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Kumi Pledger

Therapist · Maryland

Kumi Pledger

LCPC

Compassionate, practical counseling for life stressors

Continue with Kumi

Review online therapy options on BetterHelp.

  • Goal focused
  • Bilingual English Japanese
  • LCPC Maryland

About Kumi

Kumi Pledger is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) based in Maryland with ten years of clinical experience. She focuses on helping people reduce worry, sleep better, and regain more enjoyment in daily life. Kumi works in both English and Japanese and accepts international clients. Her sessions are grounded in practical, approachable methods. She draws on attachment-based ideas, client-centered listening, cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical skills, and emotionally-focused work. Kumi aims to help people notice patterns, try small changes, and build new habits that support well-being. Kumi often helps with stress, anxiety, depression, and grief. She also supports people coping with trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy concerns, parenting challenges, and career-related issues. Other areas she addresses include sleep problems, addictions, caregiver stress, attachment wounds, and gender dysphoria. Her style is compassionate and respectful. She listens for strengths and uses clients' own experiences to guide change. Sessions tend to be collaborative and practical, with focus on skills people can use between meetings. Clients can expect to work on concrete goals at a comfortable pace. Kumi helps people break problems into manageable steps, practice new ways of responding, and track small successes. For anyone facing life changes or persistent worry, she offers steady support and clear tools for moving forward.

Areas of expertise

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesCareer difficultiesBipolar disorder

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPhobiasPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

10+ years

Credentials

Maryland

Languages

English, Japanese

Approaches to Try in Online Sessions

Kumi often blends attachment-based work with client-centered listening and cognitive behavioral techniques. Attachment-based work focuses on how early relationships shape current patterns, helping people understand and change ways they connect and react. Client-centered work centers the person's own experience, with the therapist following their lead and reflecting what matters most in the moment. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviors, teaching practical skills to reduce worry, lift mood, and improve sleep.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Kumi collaborates with each person to figure out which methods fit their needs and goals. She will discuss options, try approaches in session, and adjust the plan based on what feels most helpful.

The biography does not list specific remote formats, so confirm current session options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit counseling into a busy life by reducing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins when schedules are tight, and letting people choose a quieter time between commitments. Licensed professionals can use these flexible arrangements to deliver the same practical skill-building, reflection, and goal work that happen in person.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Kumi address?

She works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, sleep problems, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting and career concerns, and related struggles.

What is her general therapy style?

Kumi uses a compassionate, respectful, and practical approach that highlights clients' strengths and focuses on small, doable changes.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has ten years of experience providing counseling to people with a wide range of concerns.

What credentials and region should I know about?

She holds an LCPC license in Maryland and practices from that state.

Which languages are offered for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English and Japanese, and she accepts international clients.

What session formats are available?

The original biography does not specify session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.

How are costs handled?

Fees vary with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

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