Tonya Pleasant

Tonya Pleasant is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Maryland with 25 years of experience. She focuses on practical help for people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, anger, depression, relationship and parenting concerns. She aims to make therapy straightforward and usable for everyday life.

Tonya uses a mix of approaches to match what each person needs. She emphasizes clear coping skills, behavior change strategies, and attention to strengths. Sessions often include focused skill practice and checking progress toward goals.

Her background includes a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Maryland, College Park and a Bachelor of Science in Family Therapy and Community Development. That training informs a practical, solutions-oriented style rooted in clients’ real situations.

In sessions she listens first, then offers tools to manage emotions and reactions. She helps people notice how thoughts and behaviors interact and works with them to try different ways of responding. Progress is tracked in small, measurable steps so people can see change.

Tonya often supports clients through life transitions such as divorce, caregiving strain, grief, and career changes. She also addresses self-esteem, intimacy-related concerns, addictions, sleep and eating struggles, and seasonal affective mood shifts. Her approach tries to be hopeful and strengths-based while addressing the hard parts head on.

How chosen approaches translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and focus on actions that match their values. It can be useful for stress, anxiety, and anger when someone wants clearer direction about what matters. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and behavior and teaches concrete skills to change patterns that cause distress. It is often used for anxiety, depression, sleep and eating difficulties.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will listen to your goals and try methods that fit your needs and preferences. Together you will decide which techniques to try and review what works as you go.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, shorten travel time, and allow quick check-ins between appointments. They also let people practice skills in their everyday routines and bring real-life examples into sessions. Ask about formats and scheduling when you complete the short matching questionnaire so sessions match your day-to-day life.