Laurel Wade, Ph.D.

Dr. Laurel Wade is a licensed clinical psychologist who provides a warm, affirming, and highly collaborative space for clients. She strives to build a strong, trusting, and even fun therapeutic relationship—creating a safe environment where clients feel empowered to confront painful emotions and make courageous changes. Operating from a multicultural, strengths-based perspective, Dr. Wade integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and positive psychology to help clients build resilience and pursue their most deeply valued goals. She is passionate about offering both telehealth and in-person therapy at our Arlington, VA clinic.

Health Psychology & Behavioral Medicine

Living with physical health challenges can take a profound toll on your mental well-being. Dr. Wade is highly specialized in health psychology, helping clients navigate the complex intersection of the mind and body. She provides expert support for individuals adjusting to a chronic illness, managing chronic pain, and coping with complex medical diagnoses (such as PCOS or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). Additionally, she helps high-achieving clients navigate stress management and weight concerns, focusing on implementing sustainable, health-promoting lifestyle changes that prioritize holistic well-being over rigid rules.

Eating Disorders & Body Image Concerns

Dr. Wade provides compassionate, evidence-based treatment across the full spectrum of disordered eating, including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, and Orthorexia. She helps clients untangle the intense shame associated with diet culture and disordered eating behaviors. By focusing on values-driven action, she supports clients in healing their relationship with food, overcoming severe body image dissatisfaction, and reclaiming a sense of trust and empowerment in their own skin.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

When OCD or severe anxiety takes hold, it can feel like your brain is working against you. Dr. Wade brings targeted expertise in the treatment of OCD, utilizing the gold-standard Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) paired seamlessly with ACT. She works collaboratively at your pace to help you confront intrusive thoughts, gently resist compulsions, and break the exhaustion of the anxiety cycle so you can get back to living a present and meaningful life.

• Integrative Psychotherapy (IPT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP)
• Positive Psychology

Dr. Wade received her B.S. in Psychology with a second major in Spanish language and cultures from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. She earned her M.Ed. and Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Texas A&M University and completed an APA-accredited predoctoral internship with American University’s Student Counseling Center. She has trained at the following sites:

• • American University Counseling Center Washington, DC

• • Texas A&M Health Family Care Clinic

• • Texas A&M Telebehavioral Care Clinic

• • Texas A&M Counseling & Psychological Services

• • Texas A&M Counseling and Assessment Clinic

First Session: $275

Follow-Ups: $250