Giselle DeGrafenreid , MD, LCSW-C

Giselle DeGrafenreid is a Maryland-licensed clinician with 23 years of professional experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, family conflict, motivation concerns, self-esteem and confidence challenges, and depression. She holds an MD, which denotes a Doctor of Medicine, and an LCSW-C, which indicates a Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical, combining medical and clinical social work perspectives in her practice.

Giselle approaches each person as the expert of their own story, emphasizing the strengths they already possess and building on those assets to address whatever is causing difficulty. Her work supports individuals facing mood-related concerns such as bipolar disorder and depression, as well as shorter-term struggles like anger, communication problems, and feelings of isolation. She also attends to issues that often accompany life transitions - including caregiver stress, divorce and separation, and questions about life purpose.

Recognizing that taking the first step toward change requires courage, Giselle offers respectful, empowering guidance as people work toward greater fulfillment and well-being. Her practice centers on evidence-based therapeutic techniques tailored to each person’s needs and goals, with an emphasis on practical strategies and collaborative problem solving.

Evidence-Based Techniques and Flexible Online Care

Giselle employs evidence-based therapeutic techniques that combine practical skill building and thoughtful exploration. One approach focuses on teaching coping and emotion-regulation skills to manage stress, anxiety, and anger - these techniques help people respond differently to triggers and reduce distress in daily life. Another approach centers on examining patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to mood difficulties; by identifying and adjusting unhelpful patterns, this work supports improvements in depression, motivation, and self-esteem.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process, and Giselle works collaboratively with each person to identify which strategies best fit their needs, goals, and preferences. Together they review progress and adjust techniques over time so the plan remains practical and relevant.

Online therapy with Giselle is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing for flexible scheduling and easier access from home or other locations. These options make it simpler to maintain continuity of care while balancing work, family, and other commitments, and they support regular progress through formats that suit different communication styles.