Play Therapy Practice – Bethesda Play Therapy and Healing Center
Bethesda Play Therapy and Healing Center operates in downtown Bethesda, Maryland, providing integrative, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive psychotherapy services to children, teens, adults, and families. The practice was founded by Dr. Niki Picogna, Psy.D., M.S., LCPC, LPC, LMHC, RPT-S, who holds licensure in Maryland, DC, Florida, Delaware, and South Carolina, and carries designation as a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor and Board Approved Clinical Supervisor in Maryland.
The clinical team also includes Stephanie Lerma, M.A., LCPC; Bryonna Davis, M.S., LCPC; Alondra Perez, M.S., LCPC, who offers therapy in Spanish; and Wendy Baber, M.S.S., LCSW-C. The practice also lists Lulu, a certified therapy dog credentialed through the Alliance for Therapy Dogs and recognized as an AKC Canine Good Citizen, as part of the clinical team supporting animal-assisted sessions.
Services offered at the center include play therapy, child and adolescent therapy, teen therapy, family counseling, parent coaching, EMDR therapy, somatic therapy, AutPlay Therapy, SPACE Treatment for childhood anxiety, animal-assisted play therapy, and professional supervision and consultation for clinicians. Treatment modalities span play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, EMDR, and somatic approaches.
Children experiencing anxiety, trauma, depression, and emotional difficulties are among the primary populations served, along with teens and families navigating a range of challenges. Bilingual services in Spanish and English are available through Alondra Perez, LCPC. Sessions are available both in-person at the downtown Bethesda location and online via telehealth.
The AutPlay Therapy designation indicates specialized training for working with autistic children and those with developmental differences, while SPACE Treatment is a structured protocol designed to reduce childhood anxiety through parent-focused intervention. Dr. Picogna’s multi-state licensure in Maryland, DC, Florida, Delaware, and South Carolina extends the practice’s reach for telehealth clients across those states.
Insurance acceptance and specific session fees are not listed on the main page; prospective clients are directed to contact the practice directly. The practice emphasizes creating an environment where every client feels seen and heard, language that appears throughout the site’s description of its therapeutic philosophy. Contact: (301) 821-1723 or info@bethesdaplaytherapyhealing.com. Appointment requests can be submitted through the practice website portal.