Compassionate Therapy · Washington DC Metro Area

Now You Can
Breathe Again.

Life can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to navigate it alone. We provide compassionate, culturally responsive therapy for individuals, couples, families, and groups, helping you heal, grow, and thrive.

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Online & In-Person Sessions
Most Major Insurance Accepted
Safe & Confidential
Licensed Professional Care
Culturally Responsive
You are not alone.
You Are Seen

You Don't Have to
Carry This Alone

Whatever brought you here, we want you to know: what you're feeling is valid, and help is available. Many of our clients come to us feeling:

"Whatever you're experiencing, there is hope. Together, we create a safe space where healing can begin."

Start Your Journey
What We Offer

Compassionate Care
Tailored to Your Needs

Every person's journey is unique. We offer a range of evidence-based therapy modalities to meet you where you are.

🌿

Individual Therapy

A personal space to explore your thoughts, process emotions, and develop lasting tools for clarity, confidence, and balance.

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Couples Counseling

Rebuild trust, improve communication, and rediscover the connection that brought you together, with skilled guidance.

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🏡

Family Therapy

Restore harmony and deeper understanding within your family, navigating conflict and transitions with compassion.

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Group Therapy

Find strength in shared experience. Our structured group sessions offer community, perspective, and collective healing.

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Art Therapy

Express what words sometimes can't. Art therapy opens new pathways to self-discovery, processing, and emotional release.

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Dance/Movement Therapy

Reconnect with your body, release stored stress, and discover joy through intentional, therapeutic movement.

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Kim Downing LCSW · LPC
Your Therapist

Meet Kim Downing

Licensed Clinical Social Worker Licensed Professional Counselor Trauma-Informed Culturally Responsive 15+ Years Experience

At Breath of Fresh Air Counseling, our mission is simple: to provide compassionate, culturally responsive, and personalized therapy that empowers people to heal and rediscover hope.

Whether you're experiencing anxiety, relationship challenges, grief, or major life transitions, Kim creates a space where you can feel genuinely heard, supported, and understood, without judgment.

Specializing in trauma recovery, relationship counseling, anxiety and depression, grief, and life transitions, Kim brings both clinical expertise and deep human empathy to every session.

"Healing doesn't mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls your life."
Meet Your Therapist
How It Works

Three Steps Toward
Healing & Growth

1

Reach Out

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation. There's no pressure, just a conversation to see if we're the right fit for your journey.

2

Feel Heard

Meet with Kim in a safe, judgment-free space, online or in-person, where your story matters and your feelings are honored.

3

Heal & Thrive

Develop the tools, resilience, and confidence to move forward, and rediscover the life you deserve to be living.

Why Breath of Fresh Air

A Practice Built on
Care, Not Convenience

💛

Compassionate Care

Every session is rooted in genuine empathy, respect, and the belief that every person has the capacity to heal and grow.

🛡️

Safe, Judgment-Free Space

You can show up exactly as you are. Our practice is an affirming environment for people of all backgrounds and identities.

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Evidence-Based Approaches

Personalized treatment drawing from CBT, EMDR, somatic approaches, and other proven modalities for lasting change.

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Flexible & Accessible

Convenient online and in-person sessions, most major insurance accepted, and flexible scheduling to meet your life.

What Clients Say

Real People.
Real Healing.

★★★★★

"Kim created a space where I finally felt safe enough to talk about things I'd been carrying for years. For the first time, I feel like I can breathe again."

M
Maya T.
Individual Therapy Client
★★★★★

"My partner and I were ready to give up. After working with Kim, we've completely transformed how we communicate and connect. We're grateful every day."

D
David & Priya K.
Couples Counseling Clients
★★★★★

"As a Black woman, I was nervous about therapy. Kim made me feel seen and understood from our very first session. She gets it, and she genuinely cares."

J
Jasmine R.
Individual Therapy Client
★★★★★

"Family therapy with Kim helped us heal wounds we'd been ignoring for years. She has a gift for making everyone feel heard, even when emotions run high."

T
The Thompson Family
Family Therapy Clients
★★★★★

"I've tried therapy before and never felt connected. With Kim, something clicked. I'm sleeping better, I'm less anxious, and I actually look forward to our sessions."

A
Alex W.
Individual Therapy Client
Coverage

Making Therapy Accessible

We accept most major insurance providers and offer sliding scale fees to ensure quality care is within reach.

Aetna
BlueCross BlueShield
Cigna
United Healthcare
Humana
Medicaid
Medicare
Tricare
Out-of-Pocket
Sliding Scale Available
Common Questions

We're Here to Help
You Feel Ready

What should I expect during my first session?
Your first session is a chance for us to get to know each other. Kim will ask about what's brought you in, your background, and your goals. There's no pressure to share more than you're comfortable with. You'll leave with a sense of what working together might look like.
Do you offer virtual therapy?
Yes. We offer secure, HIPAA-compliant video sessions you can attend from anywhere in Maryland, Washington DC, or Virginia. Many clients find the flexibility of teletherapy makes it easier to stay consistent with their care.
Which insurance plans do you accept?
We accept most major insurance plans including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, United Healthcare, Humana, Medicaid, Medicare, and Tricare. We also offer out-of-pocket rates and a sliding scale for those who qualify. Contact us and we'll help verify your benefits.
How long are therapy sessions?
Individual sessions are typically 50 minutes. Couples and family sessions are 60 to 80 minutes. Session frequency is determined together based on your needs and goals, and most clients begin with weekly sessions and adjust over time.
How do I schedule an appointment?
You can book directly through our online scheduling portal, or call or email us to set up your free 15-minute consultation. We'll walk you through the process and answer any questions before your first session.
Is therapy confidential?
Absolutely. Everything shared in therapy is strictly confidential under HIPAA law, with very limited legal exceptions (such as immediate risk of harm). Your privacy and trust are our highest priorities.
Take the First Step

Healing Begins With
One Conversation.

You deserve support, peace of mind, and a place where you can simply breathe. Whether you're ready to start or just curious about the process, we'd love to hear from you.

Free 15-minute consultation · No commitment required