Charlotte Howson, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
I believe quality therapy requires both clinical expertise and genuine care. I bring a warm, humorous, and gentle presence to my work, while also asking thoughtful questions and challenging you when it’s useful. I want therapy to be a place where you can be honest about what’s going on, feel understood, and explore what may be keeping you stuck.
I earned my master’s and doctorate in clinical psychology from George Washington University and have worked across a range of clinical settings, including Georgetown Hospital, private practice, and crisis intervention in Washington DC, as well as community mental health and juvenile detention in Northern Virginia. These experiences deepened my understanding of how complex people’s struggles often are. What someone is dealing with in the present is often intricately connected to past experiences, relationships, and the ways they have learned to understand themselves and others.
That perspective informs an approach that combines depth with practicality. I’m interested in the experiences and patterns that have shaped where you are today, while also keeping our work connected to the decisions, relationships, and challenges you’re facing now.
Anxiety & Perfectionism
You may appear to have everything under control while constantly second-guessing yourself, overthinking decisions, or feeling pressure to get things exactly right. I work with clients experiencing perfectionism, intrusive thoughts, high expectations, difficulty tolerating uncertainty, and persistent anxiety about not doing enough.
Life Transitions
Major life changes can bring uncertainty, even when the change is something you wanted. I work with clients navigating career changes, moving, becoming more independent, divorce, college or graduate school, and shifts in identity or relationships. These transitions often bring stress, uncertainty, and questions about what comes next.
Relationships & Self Esteem
You may find yourself repeating familiar patterns in relationships, struggling with trust, or questioning what you want and need. I work with clients navigating insecurity, people-pleasing, low self-esteem, difficulty communicating needs, and fear of rejection. Recurring conflict, controlling relationships, betrayal, and infidelity may also be part of your experience.
Chronic Illness & Medical Trauma
You may be adjusting to changes in your health, living with ongoing symptoms, or navigating a new diagnosis. I work with clients coping with chronic illness, medical trauma, uncertainty around their health, and changes in daily life, identity, or functioning. This may include prolonged treatment, repeated procedures, or feeling dismissed by medical providers.
CLINICAL FOCUS
Specialties
Compassionate and personalized virtual therapy for individuals in Virginia,Texas, and 40+ PsyPact states.
drhowson@elevatetherapy.online
571-601-0317
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency department.
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