The Professionals

Negar Ehsani, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Adolescent, Couples & Adult Therapist

Background
I believe meaningful therapy begins with a genuine connection. By building strong therapeutic relationships and understanding my clients as whole individuals—beyond any diagnosis—I strive to support healing and collaborate with individuals and couples on their journey toward greater fulfillment in life

As a multicultural therapist, I bring both clinical knowledge and lived experience into therapy. This allows me to help clients navigate the complex interpersonal and societal systems that often impact their well-being.
I earned my B.A. in Justice Studies with a minor in Women’s Studies from James Madison University in 2010 and received my Master’s in Social Work from George Mason University in 2013.

Over the past 14 years, I’ve worked across a variety of settings in Northern Virginia—including local and state government agencies, community-based organizations, private practice and college campuses. I’ve had the privilege of working with children, adolescents, and adults, with a particular focus on supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Most recently, I spent four years providing therapy to adolescents, adults, and couples facing a wide range of mental health concerns and life transitions.

Specialties & Areas of Focus
In addition to treating common mental health conditions such as Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, and OCD, I specialize in:

• Women’s issues
• Sexuality, gender identity and coming out challenges
• Life transitions, including loss and divorce
• Immigration and acculturation
• Relationship issues, including cultural and generational conflict
• Complex and chronic trauma
• Self-esteem and self-acceptance
• First responder stress
• Coping with chronic medical conditions

Therapeutic Approach
I take an individualized, integrative approach to therapy—drawing from a diverse “toolbox” of evidence-based practices. These include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Solution-Focused Therapy
• Insight-Oriented Psychotherapy
• Emotion-Focused and Gestalt Therapies (for couples)
• Mindfulness techniques
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Other humanistic and strengths-based approaches

My goal is always to create a warm, validating, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel safe to explore, grow, and heal.

Personal
Outside of the therapy room, I’m recharged by art, nature, and spending time with my “pack” of both humans and dogs. I love to travel and am deeply committed to advocacy and social justice—especially in support of communities impacted by systemic inequality.