LGBT therapists in Hagerstown, MD

Great to meet you! I am Dr. Shannon Howard, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC, LPC) for the states of DC & MD, a Certified Life Coach, and an Author. I have been helping individuals, children, couples, and families navigate grief and loss, trauma, anxiety, adjustment, depression and more for over 24 years.

My educational background consists of a dual Master's in both Counseling and Clinical Psychology. I received my first master's at Towson University in 2000, a second Masters and Doctorate in 2008 and 2010 from The American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University. I minored in Philosophy as well as Women's Studies.

I possess specialized training in areas of trauma, specifically in the assessment and treatment of sex offenders and survivors of sexual assault. I have worked in an adult inpatient psychiatric hospital, a day program for adults with chronic and acute mental illness, as well as on an outpatient basis as a private practitioner and with a group practice. I worked with Parole and Probation to help clients maintain compliance and management while on the registry. As a Certified Life Coach, I help coaching clients discover what they truly desire. We collaborate to create a roadmap to move you forward and build a future that feels grounded and authentic to you.

At present, I offer a full range of services and am open to accepting new virtual clients.

*PLEASE NOTE YOU MUST BE IN EITHER DC OR MD AT THE TIME OF YOUR SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT!

**I offer a 10-minute grace period to all clients before logging off of the Zoom platform. If you wish to reschedule, please message me here on Headway.""

Hi, I’m a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with experience in both hospital and outpatient care. I work with adults dealing with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance use and more. I’m warm, easy to talk to, and I take time to really listen so you feel heard and supported. My approach is simple—we meet you where you are and work together on a plan that fits your life. I’m committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care and look forward to partnering with you on your mental health journey.

I believe mental health care should feel safe, supportive, and judgment-free. My approach is warm, collaborative, and holistic, with a focus on treating the whole person rather than just symptoms. I support clients navigating anxiety, depression, stress, mood concerns, burnout, trauma-related challenges, and life transitions, and I strive to create a space where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered throughout their healing journey.

A combination of lived experiences, years of training, and witnessing the lack of comprehensive and inclusive sexual education has centered my clinical priorities on LGBTQ+ clients and clients working through sexual health matters (including sexual exploration, gender and sexuality, non-monogamy, and healing from sexual trauma).

I am a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in treating adolescents and young adults with a variety of presenting problems including OCD, anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, and behavioral concerns. With a compassionate, collaborative approach, I work to empower clients by focusing on their unique strengths and personal resilience.

Most people who find me already know where they’re stuck. They’re introspective and self-aware. They’ve read the books, tried the apps, maybe seen a therapist before but nothing has felt solid or lasting yet. They’re ready to dig deeper and address the roots of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or relationship pain. I use EMDR, IFS parts work, mindful movement, and other somatic tools reach the nervous system where talk alone can’t—and prevent re-traumatizing story-telling.

You should know that I take your concerns seriously, and I will meet you with compassion, respect, and zero judgment. I understand that reaching out for mental health support can feel intimidating, especially if you have faced stigma, felt dismissed in the past, or worried about what a diagnosis might mean. My goal is to help you feel safe and at ease from the very first conversation.

As a doctoral-prepared, board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over eight years of experience in psychiatric and mental health care, I work with individuals across the lifespan. I commonly support people navigating depression, anxiety, PTSD, stress-related concerns, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and other emotional or behavioral health challenges. I approach each person as a whole, not a label, and I take the time to understand your symptoms in the context of your life, your stressors, your strengths, and your goals.

In our work together, you can expect a collaborative, patient-centered approach. I believe treatment works best when you feel heard and involved, so we will discuss what you are experiencing, what has helped or not helped in the past, and what you want to be different moving forward. If medication is part of your care, I prioritize thoughtful, evidence-based decisions, clear education about options, and ongoing adjustments based on your response and preferences. I also value practical strategies and supportive guidance that you can apply between sessions.

Most importantly, I am passionate about each person I serve because I know you are important, and I recognize the courage it takes to seek help. My role is to offer steady, professional support and a trusting relationship as you work toward clarity, stability, and lasting wellness.

Hi, I’m Bettina. As a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner my goal is to provide more tools to put in your tool box on your path to wellness. Mental health is multifaceted and I believe that medications, in addition to psychotherapy, are one of many aspects of wellness. As your provider, we can explore what will work for you and your body/mind. I have 13 years of nursing experience at various psychiatric facilities in Baltimore. I have primarily worked in the inpatient setting allowing me to gain extensive experience treating mood disorders, psychosis, addiction, trauma and anxiety disorders. I strive to be consistently empathetic and actively listen to each of my patients in order to create a relationship that embraces safety and trust.

I am Dr. Christie Simon-Waterman, a dually certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over a decade of experience providing compassionate, evidence-based, and holistic care across the lifespan. My clinical background spans primary care, mental health, and community-based health, allowing me to care for the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

I earned my nursing education at Coppin State University and completed my doctoral training with a strong focus on health equity, leadership, and integrated care delivery.

In my practice, I specialize in:

• Anxiety, depression, trauma-related conditions, and mood disorders
• Integrated mental health treatment
• Substance use–related concerns and recovery support
• Care for underserved and marginalized populations

My approach is empathetic, collaborative, and trauma-informed. I believe healing happens best when clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. Together, we develop personalized treatment plans that may include therapy, medication management when appropriate, lifestyle interventions, and ongoing support tailored to your goals.

Above all, I am committed to creating a safe, supportive responsive space where clients can build resilience, restore balance, and move forward with confidence and clarity.