Kimberly Downing

Practical, compassionate care for life transitions

MD, LCPC Maryland

Experience: 20 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Kimberly

Kimberly Downing brings two decades of professional experience to her therapeutic work in Maryland. She focuses on common concerns such as stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, and depression while also addressing related issues including abandonment, attachment difficulties, caregiving stress, chronic illness, and body image.

Background and approach

Her training includes an MD and an LCPC, and she blends evidence-informed methods to help clients build practical skills and insight. Her approach centers on creating a nonjudgmental space where clients can explore thoughts and feelings and practice new ways of coping.

Kimberly integrates cognitive behavioral strategies to identify and shift unhelpful thinking, and she uses client-centered and mindfulness-based techniques to support emotional regulation and self-compassion. Over her career she has guided people through loss, life transitions, and patterns that impede well-being, emphasizing collaboration and gradual skill building.

Clients who work with Kimberly can expect a thoughtful balance of structured interventions and empathic listening aimed at increasing resilience and daily functioning. She welcomes English-speaking clients and accepts international clients, offering multiple formats to connect based on individual needs and availability.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Remote Care

Kimberly integrates cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based techniques to guide online work. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to distress and teaching practical skills to shift those patterns; it is often helpful for anxiety, depression, and stress management. Mindfulness Therapy emphasizes present-moment awareness and acceptance, offering practices that reduce reactivity and support emotion regulation during difficult times.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences and then tailor the mix of strategies accordingly, adjusting methods as progress and priorities evolve.

Online formats such as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging provide flexibility for people balancing work, caregiving, or health constraints. These options make it easier to maintain consistent appointments, practice skills between sessions, and receive support from a licensed professional without needing to travel, helping therapy fit more naturally into daily life.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Kimberly commonly address?

She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, and depression, and also supports people facing issues such as abandonment, attachment problems, caregiving stress, chronic illness, and body image concerns.

What is her therapeutic style and approach?

Her style combines empathic, client-centered listening with skill-based interventions; she regularly uses cognitive behavioral techniques alongside mindfulness and dialectical practices to help clients manage emotions and change unhelpful patterns.

How much experience does she bring to sessions?

Kimberly has 20 years of professional experience working with a range of emotional and life difficulties, drawing on that background to offer practical guidance and support.

What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?

She holds an MD and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with licence number MD LCPC LC15171 and is based in Maryland.

In which languages can someone work with her and can international clients connect?

Sessions are offered in English, and she does accept international clients for remote work.

Which session formats does she offer for remote therapy?

Available formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.

How does pricing and payment work for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin working with her?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Grief Self esteem Depression

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Licensed

Maryland

Languages

English