Dewanda Coard

You hold it together for everyone else, and lately you're running on empty. Maybe it's depression that makes ordinary mornings feel heavy, anxiety that keeps your mind racing long after midnight, or a relationship that has you wondering who you are when you're not taking care of everyone else. I'm Dewanda, and I work with women ages 18 to 65 who are carrying more than they let on. Some women come to me with depression, anxiety, or the weight of grief or past trauma. Others are managing ADHD or bipolar disorder, working through family or relationship strain, or trying to figure out who they are in a new season of life. I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with a master's in counseling from Webster University. If you've been putting yourself last for a long time, this can be a space where you come first.

Therapy with me follows your lead. I won't try to fit you into a rigid plan. Instead, I'll get to know what you actually need and adjust as we go. My foundation is person-centered, which simply means you're the expert on your own life, and my role is to help you see it more clearly. I also draw on cognitive behavioral family therapy, which helps us notice the patterns in your thoughts and relationships that keep you stuck, then practice new ways of responding. I'd describe my style as warm, open-minded, and practical. We'll make room to talk about what's weighing on you, and we'll also work together on small, real changes you can feel in your everyday life.

If you're nervous about reaching out, that's completely normal, and you don't need to have the right words ready. Our first session is simply a chance to meet and see if we're a good fit. I'll start by walking you through how sessions work and answering any questions you have. From there, we'll go at a pace that feels okay to you, talking about what's been going on, what's felt hardest lately, and what you'd like to feel different. Some women arrive with a clear list. Others just know something feels off. Either one is a perfectly good place to start. You can share as much or as little as you're ready for, and it's always okay to pause or skip a question. Before we wrap up, we'll talk about what you'd like to focus on and what next steps could look like. Over time, my hope is that you'll leave our sessions understanding yourself a little better, with tools for stressful moments and more room in your life for you.