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Mental Health Awareness Month: Featuring GLG Therapists & Mental Health Professional Clients

GLG Mental Health Awareness Feature

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, The Geller Law Group is proud to recognize and celebrate some of the remarkable therapists and mental health professionals we’re privileged to represent across Northern Virginia, D.C., and Maryland.

The 2025 theme for Mental Health Awareness Month, “Turn Awareness into Action,” is a powerful call to recognize the importance of mental health and actively support those who care for the well-being of our communities.

As trusted legal advisors to these practitioners, our Business Law team has supported the growth and protection of their practices in a variety of ways, including:

  • Forming and registering new businesses and secondary entities
  • Structuring entities to ensure compliance with licensing requirements
  • Drafting and reviewing employment agreements and practice documents
  • Providing outside general counsel services
  • Securing trademark registrations
  • Advising on business strategy, expansion planning, and ongoing compliance

This work allows our clients to focus on what they do best: helping others heal, grow, and thrive. Their commitment to mental wellness inspires us every day, and we’re honored to be part of their journey.

Meet some of the exceptional mental health professionals we’re proud to support:

Takoma Therapy

Takoma Therapy helps you to make sense of the emotions, behaviors, and conflicts that may be hindering your daily life. Through compassionate, creative, and guided conversations, their licensed-therapists work with you to develop the skills to navigate, manage, and eliminate the patterns contributing to your symptoms.

Contact Info:

301-563-9156
intake@takomatherapy.com
https://www.takomatherapy.com/
6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 610
Takoma Park, Maryland 20912

Simone Jacobs Takoma Therapy Feature

What drives your passion for mental health work?
I’ve always been interested in the rich inner worlds of human beings and the remarkable ways we navigate life’s challenges. My passion stems from creating space for people to feel deeply seen and understood, particularly those whose experiences haven’t aligned with conventional mental health narratives. For me, therapy is a form of both care and justice. 

What makes your approach to therapy unique?
I view symptoms not as pathology, but as intelligent adaptations. Symptoms are evidence of how resourcefully someone learned to navigate difficult circumstances. My approach centers on acknowledging these survival strategies with genuine respect while exploring new possibilities for connection. My work with clients comes from an understanding of trauma dynamics, identity formation, and the profound ways systemic factors influence our emotional health.

What’s one misconception about therapy you wish more people understood?
The belief that therapists can simply declare their space “safe.” Safety isn’t something that can be announced or imposed. It’s something that emerges from the therapeutic relationship itself. While a therapist can offer consistency, care, and respect, true safety is determined solely by the client and develops organically through the work together. Safety is demonstrated through experience, not established through proclamation.


Center for Intimacy and Relationships, PLLC

A boutique psychotherapy practice in the DC metro area, specializing in therapy about relationships and sexuality.

Contact Info:

703-755-0875
info@centerforintimacy.com
https://www.centerforintimacy.com

DC office at Farragut Square:
1634 Eye Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

VA office near Tysons:
8245 Boone Blvd
Vienna, VA 22182

Camille Espinoza Center for Intimacy and Relationships

What makes your approach to therapy unique?  
We laser in on helping people create meaningful, authentic intimacy, right here in the real world. We run toward complexity, not away. 

What’s one misconception about therapy you wish more people understood?
Most people don’t know that sex therapy is actually all about feelings. Intimacy can be hard to talk about, which is why it’s so important to find the right therapist – specifically, someone you feel comfortable talking to. Sometimes you don’t find the right therapist at first, and it’s okay to keep looking.

What’s one thing you’ve learned about running a business as a mental health professional?  
Just like in therapy, the most important thing in business is relationships. Lucky for me, the concepts I teach in the therapy room are transferable to running a business; specifically, attunement, healthy boundaries, and self-awareness. 


Mind & Body Solutions PLLC

Through the use of solution-focused coaching, mental health counseling, and consultation services, Mind & Body Solutions PLLC can provide the supportive services you need to thrive in a healthy and holisitc manner. 

Contact Info:

202-335-0328
https://www.mindandbodysolutionsdc.com
906 Pennsylvania Ave. SE Suite 200
Washington, DC 20003

Dona Paknejad

I think our practice is unique given the diversity that our team has.  We offer trauma informed care with CBT, EMDR, Art Therapy, Substance Abuse Counseling, Marriage and Family therapy, and more. Our various backgrounds enhance our client’s ability to find healing. Taking care of our mental health is the same as taking care of our physical, financial, and spiritual health. There should never be stigma around wanting to be a healthy well rounded human being!


Manas Cors Psychological Services PLLC

The primary focus of Manas Cor Psych is providing exceptional mental health services to support the well-being of their clients. They offer a range of services tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual.

Contact Info:

443-585-0185
info@manascorpsych.com
https://www.manascorpsych.com
400 7th Street NW, Suite 500
Washington DC, 20004

Pooja Datta Manas Cor Psych Services

What makes your approach to therapy unique? 
For my approach specifically, I lean heavily on the principle of meeting a person where they are. Whether it’s gauging how to survive in your day-to-day life or to strive toward other personal, health, or professional goals. I strongly believe in balance and will often be transparent in my desire for interventions to help a person find their own balance and motivation.

What’s one misconception about therapy you wish more people understood? 
One thing I often see or hear is that people think therapy is to make bad feelings go away. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. The goal of good therapy is to feel all feelings: anger, sadness, nervousness, and joy. The real work is learning how to feel, react, and process feelings in balance.

What’s one thing someone can do today to support their mental well-being? 
I can’t stress enough the impact your physical health can have on your mental well-being. If there’s one thing you can do today, make it a goal to unplug from your phone and go outside. Or create a project to declutter a space/deep clean. Or spend one night engaging in good sleep hygiene and self-care. Taking control physically does wonders for our mental health.


Fairfax Integrative Therapy LLC

Fairfax Integrative Therapy was founded in 2019 with the intent to provide a more well rounded approach to the mental health process. The “Integrative” part of their name represents their hope for their clients– to live integrated lives– authentic, balanced, and connected. It also represents how they view the ideal therapeutic experience, fully integrated, both in the collaborative nature of their process and in the incorporation of a variety of models and the range of services available.

Contact Info:

703-744-0609
info@fairfaxintegrativetherapy.com
https://fairfaxintegrativetherapy.com/

10640 Page Avenue Suite 330
Fairfax, VA 22030

1118 Crozet Ave
Crozet, VA 22932

Christina Frank Fairfax Integrative Therapy
Maureen Bethea Fairfax Integrative Therapy

Polaris Counseling Center, LLC

Providing compassion, guidance and strategies for adults, couples and adolescents with an emphasis on healing and understanding are the most important parts of my job. With over 18 years of experience in the field, I have successfully used approaches that integrate various techniques to help you find your most epic life.

Contact Info:

703-539-5914
dawn@polariscounselingcenter.com
www.polariscounselingcenter.com
5274 Lyngate Ct
Burke, VA 22015

Dawn Weiss Smith Polaris Counseling Center

What drives your passion for mental health work?
My clients. Absolutely. Being able to share and partner with those struggling, seeking and healing is my life’s work.

What makes your approach to therapy unique?
I don’t practice any one-size-fits-all approach. Trauma, relationships, life stressors are very personal and each client deserves only what works for them. 

What’s one misconception about therapy you wish more people understood?
Many people assume you have to be “broken” to seek therapy, but in reality, it’s a space for anyone who wants to better understand themselves, improve relationships, navigate epic life transitions. This misconception prevents people from accessing support that could truly change their lives.

What’s one thing you’ve learned about running a business as a mental health professional?
As a therapist, my work is focused on relationships, support, and healing. Logistics, administration, and money can blur boundaries so hiring third parties to manage that helps me show up in the way my clients need me to.

What’s one thing someone can do today to support their mental well-being?
Practice REAL self-care; not spa treatments, essential oils, and yoga (though fabulous)… Set boundaries within your work and personal life, understand that “no” is a full sentence, rediscover your worth, ask for help, show up for yourself the way you show up for everyone else.


Gaffney Mental Wellness

Kayla Gaffney is a licensed clinical social worker dedicated to supporting individuals on their unique journeys toward healing and self-discovery. With a compassionate approach, she specializes in helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, high-stress occupations, trauma, and gender and sexuality exploration.

Contact Info:

315-210-8607
Kgaffney@gaffneymentalwellness.org
gaffneymentalwellness.org

Kayla Gafney

What makes your approach to therapy unique?
My approach to therapy is client-centered, fostering a collaborative and non-judgmental environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. I prioritize accessibility to ensure that everyone can receive the support they need, regardless of their background or circumstances.

What’s one misconception about therapy you wish more people understood?
One common misconception about therapy is that it’s only for those in crisis, when in fact it takes incredible strength to begin the journey and it can also be used to fine-tune one’s well-being. Seeking therapy is not a sign of weakness, but a proactive step toward growth and self-awareness.

What drives your passion for mental health work?
My passion for mental health work comes from the deep belief that emotional well-being impacts every area of life, and supporting someone on their journey is a true privilege. Helping individuals identify the tools they need to overcome barriers is a deeply rewarding experience.


At GLG, we’re deeply committed to helping therapists and mental health professionals build strong, sustainable businesses. From startup formation to strategic growth, we understand the legal complexities practitioners face and provide practical solutions every step of the way.

To our incredible clients — thank you for the vital work you do. We’re proud to stand behind you as your legal partners and grateful for the opportunity to support your success.

 

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