About

We are mental health professionals who believe mental wellness is a right and not a privilege. We demonstrate this with our combined 40 years of professional experience working in community behavioral health settings. We are committed to providing highly effective and individualized counseling services to meet the unique needs of DMV residents in support of their mental well-being.

Meet the team

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Joanne Kim, M.Ed., LPC
Co-Owner

I am a licensed professional counselor in the District of Columbia and co-owner of M&K Counseling Associates Inc. I have over 15 years of work experience in various behavioral health settings. My professional efforts focused on providing equitable and inclusive healthcare to culturally diverse populations. I want to personally ensure that M&K Counseling Associates Inc delivers exceptional counseling and psychotherapy services while considering every individual’s financial situation.

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Jami Murray, Ed.D, LPC-DC-VA, LCPC-MD, NCC
Co-Owner

I am a co-owner of M&K Counseling Associates Inc and have over 20 years of professional experience in leadership, supervisory, and practitioner roles in various behavioral health settings. I’m a licensed professional counselor in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia and earned a doctorate degree in Counselor Education and Supervision. I am also an adjunct professor at George Mason University’s College of Education and Human Development Clinical Counseling Program. In my practice, I have helped a diverse population of clients overcome a variety of challenges related to anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, family conflict, career or academic stressors, and relationship concerns. I also have extensive knowledge working with mental illness, motivation challenges, LGBTQIA populations, and domestic abuse.

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Carolyn Clark, LICSW-DC
Junior Partner

Partnering with individuals to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and overcome their obstacles is my passion. I have worked with a diverse population of clients in the non-profit sector for the last 5 years. During which time I have worked with adults, teens, and children, including veterans and members of the LGBTQIA community, to develop strategies that allow them to achieve their goals. I have experience with a wide range of mental health diagnoses, trauma, substance use, and domestic violence. I believe building our understanding of how our brains and emotions work empowers each of us to live life more fully.

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Danielka Zeledon, LPC-DC-VA
Clinical Supervisor

I am a bilingual Spanish-English licensed professional counselor serving clients in Virginia and the District of Columbia. I have advanced training and professional experience using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other evidence based practices that focus on body-mind connection. My therapeutic approach is collaborative and directive in nature, and I support clients to strengthen their sense of autonomy throughout treatment. I enjoy working with culturally diverse populations and couples. I recognize the power of human potential to promote change, and use the therapeutic connection to promote client's healing.

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Anne DeGirolamo, LICSW- DC
Clinical Supervisor

I am a warm and engaging  therapist with over 15 years of counseling experience. I am also an adjunct instructor at Catholic University School of Social Work. My conversational approach to therapy combines humanistic and cognitive behavioral styles in a non-judgmental and inviting manner. I have extensive experience working with trauma, victims of sexual assault, and substance abuse. During the early 1990's, I was an AIDS epidemic advocate who worked with families and individuals living with this disease.

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Dawne Sherman, LPC-DC-VA, LCPC-MD
Clinical Supervisor

I’ve been providing counseling to adults and teens with a broad range of mental health issues since 2013. My therapy style is warm, engaged, and goal-oriented. My clinical focus is on empowerment, growth, and change. I am inspired to assist individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues/break-ups, LGBTQ+ concerns, self-esteem, grief work, pet loss, and other life transitions. In addition to traditional talk therapy methods, I use EMDR to help clients resolve a variety of past disturbances that cause ongoing distress.

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Gaku Fujiyama, LPC-VA

I am a bilingual Japanese-English Resident in Counseling licensed in Virginia. I have experience helping a diverse population of clients with their challenges related to anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, trauma, career or academic stressors, and communication skills. I also have advanced training and professional experience using CBT and other evidence-based practices interning at George Mason University's Center for Psychological Services and Cognitive Assessment Program.

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Patricia Mathison, Licensed Resident Counselor - VA

I am a passionate and engaging therapist who believes everyone can heal and grow. I partner with my clients to empower them so they can recognize their own capacity to make positive change through a humanistic and person-centered approach. I have experience working with grief and loss, survivors of trauma, identity issues, LGBTQIA populations, and youth on socio-emotional wellbeing. I aim to utilize my background and commitment for social justice to address barriers to mental wellness.

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Alex Arkoian, Licensed Resident Counselor - VA

I am a nonjudgmental, open-minded, and compassionate therapist who is curious about my clients and their unique emotional, cultural, and social experiences. I am skilled working with adolescents and adults on challenges related to anxiety, depression, trauma, obsessive compulsive disorder, and grief. I use a blend of counseling theories and techniques to collaborate with and empower my clients, including strength-based, person-centered, and relational therapy. I have great respect and admiration for clients seeking to heal and grow.

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Nicole Brzozowski, LPC-DC

I am a warm and person-centered graduate counselor licensed in Washington, D.C. Strengths-based, narrative, and multicultural in my approach, I believe in partnering with my clients to empower them to embody their strengths and capacities to make positive change. As a bi-racial Korean-American who has worked domestically and abroad, I have experience working with diverse populations on challenges related to career development, academic stressors, anxiety, self-esteem, relationships, identity, and motivation.

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Shavonne Williams, LGPC-DC

I have over 6 years of professional experience focusing on mental wellness for high-risk populations. I am a culturally competent clinician who uses a conversational style of therapy. I started as an intern in 2020 and now work full-time at M&K supporting clients with various challenges. At M&K, I have predominantly worked with young professionals going through life adjustments, experiencing anxiety, depression, symptoms of trauma, mood disorders, ADHD and personality disorders. I believe everyone can learn and facilitate their growth if they are open to the counseling and healing process.

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Chelsey Young, LGPC-DC

I am a non judgmental, empathic Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor. With over 7 years of experience providing social services in the DMV area, working with high risk populations, those experiencing symptoms of mental health (such as Anxiety, Depression, and ADHD), those struggling with substance use, and members of the LGBTQIA+ Community. I strive to utilize a trauma informed, culturally competent approach in order to provide a safe and supportive environment. I recognize that every individual is unique and I empower clients to achieve their therapeutic goals.

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Jalen Graves, LGPC-DC

I am an affirming Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor in DC, as well as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. I predominantly utilize CBT, DBT, and Motivational interviewing when working with clients experiencing issues with substance abuse disorders, ADHD, life transitions, relationship issues, trauma, anxiety, and depression. I enjoy working with emerging adults in a solution focused, person centered environment. I also enjoy working with clients who identify with different cultural backgrounds and the LGBTQIA community.

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Krysta Michaelides, LGPC-DC-MD Licensed Resident Counselor-VA

I have over 8 years of professional experience providing counseling services with diverse populations in NY and the DMV area, including being a crisis counselor in helping sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. My role as a therapist isn’t to tell you how to live, but to help you explore ways to live life more fully. I utilize evidence-based practices and mindfulness techniques to help clients learn and facilitate growth. I am inspired to assist individuals with self-esteem, trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and addiction related challenges. I also specialize in working with medical professionals, business professionals, and the Web3 community. It is my passion to help individuals empower themselves, to develop a deeper self-awareness, and to overcome obstacles they encounter in their lives.

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Dorothy Mebane, LGPC-DC

I am a licensed graduate professional counselor for Washington, DC. I obtained my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from George Mason University where I interned at the GMU Center for Psychological Services. I have experience and advanced training using behavioral and CBT interventions, components of DBT, mindfulness, and other evidence-based practices. My prior work experience includes crisis counseling at the National Suicide Prevention Hotline and working with homeless and immigrant populations. Using a person-centered and collaborative approach, I help culturally diverse clients facing challenges related to anxiety, depression, trauma, loss (including loss of a child), self-esteem, and relationship distress, as they find hope and become empowered to move forward to a more fulfilling life.

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Karla Kolb, LGPC-DC

I am a non-judgmental counselor who is eager to learn about your individual circumstances and struggles. I have a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from George Washington University. I have also worked in a variety of mental health treatment settings and most valued my experience working with adults in underprivileged populations. My range of experiences include, but is not limited to, supporting people with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, life stressors, and substance use. I seek to tailor treatment to the unique needs of each client and value culturally sensitive approaches to therapy. I strive to work collaboratively with my clients to empower them to accomplish their life goals.

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Runa Alnoor, Licensed Resident Counselor - VA

I deeply believe in an empathetic, non-judgmental and curious approach to learning each individual’s unique life story. I am passionate about providing a safe environment to share your highs and lows, unlearn thoughts and behaviors that don’t serve you, and replace them with more healthy and effective habits.I have experience working in schools, homes, and offices with children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and families. I use a combination of strength based approaches that are tailored to individual needs. I am also fluent in English and Pashto and welcome clients with diverse backgrounds.

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Peter Devlin, LICSW-DC

I practice a relational form of psychodynamic/humanistic therapy that views the therapeutic relationship as central to the therapeutic process. My areas of clinical interest include treatment-resistant mood disorders and personality disorders. I have had great success working with people who have had difficulty connecting to therapists in the past and enjoy working with couples. I am a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and received a Masters in social work from the University of Southern California.

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Adam Thibodeau, LGSW-DC

I've been practicing since 2007 and have a Master’s Degree from The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. I have an eclectic approach to therapy that includes Gestalt, Psychotherapy, Motivational Interviewing, Art Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I'm passionate about providing group therapy to various populations including adolescents, women, and survivors of domestic violence. I was awarded by BMe Community, a nonprofit national network of Black leaders and innovators who empower aspiring communities, for my work with Latino Youth in Southwest Detroit. I strive to support clients in adjusting, adopting, and thriving in a changing world.

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Alicia Kramp, LGPC-DC
Licensed Resident Counselor-VA

As a clinician, my mission is to offer hope and peace to clients struggling with issues related to life transitions, relationships, self-doubt, identity, anxiety, and other life challenges. I walk alongside clients as they experience an often overwhelming and broken world and hold space for clients to develop perspective, compassion, and empathy for themselves and others. I use relational connection, humor, and honesty to help clients overcome their psychological and relational pain so that they can live their story more authentically, more fully, and more freely. I live in Arlington with my husband and dog and love traveling, dancing at weddings, and taking long naps.

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Simone Mishler, LGSW-DC

I come to the world of therapy with a focus on mindfulness. After working a few years in communications and teaching yoga in the community, I realized I make the most impact working one on one with individuals who want to be more present in their lives. I have been sharing the benefits of mindfulness meditation with the people of the DMV for more than five years. I have a strong interest in utilizing these practices to help individuals experiencing trauma and emotional distress heal, so they can move forward by focusing on their life goals.

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Maya Deshpande, LGPC-DC

I approach counseling by creating an open, collaborative environment to empower clients to build self-compassion and define their identity on their own terms. As a queer person from an Indian-American family, I am passionate about centering my clients’ cultural contexts and intersectional identities since they play a role in how we all view the world. I primarily work with adolescent and young adult clients who may struggle with anxiety, ADD/ADHD, trauma, eating disorders and OCD. I also have experience working with the LGBTQ+ community and individuals who want to explore their racial and ethnic identity. I integrate Narrative therapy, which will center our sessions around the stories that we all carry about ourselves and the world around us.

emarie

Emarie Drake, LGSW-DC

I am a compassionate and nonjudgmental therapist who believes the therapeutic relationship is central to the healing process. In my work I utilize a person-centered and strength-based approach to foster growth and promote positive change for clients. I have experience working with children, teens, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and life stressors in community mental health and child welfare settings. I have also worked closely with clients diagnosed with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder. I am passionate about providing LGBTQIA+ affirming care and strive to create an environment that is inclusive and safe for clients.

emily

Emily Partigan, LGPC-DC

I am passionate about providing a safe and open space where clients can express themselves and explore their therapeutic goals. I work collaboratively with clients and utilize a compassionate, person-centered, and holistic approach. I have assisted clients with anxiety, depression, ADHD, disordered eating, trauma, sexuality, relationship issues, and more. I identify as a queer, transracially adopted, Korean-American woman and feel it can be beneficial to be transparent about these aspects of myself with clients based on my drive to work with individuals in diverse communities.

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Faith Eckhoff, LGPC-DC

I am a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor located in Washington, DC. I successfully completed my internship at Counseling and Consulting on the Hill where I gained experience working with adults, couples, and families. Using person-centered approaches and evidenced-based interventions, I offer unconditional acceptance and believe in empowering clients while supporting their cultural values. Utilizing collaboration and curiosity within the counseling room, I view clients as experts of their own lives. I also incorporate mindfulness practice to aid clients in connecting their mind and body in the present moment.

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Catherine Cottrell, LGCP- DC

I am a licensed graduate professional counselor in Washington DC. When working with clients, I use evidenced based practices and techniques in order to overcome problems my clients are facing, including practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. I have experience working with a diverse population of clients, including but not limited to those dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use issues. I practice LGBTQ+ affirming care and trauma informed care.

  • MT. PLEASANT

  • 3251 Mt Pleasant St NW
    3rd Floor
    Washington DC, 20010

  • DUPONT CIRCLE

  • 1341 Connecticut Ave NW
    2nd Floor
    Washington, DC 20036

  • ARLINGTON

  • 1655 Fort Myer Drive
    Suite 700
    Arlington, VA 22209

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