- Attachment-based methods
- CBT and DBT skills
- English and Japanese
About Kumi
Kumi Pledger is an LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor) practicing in Maryland with ten years of clinical experience. She works with adults on concerns such as stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, self-esteem, sleep problems, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, and parenting questions. Sessions are offered in English and Japanese, and she accepts international clients.
Kumi draws on attachment-based ideas and client-centered listening to help people look at patterns that come from early relationships. She uses cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior tools to teach coping skills for panic, mood swings, and persistent worry. Emotionally-focused work informs how she addresses closeness and communication in relationships.
Her style centers on helping clients notice what keeps them stuck, then practicing different responses. That can mean trying a new way to notice thoughts, testing a behavior change, or learning breathing and mindfulness skills to sleep better. She also supports people dealing with grief, caregiver stress, first responder strains, and challenges tied to gender dysphoria.
Kumi can help people who feel abandoned, empty, or disconnected from family of origin issues. She also works with those facing divorce, domestic violence aftermath, or disruptions in mood such as bipolar and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder concerns. Practical skill-building is part of her work.
Sessions follow a collaborative rhythm: describe the concern, try an approach, and adjust as needed. Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
How her approaches translate to online work
Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on understanding early relationship patterns and how they affect present bonds; online sessions can be used to notice those patterns and practice different responses in conversation. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and reflecting so the person feels understood; that approach can help people talk through guilt or shame while a therapist reflects what they hear. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches specific skills to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, such as sleep strategies or worry management, and can include homework and short skills practice between sessions.Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. The therapist will review concerns, goals, and preferences with the client and suggest methods to try. They will check in and adjust the approach over time rather than committing to a single model from the start.
The original biography did not list explicit session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, reduce travel time, or allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. Some people find phone or video sessions helpful for practicing skills at home, while others prefer a longer session for deeper work; the therapist will discuss what makes practical sense for each person.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
Maryland
Languages
English, Japanese
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, self-esteem, sleep problems, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting and grief among other concerns.
How would she approach feelings of guilt or shame?
Her work draws on attachment-based listening and client-centered practice, combined with CBT and DBT skills to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different responses.
What is her clinical background?
She has ten years of experience working with adults on mood, trauma, relationship, and family of origin issues.
What credentials and region are listed?
She is an LCPC in Maryland.
Can sessions be conducted in other languages or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and Japanese, and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original profile does not specify session formats; please confirm the current online and in-person options before booking.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
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.