Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Fairfax, VA

I’ve been working in the mental health field for nearly a decade and bring a deep commitment to helping individuals heal, grow, and thrive. I hold a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Washington, DC and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Marshall University in Huntington, WV. These academic foundations, combined with years of hands-on experience, have shaped my compassionate, informed, and client-centered approach to therapy.

Most recently I was serving as a Licensed Clinical Therapist where I provided individual and group therapy in an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for adults facing complex mental health and substance use challenges. I am currently working at a small group practice treating adults with stress, anxiety, depression, ptsd, and more. I hold sessions on the weekend and in the morning one a week.

At the heart of my practice is a belief in the power of authentic connection. I strive to create a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space where clients feel empowered to explore difficult emotions, build insight, and take meaningful steps toward lasting change.

I’m a bilingual therapist working with adults navigating anxiety, trauma, grief, and major life transitions. Many of the people I support feel overwhelmed by overthinking, internal pressure, difficulty managing stress, and the uncertainty of what comes next.

In our work together, I focus on helping you make sense of what’s happening internally and develop practical ways to respond to stress and emotions. I integrate cognitive, somatic, and neuroscience-informed approaches to support both emotional and nervous system regulation.

I believe therapy should feel human. It can be structured but still fit your individual needs. I offer a space where you can show up as you are, while also doing meaningful work that leads to real shifts in how you experience and respond to life.

I’m Dr. Carly Ellman, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and sports social worker with over 15 years of experience supporting individuals, families, and athletes across a wide range of life transitions.

My therapy style is warm, honest, collaborative, and grounded in compassion. I believe you are the expert of your own life, and my role is to help you build clarity, confidence, and tools that support your wellbeing both inside and outside the therapy room.

Whether you’re navigating anxiety, burnout, life transitions, relationship challenges, sport-related stress, or a desire for deeper self-understanding, you’ll find a safe, non-judgmental place to explore and grow.

My background includes clinical practice, college teaching, and working directly with youth, parents, and coaches to strengthen mental health, resilience, and relationships through evidence-based approaches.

I’ve also earned a Sports Social Work Certificate and serve on the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Mental Health Registry, where I work with athletes navigating performance pressure, identity, anxiety, and stress.

I've built my practice around a simple but powerful idea: that understanding yourself — really understanding yourself — is one of the most transformative things a person can do. I specialize in supporting people through depression, anxiety, life transitions, substance use, mood disorders, adjustment disorder, and end-of-life concerns. That last one might surprise you. End of life is one of the most profound and underserved areas in mental health, and I consider it an honor to walk alongside people and families navigating that terrain. Across all of my work, I bring an educational lens — I don't just want to help you feel better in the moment, I want to help you understand yourself well enough that you can keep growing long after our sessions end. My approach is grounded in CBT and mindfulness, and it reaches toward something bigger: the full picture of who you are — emotionally, physically, and spiritually.