Meet the Team
my story
Maxine Bouldin, LMSW
Hi there! I’m Maxine Bouldin, a Licensed Master Social Worker. I work with teens and adults across DC and Maryland who are experiencing difficulty with relationships, life transitions, self-image, anxiety, and depression. My goal is to help you reduce your feelings of overwhelm, loneliness, burnout, and excessive worry so you can get back to crushing your goals.
My Journey To Becoming a Therapist
I was raised in a household that strongly prioritized love of neighbor, generosity, and kindness; and I hold these values very close to me in my personal and professional life. I first noticed a knack for walking with others through difficult situations as a teenager. After getting out of a difficult relationship that left me with a lot of healing to do, I found myself stumbling upon opportunities to help others find their own ways out and make strides toward healing.
Having some of the same experiences allowed me insight into where they were coming from and helped me show them patience, compassion, and understanding. In college, I learned more about healthy relationships and endeavored to share my learnings with my community. After college, I joined the United States Peace Corps in the Republic of Moldova, where my favorite part of my service was cheering “You got this! Look at you go!!” while seeing the look on someone else’s face when they realized just how capable they were of accomplishing their goals.
Eventually, I realized that I cannot imagine doing anything that doesn’t first and foremost involve serving and connecting with others. This has been my core motivation for as long as I can remember, and it has never steered me wrong. I chose to become a social worker because of the emphasis on how a person’s environment impacts their mental health and overall well-being, and I believe the individual themselves is the expert on their own lived experience. Often, it feels like the folks I work with teach me more than I could ever teach them. It is an honor to do this work.
Our Sessions Are Focused On You
Transitions are inevitable and constant. Some feel manageable and some feel like you’ll never get over the hump. Whether you are feeling frustrated and hurt by your religion, experienced the death of someone close to you, ended a relationship, or joined a new one, your transitional struggle and overwhelm are valid and worthy of time and attention to overcome the pain and confusion of what to do next.
My intention is to create a space that is warm, bright, and casual. Comfortable in a way that feels like you are talking to someone you’ve known for years. I think laughter is not only welcomed in the therapy space, but invited and often necessary. I want to be your cheerleader – that person in your corner, building you up to see the potential life that you desire and supporting you as you grasp it.
I use an integrated therapy approach where I pull from techniques and modalities such as Trauma Focused CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing, with the most importance being placed on what is most helpful for you in that moment. I am committed to checking in with you as we go to make sure we are on the right track.
As A Therapist, I Embrace The Following Philosophies
- I believe that empathy can change the world
- I believe that you deserve to feel better
- I believe that you are worthy of love and care
- I believe that there is no shame in asking for help
- I believe that you can feel safe and free in your relationships with yourself and others
Let’s Discover How I can Help
Many of my clients say things like “I wish I was more confident,” “I really suck at telling people how I truly feel,” “Something big just happened and I feel overwhelmed and frozen as to how to handle it or what to do next,” or “I feel stuck in a job or a relationship because I’m too scared of the ‘what if’ and uncertainty.”
Perhaps you worry that people in your life are mad at you constantly, or you worry about always needing to say and do the “right” thing. Maybe you are not feeling up to socializing at all and wish you could stay in bed all day. We are constantly told by society how we “should” be or feel and sometimes this feels inauthentic and impossible. Jumping into new chapters of your life can feel scary, especially when there is unnecessary pressure to do it “perfectly.”
I’m here to tell you that you’re not alone and that healing is possible. Let’s figure out what works for you and make that happen – together.
Professional Background
I received my Bachelor of Arts in Religion and the Arts and Music Business from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. There, I learned to notice and appreciate the way the unique traditions, art, music, and entertainment we love can inspire, motivate, and heal us. Afterward, I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer and deepened my understanding of the impact of culture, language, and social context on a person’s life experience. Most recently, I graduated with my Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University, where my studies focused on trauma recovery and international social work. Now, I use these skills to foster a mindful, effective, individualized therapeutic experience.