Dr. Misty Gibson (She/Her)
Licensed Professional Counselor, PhD, LMHC, LCPC, LPC, CST-S, ACS
Online in Multiple States
Maryland, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C.
(Online Only)
Clients often tell me that working with me feels like finally being able to exhale. My practice is grounded in genuine care, deep clinical expertise, and a commitment to honoring the full complexity of your identity, your relationships, and your nervous system. You do not have to mask, explain yourself, or fit into a narrow idea of what healing should look like. Here you get thoughtful guidance, clear-eyed support, and a therapeutic space that respects both your boundaries and your brilliance. If you are ready for therapy that actually feels like it was built for you, I would love to connect and help you move toward a more regulated, connected, and satisfying life.
Client Focus
Session Format: Couple, Family, Group, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult
Demographic Expertise: LGBTQ+, Men, Women clients.
Treatment Approach
- Art Therapy Uses creative activities like drawing, painting, or sculpture as a way to express emotions. It is especially helpful when words are hard to find.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) An evidence-based treatment for PTSD that teaches clients to reframe unhelpful thoughts about trauma. It helps reduce guilt, shame, and fear.
- Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) Builds skills in self-kindness and compassion toward others. It is especially helpful for people who struggle with shame or self-criticism.
- Developmental Therapy Looks at how childhood and developmental experiences affect current challenges. It aims to repair unmet needs and foster healthy growth.
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Focuses on strengthening emotional bonds in couples or families. It helps people identify negative cycles and create more secure connections.
- Existential / Humanistic Therapy Encourages people to explore meaning, freedom, and authenticity in their lives. It focuses on personal growth and living in alignment with one’s values.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) A structured therapy that uses guided eye movements to help process traumatic memories. It is widely recognized for treating PTSD and trauma-related conditions.
- Family Systems Therapy Looks at problems within the context of the family as a whole. It aims to improve communication and balance in family relationships.
- Feminist Therapy Addresses how gender roles, power, and social inequality affect mental health. It empowers clients to challenge limiting beliefs and systems.
- Hakomi Method A mindfulness-based approach that helps clients notice unconscious patterns in their body and mind. It emphasizes compassion and non-judgment.
- Imago Relationship Therapy Helps couples understand how childhood experiences influence adult relationships. It teaches communication techniques to deepen connection.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Helps clients heal by working with different ‘parts’ of themselves, like inner critics or wounded children. It fosters harmony within the self.
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Combines mindfulness practices with CBT to prevent depression relapse. It helps people notice thoughts without judgment and respond more calmly.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) A collaborative, client-centered approach that strengthens motivation for change. It is especially effective for addictions and health behaviors.
- Multicultural Therapy Acknowledges the role of culture, race, and identity in mental health. It values diversity and adapts treatment to each person’s background.
- Narrative Therapy Encourages people to view problems as separate from themselves and reframe their life story. It helps build resilience and self-identity.
- Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It provides a safe space for self-discovery and growth.
- Relational Psychotherapy Emphasizes the healing power of the therapist-client relationship. It uses trust and safety as a foundation for change.
- Somatic Therapy Helps clients notice how emotions are stored in the body. It uses breath, movement, and awareness for healing trauma and stress.
Approach Description: My therapeutic approach is grounded in Relational Cultural Theory, a framework that believes people grow best through connection, not disconnection. At its core, Relational Cultural Theory holds that healing happens when you are met with empathy, authenticity, and mutual respect. Instead of focusing on pathology or individual deficits, this model looks at how relationships, power dynamics, culture, and lived experiences shape your wellbeing. In our work together, we explore the ways you have learned to protect yourself in relationships, how those patterns served you in the past, and how new forms of connection can support your growth now. I pair this foundation with trauma informed care, somatic awareness, and sex therapy principles to help you create relationships that feel safe, nourishing, and aligned with your values. This approach allows us to honor your identity, reduce shame, increase emotional capacity, and build the kind of connections that support your full potential.
Education & Credentials
Dr. Misty Gibson PhD, LMHC, LCPC, LPC, CST-S, ACS
- Female
- License # 60819101
- Licensed in WA
- Practicing Since 2015
Education: I hold a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, a Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling and Art Therapy, and I am an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist. My training supports a strong foundation in clinical practice, relationships, and sexual wellbeing.
Finances
Fees
- Average Session Fee 250
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- I offer low cost therapy through my advanced clinical interns who work closely under my direct supervision. This option provides accessible support for individuals at forty dollars per session and for couples or polycules at sixty dollars per session. My interns are trained in inclusive, trauma informed, sex positive, and relational approaches, and they receive ongoing guidance from me to ensure high quality care. Sliding scale services are a great fit for clients who want affirming therapy that honors diverse identities and relationship structures while staying within a manageable budget.
- Out of Network
- I offer superbills and Reimbursify to help you get reimbursed from your insurance for any fees you directly pay for services.
Dr. Misty Gibson Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available Online for residents of Multiple States Maryland, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Online Therapy Details: I use Zoom Health to meet with clients
My online therapy practice is designed for adults who want a place where their identities, relationships, and lived experiences are honored without judgment. I specialize in working with queer, neurodivergent, kink oriented, and polyamorous individuals and relationships. Many of my clients come to therapy because they feel misunderstood in other clinical settings or because they are tired of being reduced to labels, checklists, or assumptions. Here you get a space that is truly yours. I bring a combination of trauma informed care, sex therapy expertise, somatic awareness, and relational depth, and I work collaboratively so you can build a life that feels more regulated, connected, and aligned with your values.
Whether you are navigating anxiety, exploring your identity, struggling with shame, deepening intimacy, healing from past harm, or trying to create relationship structures that fit who you are, we work at a pace that honors your nervous system and your goals. Therapy with me is active, thoughtful, and grounded in compassion. You will learn how your body responds to stress, how to increase emotional bandwidth, how to shift relational patterns, and how to experience pleasure and connection with more ease. If you have been looking for a therapist who understands diverse relationship dynamics, nontraditional sexual expression, and the realities of living in a world that often misunderstands you, I would be honored to support you.