Hope+Wellness

Dr. Gwenna Blanden

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Hi there. I’m Dr Blanden :)

 

Dr. Gwenna Blanden

Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Licensed in: Virginia
Locations: McLean, VA; Teletherapy

(she/her/hers)

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with extensive expertise in working with children and teens with a broad range of complex emotional and behavioral concerns, including depression, anxiety, mood, and stress and adjustment. I also specialize in working with college students and young adults struggling with depression, mood, anxiety, self-esteem and identity, while navigating times of life adjustment, stress, and transition. 

I am passionate about providing gender-affirming care and have specialized expertise in working with children, teens, and young adults who identify as transgender, are gender expansive, or who are actively exploring gender and identity as well as the emotional concerns that may coincide, including feelings of isolation and depression. Additionally, I am passionate about providing effective, evidenced-based treatment to many Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) by creating a safe and culturally-sensitive space to be yourself unapologetically and to explore concerns such as racial trauma and identity. 

I earned my masters and doctorate in Clinical Health Psychology from Virginia State University. I completed extensive training in working with children, teens, and young adults across a variety of settings including outpatient, residential, hospital, and university counseling centers. My clinical experiences include serving as a postdoctoral fellow at Nemours/AI duPont Hospital for Children, where I supported children, teens, and their families in adapting and coping with many complex emotional and behavioral concerns, including those that come with navigating with chronic medical conditions and questions related to gender and identity.

Philosophy

I strongly believe that every individual is unique and their treatment should be custom tailored to their specific needs and interests; my therapeutic approach to psychotherapy is thus eclectic. In my work with clients, I use a strengths-based and interpersonal approach to treatment, integrating warmth and humor with high quality, evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), motivational interviewing, and solutions focused approaches.

As a psychologist, I strongly believe that the most important component of therapy is a strong and trusting therapeutic connection and relationship between myself and clients. I take this connection and bond very seriously, and work to provide a safe, open, and supportive space for clients to be their most authentic selves without judgment, where you feel truly seen and heard.

Sometimes misconceptions and/or fear of therapy can be partly due to an invisible power differential; I therefore work to cultivate a space where clients and families I work with can sense strongly that we are all in this journey together and that each of us has a unique role. Although I may be the expert in regards to Psychology, I believe everyone, including myself, can learn from each other, and I therefore often utilize the word “we” to highlight this equal or egalitarian relationship in our therapeutic work together. Life and the nature of therapeutic work can be difficult; I thus often let clients and families know that I am here to support and uplift you, providing you with healthy therapeutic tools to put in your life toolbox to help you feel confident and to discover your unique sources of resilience and strength when life unexpectedly throws you a curveball.

 

What people are saying…

“Dr. Blanden has given our child tools they’ll be able to use throughout their life. She has also given us tools as parents to better help our child. Her approach is gentle and consistent. Her compassion and understanding are clear as she develops tailored strategies for our family.

Dr. Blanden has also been very responsive to messages when unexpected and urgent situations arise. She is a critical part of our child’s healthcare team.”

Specialty Areas

children and teens with emotional and behavioral concerns

I specialize in treating a wide variety of mental health concerns in children and teens, with expertise in a range of complex emotional and behavioral concerns, including depression, anxiety, mood, trauma, self-harm, stress and adjustment, ADHD, defiance, oppositionality, behavioral issues, and gender and identity concerns.

College students with depression, anxiety, ADHD, stress & identity concerns

There are so many demands placed on being a college student and it is not always easy. I am passionate about helping college students not only navigate through the ups and downs of college life but to also assist them as they prepare to build a meaningful and fulfiling life post college. Additionally, I enjoy teaching students about the importance of a healthy school/life balance.

young adulthood

I work with young adults struggling to navigate mood, anxiety, relationships, low self-esteem, gender and identity concerns, life stressors, and times of transition in their 20s. I am passionate about helping young adults build up their confidence to take control of their emotional health and well being, while also cultivating resilience to adapt to various life stressors and challenges.

Life transitions, stress, and adjustment

I enjoy working with individuals who may be overwhelmed with life transitions and stressors and the concerns they naturally bring, including issues relating to identity, relationships, family, parenting/caregiving, work, academics, time management, depression and anxiety. 

Black, indigenous, and people of color (bipoc) mental wellness and empowerment

I am passionate about diversity and working with all clients from various diverse backgrounds. I have a deep understanding of the distinctive adversities that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) may encounter on a daily basis in the world. In our work together, I will always acknowledge your struggles, help you feel seen and heard, and uplift and empower you through evidenced-based therapeutic interventions paired with a culturally sensitive lens.

Gender Diversity, Wellness, and Empowerment

I enjoy working with gender-diverse children, teens, and young adults. I am conscious of how difficult it may be to navigate through life while exploring one’s gender and identity. I am passionate about providing gender-affirming care to individuals experiencing any emotional issues with coming out, bullying, family and peer relationships, social stigma and emotional challenges, such as depression and anxiety. It is so important to have a support system in life and I am honored to walk with clients along their journey.

Additional Areas of Expertise

Academic Stress and Pressure
Adjusting to Life Transitions
Adolescence
Anxiety
Attention Problems
ADHD
Child Anxiety
Child Depression
Child Therapy
Depression
Developing Autonomy and Confidence
Discovering Your Identity
Generalized Anxiety
Healthy Boundary Setting
Identity
Identifying Values
LGBTQ+ Concerns
Life Stress
Life Transitions
Low Self Esteem
Mind-Body-Spirit Connection
Mood Disorders
Perfectionism
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Personal Growth
Pre-Teens
Relationship and Communication Difficulties
Self-Care
Self-Criticism
Self-Esteem
Sensitivity
Social Anxiety
Stress Management
Unresolved Emotional Trauma
Young Adults

more ABOUT ME

Hobbies + Things I like to do for fun!

Some of my hobbies/things I like to do include working out, shopping, trying new restaurants with friends, being adventurous, going to concerts/festivals, listening to music, and traveling.

I became a psychologist to…

help people to become their best selves. I love to help people see that they are in control of their lives while uplifting them along the way. I love learning from my clients as much as they learn from me. I am all about being passionate about what I do, and seeing my clients everyday makes me smile.

favorite QUOTES

“Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.”
— Bernice Johnson Reagon
“Sometimes it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination.”
— Drake
“Faith is a willingness to take the next step, to see the unknown as an adventure, to launch a journey.”
— Sharon Salzberg
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