Therapy for Depression in Washington, DC and Maryland

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 that there are numerous, evidence-based therapy techniques that can help you alleviate the symptoms of depression and start to feel like yourself again. At Dandelion Counseling & Care, we provide a personalized approach to therapy for depression in Washington, DC and Maryland that will help you develop skills to cope with depressed mood and live a more satisfying life.

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What is Depression?

Depression is a mood disorder characterized by a prolonged, overwhelming sense of sadness, hopelessness, or disinterest. We may all feel sad or depressed from time to time, but when this condition lasts a long time, is disproportionate to the situation, or negatively impacts your daily life, you may be dealing with major depressive disorder, which is often referred to simply as depression. Without intervention, depression can have severe consequences, impacting a person’s ability to lead a joyful, fulfilling life. You can’t merely snap out of depression. Instead, when you feel trapped by depression, you can work with a therapist to start regaining control and experiencing a range of emotions again.

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What are the Common Signs of Depression?

Each person experiences different effects of depression, but there are some common symptoms characteristic of depression for most people, including:

  • Physiological effects – tiredness and exhaustion, unexplained muscles pains, headaches, body aches
  • Emotional effects – sadness, helplessness, irritability, hopelessness, emptiness, worthlessness, guilt, numbness 
  • Cognitive effects – lack of interest in activities that once brought joy, thoughts of death or suicide, difficulty focusing on specific tasks
  • Behavioral effects – sleeping too much or too little, dietary changes, lack of energy

How Can Therapy Help with Depression?

Depression can overshadow other emotions, leaving you feeling down, numb, hopeless, and helpless. Therapy helps you to overcome the effects of depression, so you can fully experience a range of emotions and reclaim your joy and satisfaction in life. During therapy for depression, you’ll often focus first on changing small behaviors that prolong or increase depressed mood in order to begin relieving the emotional and cognitive effects of depression. By changing behavioral habits, you can begin to manage the adverse emotional and cognitive effects of depression, so you can experience a more complete range of emotions and break free of problematic thought cycles. Once you’re able to manage current depression symptoms, your therapist will help you develop strategies to minimize the impact of depression in the future, so you can live a more satisfying and fulfilling life.

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What Happens During Therapy for Depression?

Therapy in our office is always dynamic and personalized to each client. During the introductory session, you and your therapist will discuss your experience with depression and work together to create a therapy plan to help you reclaim your fulfilling life again. Throughout the course of therapy, your therapist will continue to reassess your progress and make adjustments to ensure you achieve your desired results. We understand that each person’s therapy needs are unique, and we’ll do our utmost to offer dynamic therapy that responds to your changing goals and allows us to walk with you on your therapy journey. 

Each of our therapists has a unique skillset that they use a variety of evidence-based therapy approaches catered to meeting the client’s unique needs. Some of the methods we frequently use include: 

  • Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Mindfulness-Based Therapy
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Individual Therapy for College and University Students

College life presents many challenges: fitting in with new friends, finding your independence, and navigating a new campus, new city, and new social scene! If you are a college student who also struggles with depression or anxiety, college life can be a very difficult adjustment. Our trained therapists are here to help you to overcome any challenges you face, to achieve success in your academic and social life. Located right next to an American University shuttle stop, we are conveniently located very close to the American University campus.

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Group Therapy & Support Groups

Sometimes, group therapy can be a complement to individual therapy, as you will connect with others who are on a similar journey of healing. Periodically, we offer groups to our clients. Two recent groups that Dandelion has run have been a group for women facing transitions in their lives, and a group for teen girls focusing on journaling and reflection. You can learn more about our current and upcoming groups by following the link below.

Who Offers Therapy for Depression?

Our skilled clinicians put years of advanced training and experience to work helping clients achieve their therapy goals. The following therapists offer therapy for depression:

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MS, LPC

Shantius Jackson

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Licensed Graduate Social Worker & Psychotherapist

Heather Ruiz

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PhD, LGPC, NCC

Zyer Beaty

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MA, MSW, LICSW, LCSW, LCSW-C

Erika Bugaj

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Masters of Social Work Student Therapist

Anne-Marie Ruwe

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MA, LPC, NCC

Camille White

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 and Maryland 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...

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Shantius Jackson, MS, LPC

Shantius Jackson is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Tenleytown, Washington, D. C. She has many years of experience working with young adults who are learning to manage life’s responsibilities/”adulting,” as...

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Heather Ruiz, MSW, LMSW, LGSW

Heather Ruiz is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker in Washington, DC with several years of experience working with individuals and families in various settings, including...

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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...

Luba-Gritsunov

Luba Gritsunov, Dandelion Counseling & Care student intern

Luba Gritsunov is a first-year MSW student at Ohio State University, specializing in mental health counseling. Having spent several years as an individual educator, she honed the skills of personalized support and active listening.

Julia-Nessman

Julia Nessman, Dandelion Counseling & Care student intern

Julia Nessman is a second and final year Master of Social Work student through the Catholic University of America.  She has several years of experience with advocacy and research pertaining to neurodiversity and youth mental health.

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Anne-Marie Ruwe

Anne-Marie Ruwe is Dandelion’s newest intern. She is a Master of Social Work student at Ohio State University, specializing in mental health and substance misuse. Anne-Marie is excited to expand her skillset...

Molly Byrom, MSW, LICSW & Staff Therapist

Molly Byrom is a licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who serves clients in both Washington, D.C. and North Carolina. She specializes in working with individuals.....

Devon Pu,MSW, LGSW

Devon Pu is a licensed graduate social worker in Tenleytown, Washington, D.C. with extensive experience in healthcare systems treating severe mental illness and trauma.

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Zyer Beaty, PhD, LGPC, NCC

Zyer Beaty is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor in Washington, D. C. with over 6 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and their families. She has a heart for...

Courtney-Johnson

Courtney Johnson, Dandelion Counseling & Care student intern

A first-year student at Ohio State University, specializing in mental health counseling. He is a native of Memphis, TN and has been working in the HIV field for over 10 years. 

Keisha-Jones

Keisha Jones, Dandelion Counseling & Care student intern

As an intern at Dandelion Counseling and Care, Keisha brings a unique blend of education and hands-on experience that reflects their commitment to fostering empowerment and healing in diverse populations.

Katie Jarvis, Dandelion Counseling & Care student intern

Katie is a second-year master’s student at Catholic University, focusing on clinical social work and therapy. She previously worked in housing counseling with tenants at risk of being evicted.

Antonella Zara, Dandelion Counseling & Care student intern

Antonella Zara is a recent BSW graduate from The Catholic University of America and is currently working towards her MSW. She has previous experience with one on one counseling, case management and is now looking forward to working in a more therapeutic setting

Rachel Sanders, Dandelion Counseling & Care student intern

Rachel Sanders is a recent graduate of the Catholic University of America. She studied social work in her undergrad degree, and found social work to be her passion, so she is now pursuing her Master’s degree at CUA.

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Camille White, MA, MS, LPC, NCC

Camille White is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Tenleytown, Washington, D. C. with over fifteen years of experience working with children, adolescents, and...

Elżbieta Jabłońska, EMBA, PhD candidate, MCC ICF

Elżbieta holds Master Certified Coach credentials that place her in the top 3% of all ICF certified coaches in the world.

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Caroline Erickson

Caroline is a DC-based second year MSW student at Ohio State University, specializing in mental health counseling and substance use. She has over a decade of experience working with youth and adults in various...

Talia Pfeffer

Talia Pfeffer, Dandelion Counseling & Care student intern

As a Dandelion Counseling & Care student psychotherapist, creating a solid therapeutic relationship with clients is central to Talia’s effective and transformative therapy approach.

Sarah Hair

Sarah Hair, MA, MSW 2nd year candidate

An advanced year student in Clinical Social Work at Catholic University, a Fellow at Children’s National Hospital and an intern in psychotherapy in Tenleytown, Washington, D. C.

Emely Taveras, MS, Resident MFT

Emely Taveras is a Resident in Marriage in Family Therapy in Tenleytown, Washington, D.C., and provides individual, couple, and family services and works with all populations in all stages of the life cycle including children, adolescents, and adults.

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