About the Practice

Welcome! My name is Catherine Hadeed (she/her), LCSW, LICSW. I am queer therapist who shows up with warmth, authenticity, and deep respect for your lived experience. I specialize in working with LGBTQ+ folks of all ages who are navigating identity, relationships, anxiety, depression, and the lasting impacts of trauma. My therapeutic style is collaborative and genuine—I strive to create a space where clients don’t have to explain the basics of who they are and where their full selves are welcomed.

My approach draws from trauma-informed, relational, and mindfulness-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). My work is shaped not only by clinical training, but also by lived experience within the queer community and a strong commitment to anti-oppressive practice.

Over the years, I have supported clients in community mental health, nonprofit, and private practice settings. I currently offers virtual sessions to clients across Virginia and Washington, DC.

Close-up of a woman with shoulder-length black hair, blue eyes, wearing a nose ring and a black top, smiling against a neutral background.

Therapeutic Approach

  • Trauma-informed:

    • I prioritize your physical and emotional safety by recognizing how past experiences shape your present and ensuring you are never pushed beyond what you are ready to handle.

  • Relational

    • We will explore how your unique history and current relationship patterns influence your well-being, using our therapeutic connection as a safe space to practice new ways of relating to others.

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

    • This approach helps your brain process experiences that still feel emotionally “stuck,” so they become less intense and easier to manage. It uses guided techniques like eye movements or tapping while you briefly focus on difficult memories, helping them feel more distant and less triggering over time.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    • We will work together to identify and reshape unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors to help you manage difficult emotions and improve your daily life.

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

    • I teach practical skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness to help you find a healthy balance between self-acceptance and positive change.

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    • We will focus on accepting what is out of your control while clarifying your personal values so you can take committed action toward a meaningful life.