CLINICAL Referrals
Additional Counseling Referrals
At Healing HMS, our mission is to be a supportive and accessible mental health resource for those in need. That
support may come in the form of direct therapeutic services from our team—or, in some cases, by helping connect you with the care that best fits your needs elsewhere. If we aren’t the right fit for your current situation, we still want to help. We’ve compiled a list of trusted mental health providers and their areas of specialty, so you can explore other options and find the support that’s right for you.
Medicaid Providers:
Ketamine Assistant Therapy:
Afrocentric Therapy Approach: Bowie
(takes MD Medicaid)
Spiritually Focused:
Child Psychologist Specialist:
Neurodivergent Services and Testing:
WASHINGTON D.C.
Virginia
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Starting therapy can feeldaunting—especially when faced withthe unknown. Whether this is your firsttime considering therapy, or you've hadless-than-positive experiences in the past, it’s normal to have questions or concerns. You may also simply want to understand more about the process before deciding if now is the right time to begin. To help you feel more informed and at ease, the owner, Jeanne Johnson, has carefully answered frequently asked questions. We hope this guide brings clarity and confidence as you explore your next steps.
1. What if I don’t know what to talk about in therapy?
It’s completely normal to feel unsure at first—you're not alone. That’s why your therapy journey at Healing HMS begins with an intake evaluation, designed to gently ease you into the process. This first step can take place in person or virtually, depending on your comfort and preference. During the evaluation, we’ll explore different aspects of who you are, because we take a holistic approach to therapy. This means we see you as a whole person—physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually—and understand that all these parts are deeply connected. Rather than focusing on a single issue in isolation, this evaluation gives us a fuller picture of your experiences, challenges, and strengths. It also helps guide the direction of your therapy, setting the foundation for care that’s tailored specifically to you.
2. What if I cry or get emotional?
That’s actually ok! Crying and expressing emotion are part of the healing process. As much as we would like to be one-dimensional to make life less complex, we are multiple-dimensional people with both physical and emotional needs. In my 15-plus years in practice, the trend I have noticed from individuals who struggle mentally tends to stem from a lack of being connected with the emotional parts of themselves, which results in emotional neglect, unintentionally. This is a foreign concept for a lot of people I have worked with, which has result in educating and helping with learning the healthy aspects of our emotions and how to utilize them for healing purposes. Part of the work we do in therapy is to give language to your emotions so they can be expressed rather than being suppressed and bottled up, which can lead to mental health problems.
3. What if I’ve had a bad experience with therapy before?
I view the process of finding a therapist the same as buying a house or car, the first one you see may not be the right one for you, and that is ok. Unfortunately, not every therapist is the right fit for every person. If a therapist from the past wasn’t helpful, it doesn’t mean therapy isn’t for you, it just means you need help finding the right one for you. Finding the right therapist can make a big difference—and you deserve one who makes you feel safe and understood. Here at Healing HMS, we help with this daunting process of selecting a therapist in a variety of ways. You can request a free 15-minute consultation with the therapist of your choice by going to the “Team” page after reading each person’s bio. Another option is to be matched with a therapist through our evaluation process. Because the clinical director and I know each clinician very well, both personally and clinically, it has been an overall positive matching process for both the clinician and the client.
4. Will I be judged or misunderstood?
Each clinician at Healing HMS fully supports and understands the clinical significance of listening without judgment. We are so dedicated to this aspect of therapy, if you ever feel judged, we welcome your feedback so we can adjust our approach to meet you where you are. Our role as your therapist is not to criticize you, instead we are here to support you, and understand you deeply, so we can help you. There may be times this process can feel challenging, which is why we strongly encourage your feedback. Here, at Healing HMS, we view therapy as a collaborative process that is a dialogue, not a monologue. We view each client as the expert in who they are, and we take the role as the student learning who you are so we can use our techniques to meet you where you are and assist you in your healing process.
5. Does going to therapy mean something is “wrong” with me?
Not at all. I view therapy as a preventative measure to mitigate things going too far wrong that it impacts your functioning in a severe way. Therapy can be used for many purposes, such as to better understand yourselves, process emotions, or navigate life changes. Seeking therapeutic support is a sign of strength and self-awareness—not weakness.
6. How long is the process of therapy, and how frequently?
The length of the process depends on your goals and needs. You and your therapist will work together to determine what feels right for you. You’re in control of your journey.
7. How frequently should I attend my sessions?
When it comes to the frequency of therapy, because psychotherapy is a science, there is a process that results in effective therapy, and there is a process that results in ineffective therapy. Here at Healing HMS, our main goal is to provide the most effective therapy for each client we work with. What has been the most effective process when starting therapy with a new clinician is to have weekly sessions once a week. Then once the rapport is built and goals are being achieved, then we move to the next phase of biweekly sessions. As a seasoned therapist myself, I have never seen successful results starting therapy with a new client on a biweekly or monthly basis. There is a rapport and momentum that needs to be established first before the healing process can begin, and having too much time between sessions can cause that very important process to not be developed, which has negatively impacted the progression we hope for in therapy. If you cannot dedicate 50 to 60 mins a week to this process, now may not be the best time to start therapy. Anything we want successful in our life requires work, maintenance, and sacrifice.
8. Is everything I say really confidential?
Yes, what you say in therapy stays between you and your therapist. Confidentiality is a foundational part of creating a safe, trusting environment. There is one exception to this rule, such as being an imminent threat to yourself or others. An example of this is having the intent, means, and plan to do harm to yourself or another person. This scenario would require including a third-party intervention to ensure no harm is done. We deeply care about the safety and freedom of our clients. This aspect of therapy will be further discussed during the evaluation process and with your individual therapist.
MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
For some, therapy alone may not be enough—and that’s okay. There are times in life when additional support, such as medication, may be needed. This can be a temporary measure or a long-term part of care, often due to factors like chemical imbalances, genetics, or significant life events that affect us biologically. At Healing HMS, our focus is on providing therapeutic support. However, we understand the important role that medication can play in the healing process. That’s why we’ve partnered with trusted medical providers who specialize in psychiatric evaluation and medication management. If you’re considering whether medication could be a helpful part of your treatment journey, we can connect you with the right professionals to explore that option together.