Meet Our Washington, DC Therapists

At Dandelion Counseling & Care, we have a team of knowledgeable therapists who offer therapy for a diverse range of needs. If you’re a young professional struggling with imposter syndrome, a new parent who’s having a tough time bonding with their child, a teen worried about transitioning into college life, or you’re feeling overwhelmed by intense thoughts or emotions, we’re here for you. You can get to know each of our therapists a little better on this page. If you want to find out more about working with us and which therapist will be a good fit for your needs, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Lennie Naughton, MSW, LGSW

Licensed Graduate Social Worker

Lennie is a licensed graduate social worker in Washington D.C. who provides therapy for adults across the lifespan, and for adolescents. Clinical focuses include complex and childhood trauma, cancer and chronic illness, grief/loss, and mental illness. Lennie specializes in integrative, client-centered care, and supporting those underserved in healthcare systems including transgender and other LGBTQ+ community members, and people with disabilities.

Lennie Naughton, MSW, LGSW

Licensed Graduate Social Worker

Lennie is a licensed graduate social worker in Washington D.C. who provides therapy for adults across the lifespan, and for adolescents. Clinical focuses include complex and childhood trauma, cancer and chronic illness, grief/loss, and mental illness. Lennie specializes in integrative, client-centered care, and supporting those underserved in healthcare systems including transgender and other LGBTQ+ community members, and people with disabilities.

Natalie Ciaccio, MSW, LGSW

Staff Therapist

Natalie Ciaccio is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker in Tenleytown, Washington, DC with several years of experience working with children, youth and families. Natalie provides individual therapy for those seeking help adjusting to life events, life transitions, peer relations and emotional regulation.

Natalie Ciaccio, MSW, LGSW

Staff Therapist

Natalie Ciaccio is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker in Tenleytown, Washington, DC with several years of experience working with children, youth and families. Natalie provides individual therapy for those seeking help adjusting to life events, life transitions, peer relations and emotional regulation.

Jacqueline Burnett, LCSW, LICSW

Staff Therapist and Clinical Supervisor

Jacqueline Burnett is a Licensed Independent Clinical 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.

Jacqueline Burnett, LCSW, LICSW

Staff Therapist and Clinical Supervisor

Jacqueline Burnett is a Licensed Independent Clinical 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.

Andrea Levine, MSW, LGSW

Staff Therapist

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.

Andrea Levine, MSW, LGSW

Staff Therapist

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

Director, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker & Psychotherapist

(Licensed in DC, MD, NY & FL – practicing in person and online!)

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. She specializes in perinatal mental health at this time, though she is a trained child, teen, and family therapist.

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

Director, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker & Psychotherapist

(Licensed in DC, MD, NY & FL – practicing in person and online!)

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. She specializes in perinatal mental health at this time, though she is a trained child, teen, and family therapist.

Meg Lazerow

MSW, LGSW Staff Therapist

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.

Meg Lazerow

MSW, LGSW Staff Therapist

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

MSW, LGSW Staff Therapist

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. She is passionate about addressing the unique needs of children and adolescents, young adults and parents. 

Veronica O'Connell

MSW Student Intern Therapist

Veronica is a MSW student intern 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. She is passionate about addressing the unique needs of children and adolescents, young adults and parents. 

Matthew Hayes LGPC

Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor

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. Matthew
personally strives to present himself as genuine and compassionate when working
on cognitive-behavioral and holistic interventions with clients to help them
through their journey of self-exploration of their emotional and mental
well-being.

Matthew Hayes

Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor

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. Matthew
personally strives to present himself as genuine and compassionate when working
on cognitive-behavioral and holistic interventions with clients to help them
through their journey of self-exploration of their emotional and mental
well-being.

Audrey Wynn

Intake Coordinator

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.

Audrey Wynn

Intake Coordinator

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.

Elizabeth Dausch

MA, AMFT Staff Psychotherapist

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. Her style is warm and collaborative, tailoring therapy to the unique needs of each person.

Elizabeth Dausch,

MA, AMFT Staff Psychotherapist

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. Her style is warm and collaborative, tailoring therapy to the unique needs of each person.

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.

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.

Lauren Paniati, MSW, LGSW

Licensed Graduate Social Worker

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.

Lauren Paniati, MSW, LGSW

Licensed Graduate Social Worker​

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.

Maddie Fox, LGSW, she/her

Master of Social Work, University of Chicago, graduated June 2025

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. Her approach to therapy is grounded in understanding each client within the context of their unique experiences, relationships, beliefs, and environment. Drawing from a diverse clinical background and a relational, attuned therapeutic style, Maddie strives to create a thoughtful and collaborative space where clients feel understood, supported, and empowered in the process of change. 

Maddie Fox, LGSW, she/her ​

Master of Social Work, University of Chicago, graduated June 2025

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. Her approach to therapy is grounded in understanding each client within the context of their unique experiences, relationships, beliefs, and environment. Drawing from a diverse clinical background and a relational, attuned therapeutic style, Maddie strives to create a thoughtful and collaborative space where clients feel understood, supported, and empowered in the process of change. 

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 Tenleytown 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.

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...

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