LGBT therapists in Reston, VA

Seeking therapy is an important step towards healing. I help support clients who are looking to work through issues such as anxiety, unhealthy relationship dynamics, grief, trauma, and early attachment wounds, especially as a result of a borderline or narcissistic parent/caretaker.

Hi! I'm Patricia (Patsy). I have thirty years of psychotherapy experience. I have worked in the public and private sectors. I have a Master's and a PhD in Counselor Education. My experience includes working with individuals who have experienced: substance abuse, depression, anxiety, stress, ADD/ADHD, chronic pain, adjustment issues, grief, PTSD, and childhood trauma/abuse, I enjoy working with clients who are looking for personal growth.

I believe that you are the leading expert on your own life. My role is not to diagnose you from a distance or tell you how to live, but to walk alongside you as a collaborator. I am committed to providing a space defined by total transparency and zero judgment.

In this room, you are safe to be your most authentic self. I will listen deeply to your experiences and reflect what I hear, helping you clear the path toward the goals and growth you define as important. We are in this together, and you will always set the pace."

I work with individual adults and certain families who are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, sad, lonely, sensitive, anxious, or defeated. If you're feeling heavy by everything going on, or feeling frantic, or having conflict in your relationships or are just feeling lost in any way, I would love to see if I can help! I also work with family units going through transition or strain, such as conflict between a parent and their adult child, or supporting parents who are experiencing difficult things with their child or teen.

I have a lot of experience helping people through loss, whether it's a breakup, losing a job, or a loved one - including loss of a pet, which is a specialty of mine. I have special interest in supporting other therapists, and also community organizers and activists who are engaged in social justice work. Many of my clients are trans or NB, and others are gay, lesbian, or queer. Poly and kink affirming.

I offer telehealth services to clients in California, Idaho, Washington, or Virginia.

Ka'ra Johnson is a LCSW-C, LCSW licensed in MD, VA, DC, and OH. She received both her Masters in Mental Health Counseling and Masters of Social Work from Capella University. She specializes in treating Trauma, Mood Disorders, Forensic Clients, Crisis Interventions and Life Transitions. Her modalities of therapy are: Trauma informed CBT, REBT and Motivational Interviewing.