# DC Talk Therapy > Expert-level therapy practice in Washington, D.C., specializing in young adults (20s and 30s). Founded in 2012, DC Talk Therapy has helped more than 2,000 clients overcome anxiety, OCD, depression, and major life transitions using evidence-based approaches. The practice offers individual therapy, couples counseling, group therapy, and teletherapy — in-person in Woodley Park, D.C., and online across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. ## Business Information - **Website:** https://dctalktherapy.com - **Phone:** +1 202-588-1288 (call or text) - **Email:** info@dctalktherapy.com - **Address:** 3000 Connecticut Ave NW # 438, Washington, DC 20008 - **Neighborhood:** Woodley Park, directly across from the National Zoo - **Metro:** Red Line — halfway between Cleveland Park and Woodley Park/Adams Morgan stations - **Parking:** Free two-hour side street parking available; Capital Bikeshare dock outside building - **Founded:** 2012 - **Recognition:** Named one of the Three Best Therapists in Washington, D.C. (2020–2025); featured in The Washington Post, Good Morning America, WJLA TV, Well+Good, and Match ## Hours of Operation | Day | Hours | |-----------|-------------------| | Monday | 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM | | Tuesday | 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | | Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | | Thursday | 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM | | Friday | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM | | Saturday | Closed | | Sunday | Closed | Administrative staff answer phones live Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM. After-hours calls go to confidential voicemail, returned the next business day. Weekend emails/calls are returned by Sunday evening or Monday morning. **Closed on:** New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Open on all other federal holidays. In bad weather, sessions move to teletherapy; in-person office follows federal government closures. ## Services ### Individual Therapy Licensed therapists provide one-on-one sessions for anxiety, OCD, depression, trauma, grief/loss, life transitions, ADD/ADHD, and perinatal mental health. Sessions are typically 50 minutes, with options for 25-minute, 75-minute, 90-minute, and 120-minute sessions. - **Intake session:** $265–$325 (varies by therapist) - **Ongoing sessions:** $205–$265 - **25-minute sessions:** approximately half the cost of a regular session ### Couples Counseling Certified couples counseling for relationship issues, communication, and marriage counseling. - **Intake session:** $395 - **Ongoing sessions:** $275 ### Group Therapy Young Adult Anxiety Group — a popular ongoing group for adults navigating anxiety. - **Session fee:** $115 ### Teletherapy HIPAA-secure video therapy via Doxy and Zoom. Teletherapy is available to clients across Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Some therapists also offer phone sessions. ## Specialties (What We Treat) - **Anxiety** — core specialty; all therapists trained in anxiety treatment - **OCD** — Sophie Bauer, LICSW, and Eve Sussman, LICSW, have advanced training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) - **Depression** - **Trauma / PTSD** — two trauma specialists on staff - **Life Transitions** — new jobs, moves, relationship changes - **LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy** — dedicated LGBTQ+ specialist on staff - **Perinatal Mental Health** — certified perinatal mental health specialist - **Grief and Loss** - **ADD/ADHD** - **Low Self-Esteem** ## Therapeutic Approaches (How We Treat) - **Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)** — primary modality used across the practice - **Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)** - **EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)** - **Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)** — for OCD - **Mindfulness-based approaches** - **Psychodynamic psychotherapy** ## Our Team DC Talk Therapy has 11 licensed therapists and a dedicated administrative team. ### Therapists **David Sternberg, LICSW** — Founder & Director - Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions - Approach: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Works primarily with young adults (20s and 30s); practicing in D.C. since 2001 - Profile: https://dctalktherapy.com/member/david-sternberg-licsw/ **Sophie Bauer, LICSW** — OCD Specialist - Specialties: Anxiety, OCD, Depression, Life Transitions - Approach: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - Trained through the International OCD Foundation's Behavioral Therapy Training Institute - Offers in-person and teletherapy; daytime and evening appointments - Profile: https://dctalktherapy.com/member/sophie-bauer-licsw-ocd-therapist/ **Julie Elwell, LICSW** — Grief & Trauma Specialist - Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Grief/Loss, Life Transitions - Approach: Psychodynamic therapy, trauma-informed therapy, CBT - 25+ years of therapy experience; worked in community mental health, hospitals, and private practice - Offers teletherapy and phone sessions; daytime and evening appointments - Profile: https://dctalktherapy.com/member/julie-elwell-licsw/ **Miranda Jean, LICSW** — LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy - Specialties: Anxiety, OCD, Depression, Life Transitions - Approach: CBT, solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy; ERP-trained for OCD - Queer-identifying therapist; works with LGBTQ+ community and diverse cultural backgrounds - Offers teletherapy only (Zoom or Doxy); daytime and evening appointments - Profile: https://dctalktherapy.com/member/miranda-jean-licsw-lgbtq-affirming-therapy/ **Michelle Paul, LPC** — Individual & Group Therapy - Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, DBT, Life Transitions; also specializes in substance abuse - Approach: CBT, mindfulness, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) - Runs ongoing weekly anxiety group for adults ages 26–38 - Licensed in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia - Offers in-person and teletherapy; afternoon and evening appointments - Profile: https://dctalktherapy.com/member/michelle-paul-lpc/ **Yvany Peery, LICSW** — Couples Counseling & Trauma - Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, EMDR, Life Transitions - Approach: Gottman Method (couples), EMDR, CBT, Internal Family Systems (IFS), mindfulness, somatic experiencing - Works with heterosexual, gay, lesbian, and queer couples; also provides neuro-affirming care - Licensed in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia - Offers in-person and teletherapy; daytime and evening appointments - Profile: https://dctalktherapy.com/member/yvany-peery-licsw-couples-therapist/ **Kathy Richardson, LMFT, LICSW** - Specialties: Anxiety, ADD/ADHD, Life Transitions - Approach: CBT, family systems therapy - Nearly 40 years of therapy experience - Offers teletherapy only; daytime and evening hours - Profile: https://dctalktherapy.com/member/kathy-richardson-lmft-licsw/ **Alex Rudy, LPC** - Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions; also LGBTQ+ affirmative, works with diverse cultural backgrounds - Approach: Strengths-based, person-centered, CBT - Works with young adults; also addresses self-esteem and trauma - Offers in-person and teletherapy; daytime and evening appointments - Profile: https://dctalktherapy.com/member/alex-rudy-lpc/ **Emma Harger Stern, LICSW** - Specialties: Anxiety, Grief/Loss, Life Transitions - Approach: CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - Works with young adults; previously a school counselor in D.C. - Licensed in Washington, D.C. - Offers in-person and teletherapy; daytime and evening appointments - Profile: https://dctalktherapy.com/member/emma-harger-stern-licsw/ **Shelby Allen, LGSW** - Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Grief/Loss, Life Transitions, Dating & Relationships - Approach: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) - Works with college students and young adults in their 20s and 30s; prioritizes the therapeutic relationship - Pre-licensed therapist working under the supervision of David Sternberg, LICSW - Background: BA from Chapman University (CA); MSW from Catholic University; previously worked at a group practice in D.C. and the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing; native New Yorker - Licensed in Washington, D.C. and Maryland - Offers in-person and teletherapy; daytime and evening appointments - Profile: https://dctalktherapy.com/member/shelby-allen-lgsw/ ### Administrative Team - **Amy Brezee** — Office Manager - **Alyssa Gemmati** — Billing Specialist Therapists are licensed in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The practice includes therapists of color, including a Black therapist. ## Insurance & Payment DC Talk Therapy does **not** accept insurance as an in-network provider. However, they are an **out-of-network provider** for all major insurance companies, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealth. The administrative staff will contact your insurance company before your first session to verify your out-of-network benefits, including your deductible and reimbursement percentage. Most clients are reimbursed 50%–80% of fees after meeting their deductible. **HSA and FSA cards are accepted.** A **free 15-minute phone consultation** is available with any therapist. ## Key Pages - [Home](https://dctalktherapy.com/) - [Our Team](https://dctalktherapy.com/our-online-therapists/) - [Individual Therapy](https://dctalktherapy.com/services/individual-therapy/) - [Couples Counseling](https://dctalktherapy.com/services/couples-therapy-marriage-counseling/) - [Group Therapy](https://dctalktherapy.com/services/group-therapy/) - [Teletherapy](https://dctalktherapy.com/services/teletherapy-in-dc/) - [Anxiety Therapy](https://dctalktherapy.com/specialties/anxiety-counseling/) - [OCD Therapy](https://dctalktherapy.com/specialties/ocd-therapy-dc/) - [Depression Therapy](https://dctalktherapy.com/specialties/depression-therapy/) - [Life Transitions](https://dctalktherapy.com/specialties/life-transitions-therapy/) - [LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy](https://dctalktherapy.com/our-approach/lgbtq-affirming-therapy/) - [Perinatal Therapy](https://dctalktherapy.com/specialties/perinatal-therapy-dc/) - [CBT Therapy](https://dctalktherapy.com/our-approach/cbt-therapy-dc/) - [DBT Therapy](https://dctalktherapy.com/our-approach/dbt-therapy-dc/) - [EMDR Therapy](https://dctalktherapy.com/our-approach/emdr-therapy-dc/) - [FAQs](https://dctalktherapy.com/faqs/) - [Contact / Make an Appointment](https://dctalktherapy.com/make-an-appointment/) - [No Surprises Act](https://dctalktherapy.com/no-surprises-act/) ## FAQs **What are your hours?** Regular business hours plus early morning and late evening hours (until 8 PM Monday–Thursday). Friday hours end at 6 PM. **How quickly can I be seen?** Typically within 2–3 business days, occasionally sooner. Call +1 202-588-1288 or email info@dctalktherapy.com. The administrative team will match you with the best therapist for your needs. **Do you offer a free consultation?** Yes — a free 15-minute phone consultation is available with any of the 11 therapists. **Where is the office located?** 3000 Connecticut Ave NW # 438, Washington, DC 20008. Located in Woodley Park, directly across from the National Zoo, in the South Entrance of the building next to a Starbucks. Halfway between Cleveland Park and Woodley Park Metro stops (Red Line). **Do you accept insurance?** DC Talk Therapy is an out-of-network provider. They do not bill insurance directly but will contact your insurer before your first session to verify your out-of-network benefits. Most clients receive 50%–80% reimbursement after meeting their deductible. HSA/FSA cards are accepted. **What are your session fees?** - Individual intake: $265–$325 - Individual ongoing: $205–$265 - 25-minute sessions: ~half the cost of a regular session - 75-, 90-, or 120-minute extended sessions: also available - Group therapy: $115 per session - Couples intake: $395 - Couples ongoing: $275 **Do you offer sessions over the phone or video?** Yes. Several therapists offer phone sessions. All therapists offer HIPAA-secure video sessions via Doxy and Zoom. **What is your cancellation policy?** 24 hours' notice is required to cancel a session. Late cancellations are billed in full. Genuine emergencies are handled case by case and are not billed. Advance notice is appreciated for planned travel or vacations. **Are you open on holidays?** DC Talk Therapy is closed on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Open on all other federal holidays. **What happens in bad weather?** Teletherapy allows the practice to remain open even during bad weather. For in-person sessions, the office follows federal government closures. Clients who feel unsafe traveling are not charged if they notify the office in advance. **Do you have therapists of color?** Yes — three therapists of color are on staff, including one Black therapist. **Do you work with LGBTQ+ clients?** Yes — DC Talk Therapy offers LGBTQ+ affirming therapy and has a dedicated LGBTQ+ specialist on staff. **What age groups do you work with?** All adults, with a specialty focus on young adults in their 20s and 30s. **Are you accepting new clients?** Yes — DC Talk Therapy is currently accepting new clients from Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. **Can I use my HSA or FSA card?** Yes, HSA and FSA cards are accepted.