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Black Couples Counseling

Black Couples Counseling

Our counseling is about sitting down with someone you can trust. Creating a safe space to have difficult conversations productively.

With counselors specializing in black couples counseling, we help you reduce blame and criticism that is common during relationship conflict. We’ll help both parties feel comfortable with themselves and the situation. We want you to share what is going on, in a truthful manner. This way we can get to the root of the problem, not the symptom.

Frequently Asked Questions About Couples Counseling

1) What will happen the first visit?

We will just have a simple talk. We will find out why you are here. We will also find out what you hope to accomplish with your session. We want to know the root of the issue and how we can go about fixing it.

2) What do I have to tell you?

You don’t have to tell us anything you don’t want to. These sessions are not forced. You discuss what information you feel comfortable talking about, nothing more. We will never probe you for information that is not part of your treatment.

3) Where do you place the primary focus?

We create a safe and calm environment for you to have productive conversations. We want to hear your stories, about your situation. Our questions and interventions will set the tone and help you both lower your guard.  We’ll help you get what you need in a way that’s good for you and good for your partner.

Below are the black counselors on our staff:

Dara Herbert

Dara H. McDowell, MS, MFT
Marriage and family therapist

Availability: Online, phone and Dupont Circle Office

Dara H. McDowell, MS, MFT
Marriage and family therapist

Availability: Online, phone and Dupont Circle Office

Dara is experienced providing evidence-based counseling services to individuals, couples, families and children and draws from knowledge of diversity issues, deep in her bones. Dara specializes in families, individuals, and providing an open space for clients to tell their story, connect the dots and get results in their life where they need it most.  

She’s experienced at conducting groups to help women become strong and successful in life and love. Couples and families seeking relief from distress can benefit from Dara’s ability to create a safe space for clients.

Ann Ebhojiaye

Ann Ebhojiaye 
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a passion for working with couples looking to strengthen their relationship

Availability: Online, phone, and Bethesda Office

Ann Ebhojiaye is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a passion for working with couples looking to strengthen their relationship and learn how to improve their communication and connection with each other. Ann is also a certified Prepare-Enrich Facilitator which can provide guided assessments for couples seeking pre-martial counseling. Ann has experience working with couples and families of various backgrounds, ethnicities and religions, including LGBTQ+, poly, Black Jewish, Muslim, and eastern cultures.

Ann believes that although there may be struggles, each person, couple and family have positive attributes, and therefore approaches counseling from a strength-based perspective. She uses interventions that guide couples and families to express emotional thoughts more effectively and open more understanding of each other’s roles, responsibilities and needs within the family.

Ann specializes in working with individuals dealing with trauma, anxiety, stress, emotional anger, depression, and feelings of disconnection or alienation from others.

Yasir Ahmed, LPC

Couples Therapist and Individual Psychotherapist

Availability: Online and phone

Yasir Ahmed is a Licensed Professional Counselor who works with couples and individuals. Yasir works with couples seeking to enhance their relationship and helps them gain insights into their cycles of connection and disconnection to strengthen their ability to bounce through stress and disagreements. Yasir helps create structure and provides the safe space to have productive conversations that can lead to having the kind of relationship that you want.

Yasir is passionate about helping couples break through protective habits that keep them from having the energy to bend and flex to meet the demands of nurturing an authentic love relationship. Besides working with couples, Yasir also works with families and teenagers, individuals with trauma, depression and anxiety. Originally from India, Yasir came to the United States in 2010, completed his Master’s in Clinical Psychology in 2014. Since obtaining licensure has since been pursuing intensive post-graduate training in individual and couples therapy.

We Provide Counseling For:

  • Marriage and Relationship Issues
  • Premarital Counseling with Bethesda Counseling
  • Drug Treatment with Bethesda Counseling
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Anger Management
  • Mind-Body Counseling

Ready to Get Started?


Frequently Asked Questions

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and forced shutdown of many businesses, we began offering online counseling sessions to new and existing clients in order to better serve the community.

We plan on continuing to offer online sessions even after businesses start to reopen, but clients will have be given the option of meeting with their counselor face-to-face or through online virtual sessions. They will even be able to alternate between face-to-face and online sessions for their convenience.

Keith Miller & Associates Counseling does not accept insurance, however many of our clients submit their own claims for “out-of-network” reimbursement and often receive 40-60% of the expense.

All counselors fees are $180-$240 for 50 minute sessions.
Psychiatry: $450 for 90 minute intake sessions and $200-$300 for follow-up visits.
Sessions with Keith Miller are limited but may be available upon request; $350 for 60 minutes or $265 for 45 minutes.

We have two offices.

One is located in Washinton, D.C. near DuPont Circle, conveniently less than a block away from the Metro station.

Our second office is located in downtown Bethesda, which is a ten-minute walk from either the Bethesda or N.I.H. Metro stations.  

Washington, D.C. Office
1320 19th Street, NW
Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
Bethesda Office
4300 Montgomery Ave
Bethesda,
MD 20814

Our fees are between $200-$400 for 50 minutes, depending on your counselor. We do not accept insurance, meaning we are not "in-network" with any health plans.
However, many of our clients submit claims to their out-of-network health insurance and receive 40-60% reimbursement.