- 30 years experience
- Affirming approach
- Skill-focused therapy
About Claudia
Claudia Richards, LICSW, helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and major life changes. She works with individuals facing relationship strain, addiction concerns, grief, parenting stresses, and challenges tied to identity and career. Her tone is practical and steady, aimed at people who need straightforward support during difficult times.
Claudia draws on 30 years of clinical experience in the District of Columbia. She creates a respectful, affirming space where people can talk through what matters most to them. Sessions focus on identifying strengths, building coping skills, and trying out new ways to handle hard moments.
Her work combines several therapeutic approaches to match each person’s needs. Techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy help uncover unhelpful thinking and test new behaviors. Mindfulness practices are used to reduce reactivity and increase present-moment awareness. Emotionally-focused and client-centered methods guide deeper conversations about feelings and relationships.
Claudia also addresses specific concerns such as abandonment, attachment issues, blended family dynamics, and coping after disasters. She attends to workplace stress, compassion fatigue, first responder issues, and the impact of chronic illness such as HIV/AIDS. Her perspective is practical: concrete steps, repeated practice, and realistic goals.
People who choose Claudia can expect a collaborative process. She works together with each person to set priorities, try strategies, and adjust the plan as progress unfolds. Prospective clients should confirm current session options before booking.
How Claudia’s approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and building trust. In practice this means the therapist follows the person’s lead, reflects feelings, and helps people clarify what they want to change. This approach is useful for people seeking acceptance and a nonjudgmental space to talk about identity, relationships, or grief.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing small behavior changes. It often includes homework such as tracking moods or trying new routines. CBT works well for anxiety, depression, and stress management where concrete skills can make daily life easier.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) adds practical emotion-regulation and distress-tolerance skills. These techniques help when emotions feel overwhelming or when interpersonal conflicts keep recurring.
Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will work collaboratively to choose methods that match a person’s goals, preferences, and the problems they bring. Plans are adjusted over time based on what helps most.
Session formats are not listed here, so confirm current options before booking. Many people find online sessions make it simpler to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. If a quieter setting, less screen time, or a brief focused session would help, discuss those preferences when scheduling.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Credentials
District of Columbia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Claudia help with?
Claudia supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, addiction issues, grief, parenting concerns, self-esteem struggles, and coping with life changes.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is practical and collaborative. She uses talking, skill practice, and straightforward tools drawn from several therapies to address immediate concerns.
How much experience does she have?
She has 30 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of emotional and life challenges in the District of Columbia.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She holds a LICSW and practices in the District of Columbia.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people from other countries work with her?
She does not take international clients at this time.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.