Tonya Pleasant , MD, LCPC

Tonya Pleasant earned a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling and a Bachelor of Science in Family Therapy and Community Development from the University of Maryland, College Park. She combines formal training with more than 25 years of experience in counseling and mental health to support people through practical change and personal growth.

As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Maryland, Tonya brings a strengths-based, optimistic approach to therapy. Her background also includes licenses and certifications in marriage and family therapy in Virginia, board certification as a professional counselor, and certification as a rehabilitation counselor. Tonya uses this blend of training to tailor care to each person she works with, meeting clients where they are and helping them identify realistic goals.

Tonya’s primary therapeutic orientations include Adlerian therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Adlerian therapy emphasizes encouragement and a wellness-focused viewpoint that highlights unique strengths and creativity, while Cognitive Behavioral Therapy explores how thoughts and behaviors interact and offers concrete tools for change. In session she listens closely, shares coping skills and behavior-change techniques, and centers progress by acknowledging strengths and small wins as clients move toward their goals.

Across a long career in community and clinical settings, Tonya has worked with people from a wide range of backgrounds and life stages, guiding them to measurable improvements and clearer direction as they navigate life transitions and daily challenges.

Evidence-based approaches available through online care

Tonya frequently draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which helps clients notice and adjust unhelpful thought patterns and the behaviors they produce. CBT is practical and skill-focused, often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and unhelpful habits. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) complements this work by helping people clarify their values and build psychological flexibility - learning to accept difficult thoughts or feelings while taking value-driven action. Client-Centered Therapy is also part of her approach, emphasizing empathetic listening and creating a supportive space where clients guide the pace and focus of change.

Finding the right blend of techniques is part of the therapeutic process. Tonya works collaboratively with each person to identify which approach or combination of approaches best fits their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies over time as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility for busy lives - sessions by video or phone allow real-time conversation, while live chat and text-based messaging provide alternative ways to connect between appointments. These options make it easier to maintain consistency, try skills in daily life, and access licensed professionals from home or during a break in a hectic schedule.