Meet carminda passino, LCSW - Therapist in Leesburg, VA.
Feeling stuck in the chaos of life?
I support women who feel stretched thin by anxiety, burnout, and constant emotional pressure—
so they can feel steadier, clearer, and more like themselves again.
In-person therapy for women in Leesburg, VA, and online therapy across Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC
Questions? Contact me.
Sometimes nothing is obviously “wrong,” yet you don’t feel quite like yourself. You might be functioning, keeping up, and doing what’s expected—while feeling unsettled, exhausted, or quietly overwhelmed. Therapy can be a place to slow down, get curious about what’s happening beneath the surface, and reconnect with yourself in a way that feels steady and supportive.
Helping women feel grounded, connected, and true to themselves again.
When life feels heavy or uncertain, it’s easy to lose your footing. You may find yourself doing everything you can to keep pace with expectations—at work, at home, and in your relationships—while quietly carrying anxiety, self-doubt, and the pressure to keep it together.
Maybe you’ve been powering through for a long time, holding it all together even when things feel unsteady.
Maybe you’ve reached a point where you know something needs to change, but you’re not sure where to start.
If you’re here, you’re likely longing for steadiness, clarity, and a sense of coming home to yourself again.
And you deserve support that feels safe, calm, and grounding—support that gives you space to exhale and reconnect with who you are beneath the pressure.
I’m Carminda, and I help women navigate life transitions, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm so they can move forward feeling more confident, connected, and whole.
Therapy That Supports You
(So you can continue supporting everyone who depends on you.)
Women hold up so much—families, workplaces, friendships, communities. You spend so much of your energy supporting others that it can feel unfamiliar to let someone support you.
But you deserve a space where your feelings matter, your needs come first, and you don’t have to hold everything together.
In therapy, we slow things down.
We look at what you’ve been carrying, what’s been weighing on you, and what’s getting in the way of feeling grounded or hopeful.
My role isn’t to dictate answers.
It’s to walk alongside you, help you tune into what you already know, and offer tools and a wider lens that make the hard moments feel more manageable.
You can expect a pace that feels spacious, with practical reflection and gentle direction when you want it.
Together, we’ll explore different ways of seeing what’s happening, identify helpful shifts, and uncover the inner strength you may have lost sight of. This is a calm, welcoming space where you can reconnect with yourself—without pressure, judgment, or urgency.
Why I Became a Therapist
My path toward becoming a therapist began long before I entered the field.
Growing up as the daughter of immigrant parents, I spent my childhood observing people closely—listening to stories, noticing emotions beneath the surface, and moving between different cultural worlds.
Traveling abroad as a child gave me a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunities I had and a strong desire to advocate for children whose needs were overlooked.
That calling shaped the start of my career.
I worked in the Juvenile Rights Division of the Legal Aid Society in New York City, partnering with family court attorneys to advocate for children navigating difficult circumstances.
I later supported grieving children, worked as a school-based mental health clinician, and facilitated groups for youth involved with the mental health and substance use system.
My work also led me to Spanish-speaking immigrant families and adolescents adapting to major life transitions after long separations from caregivers. I served internationally with USAID in the Dominican Republic during post–hurricane reconstruction and worked in national nonprofits dedicated to child advocacy and equity.
Across every setting, one truth remained constant:
People heal when they feel seen.
They grow when they have support, connection, and a steady relationship they can rely on.
That realization brought me back to one-on-one work—and eventually to supporting adult women who are navigating the pressures, transitions, and emotional loads that often go unseen.
Why I Love Supporting Women in Transition
Women move through life in seasons—beginnings, endings, identity shifts, and everything in between. Motherhood, partnership, caregiving, career changes, reinvention, loss… these transitions stir up old patterns and surface emotions that can be hard to face alone.
What lights me up in session are the quieter, powerful moments when something “clicks”:
A new insight brings relief
A long-held pattern comes into focus
A client finally feels heard rather than misunderstood
A layer of self-doubt softens
A sense of direction returns
My goal isn’t to push you into change.
It’s to create the environment where change unfolds naturally—at your pace, in a way that feels sustainable and empowering.
Over time, you begin to feel clearer, settled, and more connected to who you are and what you want.
If this resonates, I’d love to talk.
A Bit About Me
While therapy is about you, it’s natural to want to know a little about the person you’ll be talking to.
I’m a mother of three and an introvert who values quiet, anchoring rituals. My mornings begin with coffee and reading, and I find calm through yoga, meditation, and walking outdoors—whether along the W&OD Trail or near the Potomac River. Sunshine streaming through a window is one of my simple joys.
Travel has shaped my worldview. Before turning 30, I had visited 28 countries and 30 states, experiences that broadened my perspective and deepened my appreciation for people’s inner worlds, resilience, and stories.
In the therapy room, I show up with warmth, steadiness, and respect. Clients often describe me as thoughtful, grounding, and deeply attuned—someone who helps them feel understood, even when they’re struggling to understand themselves.
Education & Credentials
• Master of Science in Social Work, Columbia University
• BA in Sociology, Grinnell College
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Virginia
• Licensed Certified Social Worker–Clinical (LCSW-C) in Maryland
• Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Washington, DC
• ICF Associate Certified Coach (2008–2017)
• Member, National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
• Member, Greater Washington Society of Clinical Social Workers (GWSCSW)
• Professional experience in school-based mental health, child advocacy, immigrant community support, family services, substance use treatment, and international development
If You’re Ready to Feel More Like Yourself Again, I’m Here
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Therapy can help you feel supported, more balanced, and more connected to yourself—even when life remains complicated.
If you’re ready to take the next step, I’d love to connect.
Schedule a consultation, and let’s explore whether we’re a good fit to work together.
Questions? Contact me or visit the FAQs page.
If you’re wondering how therapy works or what to expect, you may want to start here.
Each page offers a deeper look at how I support women through different seasons of life. Here are a few of the areas where I offer steady, thoughtful support.
Life Transitions
Anxiety
Depression
Parenting
Young Adults