You Look Like You Have It All Together… but that’s Not How it Feels

Compassionate and effective therapy

Specializing in women’s issues, anxiety, depression, midlife transitions, trauma

‍ ‍IN-PERSON sessions in Old Town, Alexandria, VA. TELEHEALTH sessions across Virginia, Washington, DC and Maryland

You’re capable.

Responsible.

High-functioning.

Achievement focused.

The person others rely on.

At work. At home…

in every direction.

And from the outside, things may look fine. But inside, something feels off.

You’re managing your days. Showing up for everyone. But it’s taking more out of you than it used to and you’re tired of doing everything “right.”

Overwhelmed, but without a clear reason why. Disconnected from yourself or your life. Unsure what you need — but aware something isn’t working.

You Might Recognize Yourself If:

  • You’re holding everything together — but it’s taking more effort than it used to

  • You feel tired, flat, or emotionally stretched thin, even when you’re “doing fine”

  • You keep thinking: “Things are going ok … so why don’t I feel okay?”

  • There’s no crisis going on in your life — but something doesn’t feel right

  • You’ve spent years meeting all the expectations, and now aren’t sure what you want

From the outside, your life works. Inside, it doesn’t feel the way you expected it would.

Midlife Has a Way of Bringing Things to the Surface

Sometimes it’s a visible transition — Your career shifting, your children leaving, your relationships changing

Sometimes it’s accumulated stress —A sense of exhaustion, feeling fried

Sometimes it’s quieter — A flatness where energy used to be. A feeling you can’t quite name — and doesn’t go away

Sometimes you may wonder — Is this all there is? And then feel guilty for not being more grateful for what you have

These experiences are not uncommon in midlife.

They're also worth taking seriously.

Therapy offers something you may not have had in a long time (or ever)

  • A place where you don’t have to hold it all together.

  • A place to slow down, understand what’s happening beneath the surface, and then take steps from there.

Our work together will be steady, thoughtful, and at your pace.

This isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about understanding yourself more clearly — and finding a better way forward.

Who I Work With

Most of my clients are high-functioning, competent, thoughtful, dependable women and men.

They’ve built or are building careers —

They frequently carry (& try to balance) work and family responsibilities at once —

They may be raising families or help with elder caregiving —

They are used to figuring things out.

They are not necessarily in a crisis — but they want to live more fully, with more peace.

If something you’ve read here feels familiar, contact me for a brief, no-cost consultation call.

We can talk through what’s been going on and see whether working together would feel like a good fit for you right now.

Therapy with me offers a calm, steady place to slow down and understand what's happening for you, under the surface and out in the world.

Portrait of a woman with shoulder-length light brown hair, wearing a dark gray blazer and smiling at the camera.

Meet Susan Maguire

LCSW, PCC

Psychotherapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in VA, DC & MD

Hi! I'm Susan and I’m so glad you found my website.

I work with adults, and especially women in midlife, who are carrying more than they realize and feeling the weight. They’re the ones who keep it together for everyone else. They’ve built lives that look fine from the outside but are quietly wondering why it doesn't feel that way inside. And they may be experiencing anxiety, depression, and emotional fallout from difficult life “disruptions.”

My approach is calm, connected and grounded. I’ll help us slow things down, so you can understand what's happening beneath the surface, and reconnect with parts of yourself that have been needing your attention.

Therapy Can Help You

Understand your emotions | Make sense of things | Explore what you want | Get helpful support in moving forward