About Us

Our Mission

Dandelion Counseling & Care provides accessible, affordable, quality psychotherapy and counseling services for individuals and families in Washington, DC. We are a growing private practice comprised of therapists who provide compassionate counseling by a team approach to meet the diverse needs of busy Washington, DC families raising children. We love supporting people throughout their families’ lifespans!

Our Values

Integrity

We are honest, fair, and clear in our communication with team members and clients.

Humility

We take a humble approach, knowing we can always learn and improve.

Kindness

We are kind to ourselves and others.

Meaningful Work

We are confident of the inherent value and significance of our professional mental
health work.

Success

We set goals and achieve them.

Anti-Racism Statement

At Dandelion Counseling & Care, we recognize the systematic oppression deeply embedded in societies worldwide, which has continued to disproportionately impact marginalized communities. We recognize that these communities historically and presently continue to be subjected to social, economic, and political inequities that continue to shape their lived experiences today. Racism’s impact on not only individuals but entire communities has reinforced cycles of disadvantage, silencing voices, and restricting opportunities. As a practice committed to Anti-Racism, we affirm the importance of not only standing in solidarity with marginalized groups but also making active stances and measures to educate ourselves  and taking actions to challenge and dismantle the structures that continue to perpetuate inequities.

Inclusive Environment

At Dandelion Counseling & Care, we believe in creating an inclusive environment for clients of all races, genders, sexual orientations, and religions. We are focused on providing safe and welcoming spaces for our diverse clientele. Our team’s diversity aids in our ability to cater to the various backgrounds of our clients. All of our providers value and affirm the unique differences that our clients bring to the therapeutic space. Therefore, we are committed to provide culturally sensitive care that is free of any judgements and/or discrimination.

Land Acknowledgement Statement

Dandelion Counseling & Care is located in Washington, DC and we acknowledge that we work on the unceded lands of the Piscataway and Nacotchtank (Anacostan) peoples.

Get Started Working with Us

If you’re interested in learning more about working with the Dandelion Counseling & Care team for therapy services in our Washington, DC practice or via online counseling sessions, we look forward to hearing from you. You can get in touch with us by:

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Therapy for Adults

If you’re here, you’ve taken the first step toward becoming the best and most fulfilled version of yourself, and the Dandelion Counseling & Care team is excited to be part of your therapy journey.

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Therapy for Children & Families

Whether you’re a parent who needs guidance or you’re looking for a therapist to support your struggling child, the Dandelion Counseling & Care team is here to help.

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Therapy for Parents

Let’s face it – being a parent is hard. Whether you have a baby on the way, you’re adopting or fostering, or you’re having trouble bonding with your child, you may want to consider working with a family therapist.

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Group Therapy & Support Groups

At Dandelion Counseling & Care, we are proud to offer group therapy and support groups in the Tenley town community. You can learn more about group therapy services on this page...

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Therapy for Anxiety

If you’re struggling with anxiety, we’re here to talk about it. At Dandelion Counseling & Care, we offer therapy for anxiety in our Tenleytown practice to help alleviate the effects of anxiety and develop skills...

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Therapy for College & University Students

One of the great things about working in the heart of Tenleytown is that Dandelion Counseling & Care is located near American University, The Washington College of Law, and...

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Therapy for Teens

At Dandelion Counseling & Care, we welcome adolescents and teens from the Tenleytown community to visit us for therapy. We regularly work with teens from Woodrow Wilson High School in the heart...

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Therapy for Depression

Depression may be the most common mood disorder impacting millions of people in the U.S. every year. If you’re one of the countless people trying to overcome the effects of depression, the good news is...

Nature-Informed Therapy

Nature-informed therapy combines the healing effects of nature with therapeutic practices. It encourages restoration, self-reflection, and supports the change-making process. Nature-informed therapy can take...

Lennie Naughton, MSW, LGSW

Lennie is a licensed graduate social worker in Washington D.C. who provides therapy for adults across the lifespan, and for adolescents...

Jacqueline Burnett, LMSW, LICSW

Jacqueline Burnett is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker in Tenleytown, Washington D.C. with several years of experience working with individuals across the lifespan—including adolescents, adults of all ages, and couples...

Elizabeth Dausch, MA, AMFT

Elizabeth is an AMFT staff therapist in Washington, D.C. who works with individuals, couples, and children. Her areas of focus include relationship issues, grief & loss, anxiety, and trauma recovery.

Lauren Paniati, MSW, LGSW

Lauren is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker in Washington, DC who provides therapy for individuals across the lifespan, including adolescents, college students, and adults. She practices with a trauma-sensitive, culturally affirming approach, using collaboration, creativity, and compassion to support clients in working toward their wellness goals. Her clinical focus includes trauma, ADHD, life transitions, and grief and loss.

Mylo Hyatt, Weekend Intake Assistant

Mylo Hyatt (They/Them) is our Weekend Intake Assistant and a recent graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where they earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a concentration in Social Justice.

Maddie Fox, LGSW

Maddie is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker in Tenleytown, Washington, D.C. who has worked with adolescents, young adults, and older adults across community mental health, hospital, and university settings.

Tim Mahoney, MSW, LGSW Staff Therapist

Tim Mahoney is a staff therapist who works collaboratively with clients to build practical, evidence-based skills for navigating anxiety, depression, stress, emotional regulation, life transitions, trauma, work-life balance, and career-related challenges.

Johnny Koczela, MA, MSW, LGSW

Johnny Koczela is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker in Washington, D.C. who works with adolescents, adults, older adults, and couples navigating complex emotional lives.

Margot Locker, MSW Emerging Clinician Fellow, she/her

Margot Locker is an MSW Student Intern therapist in Tenleytown, Washington, D.C. A Washington native, she has worked with children, adolescents, families, and educators across school, nonprofit, and community settings, and she now works with clients at every stage of life, from young people navigating school and identity to adults facing transitions, parenting, and the weight of holding it all together.

Andrea Levine, MSW, LGSW

Andrea Levine is a licensed graduate social worker in Washington, DC, who works with adults across the lifespan, young adults, including college students, and adolescents...

Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSW LCSW, LCSW-C

Erika Bugaj is a licensed independent clinical social worker practicing in Tenleytown, Washington, DC. Erika has many years of experience as a social worker and therapist, as well as experience as a teacher...

Meg Lazerow

Meg Lazerow is a MSW, LGSW Staff Therapist based in Tenleytown, Washington DC, with a deep interest in using attachment and family-oriented approaches to help clients of all ages and backgrounds reach their goals...

Veronica O'Connell

Veronica is a MSW, LGSW Staff Therapist focused on helping her clients use evidence-based strategies to manage anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, life transitions, trauma, stress management, work/life balance, and career development...

Matthew Hayes LGPC

Matthew Hayes is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) in Tenleytown, Washington, D.C. who has worked with child, adolescent, and young adult populations across group practice and community-based settings.

Audrey Wynn

Audrey Wynn is our Intake Coordinator and a recent graduate of George Washington University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychological Brain Sciences with a minor in Criminal Justice...

Ronke Aderonmu, Emerging Clinician Fellow

Ronke's counseling approach emphasizes drawing on clients' inner strengths, discovering their values, and increasing their self-acceptance. She uses evidence-based approaches to help clients develop self-care practices, live with greater clarity, and cultivate satisfying relationships.

Leslie Saunders, Emerging Clinician Fellow

Leslie Saunders is a second year MSW student and a graduate-level intern based in Tenleytown, Washington, D.C. who has most recently, worked with homeless and recently- housed individuals across shelters in an agency committed to the homeless community.

Luba Gritsunov, MSW, LGSW

Luba Gritsunov is a licensed social worker who works with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, personality disorders, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Her approach is warm, direct, and collaborative, with a focus on helping clients better understand themselves, recognize patterns, and create meaningful change. Luba is bilingual in English and Russian.

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