Tonya Pleasant, MD, LCPC

Tonya Pleasant is an experienced counselor who helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and parenting concerns. She uses clear, practical tools to address everyday problems. Her approach is straightforward and focused on what will help a person feel better and function more easily day to day.

She trained at the University of Maryland, College Park, earning a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling and a Bachelor of Science in Family Therapy and Community Development. Tonya holds an MD and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, working in Maryland with 25 years in counseling and mental health settings.

Tonya uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help people see how thoughts affect behavior and mood. She pairs that with acceptance-based strategies and client-centered listening to build real coping skills. Sessions focus on practical steps such as behavior changes, coping techniques, and clearer communication.

Her work can include support for grief, addictions, intimacy-related issues, eating and sleeping problems, anger, career stress, and life changes. She also helps with caregiver strain, divorce and separation, forgiveness, self-love, and finding life purpose. Tonya pays attention to strengths and creativity when planning steps forward.

In sessions she listens, offers tools to try between meetings, and tracks progress against the goals a person sets. Her style is collaborative and goal-oriented, with an emphasis on measurable change and building skills people can use outside of therapy.

How therapeutic approaches fit into online sessions

Tonya uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice how thoughts influence feelings and actions, then practice small behavior changes to improve mood and daily functioning. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is used to teach people how to notice difficult thoughts and feelings while moving toward their values and meaningful goals. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes active listening and empathy so the person feels heard and can shape the pace and focus of the work.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. She will discuss goals, preferences, and life demands and then recommend methods to try. That decision is collaborative and can be adjusted as the person sees what helps most.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video calls let you read facial cues and practice skills in real time. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can fit a break at work. Live chat and messaging support quick check-ins, short reflections, or ongoing skill practice between scheduled sessions. These options make therapy more flexible for people with busy schedules or limited travel time.