Hope+Wellness
Angelique Bush, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Hi there. I’m Angelique!
Angelique Bush, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Licensed in: Virginia, Washington DC, Massachusetts
Locations: Falls Church, VA; Teletherapy
(she/her/hers)
For me, being a therapist is a great privilege and honor. I specialize in working with older teens, college students, young adults, and young professionals with a broad range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, questions related to identity, life adjustment, and transitions, as they navigate the various challenges life throws at them. I am also passionate about working with artists, creatives, and entertainers as well as those in the public eye. Mental health doesn't discriminate — anxiety, depression, life transitions, stress, and trauma can impact anyone, regardless of their lifestyle and I feel particularly called to support those who do not feel as though they have safe places to be fully seen and heard.
I also specialize in supporting people who have experienced trauma and are finding it difficult to see their true selves or are struggling to find a path forward. I am passionate about helping individuals reconnect with their strengths, desires, and needs in order to feel a sense of alignment across their heart, mind, and body. Together, we can make sense of past and present hurts and help you find peace and wholeness again.
Throughout all my work, I am committed to providing therapy that integrates, affirms, and celebrates your identity and specific needs in the healing process. I work with many people of color, and specifically Black individuals, with the intention of crafting a culturally sensitive, aware, and protected space where they can freely express themselves.
I understand firsthand the importance of having a space to discuss the plethora of societal challenges often experienced by individuals in historically marginalized communities. I am thus dedicated to supporting people through times of race based trauma and stressors, all while being sensitive to unique needs as they relate to culture and identity.
I earned my Bachelors in Psychological and Brain Studies with a minor in Children’s Studies from Washington University in St. Louis, where I also earned my Master’s in Social Work with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health. During this time I was trained and certified as a Brief Alcohol Screening & Intervention for College Students (BASICS) Coordinator and explored college students' use of, and relationship to, substances. This was followed by advanced post-graduate training through a Multicultural Fellowship at Williams College, where I also had the pleasure of serving as a staff therapist at the university counseling center to provide high quality, evidence-based care. While at the university counseling center, I worked with a wide range of presentations and mental health concerns including eating disorders, burgeoning personality disorders, grief, interpersonal/relationship concerns, and crisis counseling.
Philosophy
Each individual I work with is deeply seen, welcomed and accepted. In therapy, there may be topics, thoughts, and emotions that arise which may feel difficult, uncomfortable, or unspeakable — I thus dedicate myself to creating an open, supportive, and safe environment where you can feel brave enough to share all of these things and more. Regardless of your background, socioeconomic status, or concerns, with me, you will be in a sacred and protected space where you can discuss your struggles freely and without judgment. Whether you are in the public eye, are in a high stress and demanding job, are unsure of how you want your future to look, or are struggling to reconnect to your creativity - you will be embraced with unconditional positive regard, warmth, and empathy, inviting you to be your truest and most vulnerable self.
I aim to co-create a space with you where you can feel completely seen, accepted, and curious about yourself. Every individual I work with has a unique heart and specific set of needs — I therefore flexibly tailor treatment to your individual needs with openness and compassion while remaining rooted in evidence-based interventions including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Within my work with clients, I incorporate the tenets of CBT and thus am constantly curious about the connection between emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Utilizing the strength that blooms from a strong and trusting therapeutic alliance, I will encourage you to learn how these three factors influence and impact one another. Once these connections are better understood, together we can identify ways to intervene and create lasting changes that support the vision you have for yourself.
My goal and intention is to create a space where you feel safe and supported enough to embark on your wellness journey. No two journeys are exactly the same -- creatives and entertainers may struggle with working through creative blocks, criticism, and finding their inspiration again while young professionals may be trying to figure out who they are without grades and the structure of formal schooling. I hold each client, heart, and story delicately and with care, offering unwavering support; reminding you of core pieces of yourself and the values that mean the most to you - allowing you to always have a guiding light back to your destined path.
I understand how tough it can be to share your heart, mind, body, and spirit with a therapist and I do not take these gifts lightly. No one knows you as wholly and fully as you do; no one else knows just how intensely you feel or struggle — that is why I see you as the expert when it comes to your experiences. With your knowledge and my therapeutic expertise, you can learn to understand, see, and love yourself in new ways and design a path forward that takes you towards a life you want to live. I will be with you every step of the way, supporting you when it is difficult to see your own inner light, guiding you as you navigate ups and downs, and celebrating with you as you discover the strength and beauty within yourself.
Specialty Areas
Creatives, artists, and entertainers
Therapy is a space where no one else gets to write your narrative; instead, creatives, artists, and entertainers will be able to reclaim their own truths, rediscover their center and foundation, and be seen and accepted as the intricate and beautiful humans they are.
older teens, Emerging young adulthood, young adulthood, and self exploration
I work with older teens and young adults as they navigate the world around them and try to establish their unique place within it.
couple's therapy and relationships
I help to create a space where couples and those in relationships can safely begin to rebuild trust and understanding between one another and learn how to put down old patterns that are no longer serving the relationship, express unmet needs, and rediscover connection, love, and harmony. I help couples work through relationship concerns such as broken trust, changes in intimacy, and improving communication.
anxiety, depression, and overall wellness
I work with clients who struggle with symptoms related to anxiety and depression as well as other unmanageable and difficult thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, to identify why these patterns have been helpful, and to explore how life could look without them.
identity exploration
I hold space for those interested in meeting and learning about different parts of themselves and identities they hold which might not have been held with soft hands, historically. This includes, but is not limited to, those curious about their gender, sexuality, race, and alternative romantic/sexual interests.
Clinical Supervision
Beyond direct clinical work with clients, I find great joy supervising social workers working towards their independent licensure in DC and Massachusetts.
My desire as a supervisor is to be a guiding and grounding presence as supervisees navigate the beautiful experience of beginning clinical work. I strive for supervision be a space for supervisees to be seen and heard both personally and professionally. Theoretically, my approach follows my clinical style, balancing a mix of cognitive-behavioral and person-centered techniques while also utilizing an integrated development model to truly meet each supervisee where they are and to be attuned to their specific needs, worries, and professional development goals. Additionally, I have an interest in holding space for conversations around transference, countertransference, and normalizing the difficult emotions that can come up while conducting sessions and working with supervisees to lean in and be inquisitive and compassionate for these feelings.
My approach is one of active curiosity; not only do I want to encourage supervisees to remain grounded in evidence-based practices and the newest research, but to also craft and design their own unique style and voice. There will be space to also check in with supervisees on a personal level, encouraging them to make self-care and self reflection an integral aspect of their daily routine, highlighting how necessary it is to take care of themselves while doing life changing work.
As your supervisor, I will be a safe and accepting place to land, an advocate for your unique growth who is not afraid to challenge you, and a steady compassionate light for you as you navigate your professional journey.
Additional Areas of Expertise
Academic Stress & Pressure
Adjusting to Life Transitions
Anxiety
Attention Problems
Bipolar Disorder
BiPOC
Depression
Discovering Your Identity
Emotion Identification, Regulation, and Awareness
Finding Meaning and Purpose
Finding Passion and Creativity Again
Generalized Anxiety
General Stress of Being Human
Grief and Loss
Identity
Life Stress
Life Transitions
Low Self-Esteem, Low Self-Worth
Mood Disorders
Perfectionism
Personal Growth
Polyamory, Kink, and Alternative Relationships
Relationship and Communication Difficulties
Self-Care
Self-Criticism
Self-Esteem
Social Anxiety
Quarter-Life Crisis
Young Adults
more ABOUT ME
I love working with…
clients who are beginning to be curious about themselves and their experiences or are even nervous to learn more about themselves! Every session is a chance to ask questions, dig a bit deeper, and discover more clarity and peace. Let’s explore together.
I believe…
the mind, body, and heart are smart and protective. I also believe sometimes it’s time to file away coping techniques that are no longer serving you to make space for new skills that will help you live your most authentic life. Therapy, with a strong therapeutic alliance, is a beautiful, safe place to start this process.
favorite QUOTES
“Oh yes, the past can hurt. But, the way I see it, you can either run from it… or learn from it.”
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
“We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another, as if we were one single tribe.”
