Kumi Pledger, LCPC

Kumi Pledger is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) practicing in Maryland. She brings ten years of experience helping people reduce anxiety, manage stress, and improve sleep. Her work aims to help clients feel steadier and enjoy life more. Kumi draws on several therapeutic approaches to meet each person where they are. She uses attachment-focused work to look at how early relationships shape current patterns. She also uses client-centered methods to build a respectful, collaborative relationship, and cognitive behavioral techniques to address unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. In sessions she emphasizes practical skills alongside personal insight. Mindfulness and guided imagery may be used to ease anxiety and insomnia. For people coping with trauma, she integrates trauma-informed methods to reduce distress and support gradual healing. Kumi also helps with relationship and intimacy issues, parenting strain, grief, and substance concerns. She lists additional focus areas such as abandonment and attachment issues, caregiver stress, first responder issues, gender dysphoria, and challenges around divorce or domestic violence. She works with people across many life stages and identities, including LGBT clients, and offers support for career and life transitions. Sessions are offered in English and Japanese. Prospective clients should confirm current session options when they inquire.

Therapeutic approaches that translate well to online work

Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape how people relate now. Online sessions can help identify repeating patterns and practice new ways of connecting. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through clear steps and homework. It is often useful for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and coping with life changes.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't helped in the past. Together they decide whether attachment work, CBT, or a mix of methods is the best place to start, and adjust the plan as therapy progresses.

The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Many people find online sessions helpful because they make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Some clients prefer video for face-to-face interaction, while others use audio when bandwidth or a quieter environment is needed. Discussing practical needs during the initial match helps pick a format that supports consistent work toward goals.