- Stress and anxiety
- Guilt and shame
- Communication problems
About Desiree
Desiree Gharakhanian is a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical in Maryland with six years of professional experience. She works with adults who feel burdened by stress, anxiety, anger, low self-esteem, depression, grief, or big life changes. She also helps people who struggle with communication problems, guilt and shame, forgiveness, loneliness, and questions about life purpose.
In sessions she keeps language direct and practical. Conversations focus on what is happening now and on steps a person can try between meetings. She listens for patterns that feed shame or persistent guilt and helps people name those patterns so they become easier to change.
Desiree tends to use evidence-based therapeutic techniques to address symptoms and everyday challenges. She encourages straightforward problem-solving alongside emotional understanding. That means talking through specific situations, testing different responses, and noticing what helps in day-to-day life.
She also pays attention to how past experiences influence current feelings, including when events from military life or significant losses shape emotion and behavior. Sessions aim to build clearer communication and practical coping tools rather than long abstract explanations.
People working with her can expect an approach that balances emotion-focused conversation with hands-on skills. The emphasis is on reducing the load that guilt and shame create and on developing new ways to handle stress and relationship strains.
Approaches and how they work online
Evidence-based therapeutic techniques often include brief, focused methods that help with symptoms and everyday problems. One common technique teaches people to notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors so anxiety and guilt become less constant. Another approach looks at how reactions formed by past experiences keep repeating and offers practical ways to try different responses in current life.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to pick techniques that match their goals, needs, and preferences. That means trying a method, checking how it feels, and adjusting the plan together rather than assuming one way fits everyone.
The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm available options before booking. Many people find remote sessions fit better around work and family life, make it easier to have shorter check-ins, or reduce travel time. If you prefer a particular setup, check the current session options when you schedule to see what this therapist offers.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Experience
6+ years
Listed in
Maryland
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, anger, self-esteem issues, depression, grief, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Additional focus areas include communication problems, forgiveness, guilt and shame, loneliness, life purpose, veteran issues, and post-traumatic stress.
How would she approach feelings of guilt or shame?
She listens for the specific situations that trigger guilt or shame and then helps name the patterns that maintain those feelings. The work combines talking through the emotions and trying practical steps to reduce their hold in daily life.
What is her professional background?
She has six years of professional experience working with adults on emotional and practical concerns, including grief and life transitions.
What credential does she hold and where does she practice?
She is an LCSW-C in Maryland. Her practice is listed for clients in that state.
Can I work with her if I live outside the United States?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats does she offer?
The original biography does not specify session formats. Please confirm the current session options before booking.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.