Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Sterling, VA

Partner 1: “I reach for you, but it feels like you’re already gone.” I’m left wondering if I matter to you at all.” Partner 2: “When you come close, I feel the pressure to be perfect, so I pull back to protect us both.” These unspoken messages leave couples lonely and stuck. I help break this anxious–avoidant cycle so partners feel safe, seen, and deeply connected again.

“I don’t understand why I want closeness so badly, yet feel disappointed when I have it. Why do I feel lonelier than others, even when I’m not alone?” Or: “I care deeply, but people say I’m distant or hard to read. When emotions get intense, I shut down—not because I don’t feel, but because it feels like too much.”

These quiet tensions live beneath awareness for many people. Longing and self-protection pull in opposite directions. Needs feel confusing, emotions feel overwhelming or unsafe, and core beliefs quietly form—I’m too much, I’m not enough, connection costs me something.

I help people loosen these patterns, reconcile the Self with more truthful and adaptive beliefs, and move toward self-acceptance and interdependence—where connection no longer threatens safety, but deepens it.

After nine years serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, I realized my deepest fulfillment came not from fixing systems, but from walking with people. Leaving the military was not a departure from service—it was a continuation of it. I pursued social work and theological training to better support people in their most important relationships. Today, my practice is devoted to couples counseling and trauma-informed care. Drawing primarily from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and EMDR, I help couples slow conflict, understand what drives disconnection, and emotional safety. As a veteran and seminary-trained therapist, I bring structure, compassion, and steady hope—meeting clients with respect, grace, and a belief in lasting change.

Hi there, welcome! I strive to offer a safe space where you can begin or continue your therapeutic journey. A nonjudgmental space where you can freely process, express, vent, and just be. Taking an individualized approach to include exploring thoughts/feelings/behaviors, challenging negative core beliefs, and developing more adaptive coping skills.

I specialize in Anxiety, ADHD, Depression, PTSD, Panic disorder and mood disorders. I also offer ADHD testing for children and adults online and in-person. I offer both medication management and therapy.

My name is Elana Isser. I am a licensed clinical social worker. in New Jersey, New York, and Maryland. I am a graduate of Columbia School of Social Work and I have worked with clients of all ages in hospital and outpatient telehealth settings. I use evidence-based treatments, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in my work.

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 am a licensed clinical social worker, and I've been working in mental health for the past decade. I specialize in trauma, grief, anger, and communication.

Hi! As a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and proud LGBTQ+ ally, I have extensive experience helping people navigate anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, trauma, and more. I have a special place in my practice for those dealing with depression or trauma rooted in relationships or family, because those experiences deserve thoughtful, dedicated care.

Your mental health journey matters to me, and I'm here to truly listen, not just to what you're saying, but to what you need. Together, we'll work toward solutions that are both compassionate and effective.

Hello, my name is Benjamin Watkins. I look forward to working with you to make the positive changes you desire in your life. I have worked in the field since I was 19, starting as a Mentor. Helping others is my passion in life. I worked with children, adolescents, and parents in the foster care system, overcoming trauma and developing positive attachments. I have worked with a variety of issues.

Hi there! I have been a therapist for about 25 years (MSW- Western Michigan University). I feel grateful to have such meaningful work and honored to walk alongside such a variety of people on their journeys. My clients have described me as irreverent, honest, and caring.

Many folks come to therapy in times of crisis and others come because they are looking for a neutral place to talk and process a wide range of life experiences including trauma, anxiety/depression, substance concerns, and relationship issues.

In my non-work hours you'd find me spending time with my elementary age kiddo and our dog, listening to live music, swimming in Lake Michigan, or finishing up a good jigsaw puzzle!

As a mental health therapist, I practice in Virginia, Delaware, Florida, and North Carolina, specializing in grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, anger management, and stress associated with life transitions.