Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP

Hi there, I’m Dr. Victoria!

I like to tell people that I have the best job in the world. I get to spend time with you talking about life and sitting in awe and admiration of who you are. 

My job is to see the best in you, especially when it feels hard to see it yourself, because something shifts when you're seen through eyes of genuine unconditional positive regard. You begin to soften and know yourself in a beautifully kind way, and little by little, you start seeing the best in yourself too.

This is where real change and transformation begin.

Clinical Specialties

• Depression • Anxiety & Perfectionism
• Burnout & Chronic Stress
• Life Transitions & Adjustment
• Existential Concerns & Meaning
• Teen & Young Adult Mental Health
• Therapy for High-Achieving Professionals & Executives

About Me

I am a Johns Hopkins-trained, board-certified clinical psychologist with an MBA in leadership and healthcare management, specializing in evidence-based therapy for teens, young adults, professionals, and executives navigating depression, anxiety, stress, and major life transitions.

My deepest passion is to help people going through difficult times and life transitions where you feel hopeless, confused — lost. It is critical to have a clinician by your side who can help you make sense of such a time, in a way that moves you toward positive healing and growth. I am deeply committed to being that person, that clinician, that support for you. You are not alone. I’m here to help you find your path to life again, to walk with you along your journey toward joy and meaning — a life aligned with your deepest truths.

I believe that everyone has an inner light within them. My role as a psychologist is to hold a sacred space where you feel safe to be genuinely and authentically yourself, so that you can connect to this inner source of wisdom, strength, and resilience. So often depression and mood concerns can feel insurmountable and leave us feeling profoundly disconnected from ourselves. I love help people come home to themselves, a place within you where nothing is missing.

Part of the work of therapy is to help you connect to the natural strengths already within you. I believe that one of the true purposes of going through difficult times is to help you make contact with these parts of yourself, as fuel for positive growth, transforming pain into resilence, strength and meaning.

As a clinical psychologist, I work to passionately and intuitively tailor treatment specifically for you based on your unique, individual needs. I would describe myself as a clinical psychologist who likes to take my time with each client, who genuinely cares. I bring a strong dedication and feel that trust, respect, and care for each client is the highest honor and a calling.

Across all of my work, I believe that within each person is a place of wisdom. I help people find their authentic voice of inner trut—to find grounding amidst the chaos and stressors of life. Within you is a source of incredible beauty and healing, more powerful than you can imagine. It is peaceful, kind, and deeply compassionate. I help people find their way back to this place within themselves. It’s a place where you are already whole.

Philosophy

Being yourself — your true self — is not the problem. It is the very path.

My therapeutic style is warm, down to earth, relatable, and genuine — a partnership where we creatively and collaboratively explore ways for you to connect to yourself and with life in a way that feels comfortable, intuitive, and authentic to you. I work to create a safe and supportive, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship where together, we will navigate what is often an uncertain and challenging time. You are not alone. I will be by your side, challenging and supporting you toward positive growth in a way where you feel safe, understood, and accepted for who you are.

My treatment approach is integrative and grounded in top, innovative evidence-based treatments — drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and acceptance-based approaches to promote healing, growth, and wellness. I work with each client to highly personalize treatment to your specific concerns, interests, life experiences, and goals. I also bring a holistic perspective that considers the interconnections between your mind, emotions, body, and spirit in supporting your overall well-being.

I believe that relationships are what bring healing — relationships where you feel safe to be yourself, where your life’s pain is met with kindness and compassion, where your inner beauty and truth is mirrored back to you. One of my deepest intentions is for you to feel a strong sense of genuine unconditional positive regard for who you are, where you’ve been, and what you’ve been through.

It is within this foundation of trust, acceptance, and genuine care that healing, growth, and transformation can happen. The best within you arises from this kind of energy and therapeutic relationship, and it’s the kind of experience I seek to provide for each of my clients, as well as each client who is seen here at Hope+Wellness.

My Story

My own family life was significantly affected by bipolar disorder, an illness with multiple members affected.  I understand firsthand the pain and devastation that depression, mood disorders, stress, and anxiety can bring — how difficult it can be to work through periods of suffering and hopelessness, and the critical difference that therapy and support can make in healing.

Given how stigmatized mental health can be in our society, I know how important it is to openly share my story. My personal experiences, together with my training as a clinical psychologist, motivate me. They deeply inform my clinical work with clients, and inspired me to establish this practice to help others struggling with depression, mood, stress, and anxiety know that hope and wellness are possible — that through darkness can come greater light, wisdom, and wholeness.

Education & Training

I am have advanced clinical, research, business, and leadership training from the University of Maryland College Park, Children’s National Health Systems, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Kennedy Krieger Institute, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, and Harvard Business School.

My training has centered on providing evidence-based mental health treatment, behavioral and cognitive psychology, and clinical health psychology for children, teens, and adults. I am deeply grateful to have trained alongside exceptional clinicians and mentors who taught me what it means to provide thoughtful, compassionate care of the highest quality.

clinical psychologist training and education

I earned my master’s degree and PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park, in a clinical psychology program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). My doctoral training included pediatric psychology and behavioral medicine at Children's National Health Systems, as well as clinical psychology with children and adults through the University of Maryland Psychology Clinic. I completed my predoctoral clinical psychology internship at Kennedy Krieger Institute and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where I worked as a clinician at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. My training included evidence-based psychological assessment and treatment and interdisciplinary training through the LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) fellowship program. Following my doctorate, I completed a postdoctoral fellowship training at the National Institutes of Health, where I further developed my expertise at the intersection of clinical health, behavioral science, and psychological research at the federal level.

business & leadership education

I hold an MBA in Healthcare Management and Leadership from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and am currently attending Harvard Business School’s Program for Leadership Development (PLD). I am passionate about business and believe that it can be a positive vehicle to serve our community; this is what drives me in my role as founder and president of Hope+Wellness.

Clinical Research + Expertise

I have co-authored peer-reviewed scientific publications across top scientific journals and more than 40 peer-reviewed national conference presentations spanning depression in children, maternal depression, mood disorders, anxiety, irritability, parenting, life stress, child development, sleep, and psychophysiology. This scientific background informs the evidence-based care I provide today. My research has been published under my former professional name, Victoria Chialy Smith, in peer-reviewed scientific journals, including: Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, Psychological Medicine, Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, Sleep Medicine, Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, Child Development Perspectives, & Developmental Psychobiology. You can check out my research & peer-reviewed publications on Google Scholar here.

Certifications & Professional Distinctions

• Board Certified, Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology

  • A rigorous, peer-reviewed professional distinction held by fewer than 4% of licensed psychologists nationwide, reflecting an advanced level of specialty competence and a deep commitment to the highest standards of clinical excellence and evidence-based mental health care.

• National Register of Health Service Psychologists

  • Recognized for meeting comprehensive national credentialing standards for the practice of health service psychology.

• Psychedelic Therapy and Research Certification, California Institute of Integrative Studies

  • Specialized training in psychedelic-assisted therapies, psychedelic integration, research, ethics, and evidence-informed care. I care deeply about advancing and understanding innovative treatments for mental health. I am committed to helping clients thoughtfully navigate emerging treatments for depression and mental health with an emphasis on safety, scientific evidence, and ethical care.

Service

I am passionate about serving the mental health community and have supported health and mental health initiatives at the local, national, and federal levels. I previously served as Executive Board Secretary and Governance Chair for National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), Northern Virginia and on the Executive Board of Northern Virginia Clinical Psychologists (NVCP), a professional association of clinical psychologists in Northern Virginia.

Clinical Specialties

Depression & Anxiety

Many of the people I see are going through difficult seasons in their life and are seeking help and support to adjust and to make sense of it all. Life can be very difficult and bring with seasons of depression, pain, and darkness. I feel a deep connection to people going through times like this and am passionate about supporting people to find meaning and hope again. I believe one of the central questions of life is how to not only cope with pain, but to find ways to transcend it toward a greater sense of meaning and wholeness.

I also work with many people who are wrestling with life's most fundamental questions: Does my life have meaning? What is my life’s purpose? Does my life really matter? I support people in exploring these existential concerns with honesty and courage, creating space to examine these questions deeply to help inform the life you’d like to build for yourself.

Life Transitions, Stress & Adjustment Concerns

Whether you're starting college, entering a new relationship, becoming a parent, changing careers, grieving a loss, or entering a new chapter of life, major transitions can bring stress, anxiety, grief, uncertainty, and questions about who you are and what comes next.

There can be so much to process during these seasons. I believe in taking the time to understand what you're feeling and what this transition means for you, so that you can move forward with greater clarity, awareness, and trust in yourself.

I’m here to be by your side through it all. I’ve supported many people through complex life transitions, helping them make sense of what can initially feel confusing or overwhelming and find their way toward greater meaning, growth, and possibility.

Teens and Young Adults with Depression and Anxiety

I work with many teens struggling with depression and anxiety. It is one of my greatest passions. The reason for this is because I was once that teen. I understand firsthand how difficult it can be to overcome your own thoughts and moods. I also know how life-changing it can be to discover an inner source of strength and resilience that stays with you long after therapy has ended — for life.

Many of the teens and young adults I work with are bright and high-achieving. From the outside, they may appear to be doing well, while privately struggling with anxiety, depression, perfectionism, self-doubt, low self-esteem, academic pressure, or questions about identity and belonging.

I'm here not only to help your teen manage symptoms of depression and anxiety, but also to help them discover who they are and connect with the resilience already within them. Together, we'll explore their strengths, values, passions, and unique place in the world so they can begin making healthy choices that feel authentic and true to themselves.

My work with teens goes beyond simply treating symptoms. I want to help each young person discover their own inner voice of wisdom — an internal compass they can return to throughout life as they navigate difficult decisions, relationships, and times of uncertainty. I believe developing this inner compass is one of the greatest gifts we can help a young person cultivate. It becomes a source of stability that can guide them through life's inevitable challenges with greater confidence, resilience, and self-trust.

Because every young person is unique, I work collaboratively with parents and families to tailor therapy to your teen's personality, interests, strengths, gifts, and individual needs. Parents often come to me after searching extensively for the right therapeutic fit for their child. I place tremendous importance on developing a genuine, trusting relationship where your teen feels deeply seen, understood, and accepted — while also feeling safe enough to be challenged to explore the heart of what really matters.

In addition to working directly with teens, I collaborate with parents and offer practical guidance for supporting your child outside of therapy. When appropriate, I also collaborate with pediatricians, schools, and other members of your teen's care team so that they feel comprehensively supported.

high achieving professionals & executives

Many of my clients are highly accomplished professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders at the top of their fields. While exceptional at what they do, they may struggle with anxiety, burnout, chronic stress, perfectionism, depression, relationship challenges, and the pressures of leadership and achievement.

As a Johns Hopkins-trained, board-certified clinical psychologist with an MBA and executive education from Harvard Business School, I bring a background in both psychology and business to my work. As a business owner and leader myself, I also understand firsthand the many challenges that come with balancing professional responsibilities, mental health, and personal relationships.

Therapy for executives and professionals offers a dedicated, confidential space where the focus is entirely on you. It's an opportunity to slow down, gain deeper insight into yourself, recognize patterns that may no longer serve you, and make more intentional choices about your relationships, career, and life.

My hope is to help you develop greater resilience, self-understanding, clarity, and connection, so you can navigate professional challenges while living with greater authenticity, meaning, and personal fulfillment.

Areas of Clinical Expertise

depression, Anxiety, mood & Health

• Depression & Mood Disorders

• Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

• Bipolar Disorder & Cyclothymia

• Seasonal Affective Disorders

• Generalized & Social Anxiety

• Chronic Stress & Panic

• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

• Adjustment to Chronic Illness

teens & Young Adults

• Academic Stress

• Perfectionism

• High-Achieving Giftedness

• Adolescent Identity & Self-Esteem

• High Sensitivity, Creativity, & Finding Your True Voice

• Struggling to Launch (Young Adults)

• Quarter-Life Crisis

• Child Anxiety, Depression & ADHD

• Neurodivergence

High-achieving professionals & executives

• Executive Stress & Burnout

• High-Functioning Anxiety

• Perfectionism & Achievement Pressure

• Depression & Existential Concerns

• Leadership Stress

• Work-Life Balance

• Career & Life Transitions

• Relationships & Personal Fulfillment

Existential Concerns, Meaning & Spiritually Integrated Therapy

• Existential Depression & Identity Crisis

• Finding Life Meaning, Purpose, & Values

• Spiritually Integrated Therapy

• Grief, Loss, & Complex Life Transitions

more ABOUT ME

What I Like to do for Fun

In my free time, I enjoy hiking and spending time in nature. As anyone who has visited our offices knows, I LOVE interior decorating and have a passion for interior design. I enjoy creating spaces that promote a feeling of serenity, peace and wellness that is deeply felt, the moment you step in through the doors.

I believe…

light can be found in darkness. that there is a purpose to darkness and it is to help you connect to your inner light. I believe pain can be made sense of, that something meaningful can come from it. I believe there is something beautiful within you and the work of therapy is to help you connect to it. I believe in the power of creativity and voice in healing and transcendence.

What I love about working at Hope+Wellness

the sense of authenticity that everyone brings. The sincere care each person has for clients and the deep relationships that result. The sense of service to something greater. Unconditional positive regard, support provided not only to clients but with people on our team.

thoughts on psychotherapy

we look like humans but inside each of us is an entire universe. As a therapist, I see each client like an unfolding sunset, I can’t help but be in awe. It is with this energy that you will be met, with genuine support and unconditional positive regard. I think when therapists bring these qualities to the therapeutic relationships, as clients, it is like uncovering a dream long forgotten — we remember that place inside ourselves which is a place of security, safety, authenticity, love.

I love working with teens because…

I was once that same teen. I understand and remember what it was like, and yet survived and made it through. It is meaningful to me to now be able to work with teens to help them through the same things I once struggled with. It is like reaching across time. The moment I meet each person I work with, this connection is deeply felt.

I love working with executives because…

They are some of the most remarkable people I've had the privilege of getting to know. I'm continually struck by their drive, curiosity, resilience, and the depth of their experiences. Behind their accomplishments are deeply human stories, challenges, and hopes, and it's a privilege to be invited into your life.

Professional Associations and Memberships

American Psychedelic Practioners Association (APPA)
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)
American Psychological Association (APA)
DC Psychological Association (DCPA)
Maryland Psychological Association (MPA)
National Register of Health Service Psychologists
Northern Virginia Clinical Psychologists (NVCP)
Psychedelic Assisted Therapy and Healing (PATH)
Society for Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (APA, Division 53)
Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology (SSCP, APA Division 12, Section III)
Washington Independent Services for Educational Resources

Licensure

Virginia (0810005946)
Maryland (06230)
District of Columbia (PSY1001633)
California (PSY35157)
New York (28202)
PSYPACT Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT). Telehealth is typically limited to the state in which a clinician is licensed. However, I hold a special type of authorization to provide telehealth across 40+ states.

favorite QUOTES

Get ready, because everyone knows I am obsessed with quotes: