- Years in practice
- 25
- Credentials
- MD, LCPC
- Licensed in
- Maryland
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Family conflicts
- Focus
- Parenting issues
About Tonya
Tonya Pleasant is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with 25 years of experience. She focuses on practical help for people feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, parenting pressures, and relationship strain. Her approach is direct and supportive, aimed at helping clients notice what is working and try new ways to handle daily challenges.
She draws on a mix of methods to tailor work to each person. Tonya uses acceptance and commitment ideas to help clients clarify values and take steps toward them.
Background and approach
She uses cognitive behavioral strategies to identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. Emotion-focused and dialectical tools are added when emotions feel intense or communication stalls. Sessions usually involve listening, learning a few skills, and trying small changes between meetings.
Parents often get concrete tools for routines, setting limits, and reducing household stress. Caregiver stress, grief, and life transitions are addressed with gentle pacing and practical coping plans. Tonya trained at the University of Maryland, College Park, and holds an MD plus the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor credential.
She has worked across community and clinical settings over her career and brings that variety to each session. Work is offered in English from Maryland. Tonya combines supportive conversation with skill-based practice so people can tackle specific problems and build on their strengths.
She encourages steady progress and checks in on what helps most.
What Tonya works with
Everything Tonya lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Tonya helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Family conflicts
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Communication problems
- Divorce and separation
- Forgiveness
- Life purpose
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Women's issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Tonya lists
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How online approaches and formats support change
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people name their values and take small steps toward them even when uncomfortable thoughts or feelings appear; it can be useful for stress, parenting strain, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches straightforward skills to notice and test unhelpful thoughts and to try new behaviors that improve daily functioning. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on understanding strong emotions and improving how people express their needs and respond to others.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will listen to what matters to the client, discuss options, and recommend strategies that match goals and preferences. This collaborative process means plans can change as progress is made or new challenges arise.
Online formats - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life. Video allows face-to-face conversation when that helps. Phone sessions can be lower bandwidth and easier to schedule during a work break. Live chat and text are useful for brief check-ins, homework support, or when writing feels clearer than speaking. These options provide flexibility so people can keep momentum between sessions and practice new skills in everyday life.
Questions people ask about Tonya
What kinds of concerns can this therapist help with?
She helps with stress, anxiety, parenting and family concerns, self-esteem, depression, addictions, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, eating and sleeping problems, anger, career questions, and coping with life changes.
What is the therapist's general approach in sessions?
Work combines acceptance and commitment ideas, cognitive behavioral techniques, emotion-focused methods, and dialectical skills to teach coping strategies and improve communication.
How much clinical experience does the therapist have?
The therapist has 25 years of experience in counseling and mental health settings and has worked with a wide range of people and concerns.
What credentials and region are associated with this clinician?
This clinician holds an MD and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) practicing in Maryland.
In which language are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not currently accepted.
Which session formats are available?
Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How does pricing work for therapy sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are involved in getting started?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling a session according to the therapist's availability.
More therapists for parents in Maryland
All in MarylandMaryland 11 years in practice
Focused, practical therapy for everyday parenting challenges
- Stress, Anxiety
- Self esteem
- Depression
Lori Simmons
LMFT
Maryland 16 years in practice
Compassionate therapist focused on values and coping
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship
- Self esteem
Wayne Barnstone
LICSW, MD, LCSW-C
Maryland 23 years in practice
Calm, practical help for parenting concerns
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship
- Depression