Counseling, Classes, and Coaching for Couples

Esther Boykin, LMFT

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over a decade of experience here in the DC metro area. My work is rooted in the belief that good mental health begins with compassion. I believe in taking time to get to know my clients thoroughly before developing a thoughtful and comprehensive plan for change. to help each person create meaningful connections in their lives.

While I’m experienced in working with all types of people and relationships, my primary areas of interest are couple dynamics, pre-marital counseling, relationship counseling for individuals, and helping people manage anxiety, stress, and trauma, particularly within their relationships.

In addition to my clinical work, I’m an author and freelance writer whose work has been featured in a variety of digital, print, and radio media outlets. I am also the host of With That Being Said, a podcast on life, love, and everything in between. You can find out more about my other work as a relationship coach and upcoming events at www.estherboykin.com.

I am not currently accepting new therapy clients in Haymarket but I do have limited availability for new coaching clients and therapy clients in our new McLean, VA (Tysons Corner) office starting Feb 2016. {NOTE: the McLean office is private pay only; clients wanting to use insurance must be seen in Haymarket}

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David Wen, MA

I currently have my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and am working on my dissertation. I anticipate completing my doctoral studies at the end of the summer of 2016 and will receive my Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology.

My experience and training includes numerous clinical settings and diverse populations, including people of various ages, sex, professions, gender identities, and histories. I have also supervised groups of staff and students, led and co-led groups focusing on issues such as substance use and crisis prevention/management, and worked with other professionals to coordinate care for clients.

I enjoy working with a range of clients but have a special passion for working with children and families. My goal is to help you develop your own identity as a person. It is important to lay down a strong and healthy foundation to make it easier to set and achieve goals. I want to be there to help you build confidence in yourself.

I absolutely believe that people are the experts of their own lives. I will never know more about you than you know about yourself. My goal is to provide a safe environment for you to feel comfortable inviting me into your life. I am here to provide support and guidance to you so that you may identify and work on your goals. Things may get more difficult before they get better, but we’ll get through it together while having as much fun as we can along the way!

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Christa Denny, LMFT

I’m a Virginia native born and raised in Fairfax. Since earning my Master of Science degree from Virginia Tech , I have worked in a variety of mental health settings including: psychiatric inpatient hospital, parenting programs, home-based counseling and mentoring , couples groups, and outpatient mental health. I began working exclusively in private practice in 2005. In addition to developing a comprehensive set of clinical skills, I met Esther at Virginia Tech’s Marriage and Family Therapy Program. We did our residency together and here we are 13 years later continuing to grow as therapists together.

My areas of interest include: family dynamics, parent-child interaction, women’s issues, mindfulness, mind/ body connections, anxiety , and depression. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I see the therapeutic relationship as essential to change and growth. Through my work, I support each client in meeting their goals while providing a safe and nurturing environment to do so.

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Kristin Park, LCSW

I went to graduate school at Columbia University in New York City, New York, where I earned my Masters in Social Work degree, and attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.

I have worked as a licensed clinical social worker for 15 years in a variety of settings to include private practice, community mental health and as a medical social worker.

Over 5 years ago, I moved to Virginia and I love this area so much that I hope to never leave. I guess that makes me a Virginian at heart! I’ve also had the good fortune to live in other parts of the country to include California, Arizona, New York, New Jersey, Tennessee and Vermont.

I have always enjoyed being a therapist and providing counseling to individuals, couples and families. Some of my areas of professional interest include couples counseling, treatment of anxiety and depression, trauma counseling, grief/loss counseling and helping families cope/thrive when a member has been diagnosed with either a life-limiting medical illness or a serious mental health diagnosis.

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Erica Turner, MS

I am a graduate of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program of Virginia Tech who appreciates working with relationships of all kinds. I have often joked that I would meet with couples and families on the street if I were allowed to—that is how I am passionate I am about this work!

I have completed training in Emotionally Focused Therapy, a model of therapy I use to help family members and couples better understand each other, and to exit the cycle of frustration and conflict they have found themselves stuck in.

Also, through my work at an addiction treatment center, I have developed significant experience working with individuals and relationships managing substance abuse, depression, and anxiety.

My key interests are improving couple/family connection; step-parenting and blended families; individuals/relationships dealing with substance abuse, anxiety or depression; working with school-age children and their parents; and intercultural relationships.

In addition to my clinical work, I also serve as the Director of Marketing and Community Outreach here at GTA. Through this work I’m fortunate to develop great relationships with other local health professionals and help coordinate some amazing events. You can learn more about our social events and workshop division at Conversations Off the Couch.

Click here to see my calendar