Therapy for Physicians and Healthcare Workers
Counseling for Doctors in Washington DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas
Therapy for physicians and healthcare workers by somebody who gets it
As a licensed marriage and family therapist and physician spouse in Maryland, I’ve worked with and seen first-hand the toll that medical education, residency training, and attendinghood can have on a person, a couple, and a family.
I understand the competing demands on physician families between patient care, endless paperwork (and metrics), maintaining a healthy relationship, and caring for kids. I get the impossibility of doing it all. I see the passion physicians feel and the high price of that meaningful work.
When you work with me, you’ll work with somebody who understands the journey and the jargon.
I have provided therapy to medical students, residents, and attending physicians across fields including internal medicine, general surgery, urology, interventional radiology, pediatrics, OBGYN, cardiology, emergency medicine, cardiothorasic surgery, psychiatry, and pediatrics. My works extends to other healthcare workers including Charge Nurses, Bedside Nurses, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Managers, and Veterinarians.
I work with physicians to address burnout, reclaim parts of themselves that were lost during medical training, and treat anxiety, depression, burnout, and relationship issues. I help physician couples sort through long festering issues, postponed again and again in the name of addressing work demands.
I work with physician clients to help them build a life that works for them.
Doctors and I work together to address things like:
Burnout from medical school and residency training
Competing priorities for work and home life
Lost sense of self after training (who am I other than a doctor?)
How to manage a relationship/marriage when your spouse is a doctor
Managing the toll of caring for others
Issues around gender in medicine
The toll of metrics on physician’s ability to practice good care
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer in-person therapy for doctors and physicians in Maryland and Washington DC?
Yes. I’m a licensed LMFT offering in-person therapy in Silver Spring, MD (as of September) and currently offering virtual sessions to clients across Maryland and Washington, DC. Many of the clients I work with are physicians, specialists, or medical professionals facing high-pressure careers and limited time. My practice is built around understanding and supporting those who give care for a living—especially when it feels like there's no space left for your own needs.
What makes you different from other therapists that address things like anxiety and burnout?
Because I work with many in the healthcare system, often comprising almost half of my caseload, I don’t need things explained. I know the training process, the toll it takes, and the unique pressures of corporate medicine. I’ve worked with medical students, residents, fellows, new attendings, and experienced attending physicians and surgeons. Many of my doctor clients express relief that they don’t have to explain things to me that they had to explain to other therapists. And because I see what has helped others in the same field, I’m well equipped to help new clients.
Is therapy confidential for doctors, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals?
Yes. Confidentiality is legally protected and taken seriously in therapy. I work with physicians, surgeons, and other professionals who often fear their vulnerability could affect their reputation or licensing. Therapy is a private space, and nothing is shared without your written consent unless there's a legal requirement to do so (such as safety concerns). I also offer secure telehealth options for added discretion.
I don’t have consistent availability because my schedule shifts week to week or month to month. Is that ok?
Yup! I understand that doctors, especially those in hospitals or surgical specialties, have unpredictable and inconsistent schedules. We can take scheduling week by week.
I work at a big medical center outside of the immediate DMV area, can I still see you privately for therapy?
Yes, I’m licensed in the entire state of Maryland as well as DC, so I can work with those located in Baltimore and other cities.
I’m doing fine at my job. Nothing is lagging, but lately I feel burned out. Would therapy actually help?
Yes—therapy can help even when everything “looks fine” on the outside. You can reach a breaking point internally without any obvious signs to the outside world. Therapy helps you reconnect with yourself, identify what's driving the burnout, and make changes without having to give up your identity or success. And ideally, you don’t wait until things fall apart.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule therapy here.
Read Sarah’s articles on therapy in Psychology Today:
The discourse around family relationships has become all or nothing. Either we need to accept family members exactly as they are, or we have to cut them off entirely. Either they need to be met with gratitude, or they need to be held accountable.