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Psychotherapy & Eating Disorder Services in D.C., Chevy Chase & Across Maryland and Pennsylvania

Meet Our Expert Team Across Maryland, DC, and Pennsylvania

Discover the heart and soul of Juniper Blu Collective through our dedicated team of mental health professionals. From seasoned therapists to specialized care providers, our team is committed to guiding you on your path to healing and wellness.

Why Juniper Blu?

Like the timeless Juniper tree inviting all under its healing and calming shade, Juniper Blu offers a shelter of balance for all those who struggle with mental health issues in daily life, no matter your age, gender, or ethnicity. Initially formed as a way to help those struggling with eating disorders, we’ve expanded our practice to include anyone experiencing a difficult time with mental and behavioral health.

At Juniper Blu Collective, we know that not all battles are visible. Whether you’re struggling with an eating disorder, body dysmorphia, trauma, depression and anxiety, or mood and personality disorders, we work collaboratively with dietitians, nutritionists, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and primary care physicians to get you the help you need, and to help you achieve a visible victory.

Meet Our Team

Stacey

C. Cooperman

Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, or struggling to connect with others? Do you find yourself caught in cycles of conflict, misunderstanding, or emotional distance? Is loss casting a long shadow over your life?

These challenges can be isolating and exhausting, but you don’t have to face them alone.

As a dedicated counselor, I specialize in helping individuals overcome anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges. I believe in creating a safe and supportive space where you can explore your emotions, develop coping skills, and rediscover hope. My certifications in mindfulness-based therapy and trauma-informed care allow me to offer evidence-based approaches tailored to your unique needs.

Being born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Stacey developed a comprehensive understanding of mental health challenges through extensive work in both agency and private practice settings. Her bilingual proficiency in English and French has allowed her to serve a diverse clientele. Possessing a wealth of experience in supporting individuals with severe mental health conditions, Stacey is adept at providing compassionate care and tailored interventions. Her client-centered approach emphasizes empathy, open-mindedness, and a collaborative partnership in the therapeutic process.

Stacey is a dedicated counselor who specializes in helping individuals cope with anxiety, depression, and interpersonal issues. She is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor in both Maryland (LGP14817) and in the District of Columbia (LGPC200001672). She is a Nationally Certified Counselor and is a Certified Mindfulness-Informed Professional.

Annie

M. Sousa

Are you seeking a highly skilled and compassionate therapist to guide you through the complexities of trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, or neurodiversity? Do you find yourself trapped in a cycle of the same disruptive behavior? Do you find yourself overthinking and unable to stop worrying or letting go? Avoiding events, people, or important things in your life? Reliving past experiences? Feeling fatigued, tired, sad, or anxious? Picture a life where you can live with less anxiety, be in control, feel confident, and authentically happy. Therapy with Annie Sousa can help you achieve just that.

Annie Sousa is a dedicated therapist with specialized expertise in addressing PTSD, anxiety, OCD, trauma, depression, and the unique experiences of neurodivergent individuals. She has extensive experience working with intrusive thoughts, compulsions, self-esteem issues, self-schema, and sensory overwhelming issues. Annie’s therapeutic approach is rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), emphasizing positive psychology, strength, wellness, and prevention. She employs a strengths-based approach to therapy, crafting personalized plans that empower clients to identify their goals and enhance their well-being.

Certified in EMDR therapy for trauma and utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), among other techniques, Annie’s repertoire includes innovative approaches tailored to the specific needs of her clients, ensuring a comprehensive and practical therapeutic experience. Annie also has extensive experience with neurodivergent individuals who go through life masking and struggle with social relations, including interpreting social cues and tones and understanding how disruptive thought patterns can impact daily functioning.

Annie has completed her education and is now a licensed clinician with a Master’s in Counseling with a specialization in Child and Adolescent Development at Northwestern University. She holds both a BA and an MA from Florida International University. Her extensive professional journey spans communications, education, behavioral analysis, and significant volunteer work during the pandemic, assisting various communities. This diverse background, enriched by her global experiences and personal journey as a neurodivergent individual, equips her with profound empathy and a unique perspective on mental health care.

Offering support through telehealth, Annie is committed to serving individuals and families in Maryland and DC. She focuses on building resilience, fostering emotional connections, and empowering clients to take control of their lives. Her training, accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and adherence to the American Counseling Association’s Codes of Ethics underscore her dedication to the highest standards of care. Annie’s commitment to understanding, supporting, and validating her clients’ diverse concerns ensures an inclusive and transformative therapeutic experience.

Suppose you are navigating the challenges of OCD, PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, or the nuances of neurodiversity. In that case, Annie Sousa provides a professional, empathetic, and skilled approach to mental health care. At Juniper Blu Collective, you will find a safe and supportive environment to explore your experiences, confront your challenges, and uncover your strength to navigate life’s adversities.

Kate

S. Bell

Are you feeling overwhelmed by constant anxiety or held back by persistent negative thoughts? Do you struggle to find peace in your day-to-day life, unsure of how to break free from the patterns that keep you stuck? It’s okay to feel unsure or skeptical about therapy, but know that with the right support, real change is possible.

Finding a therapist can be intimidating, but the fact that you’re here means you’ve already taken one of the most courageous steps in your healing journey. You don’t have to navigate this path alone. Therapy can provide the tools and understanding needed to help you manage overwhelming emotions, reduce anxiety, and rediscover hope.

I’m Kate Bell, and my approach to therapy is grounded in empathy, flexibility, and a deep commitment to meeting you where you are. I understand firsthand how difficult it can be to live with rumination, depression, or the weight of expectations, and I believe in tailoring therapy to fit your unique needs. Whether you’re new to therapy or have had past experiences, we’ll create a space where you feel truly understood and supported.

I draw from a wide variety of therapeutic methods, including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) skill-building, guided imagery, and breathwork/meditative practices, to ensure our work together is personalized and effective. If you’re searching for a way to cope with life’s pressures, quiet your mind, or reconnect with yourself, we’ll find the approach that resonates most with you.

I am a current student and trainee in the School and Mental Health Counseling Executive Program at the University of Pennsylvania and I am under the supervision of Jamie L. Jones. I bring diverse life experiences that enhance my ability to connect with clients from all walks of life. My career has allowed me to work with groups ranging from professional athletes to national security leaders, giving me a unique perspective on navigating high-stress environments.

Your journey toward healing is uniquely yours, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way. Let’s work together to create a life where you feel more in control, present, and at peace.

Michelle

R. Scudero

Are you or a loved one navigating the complexities of chronic illness, facing the challenges of grief, or experiencing the emotional toll of a serious medical condition? Do you find yourself struggling with the unique demands of perinatal or postpartum care, or supporting a child with special needs?

These experiences can be incredibly overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them without support or guidance.

As a compassionate Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I specialize in supporting individuals and families through the toughest moments of life, including chronic disease management, oncology, terminal illness, and the grief that often accompanies these challenges. I also have a deep commitment to helping mothers during the perinatal period and supporting families of children with autism and other special needs. I have expanded my knowledge with training in eating disorders in adults, children and individuals with special needs, as well as lactation consulting and disordered eating in pregnancy and breastfeeding. My approach is grounded in empathy and evidence-based practices, including narrative therapy, problem-solving, and solution-focused techniques, all aimed at empowering you to navigate your journey with resilience and hope.

With a strong background in healthcare and medical social work, Michelle has devoted her career to supporting individuals facing some of life’s most difficult challenges. Her work in both clinical and community settings, including hospitals and private wellness centers, has equipped her with the skills and experience necessary to provide comprehensive care. Michelle’s experience includes graduate field placements with the Lehigh County Office of Aging and Manito Equine Psychotherapy, which have further enriched her practice.

Michelle is a firm believer in the power of interprofessional collaboration, ensuring that her clients receive the best possible care. She is currently expanding her expertise with additional training in eating disorders, particularly focusing on adults, children, and individuals with special needs, as well as disordered eating during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Michelle’s commitment to her clients is unwavering, and she strives to create a supportive and empowering environment for everyone she works with.

Eva

M. Camacho

Therapy is a journey. Eva believes in adapting to each client’s unique needs and working together to foster a collaborative approach. She understands the courage it takes to share one’s thoughts. Vulnerability in therapy can make one feel ambivalent, overwhelmed, and concerned. 

Eva respects clients and strives to establish a foundation of trust. Trust plays a critical role in therapy, and it is important to Eva to ensure client’s know she is there for them. The journey starts because client’s make it possible. Eva walks with clients and guide them to identifying what is best for them.  She is there to be a listener and a companion for the experience of growth and healing.

Eva has worked with youth and families in the Washington, DC area since 2000.  A National Certified Counselor NCC 252346 and a Licensed Professional Graduate Professional LGPC 00699. She is a former Professor and researcher of Developmental Psychology and Emotional Intelligence. Eva has worked with the Emotional Intelligent Inventory (EQi; MHS) to support Emotional Focused intervention and curriculum Strength-based development. 

Her clinical intervention approach array from Psychoanalytic Techniques,  Expressive Arts, Humanistic, Logotherapy, Mindfulness-Based, Emotional Focused, Cognitive-Behavior, Strength-Based, Narrative, and Bibliotherapy. 

Eva works to emphasize the quest for a purpose in life. It starts with our freedom to take a stand and connect emotions with reality.  This pivotal moment shapes our character and personal narrative, changing our perception of adversities or challenging events. Once the narrative is interrupted by being cognizant of our freedom and quest for purpose, the journey for healing and purpose starts. 

After twenty-two years of being a caring listener, Eva continues to be a humble guest walker on many journeys, fulfilling purpose: caring listener.

Jamie

L. Jones

Jamie Jones helps people learn to live their life from the inside out. Change your perception, change your life!

As a Psychotherapist, (licensed professional counselor #PRC14344, licensed clinical professional counselor #LC8086, clinical professional art therapist ATC046, and board certified art therapist #06174), Jamie is a Certified Telebehavioral Health Professional (TBHP) and a Certified Dialectical Behavior Professional (C-DBT). Clients describe Jamie as attentive, calm, knowledgeable, resourceful, direct, solution focused, and funny.

Jamie has over 17 years of experience working as a therapist for women, men, children and families who just like you want to free themselves from self-destructive patterns and learn how to live a balanced life right here in the Washington, DC area.

Jamie was born and raised in Colorado and has been a resident of the Washington, DC area for 17 years.  Jamie’s therapeutic philosophy and fundamental approach to  working with people reflects the synthesis of her upbringing in Colorado and adulthood here in Washington, DC.   As a Washington DC area therapist, Jamie has witnessed many people’s common desire to live a more balanced lifestyle.  Unfortunately people feel stuck in a repetitive cycle while trying to attain it.  Jamie shares lessons of how to live a balanced lifestyle in each therapeutic session with people like you who desperately want to change their lives. 

Jamie’s therapeutic focus is on you and your unique perception of your daily life and surrounding environment. It is explored through verbal and symbolic forms of individual and group psychotherapy.  This process creates a focused consciousness on your personal inner perceptions regarding who you are and who you want to become.  

As a Washingtonian herself, Jamie understands the challenges you face while living in a demanding city where many people feel a balanced lifestyle is unattainable.  Working with Jamie will help you learn how to live a balanced lifestyle right here in Washington, DC.

Jamie Jones specializes in the treatment of individuals who struggle with self-harming behaviors, including cutting, disordered eating, and addiction.  Often individuals struggling with self-harming behaviors may also experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behavior, poor body image, perfectionism, shame, guilt, and low self-worth.  

Although you may be familiar with some of the terms listed above several of the more common terms used to describe individuals who seek Jamie’s assistance include ‘expecters’, the ‘over-nurturer’ and caretakers, high achievers, perfectionist(s), over-doers, over-exercisers, and under-exercisers.   Jamie offers her expertise and services to help each person in their own personal development of freedom from these behaviors in order to attain a more comfortable and balanced life.   

She has been trained in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Art Therapy, Advanced Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Telehbehavior Health (TBHP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Active Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Brief Solution Focused Family Therapy (BSFFT).     

She is a member of the Society For Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Association, Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA), and Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders. 

Jenna

D. Howard

Work life balance can often time come with various challenges leaving you unsure of your next move. On day-to-day basis we make choices that not only affects the now but also has a huge impact on our future. Balancing those choices is important when understanding the idea of self-care. Together we will face those challenges and work through the mountain known as life. 

Jenna Howard is a Licensed Graduate Counselor (LGPC00748) in the District of Columbia. Jenna earned her Master Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Monmouth University.  She has nine plus years of experience working with relationship challenges, anxiety, depression, eating disorder, grief, and addiction counseling. She also has experience with facilitating psychotherapy groups. Clients would describe her as empathic, direct, and funny.

Jenna has experience in Addiction Counseling through facilitating and assisting groups using qualitative evidence-based treatment for adults and adolescents with serious mental health diagnoses, substance abuse problems, and co-occurring disorders. She worked overnight as a Mental Health Associate providing inpatient and intensive outpatient care for adults and older adults diagnosed with psychiatric and dual disorders. Jenna worked as a Support Counselor for a youth helpline where she assisted callers through crisis by easing their frustration and worry encouraging them to make decisions promoting their safety and well-being. She also worked as a Nursing Assistant for a few years with patients who suffered from debilitative diseases. Her experiences required her to exemplify patience, integrity, honesty, and humility.  

 Not only does Jenna have a vast amount of experience in counseling. She is employed by the federal government and holds a Senior Level Certification in Project Management. 

Meet Malca R Gottlieb

Malca

R. Gottlieb

Does it sometimes feel that your life is an imitation of the life you really want?  Psychotherapy can help you live your most authentic life.  Malca knows that psychotherapy can improve overall life satisfaction as well more serious ailments, because she has 14 years of experience as a psychotherapist and a social worker.

Malca is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LC50079200) in the District of Columbia and a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical in the State of Maryland (23121). Malca is a Certified Dialectical Behavior Professional (C-DBT).

Malca has earned her master’s degree in Social Work from Catholic University of America, in Washington, DC and her master’s degree in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland.  She completed her  bachelor’s degree in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from the University of Chicago. 

After graduation with her undergraduate degree, she moved to the Middle East where she worked at an independent think tank that worked to improve the lives of ordinary people, especially families and children.  Her interest in social work grew from this experience.  She is also a substitute teacher in the humanities department at a prestigious private school in Washington, DC.  Her second Masters degree is from St John’s College, a school that focuses on the Great Books.  The dialectical approach and the wisdom of these texts are central to Malca’s view of psychotherapy: Our life is our own to make.  

We live in a competitive world where we are driven by multiple obligations include our career.

This can make us feel that we are trying to get out of a space where we are stuck — a place of anxiety and depression.

Malca’s purpose as a psychotherapist is to help people determine their values, discerns their interests, and set their goals. She works with people who may be feeling routinized, that their future seems blocked by an unsupportive world, people whose intellectual and sexual passions may be frustrated. She knows that through true empathic listening, and a co-created relationship of mutuality, her clients can build a life that makes them happy. While not a specialist in trauma, she deeply understands the day-to-day drip of pain can often feel like trauma and how to talk about it.

Malca’s personality is characterized by calm and patience.  She is deeply insightful about people as she draws on a rich background of life experience.  She works from theory bases that emphasize relationships and what happens between people over what people do to each other. These include the work of Kohut, Rogers, and Sullivan. Additionally, she refers back to the philosophy that formed the base of these theories, so that we can find the most wisdom from our own growth and development. 

Malca specializes in working with families and individuals seeking a better relationship with their family.  Because the family unit is our “go to” lens to see the world, it is through better understanding our family that we can make some of our greatest progress.  Often, Malca works with individuals who want to change family dynamics that they feel may be working against them.   

Additionally, the intergenerational transmission of trauma is something ever-present in many people’s lives and can contribute to the feeling of being stuck.  

She has extensive work with Anxiety and Depression, preferring to take a non-directive approach.  By creating a supportive environment, she is able to help clients decide how they can best proceed.  

Malca has lived in Washington, DC since 2000 and her family has roots in the city.  She understands that the rapid changes in the city and the fast paced, competitive nature of the city can leave people struggling to create a balanced existence.  She knows that psychotherapy can help us achieve our goals and live in greater harmony by finding our inner resources and uncovering our true, happy selves. 

Adrian

S. Hosler

Adrian helps people re-discover their place as the protagonist in their story and create paths forward free of blame and restrictive thinking.

Living and working abroad with families through education and crises prevention services, Adrian has an appreciation for the impact of culture and family on our perceptions of problems. Adrian works with clients to strengthen bonds and explore barriers that may disrupt communication in relationships. Adrian promotes the client as the expert of their lives and collaborates with clients to map out a path that honors their preferences. Adrian uses a Narrative approach to therapy that helps clients externalize their problems, make meaning from ambiguity and grow using natural strengths and assets. By illuminating forgotten or under-utilized special skills, clients can find more control over their lives and grow their tolerance for discomfort and acceptance of change. Narrative Therapy guides clients in taking back authorship of their story and challenging dominant narratives that may have stunted their ability to move forward. Clients will synthesize their goals for change and learn to celebrate complex ways of looking at the world.

Adrian has experience working with clients impacted by disordered eating, psychosis, developmental issues, anxiety, body-image and the impacts of social expectations like perfectionism and individualism on mental health. Clients can expect a strengths-based, social justice approach that will work with them towards self-advocacy and utilizing resources.

Adrian is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor in the District of Columbia (LGPC200001551). Adrian has worked directly leading groups in emotion-focused therapy and eating disorder recovery, led workshops on suicide prevention and care-giver resiliency, supported survivors of domestic violence to identify power disparities, helped clients navigate difficult thoughts and emotions, and worked with clients on creating interpersonal and behavioral change in their lives.

Megan

M. Herbets

Megan aims to help individuals find their authentic selves and develop the confidence to convey their true selves to the world.

Oftentimes, we lose sight of what we truly want for ourselves. Megan’s goal is to empower you to focus on your own experiences rather than on what others expect of you. Born and raised in the Washington Metro area, Megan understands firsthand how the stress of the DMV lifestyle can affect one’s personal life, work life and home life.  Clients describe Megan as being creative, quirky, empathetic and reliable. 

Megan is a Licensed Professional Counselor (PRC15421). She has seven years of experience helping children and adults work through behavioral and emotional struggles related to depression, PTSD, grief, substance abuse, eating disorders, body image, anxiety, family and sexuality. In addition, she has experience working with children diagnosed with a range of learning disabilities, Autism and Asperger’s. Megan is trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and incorporates various theoretical approaches to help you address any unfinished business that interferes with you being your whole self. Through this work, you will begin the process of self-acceptance and develop control over your behaviors and choices. Megan utilizes creative techniques that allow clients to break out of old patterns of behaviors that keep them from thriving and uncover new perspectives and solutions for issues that they may be facing. Emboldening clients to exercise creativity allows them to develop the confidence to seek new ways to develop their patterns of thinking, believing and doing into more successful, beneficial ways of being.  

Megan earned her master’s degree in clinical counseling from Johns Hopkins University and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Syracuse University. 

Charity

I. White

Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed by emotions, or unsure of how to move forward? Do you find it hard to cope with life’s challenges, whether they are rooted in past trauma or present stress? You’re not alone, and I’m here to help you make sense of your feelings, no matter how complex they seem.

When life feels heavy, it’s easy to feel lost in a cycle of sadness, anxiety, frustration, or fear. But there is hope. Therapy offers a space to explore those emotions, discover healthier coping mechanisms, and begin the process of healing and self-understanding. Imagine feeling empowered to face life’s difficulties with resilience and confidence — that’s the journey we can embark on together.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC), I specialize in providing compassionate, client-centered therapy tailored to your unique needs. I believe you are the expert on your life, and my role is to offer the tools and support needed to help you navigate challenges and achieve your personal goals. Whether you are dealing with trauma, anxiety, family dynamics, or simply need a safe space to process emotions, we’ll work together to add to your mental health toolbox — from understanding your triggers to developing practical strategies for change.

With experience spanning from K-12 school counseling to adult clinical therapy, I’ve worked with clients across the lifespan, which gives me a deep understanding of how life’s different stages shape our emotional experiences. My approach combines person-centered therapy with techniques from play therapy and trauma-informed care, psychoeducation, and family systems to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can feel heard and supported.

Let’s talk about your story and where you want to go from here. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but your willingness to seek therapy is the first step toward healing. I look forward to working with you and helping you create a life filled with clarity, balance, and growth.

Erin

S. Cetindag

Do you ever feel like you’re doing mental math all the time, trying to balance your needs with what others expect of you and all the directions you’re being pulled? Between work, family, friends, and the pressures of society, it can be difficult to prioritize the care that we all need. Even when we know we need to take care of ourselves first, it can be hard to put this into practice after a lifetime of putting others first.

Having grown up in a first-generation immigrant family, along with her educational background in international relations, Erin is constantly seeking to expand her knowledge of multicultural approaches and understanding. She is passionate about working with the LGBTQ+ community, women, and clients with culturally diverse backgrounds. Erin specializes in working on topics like gender, sexuality, community and culture. Working at the intersection of your personal experiences and how you experience the world, Erin hopes to better understand how you have adapted and help you approach life in a way that promotes your growth.

Erin approaches therapy from a person-centered foundation. She believes that each person knows themselves and their experience in the world, and requires a unique approach to therapy that works with them. Erin is passionate about helping her clients find a sense of congruence between their inner self and their outer world. Erin approaches therapy from a Relational Cultural (RCT) and Psychodynamic integrative lens, believing that we are influenced by our society, relationships, and learned patterns from our unique upbringings.

Erin Cetindag is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC 200001398) and a National Certified Counselor. She earned Bachelors in International Relations from American University, and a Masters of Arts in Education and Human Development with a focus in School Counseling from George Washington University.  

Join the team

Join our team of dedicated mental health professionals at Juniper Blu Collective. We are committed to providing a supportive and collaborative work environment where you can thrive. We offer competitive compensation, and opportunities for professional growth. Whether you’re a seasoned clinician or just starting your career, we encourage you to explore career opportunities with us.

Gain invaluable hands-on experience in the field of mental health through our practicum program. Under the guidance of experienced clinicians, you will develop essential clinical skills, learn about different therapeutic approaches, and contribute to the well-being of our clients. Our practicum program offers a supportive learning environment and opportunities for professional growth.

Expand your knowledge and skills in mental health through our internship program. We offer a variety of internship opportunities to students pursuing degrees in psychology, counseling, or related fields. Our internship program provides a comprehensive learning experience, including exposure to different client populations, therapeutic modalities, and clinical supervision.

We Accept Insurance

We offer a concierge service to help process out-of-network benefits.
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The Juniper Blu Blog

Looking to be informed, inspired, or uplifted? Check out our latest blog posts for in-depth insights from industry experts discussing all the things you want to know about mental wellness including our expertise in eating disorders, trauma, autism, and support with chronic illness.

Heal Your Mind, Nurture Your Life

You’re only one step away from finding real balance and the support you need. Contact us today and experience the change you’ve been waiting for.