Meagan Paulk

I'm Meagan, an LICSW with 11 years of oncology social work experience at a major DC medical center. I went into private practice specifically because I kept meeting people who needed space to process the emotional side of serious illness, not just the medical side. My clients are often navigating a cancer diagnosis, managing a chronic condition, caring for someone who is sick, or trying to rebuild their sense of self after their health changed everything. If that sounds like you, I want you to know: you don't need to explain your world to me. I already understand what scan anxiety feels like, what it means to hold a care team together, and why "just think positive" isn't a therapy strategy. I see clients via telehealth on Fridays, evenings, and weekends and accept most major insurance plans, including Aetna, Cigna, CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, Carelon, and Kaiser.

I lead with curiosity and warmth, and I tailor my approach to what's actually going on for you, not a one-size-fits-all model. Having spent over a decade embedded in a medical environment, I know how to meet people in high-stress situations without adding more pressure. Sessions feel like a real conversation, not a checklist. I draw on cognitive behavioral, person-centered, and solution focused approaches depending on what serves you best. I'm direct, I'll gently challenge you when I see something worth exploring, but I also know when to hold space and let you lead. If you're working through grief, illness identity, or survivorship, I'll follow your pace.

In our first session, I want to hear what's going on for you, what's been hard, and what you're hoping therapy might do for you. There's no pressure to have it figured out. I'll ask some questions to understand your story, and by the end, we'll have a sense of whether working together feels right. If any of this resonates, I'd love to hear from you.