FindADHDTherapists

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

MD, LCSW-C, LICSW

Gayle Bradley-Starkes, MD, LCSW-C, LICSW

  • Experience27 years
  • LocationMaryland
  • Focus areasADHD, Stress and Anxiety, and Relationship
  • Therapy approachesClient-Centered Therapy and Mindfulness Therapy
View booking options

Check the available next steps for working with Gayle online.

About Gayle

Gayle Bradley-Starkes is a licensed clinician who draws on a client-centered framework to help people navigate stress, anxiety, relationship strains, grief, and a wide range of life challenges.

Background and approach

With MD, LCSW-C, and LICSW credentials and 27 years of clinical experience, she centers each conversation on the client's perspective and strengths, believing people are the experts on their own stories. That approach guides collaborative work on anger, addictions, trauma and abuse, intimacy concerns, sleep problems, self-esteem, bipolar disorder, and ADHD.

Her practice also addresses family-related dynamics such as adoption and foster care, blended family issues, caregiver stress, attachment concerns, codependency, communication problems, and the fallout of divorce or domestic violence. Gayle emphasizes practical skill building alongside emotional processing, helping clients translate insight into manageable next steps.

She welcomes the initial courage it takes to begin therapy and positions herself as a steady, responsive partner for those seeking growth and better coping in Maryland and beyond.

Integrating Client-Centered and Mindfulness Work Online

Client-centered therapy emphasizes the client's own goals and understanding of their experience, offering a respectful, nonjudgmental space where the therapist follows the client's lead to build on existing strengths. This approach is useful for addressing relationship issues, self-esteem, grief, and many everyday stressors by focusing on what matters most to the person seeking help.

Mindfulness therapy teaches attention to the present moment and practical strategies for managing overwhelming thoughts and emotions. It can help with anxiety, anger, sleep difficulties, and trauma-related symptoms by cultivating calm awareness and new ways of responding to stressors.

Finding the most helpful approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to identify goals, try strategies from client-centered and mindfulness frameworks, and adjust the plan based on what resonates and produces results in daily life.

Online formats - including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - provide flexibility for people balancing work, caregiving, or variable schedules. These options make it possible to maintain continuity of care, practice skills between sessions, and access licensed professionals from home or other locations within the therapist's service area.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist address?
Areas of focus include stress, anxiety, relationship and family problems, grief and loss, anger, addictions, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, sleeping difficulties, self esteem, bipolar, and ADHD. Additional work covers adoption and foster care, caregiver stress, and communication problems.
How would you describe the therapist's style and approach?
The practice uses client-centered therapy and mindfulness therapy, emphasizing the client's experience and present-moment awareness to build strengths and practical coping skills. Sessions tend to be collaborative and focused on what the client finds most useful.
What is the clinician's background and experience?
The clinician holds MD, LCSW-C, and LICSW credentials and brings 27 years of professional experience working with a broad range of mental health concerns and life transitions.
Where is the therapist based and what credentials are listed?
The therapist practices in Maryland and lists credentials as MD, LCSW-C, and LICSW. Credential details include MD LCSW-C 11165 and DC LICSW LC302507.
Can I work with this clinician in a language other than English?
Services are provided in English, and the therapist is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are available for online work?
Sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and schedules.
How are fees and payment structured?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing depends on the therapist's listed rates and scheduling.
What are the steps to begin working together?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefAnger managementCoaching

Also works with

AddictionsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersSelf esteemBipolar disorderADHD

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationDomestic violenceFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessHospice and end-of-life counselingInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPostpartum depressionWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyMindfulness Therapy

Experience

27+ years

Licensed

Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia

Languages

English

What Gayle can help with

Gayle Bradley-Starkes works with clients on stress and anxiety, relationship issues, grief, anger management, and coaching.

Gayle works with clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and coping with grief and loss.

How Gayle approaches therapy

Gayle's clinical approaches include Client-Centered Therapy and Mindfulness Therapy.

Experience and training

Gayle is an MD practicing in Maryland.