Find a therapist in Reston, VA — covered by insurance

Shakarla Brown is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 7 years of experience. She works with young adults and adults to manage issues like depression, anxiety, ADHD, stress, life transitions, emotional dysregulation, and self-esteem. Shakarla focuses on improving clients' self-worth by challenging negative core beliefs and collaboratively understanding how other contributing factors impact their behaviors and interpersonal relationships. She emphasizes that the progress made outside sessions is just as vital as the work done during them, empowering clients to take control of their healing journey.

Shakarla received her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health from Regent University.

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.

I am a Doctor of Social Work, licensed in both Virginia and Maryland and have over 5 years of professional work experience. I have 20 years of experience in the US Military and have worked in health care for the past 10 years. My practice prioritizes working with veterans, health care workers, and first responders. I am currently an outpatient therapist at Johns Hopkins Early Psychosis Intervention Clinic. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

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 a board-certified psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience in both general psychiatry and addiction medicine. My background spans a wide range of mental health conditions — from anxiety and depression to bipolar disorder and substance use — and I bring a deeply holistic perspective to every patient I work with. I offer telehealth care with flexible scheduling, including early morning appointments starting at 7:30am for those who need care before their workday begins.

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.

Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming — and sometimes the hardest part is simply starting. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Registered Art Therapist, and Master Addictions Counselor, I bring more than two decades of experience supporting individuals, couples, and families through some of life’s most challenging moments.