Charles Elliott , MD, LCSW-C, LICSW

Charles Elliott is a licensed clinician practicing in the District of Columbia and Maryland with seven years of professional experience. He holds an MD, a LCSW-C, and a LICSW - MD indicates a Doctor of Medicine, LCSW-C denotes a licensed clinical social worker with a clinical focus, and LICSW stands for licensed independent clinical social worker. His training and credentials support work across a wide range of concerns, from stress and anxiety to relationship struggles, trauma and abuse, and challenges with motivation, self-esteem, and confidence.

Charles takes a collaborative, nonjudgmental approach, helping people create a space where thoughts and feelings can be explored openly. He centers the therapeutic relationship on empathy and respect, encouraging clients to reflect on communication patterns, forgiveness, guilt and shame, and questions of life purpose. He also works with issues related to post-traumatic stress and self-love, tailoring interventions to each person’s goals and readiness for change.

Recognizing that beginning therapy requires courage, Charles aims to make the initial steps straightforward and supportive. He integrates evidence-informed methods and client-centered care to help people build skills, increase insight, and move toward healthier relationships with themselves and others.

Therapeutic Approaches Adapted for Online Care

Charles draws on client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) when working with people online. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathy and collaboration, helping clients feel heard while they explore personal values and goals. CBT focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve coping. DBT teaches practical skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, useful for managing intense emotions and relationship challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Charles works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, and adjusts the plan as progress unfolds so therapy remains responsive and meaningful.

Online sessions via video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging make it easier to schedule care around daily life and to maintain continuity when in-person visits are difficult. These formats offer flexibility in how people connect with licensed professionals and allow therapists to tailor interactions to each individual’s communication style and schedule.