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LICSW

Claudia Richards, LICSW

  • Experience30 years
  • LocationDistrict of Columbia
  • Focus areasADHD, Stress and Anxiety, and Relationship
  • Therapy approachesClient-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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About Claudia

Claudia Richards is a licensed clinical social worker with 30 years of experience offering steady, practical support for people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, and attention-related challenges such as ADHD.

Background and approach

She works with clients who want to build coping strategies, improve self-esteem, and navigate major life changes including grief, career shifts, and addiction concerns. Her practice also addresses a wide range of interpersonal and family issues including communication problems, infidelity, blended family dynamics, and attachment-related concerns.

Grounded in an affirming, respectful stance, Claudia blends evidence-based methods with a client-centered focus to match interventions to each person’s needs. She uses cognitive-behavioral techniques to reshape unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, dialectical skills to manage intense emotions, and mindfulness to increase present-moment awareness and reduce reactivity.

Her work emphasizes practical tools, emotional insight, and resilience so clients can pursue healthier relationships and clearer life direction. Located in the District of Columbia and working in English, Claudia brings a trauma- and culture-informed perspective to therapy, drawing on specific experience with adoption and foster care, substance issues, compassion fatigue, HIV/AIDS concerns, and LGBT-related matters.

She holds the DC LICSW license LC301720 and aims to collaborate with each client to develop realistic, sustainable change.

Approaches that guide online therapy and what they offer



Claudia often draws on cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors, a practical approach useful for anxiety, depression, and many stress-related concerns. She also integrates dialectical behavior therapy skills to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can be especially helpful when strong emotions or relationship conflicts interfere with daily functioning.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Claudia works with each person to explore goals, preferences, and which methods feel most useful, adjusting strategies over time so therapy stays relevant and effective for the client’s situation.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy more flexible and easier to fit into busy lives. These formats allow continuity of care across schedules and locations within the therapist’s practice area, and they support regular skill practice and check-ins between longer sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Claudia commonly address?
She works with a broad range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, ADHD, addictions, grief, self-esteem, career difficulties, and parenting challenges.
What therapeutic style does she use in sessions?
Her approach combines client-centered care with evidence-based methods such as CBT, DBT, EFT, and mindfulness to tailor treatment to each person’s needs and goals.
How much clinical experience does the therapist have?
Claudia brings 30 years of clinical experience supporting clients through life transitions, interpersonal challenges, and mental health concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a licensed clinical social worker with DC LICSW license LC301720 and practices in the District of Columbia.
Does she work with non-English speakers or international clients?
Sessions are offered in English only, and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available for online work?
Clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on scheduling and preference.
How are fees and subscriptions handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are needed to begin therapy?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTFamily conflictsGriefParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesHIV / AIDSInfidelityIntellectual disabilityJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPrejudice and discriminationSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

30+ years

Licensed

District of Columbia

Languages

English

What Claudia can help with

Claudia Richards works with clients on stress and anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, depression, and coping with life changes.

Claudia works with workplace challenges, multicultural concerns, life transitions, and social anxiety.

How Claudia approaches therapy

Claudia's clinical approaches include Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy.

Experience and training

Claudia is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker practicing in District of Columbia, with 30 years of clinical experience.