Specializing in anxiety, depression, LGBT+ Health, gender care, & body-focused repetitive behaviors via online therapy.

Stephanie Strouth is an LPC with advanced training in working with anxiety disorders. She is also EMDR Certified and trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy & Seeking Safety. She has been in the mental health field since 2016 opening a private practice in 2020 serving all of Virginia and is passionate about helping people enjoy the life they have or create the life they want. Read more about Stephanie and the team at www.ahchope.com

Do you look in the mirror and not like the person you see looking back at you? Do you struggle with depression and anxiety? Do you often experience feelings of despair, sadness, hopelessness, low motivation, and little self-worth?
I specialize in the treatment of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, anger management, trauma, substance abuse, as well as others. I utilize various treatment methods to empower my clients to improve their lives and start living instead of just existing.
If you are suffering from mental health or substance abuse issues, let me help.

Whether you are struggling with anxiety, trauma, or addiction, I can offer you a safe place to heal and grow. Looking into therapy is a brave first step in taking control of your life, and no matter what you are going through, I’ll meet you with compassion and respect. I believe my holistic approach to treating the mind, body, and soul—something I am very passionate about—can help you discover your best self.
I believe the ability to form close attachments and maintain satisfying relationships is at the core of a fulfilling life. That’s why I often work through a cognitive behavioral/emotional attachment lens, utilizing the therapeutic relationship to foster trust and connection. And because trauma is often at the root of many people’s pain, I’m also trained in EMDR.
My mission is to help you feel safe so you can tell your story, heal past emotional wounds, and find relief in the present. I have experience in various mental health settings, including residential, partial hospitalization, and individual therapy. As a trauma-informed therapist, I love working with adults dealing with anxiety, addiction, and trauma.

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).

It’s important to elevate all voices and stories, especially ones that haven’t felt heard before. As a minority identifying therapist and child of immigrants, my lived experiences help me connect with my clients on a deeper level. I strive to create a safe healing space for my clients. I provide therapy to individuals, age 12 and up. I have a special interest in teens, college students, adults of all ages, BIPOC individuals, those from marginalized groups, and first generation and immigrant individuals. I also have specialty training and expertise in developmental trauma, particularly with adoptees and adoptive parents.
I’m passionate about empowering my clients to overcome and work through their struggles with trauma, life stressors and transitions, anxiety, grief, depression, self-esteem, mood instability, interpersonal relationships, parenting and attachment difficulties. I find using creative and hands-on techniques to be very helpful during sessions.
You desire to feel like you’re flourishing rather than just getting by. There’s power in vulnerability. We can work together on finding those barriers, processing uncomfortable feelings and experiences and building self-regulatory skills to thrive. Let’s chat to see if we’re a good fit! Thank you for prioritizing yourself or your loved one(s).

I speak kid + teen. I want my clients to go from a place of surviving to thriving. I’m here to help them uncover how to find joy and perseverance in life by connecting deeper with themselves and others through the use of therapeutic strategies and interventions that they can carry with them forever. I have my masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialty in children and adolescent development. I am trained in play therapy and utilize cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) modalities to provide an individualized approach to therapy.
My promise is to allow clients and their families to feel valued and heard while motivating them to become the best versions of themselves! I am dedicated to celebrating clients' individuality and allowing clients the space to explore their story and in return gain confidence, awareness, and self-acceptance.
I would be honored to walk alongside your child and your family during this time. After all, we are each unique and worth celebrating! I am also a 200hr Registered Yoga Teacher and love to incorporate mind + body awareness in my sessions. I wasn’t kidding when I said "I speak kid and teen." *I do take college aged and adult clients based on referral.

If you are struggling to cope with stress and anxiety from past or ongoing difficulties (such as school/work stress, friendship/relationship problems, bullying, or family dynamics), I can help you process and problem-solve your experiences and offer a path forward. This includes learning coping skills and interpersonal effectiveness, as well as examining thought and behavior patterns. I enjoy working collaboratively with my clients to help them be the best version of themselves by helping them to identify their goals and to leverage their strengths to meet those goals.

Are you or your child struggling in school and you don't know why or how to help? A psychoeducational evaluation can determine if an individual meets criteria for a learning disability or ADHD, as well as highlight strengths and weaknesses and guide academic and treatment recommendations (including accommodations on standardized tests, if appropriate).

I am currently conducting all therapy via telehealth and am accepting new clients ages 12+ in DC, MD, VA, NJ, PA, & more. Psychoeducational evaluations are conducted in DC only (ages 6+). Please feel free to email me so we can set up a brief phone consultation to see if I can help. If I can't, I'll try to point you in the right direction.

It’s important work to step into counseling as an individual or with your loved ones. I admire those who make this commitment to growth and well-being. I’m honored to come alongside clients, providing therapeutic space to be honest without judgment. I’m passionate about giving clients autonomy, providing clarity, and being open to their feedback. I believe therapy is a collaborative process where both client and therapist play important roles: the client bringing their holistic self, and the therapist empathizing, tracing patterns, providing curiosity and insight, and working together toward meeting goals and living out personal values.

I enjoy working with couples, families, individual men, women, and teens! I have experience working in non-profit outpatient counseling centers and addiction treatment centers in addition to private practice. I especially enjoy helping families affected by addiction, working with couples longing to get unstuck and to experience lasting connection, and empowering teens with space to process and skills to manage stressors. I’m also passionate about supporting individuals through transitions across the lifespan, and through personal and spiritual identity work.