“This process of the good life is not, I am convinced, a life for the faint-fainthearted. It involves the stretching and growing of becoming more and more of one's potentialities. It involves the courage to be.”
-Carl Rogers
Charlee Parrish, LGPC (she/her/hers)
“Anything that's human is mentionable, and anything that is
mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our
feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less
scary.” – Fred Rogers
The Work
I’m a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) with a background in school counseling and a passion for supporting children, adolescents, and young adults as they navigate emotional, academic, and social challenges. For the past 17 years, I’ve called Maryland home—a move originally inspired by my connection to the military community, which continues to shape my work today. I bring a special understanding of the unique stressors that military families often face, including relocation, deployment, and adjustment to change.
My experience in educational settings has helped me develop a collaborative, compassionate approach that meets clients (and their caregivers) where they are—with empathy, curiosity, and a belief in their capacity for growth. I specialize in working with individuals facing anxiety, emotion regulation difficulties, life transitions, and self-esteem issues. I also enjoy helping school-age clients strengthen communication skills and improve relationships at home and at school. A key part of my work—especially with students and young adults—is helping them discover their passions and begin creating lives that reflect who they want to be, incorporating their values, identities, and future goals.
My therapeutic style blends Solution-Focused Therapy (SFBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, and Person-Centered Therapy, while incorporating mindfulness practices and practical skill-building to support long-term resilience. I focus on helping clients build on their existing strengths, manage emotional challenges, and develop tools they can use in everyday life. Whether we’re increasing emotional awareness, improving coping strategies, or exploring what’s already working well, I aim to make therapy both empowering and actionable.
A little bit more about me:
My passions as a therapist include:
● Supporting Military Families: Helping service members, spouses, and children navigate the emotional impacts of deployment, relocation, and reintegration with a focus on stability, resilience, and connection.
● Child & Adolescent Emotional Regulation: Working with children to better understand and express big emotions, build coping skills, and strengthen social-emotional development through creative, play-based, and skills-focused interventions.
● Anxiety & Coping Skills: Supporting individuals—especially youth—in managing anxiety, worry, and stress through practical tools, mindfulness, and DBT-informed techniques that foster confidence and emotional awareness.
● Parenting Support: Assisting parents and caregivers in navigating the challenges of raising children with intention and confidence, while building skills for connection, communication, and consistency.
● Mindful Parenting in Times of Transition: Helping caregivers, particularly those in military families, stay grounded and present during periods of change, using mindfulness, routine-building, and emotional attunement.
● Self-Esteem & Identity Development: Supporting adolescents and young adults in exploring who they are, clarifying their values, and making choices that reflect their goals, strengths, and personal identity.
● Integrating Self-Care into Daily Life: Working with individuals to prioritize their own well-being, develop sustainable self-care routines, and reduce burnout—especially for parents, caregivers, and helping professionals. If you or your child are looking for a space to feel supported, build confidence, and take meaningful steps forward, I’d be honored to be part of that journey.
Education/certifications
○ LGPC - Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists
○ Certified School Counselor - Maryland Board of Education
○ National Certified Counselor - National Board for Certified Counselors
○ Loyola University Maryland - Masters of Education in School Counseling
○ Ashford University - B.A. Organizational Management
○ Community College of the Air Force - A.A.S. Communications Applications
Technology
Trainings/Readings
○ TeleMental Health Training Certificate
○ DBT for Children and Adolescents Certification Training - PESI (in progress)
○ Loyola University Maryland - Advanced Study Courses
■ Alcohol and Drug Counseling
■ Mindfulness-Based Treatment Strategies for Children and Adolescents
■ Stress and Stress Management
○ American Counseling Association - Certificate in Counseling Interventions and Evidence-Based Treatment for Specific Issues with Children and Youth (in progress)
○ Building Resilience in Children and Teens - Giving Kids Roots and Wings
○ The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
○ Work Like a Mother: Rewriting the Script for a Mother’s Career and Wellness Journey
○ What Do You Say? - How to Talk with Kids to Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home
○ Surrounded by idiots: the four types of human behavior and how to effectively communicate with each in business (and life)
Fun Facts:
○ USAF Veteran, then military spouse for 15 years.
○ I love the water - it calls me!
○ Self-discovery has always been my passion - I love watching children find their talents in different activities and develop those characteristics that make them feel like they could bloom in so many places.
Groups I Align with:
○ Military Families
○ Veterans
○ Youth
○ Parents
○ Caregivers
○ Educators
Would Refer to Others:
○ Sex therapy
○ Eating disorders
○ Individuals struggling with active suicidal/homicidal thoughts.
