Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Silver Spring, MD

My name is Dr. Bolaji Olugboja, a trained psychiatric and family healthcare provider who believes in patient-centered care despite cultural diversities. I specialize in family care and mental health treatment. I am mostly referred to as Dr. B. I started my medical career as a registered nurse and worked in different capacities, as a nursing home nurse, various hospitals, a dialysis nurse, and an advocate for the proper health and well-being of diverse people requiring adequate healthcare.

I am a Board-Certified Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and psychotherapist with over 13 years of experience in behavioral health. I believe that prioritizing mental health is essential to living a balanced and fulfilling life. Seeking help can be one of the hardest steps, and I strive to provide a supportive, compassionate, and nonjudgmental environment. Since 2022, I have focused my practice on mental health therapy after years of working in substance use treatment. I work collaboratively with clients to build coping skills, increase self-awareness, and navigate life's challenges. My goal is to help individuals achieve meaningful, lasting growth and emotional well-being.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with experience across multiple levels of psychiatric care, including outpatient clinics, inpatient psychiatric treatment, partial hospitalization programs, and emergency department psychiatric consultations. This diverse background allows me to work effectively with individuals experiencing a wide range of mental health concerns, from everyday challenges to more complex psychiatric conditions. I am committed to providing culturally sensitive, patient-centered care and building strong therapeutic relationships based on trust, respect, and open communication.

I work with people who feel like life is happening to them—those carrying anxiety, depression, or overwhelming stress, still feeling the weight of past experiences or painful relationships, or noticing that old coping patterns like substance use no longer do what they used to. Most of the people I see arrive with a growing sense that something isn't working, and a willingness to try something different. My approach is collaborative, warm, and focused on understanding what's getting in the way and building a path forward together.

Welcome

Hello, and thank you for considering me as your therapist. My name is Tarianda Ruston, and I have more than 25 years of experience working in the helping profession. I am a licensed clinical social worker in both Maryland and the District of Columbia, with a diverse background that has allowed me to support individuals and families through many of life's challenges.

Throughout my career, I have worked in child welfare, foster care and adoption, inpatient mental health, custody cases, special education, and school mental health. These experiences have provided me with a deep understanding of the unique challenges people face across different stages of life. My passion is helping individuals discover their strengths, overcome obstacles, and build the tools needed for lifelong emotional wellness.

I believe therapy is a partnership built on trust, respect, and authenticity. My role is not to tell you what to do or make decisions for you. Instead, I provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences openly. Through thoughtful questions, compassionate reflection, and evidence-based strategies, I will help you gain insight, clarify your values, and make choices that align with the life you want to create.

I am a LCSW-C (Licensed Certified Social Worker- Clinical) who works with adults of all ages, families and couples. I was awarded my MSW in Clinical Behavioral Health from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. I earned my B.A. from Georgetown University and an MBA from George Washington University. I have been honored to work with people of many diverse backgrounds, hospice patients, military populations and those living with developmental disabilities. As a former Peace Corps volunteer in Central America (RPCV), I speak Spanish with non-native fluency and have lived and worked in several countries.