Juanita Stokes , LPC

Juanita Stokes is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who holds licensure in Virginia and Washington, DC. She earned a MA in Mental Health Counseling from Marymount University in Arlington, VA and a MA in Religious Studies from Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, DC. As a licensed mental health practitioner, she combines formal clinical training with more than a decade of practical experience supporting individuals and couples.

Her work focuses on stress and anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, grief and loss, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. She practices from a person-centered perspective that emphasizes increasing self-awareness and honoring each person’s individuality. That approach is used to help clients recognize typical reactions to events, challenges, and relationships and to develop more intentional ways of responding.

In addition to clinical roles, she served as a GS-15 Deputy Director in the US Government, which contributes familiarity with workforce and organizational issues. She frames therapy as a collaborative process that requires courage to begin, offering support and empowerment as clients take steps toward a more fulfilling life.

Approach-Focused Online Therapy and Practical Support

Juanita Stokes integrates client-centered therapy, which places the person’s perspective and values at the forefront - this approach helps people increase self-awareness and make choices that align with their goals and identity. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to identify unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and to build practical skills for managing anxiety, depression, and stress. Motivational Interviewing is employed when ambivalence or low motivation is a barrier - it helps clients clarify their own reasons for change and find internal motivation to take steps forward.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Juanita works collaboratively with clients and licensed professionals to determine which techniques fit best based on an individual’s needs, goals, and preferences, and she adapts methods as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers flexible options such as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging that make it easier to fit care into a busy life. These formats support ongoing access to therapists, accommodate varying comfort levels with communication, and allow consistent work on stress, relationships, grief, and other concerns regardless of location.