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- CBT methods
- Skills and coping
- Strengths focus
About Tonya
LCPC Tonya Pleasant, licensed in Maryland, has 25 years of experience. She works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship concerns, parenting and family issues, and related focus areas. She describes her approach as practical and skills-based, using therapy methods to help people build coping skills, change behaviors, and use their strengths to reach goals.
Tonya begins sessions by listening and asking what the client wants to accomplish. She uses clear aims and simple tools rather than long talks. Clients can expect skill teaching, behavior change techniques, and regular checks on progress. She highlights strengths and small wins as part of moving forward.
Her background includes a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and a bachelor’s in Family Therapy and Community Development from the University of Maryland, College Park. Tonya has worked in counseling and mental health settings for more than two decades. That experience includes helping people from many walks of life with common life stresses and transitions.
In practice she draws on cognitive behavioral ideas to link thoughts, feelings, and actions. She also uses client-centered and emotionally-focused elements to help people feel heard and understood while learning new coping strategies. Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy inform her work when emotion regulation and values-based change are needed.
Sessions emphasize concrete steps. People leave with skills to try between meetings. The focus is on measurable change toward the goals set together.
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How her approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying values and taking committed action. Online ACT work can help with life changes, anxiety, and finding direction through short exercises and values-based goals.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) examines how thoughts influence feelings and behaviors. In remote sessions this often means identifying unhelpful thought patterns, trying behavioral experiments between sessions, and tracking changes over time.
Client-Centered Therapy centers on being heard and understood while the client explores choices. Online meetings using this approach emphasize listening, reflection, and collaborating on next steps.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. Together they decide which methods to prioritize and adjust those methods as progress is tracked.
Confirm current session options before booking, since formats are not specified here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit meetings into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, or reduce travel time. Many people find they can practice skills between sessions more readily when meetings fit their day.
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Maryland
Languages
English
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Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, eating and sleeping problems, anger, grief, career questions, and parenting and family topics.
What is her therapy style?
She uses practical, skills-based methods and listens first. The work focuses on behavior change, coping skills, and tracking progress toward goals.
How much experience does she have?
She has 25 years of experience in counseling and mental health settings.
What credential does she hold and where is she licensed?
She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor - LCPC - licensed in the State of Maryland.
In which languages are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and what is the cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started 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, call 911, or call or text 988.