Elizabeth Preston

Associate Professional Counselor

About

I love to foster a safe space to explore, manage, and face the daily stressors and long-term challenges of life for adolescents/young adults and women. I use my expertise, research, and personal experience to serve two special populations, anxious teenagers/young adults and moms. The weight of feeling like I can not handle what I am experiencing is overwhelming, but it does not have to feel that way forever.

To the teen or young adult girl that feels that she is walking without a map and is trying to figure out her relationship with her friends, family, body, performance, etc., you do not have to do it alone. I want to walk alongside you while we figure out how to find healthy ways to deal with anxiety, learn to live according to what matters most to you, and make peace in your relationship with yourself and others.

I also focus on working with women who are prenatal, postpartum, or have experienced infant loss at any time. As someone who has experienced the overwhelming pain and confusion of miscarriage, I understand what it feels like to be faced with seemingly insurmountable loss. This heartbreaking experience drives my passion to help women in similar situations navigate their grief, honor their child, and find hope to move forward when it feels like there is none.

Whether through writing helpful content, meeting with individual clients, and talking to groups, my desire is to cultivate safe spaces to talk about hard things. Let’s connect and see where we can grow together.

I love to foster a safe space to explore, manage, and face the daily stressors and long-term challenges of life for adolescents/young adults and women. I use my expertise, research, and personal experience to serve two special populations, anxious teenagers/young adults and moms. The weight of feeling like I can not handle what I am experiencing is overwhelming, but it does not have to feel that way forever.

To the teen or young adult girl that feels that she is walking without a map and is trying to figure out her relationship with her friends, family, body, performance, etc., you do not have to do it alone. I want to walk alongside you while we figure out how to find healthy ways to deal with anxiety, learn to live according to what matters most to you, and make peace in your relationship with yourself and others.

I also focus on working with women who are prenatal, postpartum, or have experienced infant loss at any time. As someone who has experienced the overwhelming pain and confusion of miscarriage, I understand what it feels like to be faced with seemingly insurmountable loss. This heartbreaking experience drives my passion to help women in similar situations navigate their grief, honor their child, and find hope to move forward when it feels like there is none.

Whether through writing helpful content, meeting with individual clients, and talking to groups, my desire is to cultivate safe spaces to talk about hard things. Let’s connect and see where we can grow together.

Danielle Peters

LPC-MHSP (Temp)

About

I help individuals, partners, and families sort through their history and stories of pain, highlight their resilience, expand their emotional awareness, and practice new behaviors for a life of health and wholeness.

I practice under the LPC-MHSP (Temporary) license in Tennessee with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Graduate Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy. I am a National Certified Counselor, Certified Prepare/Enrich Facilitator, and have level 1 & 2 training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. My supervision until I am fully licensed is under Dr. John Kennedy.

Before entering the counseling profession, I dabbled in various creative ventures between parenting and homemaking. I enjoy working with my hands, whether in the dirt gardening, repurposing old furniture, or mending ragged stitches.

I help individuals, partners, and families sort through their history and stories of pain, highlight their resilience, expand their emotional awareness, and practice new behaviors for a life of health and wholeness.

I practice under the LPC-MHSP (Temporary) license in Tennessee with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Graduate Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy. I am a National Certified Counselor, Certified Prepare/Enrich Facilitator, and have level 1 & 2 training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. My supervision until I am fully licensed is under Dr. John Kennedy.

Before entering the counseling profession, I dabbled in various creative ventures between parenting and homemaking. I enjoy working with my hands, whether in the dirt gardening, repurposing old furniture, or mending ragged stitches.

Amy Bilka

Licensed Clinical Psychologist (Psy.D.)

About

Dr. Bilka tailors her therapeutic approach to fit each client’s unique needs. She integrates several therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioral, interpersonal, EMDR and relational techniques to provide comprehensive and dynamic treatment. Dr. Bilka’s clinical interests include gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender/questioning issues, adolescent and adult life transitions, relationship concerns, trauma and abuse. She specializes in treating teenagers and young adults dealing with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and trauma. Dr. Bilka is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, which has been proven highly effective for the treatment of trauma as well as with many other issues. She incorporates warmth, empathy, humor and insight-oriented methods into her practice. Dr. Bilka views the therapeutic process as a collaborative one in which the therapist offers understanding and support, providing the client with the space to develop a deeper understanding of his or her self and the courage to work toward change.

Dr. Bilka tailors her therapeutic approach to fit each client’s unique needs. She integrates several therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioral, interpersonal, EMDR and relational techniques to provide comprehensive and dynamic treatment. Dr. Bilka’s clinical interests include gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender/questioning issues, adolescent and adult life transitions, relationship concerns, trauma and abuse. She specializes in treating teenagers and young adults dealing with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and trauma. Dr. Bilka is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, which has been proven highly effective for the treatment of trauma as well as with many other issues. She incorporates warmth, empathy, humor and insight-oriented methods into her practice. Dr. Bilka views the therapeutic process as a collaborative one in which the therapist offers understanding and support, providing the client with the space to develop a deeper understanding of his or her self and the courage to work toward change.

Melissa Murphy

LCSW-C

About

Melissa Murphy, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW, C-DBT, is a seasoned therapist and clinical director at Bethesda Therapy, licensed in Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia. Specializing in anxiety, depression, trauma, and OCD, she employs ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) and Inference-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT), recognized as leading treatments for OCD. Melissa's expertise extends to managing mood disorders, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain disorders. Her approach is collaborative and strengths-based, focusing on developing personalized strategies for each client.

As a Gottman-trained couples therapist, Melissa is adept at addressing the complexities of relationships affected by ADHD and OCD. She also treats Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) and finds profound fulfillment in supporting therapists and those in helping professions. Her work is underpinned by advanced training in both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Melissa Murphy, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW, C-DBT, is a seasoned therapist and clinical director at Bethesda Therapy, licensed in Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia. Specializing in anxiety, depression, trauma, and OCD, she employs ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) and Inference-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT), recognized as leading treatments for OCD. Melissa's expertise extends to managing mood disorders, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain disorders. Her approach is collaborative and strengths-based, focusing on developing personalized strategies for each client.

As a Gottman-trained couples therapist, Melissa is adept at addressing the complexities of relationships affected by ADHD and OCD. She also treats Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) and finds profound fulfillment in supporting therapists and those in helping professions. Her work is underpinned by advanced training in both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Samantha Speed

LCMHC, LPC, NCC

About

You are motivated, yet having trouble getting results like you used to. A perfectionist, but feeling like you're stuck. You may even feel like taking care of yourself is something you've been putting off for a bit longer than you would like. Whether it's anxiety, trauma or everyday stressors, you're in a place where you no longer want to be, and you need some compassionate accountability to help you navigate through. This courageous step you're about to take is one that will take you on a journey to knowing yourself better. And the truth is, you DO deserve to work towards that best version of yourself, all you need is some support!

As your therapist, I can help you keep all the things you love about yourself and adapt them to your current circumstances. As one who specializes in treating anxiety and trauma, I will help you lean into discomfort while facing the things that have brought you feelings of overwhelm and frustration. Providing compassionate accountability is my jam!

I understand that procrastination or nervousness might be an obstacle to start this journey of therapy, but I believe that because you've been through difficult things, you can come out on the other side as a more whole version of yourself. On the other side of your fear can be that breath of fresh air you've been needing. So, let's jump into the work together!

www.samanthaspeed.com

You are motivated, yet having trouble getting results like you used to. A perfectionist, but feeling like you're stuck. You may even feel like taking care of yourself is something you've been putting off for a bit longer than you would like. Whether it's anxiety, trauma or everyday stressors, you're in a place where you no longer want to be, and you need some compassionate accountability to help you navigate through. This courageous step you're about to take is one that will take you on a journey to knowing yourself better. And the truth is, you DO deserve to work towards that best version of yourself, all you need is some support!

As your therapist, I can help you keep all the things you love about yourself and adapt them to your current circumstances. As one who specializes in treating anxiety and trauma, I will help you lean into discomfort while facing the things that have brought you feelings of overwhelm and frustration. Providing compassionate accountability is my jam!

I understand that procrastination or nervousness might be an obstacle to start this journey of therapy, but I believe that because you've been through difficult things, you can come out on the other side as a more whole version of yourself. On the other side of your fear can be that breath of fresh air you've been needing. So, let's jump into the work together!

www.samanthaspeed.com

Michelle Lester

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

About

Navigating through our life journey has its challenges, but I believe the other side has limitless opportunities. Are you tired of feeling stressed, at a standstill, undervalued, and on edge? Do you feel like you are just waiting for the next calamity to happen, yet still exhausted from your current situation? I can help support you as you work through these issues. You don't have to do it alone. The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. ~Lao Tzu.

I want to help you feel enjoyment and security again. Renew the excitement you remember about your future and your family’s future. Feel the breakthrough and experience the freedom as you release the burden of stress in your life. Claim the revived version of yourself. Forget about the new dilemma. Experience the journey and say today was a great day!

My passion is to help you grow and develop into who you have always dreamed of becoming. I look forward to our partnership on the road to healing and wholeness. Send me an email today to schedule an appointment. I am currently only TELEHEALTH at this time!!!!!

Navigating through our life journey has its challenges, but I believe the other side has limitless opportunities. Are you tired of feeling stressed, at a standstill, undervalued, and on edge? Do you feel like you are just waiting for the next calamity to happen, yet still exhausted from your current situation? I can help support you as you work through these issues. You don't have to do it alone. The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. ~Lao Tzu.

I want to help you feel enjoyment and security again. Renew the excitement you remember about your future and your family’s future. Feel the breakthrough and experience the freedom as you release the burden of stress in your life. Claim the revived version of yourself. Forget about the new dilemma. Experience the journey and say today was a great day!

My passion is to help you grow and develop into who you have always dreamed of becoming. I look forward to our partnership on the road to healing and wholeness. Send me an email today to schedule an appointment. I am currently only TELEHEALTH at this time!!!!!