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Monday 9am - 6pm Tuesday 8am - 8pm Wednesday 8am - 6pm Thursday 8am - 8pm Friday 8am - 7pm Saturday 8am - 12pm

Takoma Therapy, 6930 Carroll Avenue, Ste 610, Takoma Park, MD (2025)

11/17/2025

Uncertainty can feel unbearable, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. In therapy, we talk about how struggling with uncertainty is connected to anxiety, depression, and other challenges. Research shows that therapy can actually help you get more comfortable with not knowing over time.

Therapy helps you build real tools for facing the unknown. You learn to challenge the way you’re pulled toward worst-case scenarios and the belief that you have to control everything to feel safe. You practice taking small, supported steps into uncertainty.

Over time, this gradually changes your relationship with the unknown, and you build confidence in your ability to cope. When something unpredictable happens, you’re not automatically in panic mode; you can respond from a steadier place.

Stay tuned! In upcoming posts we’ll talk about what happens when you get better at sitting with uncertainty: we’ll look deeper into its benefits.

When uncertainty shows up for you, what’s your go-to move? Do you try to fix it immediately, avoid thinking about it, find yourself obsessing, or do you sit with the discomfort?

11/14/2025

Sometimes joy shows up in the places we return to for connection, comfort, or a sense of adventure. For Stephen, that joy comes through a meaningful ritual he shares with his family.

He writes: “One of my moments of joy is connecting with my adult children over the internet as we are playing cooperatively over PlayStation Network in some multiplayer role playing games (RPG) like Baldur’s Gate 3, or Elden Ring, or Diablo IV. It’s like we are on a family adventure together again. as a team fighting injustice, cruelty, or evil in a virtual place, but also reflecting on the real world values we hold dear and need to fight for in our real world, united and together.”

So many of us have our own version of this: moments that reconnect us to who we are, what matters to us, and the people who help us feel anchored. These small rituals can remind us that joy and meaning are still accessible, even when life feels heavy or complicated.

If Stephen’s perspective resonates with you, or if you’re seeking a therapist who understands trauma, resilience, and the importance of connection, we encourage you to explore working with him. Our link is in our bio!

11/12/2025

We are thrilled to welcome Jared to our Takoma Therapy team! He brings warmth, authenticity, and a deep belief that every healing journey is unique. His words say it best:

“I am a strong believer that no two people, experiences, or even moments are the same. Every healing journey is unique, but the need to be seen in order to heal is universal. Relationships have the power to heal the deepest wounds by offering the space to be seen, which is why my therapeutic style is characterized by warmth, authenticity, and a lack of judgment. By providing empathy and insight, my intention is to gently guide you closer to the authentic voice inside of you that can transform any hardship into a source of resilience.

I received my Master’s of Social Work from Howard University and previously received my Bachelor’s of Arts from the University of Maryland College Park, where I majored in Psychology and minored in Philosophy. I was clinically trained at the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing, where I facilitated group and individual therapy for children, adolescents, and adults, in office-based, virtual, and school-based settings. My educational and clinical background have prepared me to work across a diverse range of populations, but I am especially interested in working with those who are underrepresented in the mental health space, including males and BIPOC.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with loved ones and traveling. I also have a deep appreciation for the arts, which I like to integrate into my sessions.”

If you’re interested in working with Jared, or think he might be the right fit for you, visit our website to learn more or schedule a consultation. Our link is in our bio!

11/10/2025

As we head into the holidays, we’re beginning a new Affirmations Series to support you during this season.

Affirmations are short, intentional statements that help reshape our inner dialogue. They become anchors to return to when you need a reminder of your intentions. These are words we choose to hold onto. You might read through these before a family gathering or a demanding day and select one to carry with you. At the end of each post, we will share journal prompts to help with your reflection.

This first set of affirmations centers on boundaries, which are fundamentally about us. Boundaries are not about changing or controlling others, but about clarifying how we will respond. They define where we end and others begin. During a season that holds both joy and intensity, these affirmations are meant to create a little more space, compassion, and stability.

📍Save this to revisit whenever you need to remember these words.

11/07/2025

Little Moments of Joy with MacKenzie 🌸

MacKenzie shared: “Flowers have brought me a lot of joy recently. Creating summer bouquets for various events like weddings and showers has been incredibly fun and creative. I love matching colors and trying new arrangements. Summertime is the best opportunity to work with my favorite colors for bouquets, which makes it even better :-)”

As the days get colder and darker, MacKenzie’s reminder feels especially meaningful. Finding small ways to connect with color, creativity, and beauty can nurture our mental health. Flowers, art, music, and cooking can bring light into your routine and remind you that joy doesn’t only belong to summer.

Take a moment this week to notice what brightens your mood. Those little moments of joy matter more than we think. 🌷✨

11/05/2025

Meet Bonnie Hough, LMSW 🌿

We’re so excited to welcome Bonnie to the Takoma Therapy team! Her grounded, compassionate presence fits beautifully with the heart of our work here. We can’t wait for you to get to know her.

Bonnie’s bio: “We all have experienced those moments when life knocks us off our feet. Maybe you’re
feeling like an impostor in your own life, or are dealing with circumstances you never
saw coming and aren’t sure how to handle.

A lot of people I work with come in feeling stuck, disconnected, or quietly wondering if
something’s wrong with them. (I’m here to tell you: there isn’t!) Together, we’ll look at
what feels out of sync and start uncovering what’s been missing, so you can move
toward a life that feels more aligned with who you truly are, and who you want to be.

In our work together, I bring warmth, curiosity, and a little humor when it fits. I pull from
different therapeutic approaches, but more than anything, I focus on building a genuine
connection. I’m straightforward and practical when it helps, but I also make room to go
deeper so we can explore the stories, beliefs, and experiences that have shaped where
you are today. My goal is to help you find your own strength and confidence to handle
what life brings—because you absolutely can.
‍
I work with people from all walks of life, but I’m especially drawn to supporting those
dealing with grief, big life transitions, parenting and relationship challenges, pregnancy
and fertility journeys, and the ups and downs that come with physical health issues. Our
time together is a space to process it all—the worries, the joy, the heartbreak, and
everything in between.“

If you think that Bonnie may be the right fit for you, our link is in our bio!

11/03/2025

Therapy can be a place that holds what you’ve been carrying alone. In this post, we’re exploring how therapy itself becomes a container: a place to set things down, look at them safely, and build trust in your ability to hold them. In trauma work, containment is a crucial skill. We learn how to hold what’s hard, piece by piece, until we can approach it safely. Therapy can be that practice ground.

When you picture therapy as a container, a place built to hold what’s hard, what does that bring up for you? We invite you to pause and reflect on this!

10/31/2025

This week’s Little Moment of Joy comes from Sarena, our Business Development Manager. She’s the one who keeps so much of what we do running smoothly behind the scenes. Her presence is woven into everything we do!

She shared: “This photo is of a dance party me and my kids had in our living room the other day. It brought me joy because it was fun. It’s important to remember to stop with the busy and have some fun!”

Even though Sarena’s work often happens out of view, she helps shape the heart of our practice. Her reminder to pause the busy and make room for fun feels especially right this week. Halloween is the perfect time to laugh, dance, and enjoy small moments of joy. 🎃

10/29/2025

A Message from Our Founder, Simone:

I recently presented at the Universities Studying Slavery Conference at Rice University with
Eboni and Maddy. It was one of those experiences where you walk into a room and immediately
think: these are my people.

I believe that as a trauma therapist, my work parallels that of historians. We both uncover buried
truths, one personal, one collective. And right now, both kinds of truth-telling are under attack.
Some universities have quietly scrubbed references to this work from their websites. The
researchers continue anyway, quietly determined. At the conference, people spoke openly about
the fear, the sadness, but mostly the determination to keep going.

There’s profound relief in gathering with people who understand why this work matters. Who
know that uncovering collective trauma requires the same care as uncovering personal trauma.
Who are willing to go toward the pain because there’s hope on the other side.

I was there with colleagues from Virginia Theological Seminary to talk about the mental health
benefits of their reparations program for descendants of enslaved people and those who worked under Jim Crow. It’s small, but it’s real. And in rooms full of people whose job is excavating
horrors, this program stands as proof that repair is possible.

“Those who say it can’t be done are usually interrupted by others doing it.” - James Baldwin.
In difficult times, we find each other and we hold hope together.

——
Pictured with Simone is Eboni Davis, the head of the reparations program at Virginia Theological Seminary. Simone presented with her, Maddy Taylor, and Rev Joseph Thompson.

10/27/2025

As October comes to an end, many of us feel a subtle shift within the season, and within ourselves. Shorter days and the approach of the holidays can bring up a mix of anticipation, pressure, nostalgia, loneliness, or a yearning for things to be different.

This transition doesn’t bring the same feelings for everyone. It is deeply individual and is shaped by our histories, relationships, traditions, and hopes.

This is where therapy can be a profound anchor. It provides space to notice what’s coming up emotionally instead of pushing it down, explore why certain seasons feel heavier or more tender, prepare for what the holidays might activate within us. Whether it’s family dynamics, boundaries, expectations, grief, or the desire for connection, we can learn to build emotional tools to move through this time with greater intention and self-compassion.

Use this post as your invitation to check in and journal. Try not to judge where you are, but to meet yourself there. Therapy is one place where that meeting can begin, and we’re here to help!

10/24/2025

Little Moments of Joy: Jessica ✨

She shared, “I find so much joy in my pets. I love to bring my dog, Skip, just about anywhere. Whether it’s a fall festival, a walk to get coffee, the dog park, or relaxing at home, he’s always there to create a happy memory. He reminds me to laugh, play, and enjoy the little things. He has the most loving spirit and he’s so attuned to me. Anytime I have a hard day, he’s right by my side, ready to make me smile. Just about anything my cat, Marvin, does makes me feel joy. Lately, he’s been enjoying his new bed and soaking up the sun. He has such a unique, distinct personality. There’s a lot going on in his head, and watching him follow a thought, sing us a song with his meow, or chase a fly can make me break out in laughter unexpectedly. When he cuddles up with you, you know you’re lucky if only for a little while. He and Skip are constantly playing, wrestling, and chasing each other. Their relationship itself brings me joy.

I’ve also loved reading outside, and I even caught a gorgeous butterfly while doing so. It landed right by my fence; it was one of those cheerful and unexpected things that made me smile and brought me even more into the present moment. Being outdoors in this weather has felt so uplifting and grounding. Reading has sparked creativity and reflectiveness in me. Some of my favorite books I’ve read recently include The Martian, Daisy Jones and the Six, and Maybe You Should Talk to Someone. I’d highly recommend any of those!”

For Jessica, joy is found in connection or mindful moments. What small everyday moments help you return to joy or presence?

10/20/2025

So what does non-neutral therapy actually look like?
Last week we talked about why the myth of the “neutral therapist” is outdated. This week, let’s get specific.

It means a therapist whose face changes as they listen. Who laughs when something’s genuinely funny. Whose reactions aren’t manufactured from a training manual, but come from actually being present with what’s being shared. It means someone shows up as themselves; not their personal life story, but their essence. Their way of thinking. How they hold struggle. What they believe about people.

This doesn’t mean boundaries disappear. The session stays about the client. The therapist doesn’t dump their own problems or seek emotional support. But their genuine reactions become information. Their transparency builds trust. Their humanity becomes a tool that guides the work.
When therapists stop performing neutrality and start showing up as real people within clear boundaries, we can learn what healthy relationship actually feels like. We get a template for connection to carry everywhere else.

If you’re interested in trying therapy, we’re ready to connect with you!

Takoma Therapy

11/17/2025

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11/12/2025

11/10/2025

11/07/2025

11/05/2025

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10/31/2025

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Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	8am - 8pm
Wednesday	8am - 6pm
Thursday	8am - 8pm
Friday	8am - 7pm
Saturday	8am - 12pm