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In the heart of Washington, DC, amidst the challenges and rewards of community mental health work, three professionals—Lyra, Shantell, and Jenna—crossed paths and forged a bond that transcended the workplace. Their story is one of friendship, resilience, and a shared commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
Their journey began at a community mental health agency where they each found themselves drawn to the agency’s mission of serving marginalized and underserved communities. Lyra’s compassion, Shantell’s advocacy, and Jenna’s empathy fueled their work as they navigated the complexities of their roles.
In a field where burnout is common and connections can be fleeting, their story serves as a reminder of the importance of nurturing meaningful relationships and staying true to one’s values. Together, they continue to make a difference in the lives of their clients, inspired by their friendship and shared commitment to serving others.
As they collaborated on projects and supported one another through the demands of their work, their professional relationship evolved into a genuine friendship. They found solace in each other's company, sharing their experiences, frustrations, and triumphs.
Over time, they realized they shared a vision for a therapy practice that aligned with their values and expertise—a space where individuals could receive holistic, culturally responsive care. With determination and support from each other, they founded their own practice, committed to providing compassionate and empowering therapy to those in need.
Their journey from colleagues to friends to business partners reflects the power of genuine connection and shared purpose. Through their friendship, Lyra, Shantell, and Jenna have not only found strength and support but have also created a professional legacy grounded in impact and integrity.
Therapist (Virtual)
Therapist (Virtual)
Therapist (Virtual)
My name is Jenna Sadan and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, serving the DMV region.
The therapeutic process is not a one-size fits all experience. As an existentialist by nature, I align with the belief that the nature of existing is individualized to each person, and if being human is an individualized experience, so is the healing journey. It is my personal philosophy that we are our own healers, and that therapy serves as a tool to support one’s healing journey. My role is to support you and if you feel called to work with me, it would be my honor to work with you.
I earned my BA in psychology from St. John Fisher College, in Rochester, NY, and my MA in Forensic Counseling, from Argosy University – Washington, DC Campus, where I also completed studies in Community Counseling.
Trainings and Certifications:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), the Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Mindfulness-based practices. I completed the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) MDMA-Assisted Therapy training program and Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Training (KAP) with the Polaris Institute.
I started my career in the community mental health sector and spent over 8 years providing mental health support to adults in both the Washington, DC and Northern Virginia regions. In 2018, I transitioned to private practice and have been providing therapeutic services to adolescents and adults since that time. I also earned my personal training certification through NASM in 2017, which allows me to incorporate my belief of treating the whole person, to achieve optimal mind-body wellness.
Therapeutic Areas of Interests:
My areas of Interest include self-esteem and confidence building, intergenerational trauma, conscious communication, spirituality and intuitive healing, sound therapy, and psychedelic-assisted therapy.
I specialize in generational trauma and aim to help individuals identify and understand the traumas passed down to them from generations past and any impact they have had on them. Being a human is hard and with all of life’s stressors, expectations, and extraneous factors not in our control, it is understandable why we at times have difficulty adjusting.
I most often work with individuals struggling from anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, self-confidence and relationship difficulties, and life transitions and strive to help individuals identify their strengths, utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and mindfulness-based approaches, to support the therapeutic process. I believe in the importance of meeting others where they are at and working with clients to create a therapeutic container that feels both safe and accepting.
My name is Shantell Pitts and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 14 years of experience providing mental health services.
I am currently enrolled in the Polaris Institute’s Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy training and completing my certification as a MAPS PBC Adherence Rater.
Trainings and Certifications:
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), the Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Strengthening Family Coping Resources (SFCR) and Mindfulness-based practices. I have completed the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) MDMA-Assisted Therapy training program.
As a therapist, I aim to create an environment that feels both welcoming and safe to anyone who enters. I believe in the importance of meeting someone where they are at and do so by providing a supportive, strength’s based and collaborative approach, helping clients leverage their natural abilities to heal.
I also aim to empower clients by teaching skills and interventions that help them to manage obstacles that interfere with quality of life and wellbeing.
My therapeutic areas of interest include sex therapy, creative therapy, and psychedelic-assisted therapy.
I have experience in conducting individual, couples, group and family therapy with clients from diverse backgrounds including: military service members, seniors, young adults, members of the LGBTQ community, and individuals who were involved in the criminal justice system in Washington, DC and Maryland.
My name is Lyra Hornseth, and my passions include helping clients recognize and leverage their strengths and natural abilities to live with purpose and fulfillment in their lives.
I believe that everyone has the ability to heal, and see my role as a counselor as being that of a facilitator and supporter in the healing process for my clients.
I hold a Certificate in Professional Counseling Studies from the University of Baltimore as well as a MA in Forensic Psychology from Argosy University and a BA in Psychology from Salisbury University.
My current focus in my training is on psychedelic assisted therapy and ecotherapy/nature therapy.
I have worked for the past fifteen years in applied behavioral sciences, providing career coaching, mental health case management services, psychological and educational assessment, and mental health counseling.
In my free time I enjoy traveling, music, gardening, cooking, going on walks with my dogs, and spending time with my spouse. It would be my privilege to work with you on your healing journey.
I use an eclectic approach with my clients, as I do not believe any one approach in the healing process works for everyone. I draw from a wide variety of interventions including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy interventions, and existential approaches.
I have worked with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds including: military service members, seniors, young adults, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals who were involved in the criminal justice system. I currently work with adult clients who most often are struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, workplace issues, and life transitions.