Safe Space Counseling Services is an online counseling practice based in Maryland, led by a dedicated and diverse team of multilingual mental health professionals. Safe Space was founded with a clear mission: to enhance mental wellness across Maryland and to raise awareness about the various pathways to achieving mental health stability.

Safe Space Counseling Services understands that each individual is unique, and that what works for one person may not work for another. That’s why they create a safe, welcoming environment where clients can share their stories, explore their experiences, and gain a deeper understanding of how these experiences shape their past, present, and future. The team is committed to equipping clients with a variety of techniques and approaches to support their mental health journey.

The practice is dedicated to making mental wellness accessible to all. They recognize the demands of daily life and believe that busy schedules shouldn’t be a barrier to seeking help. Safe Space Counseling Services is always ready to offer support whenever it’s needed.

Core Values

Inclusivity
Safe Space Counseling Services is committed to ensuring equal access to mental health and wellness for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, background, or color.

Connection
The team doesn’t just acknowledge diversity—they celebrate it. They stand firmly against all forms of discrimination and are dedicated to fostering meaningful connections.

Genuineness
The relationships formed with clients go beyond the professional realm. The team invests in understanding, listening, and connecting on a deep level, building trust that ensures every client feels truly seen and supported.

Resilience
The practice believes in the strength that comes from diversity. The team offers a broad range of ideas, insights, and approaches to help clients navigate life’s challenges with resilience and determination.

Meet the Providers

Alice (XiaoRan) Zhao, LCPC
Alice Zhao is the founder of Safe Space Counseling Services and brings 7 years of experience as an Asian therapist committed to providing culturally sensitive support to individuals and couples. Her approach includes Brainspotting, Parts Work, and CBT, focusing on helping clients work through trauma and patterns that impact their lives. For couples, Alice uses the Gottman Method and has completed level 2 training in this specialized therapy.

Emily Lamoreaux, M.S., LGPC
Emily Lamoreaux is a sex-positive therapist and yoga teacher (RYT 200), specializing in mindfulness-based, trauma-informed care. She focuses on ADHD and neurodivergence, trauma, grief, non-traditional lifestyles, LGBTQIA+ concerns, and life transitions. Her therapy is grounded in deep respect for individual experiences and a strong commitment to multicultural awareness.

Aanchal Mohanty, LGPC
Aanchal Mohanty’s therapeutic approach is rooted in respect and curiosity, with the goal of building a collaborative relationship that enhances clients’ quality of life. She utilizes evidence-based practices such as Relational Cultural Theory, CBT, and ACT, and has experience in treating depression, anxiety, OCD, relational issues, and AuDHD in adults.

Mark (QingYuan) Wang, LGPC
Mark Wang believes in the power of “in-sight”—gaining new perspectives on oneself, others, and the world. His approach combines Person-Centered Therapy, CBT, and ACT to help clients deepen their self-understanding and emotional experiences.

Brandi Grier, pending LGPC
Brandi Grier has experience working with young people aged 5-18 and is eager to support clients of all ages. Her goal is to build a genuine, trust-based relationship where clients feel empowered. As a woman of color, Brandi emphasizes equity and cultural responsiveness as both a priority and a way of life.