing loss, illness, grief, and trauma during or after pregnancy. Common themes that I address in my work include anxiety, grief, depression, caregiving burnout, fertility challenges, subsequent pregnancies after loss/trauma, and couples/relationship issues. I am passionate about supporting clients in various stages of pregnancy and the postpartum period. I am available for online virtual appointments.

I'm a psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience helping individuals in DC navigate grief, depression, anxiety, and trauma. Using a blend of techniques with a strong emphasis on mindfulness to foster self-compassion and emotional well-being, I genuinely love helping clients build a lifestyle that promotes a life of mental well-being. I also has a deep understanding of military families and veterans, having served them for 12 years. I have a warm and conversational approach, which creates a safe space for healing. In-person (Dupont) and telehealth sessions available.

I'm here to listen and to care, there is hope and help. I don't want you to feel this way one more day. Where there is lack of understanding, let's find meaning.I stand ready to support you on your jouney to flourish! I've successfully helped couples rediscover their loving relationship. Yes. It’s possible. Let’s work to build satisfying relationships. To understand and dentifythe triggers that lead to anxiety and depression. While planning supports your strengths. It would be a privilege to assist you on this journey. Together we can plan strategies to move forward to positive change.

As there are many therapists to choose from, your task in finding a therapist can be challenging for various reasons. I hope by reading more about me, you will have a better sense of how I may be able to help you. I believe that successful therapy depends upon your sense of comfort and emotional safety, as well as the connection we establish in the therapeutic relationship.

If you've experienced loss in your life, I am here for you. At Gentle Grief, you will be receiving a compassionate, non-judgemental listening ear, complete confidentiality, and a companion to walk this journey alongside you. When grief hits us, the world keeps moving and we can feel like we are stuck in time. Are you having trouble getting up in the mornings? Do you experience difficulty meeting your basic needs? Some of the issues I support individuals with: death of a loved one, terminal illness/diagnosis, life transitioning, supporting parents with grieving children, self worth, severed relationships, and others.

Life can be overwhelming. Whether it is interpersonal challenges, trauma, grief, or learning why we make ineffective choices, therapy can help. I am a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors effectively. I work from a non-judgmental, collaborative, and strengths-based perspective. I believe you are doing the best you can at this moment; I will help you build towards making changes in your life to reach your goals.

I am dedicated to creating a supportive, authentic, and compassionate space in which individuals can engage in meaningful exploration and healing. I work with teens, adults, and families who have been impacted by trauma and loss, and are experiencing challenges relating to persistent anxiety and/or depression, complex family dynamics, intercultural relationships and families, identity development and exploration, and the stressors of daily life within the context of our sociopolitical landscape.

Shaina received her Master’s in Social Work from Howard University and is currently working towards LCSW Licensure. Shaina also has an MS degree in Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice from Longwood University. She has experience working with a variety of individuals, including children, adolescents, and families. She brings her passion and empathy for working with people to provide an outlet for healing and work through difficult times. Shaina also has experience working with individuals and families through traumatic and stressful experiences such as grief, depression, anxiety, addiction, and incarceration.

I pursued this work because I know what it is like to be knocked off course. Over the years, I have found that assisting people heal from trauma is what I am meant to do. I focus on empowering my clients through education, proven therapies, and allowing my clients to lead their treatment. You are the expert on your own experience! I'm here to safely offer you an alternate path to your goals. You are experiencing a normal reaction to something that is abnormal. Trauma and grief are heavy - you don't have to carry it alone and it does not have to be a part of your identity.

Let's just get to it. I am here to offer compassion, support, and assistance in navigating issues such as grief/loss, major life transitions, attachment/relationship difficulties, and complex or acute trauma. I prioritize my relationship with you as a client first and foremost, as it is impossible to facilitate healing in an environment that doesn't feel inviting and safe. I inject plenty of humor into our work (when appropriate), and I can also roll up my sleeves and get down to the nitty gritty. In every instance, I strive to provide a warm, secure, and judgement free space for us to work towards your therapeutic goals.

Life doesn’t often go according to our plans. Unmet needs and expectations can leave deep and invisible scars. That doesn’t mean you’re broken, it means you’re human. I work with individuals to increase self-acceptance and self-awareness, build empathy, and improve the quality of their relationships. My hope is to support your journey to express, explore, and discover who you are and who you want to be.

Therapy works best when you’re feeling understood. By processing and understanding the events of your life and your reaction to them, we will identify healthy coping strategies to manage stress and strong emotions. Have you experienced a loss that feels overwhelming? Feeling “stuck” or alone in your grief? Together, we can work to help you feel better. Our lives and problems can be more deeply understood through a structured reflection of the past. I use a mix of psychodynamic psychotherapy and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) to help people notice and be curious about their feelings, thoughts, behaviors.

I have been in this field since 1996 and specialized in working in a variety of settings with children and young adults (ages 2-19), adults, couples, families, individuals and groups. I currently specialize in the treatment of trauma and work primarily with adults. Trauma affects the brain and the body, causing all sorts of problems for the individual, including (but not limited to) the following: Borderline Personality Disorder, loss of control, rage, anxiety, anger, depression, self-injurious behaviors, the inability to focus and concentrate, imagine and plan a future for themselves, trust others and form relationships.

When you feel like you are drowning, therapy allows you to come up for air, engage in meaningful self-reflection, and discover what you are made of and how you can be true to yourself going forward. Maybe you're struggling with recognizing and communicating your needs to others, or perhaps life is going really well and you're terrified of messing it up. Whatever your experience is, I can help. My style of practice is authentic, compassionate, and straightforward, and I believe that a sense of humor goes a long way in helping people feel comfortable and connected.

I have been in the psychology/counseling field since 2002. I am currently a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Commonwealth of Virginia, National Certified Counselor (NCC). As a former NCAA D1 athlete, I feel strongly that exercise is an important component to a healthy mind, body, and soul. I have a sharp interest incorporating this philosophy in my workings as a licensed mental health therapist. I currently am a therapist in McLean, Va working for Ryan Counseling, PLLC. I was nominated and featured in 2012, 2014, 2017, 2022 Northern Virginia Magazine "Top Doctors."

I look forward to working with you, or your children, in overcoming current obstacles and life challenges. In my experience in working with adults, children, and families, they have all the strengths and resources they need within themselves, and can reach their full potential within a safe, empathic therapeutic relationship.

I'm a depth-oriented therapist and clinical case consultant. Prospective therapy clients, if you're stuck or suffering, I help you get the quickest possible relief from symptoms and achieve personal goals. I assist you to overcome habits that negatively impact your relationships, performance and self-esteem. This involves learning to see and use internal information that you are unaccustomed to noticing, or managing. I'll help you connect to new, productive responses in relationships; loss; trauma; and difficult circumstances. For more information: Therapy clients, and therapists looking for case consultation, go to nancyreder.com.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with clinical expertise in the areas of relationship issues, marriage and family, work-life balance, stress management, anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress and bereavement. With compassion and understanding, I work with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.

My main focus is relationship/ couples therapy. I have extensive experience working with individuals across the life span, couples, families and groups from various backgrounds i.e cultures and age groups with a wide range of psychosocial stressors with areas of focus, including but not limited to, testing for ADHD, marital/ relationship conflicts, divorce, mental health, eating disorders, substance abuse, domestic violence, maturational stress, military lifestyle, interpersonal/intrapersonal conflicts, suicidal ideations, grief and loss, child/adult abuse, parent child -relational issues.