Dayna Goldsmith Counseling, LCSW-C
Bethesda; North Bethesda \ 301.966.2272
~ Compassionate Support for aBrighter Tomorrow ~
Adolescent (11+) and Adult Therapy and Counseling
A Note From Dayna
Welcome to my practice. I partner with adolescents (11+) and adults across every stage of life who are seeking a warm, supportive space to navigate life challenges, deepen self-awareness, and build practical skills for lasting resilience.Finding a therapist who truly understands you is the most important step in the process. My goal is to offer a space where you can speak openly and feel genuinely heard. I embrace a strengths-based, holistic perspective that honors the mind–body connection, drawing from a variety of evidence-based methods tailored to your unique needs. When appropriate, I also collaborate with family members, caregivers, or other care providers to ensure fully integrated support.Taking the first step toward therapy can feel like a significant decision. You don't have to face life's challenges alone. Whether you are seeking support for yourself or a loved one, I would be honored to partner with you on your journey toward healing and growth.
Who I Work With & Specialties
Adolescents & Young Adults
Adults & Older Populations
Support addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem, academic stress, peer dynamics, and practical skill-building for major life changes.
Partnership in navigating anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, aging, cognitive/health shifts, and personal life transitions
Across the Lifespan:
* Neurodiversity & Identity Support: Compassionate, goal-oriented care for individuals navigating ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and LGBTQIA+ or gender identity exploration.* Family & Life Transitions: Support through high-conflict relationships, divorce, co-parenting shifts, loss, and complex life changes.
Therapeutic Modalities & Approaches
• Practical Skill-Building & Thought Patterns: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills to manage anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, regulate emotions, and navigate life shifts.• Mindfulness & Nervous System Regulation: Somatic strategies, mindfulness practices, and body-based grounding to ease anxiety, process grief, regulate stress responses, and foster deep emotional resilience.• Trauma Resolution & Specialized Exposure: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), phobias, obsessive patterns, trauma, and processing difficult life experiences safely.• Social Connection & Neurodiversity Support: Certified PEERS® social skills training, communication strategies, and strengths-based care to support social skills comfort and understanding.
Background
Before becoming a clinician, I worked as an attorney advocating for children in the foster care system and practicing family law, followed by a decade as a volunteer advocate on complex family cases. Navigating high-conflict family transitions deepened my appreciation for human resilience and systemic context—perspectives that directly shape my compassionate, multi-dimensional clinical approach today.My clinical practice is informed by over two decades of experience in advocacy and law, coupled with advanced training in evidence-based psychotherapy. Supporting individuals and families through complex life challenges allows me to bring strategic perspective, analytical clarity, and deep empathy to every session.* Master of Social Work – University of Maryland School of Social Work
* Juris Doctor – Columbia Law School
* Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – University of Pennsylvania
Practice Details
• Format & Location: In-person and Telehealth. In-person sessions with flexible office location options in Bethesda and Rockville (details provided upon contact). Telehealth options available throughout Maryland.• Contact Information
Phone: 301-966-2272
Email: [email protected]
• Intake Session (75–90 mins): $250• Standard Session (45–50 mins): $195• Insurance: As an out-of-network provider, I do not contract directly with insurance companies. However, I provide itemized monthly receipts (superbills) that you can submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement.