Couples therapists in Ellicott City, MD

Many of my clients have been there... trying to find the right therapist and questioning if they can be brave enough to make the first appointment. Maybe you are trying to find the right fit, maybe you are questioning if it is worth it. To those struggling with the multitudes of issues life can throw at all of us-I am here for you! Together we will uncover your power and courage to know that you can do difficult things.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia and Maryland, with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and families. As a dedicated and passionate mental health professional, I am committed to helping clients overcome challenges and achieve personal growth. My expertise spans guiding clients through grief, depression, trauma, anxiety, and interpersonal stress. I utilize a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Gottman Method Couples Therapy. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Board-Certified TeleMental Health Provider, I strive to create a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment tailored to each client’s unique needs.

I am Alice (XiaoRan), Zhao, I provide a safe space for you with a dose of honesty and sometimes humor. Being an Asian woman, I provide a different perspective on your counseling journey. I love to begin your self-discovery and healing process.

I have a Masters in Social Work and have been a licensed clinical social worker since 1987. I have worked in hospital emergency rooms, public health agencies, in-home community services and private mental health agencies. I believe in the value of people and the resiliency of the human spirit. I have worked with individuals from all walks of life, which include but is not limited to, seniors, adults, families, trauma survivors, military personnel and first responders. I very much enjoy what I do. I have a sense of humor while wrapped in kindness and integrity. I do what I say that I will do in all areas of my life.

Clients often tell me they feel both deeply understood and gently challenged in our work. You won’t be met with quick fixes or surface-level advice. Instead, I offer a grounded, relational space where we can slow down, get curious, and make sense of the patterns—emotional, relational, historical—that are shaping your current struggles. I’m especially attuned to the inner lives of high-achieving adults: those who appear competent on the outside but feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unseen underneath.

I’m trained in psychodynamic therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and EMDR, and I approach each client with a blend of clinical precision and emotional presence. You can expect warmth, honesty, and an active collaboration toward lasting emotional change.

I’m glad you’re here. I'm passionate about working with couples and individuals. Cooperatively, we navigate relationships, family issues, trauma, anxiety, depression and more. Healing happens through relationships rooted in reciprocity and respect. I strive to create a space where you feel safe, supported and understood. My approach is collaborative and down-to-earth. You don’t need to have everything figured out... we’ll move forward together at a pace that feels right for you.

Would you like to feel more in control and empowered in your life? Have more self-love and the self-awareness to recognize and understand your thoughts, emotions, and beliefs?

If so, I am the therapist for you! Work with me and you will gain a deeper understanding and mastery of your inner world. I will assist you in cultivating self-love, self-awareness, and self-empowerment. Together, we will strengthen your ability to regulate your emotions, thoughts, actions, and relationships. My goal as your therapist is to have you feeling and acting with supreme love and confidence.

I am open to hear anything and all things that you want to share with me. Im honored to be trusted with you and your story. I pride myself in listening first with nonjudgemental empathetic ears and soul. Together we work through the bumps in your life journey.

My passion and desire to draw on experiences from my 33-plus-year marriage, including raising four now-adult children, inspired me to return to school and earn a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Counseling. In addition, I earned a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy. Allow me to walk alongside you to help process overwhelming experiences and paralyzing life moments. Hope restored is life regained.