- Now Accepting New Clients -
Ongisa Ichile-McKenzie, LGMFT
Individual, Couples + Family Therapist
Welcome to our practice. I’m Ongisa, one of the specialists who works extensively with individuals and couples at the practice. If you’re currently experiencing distress or a disconnect in a relationship that genuinely matters to you, then I’m your person.
Problems aren’t always people centered. Your relationship with other things, such as work, school, money, food, shopping, and your body competes for your attention. Life constantly forces us to juggle our connections to loved ones along with our relationship with these things. It’s easy to get out of balance and need an adjustment. Sometimes you’ll discover that your relationship with something or someone was unhealthy for as long as you can remember. If you keep making the same mistakes or can’t find your way out of a particular unhealthy pattern then it’s time to schedule an appointment with me.
Helping people and couples is my most important work. I am a Marriage and Family Therapist with a specialty in human communication. I often find that communication breakdowns are at the center of unhappy romantic relationships. Poor communication can leave partners feeling unsafe, misunderstood, and exhausted.
In therapy, I help individuals identify any negative interactions and patterns they’ve fallen into that create distress. This often requires us to work through personal insecurities, anxieties, and past or present trauma. My work with couples also helps to establish a secure connection between partners. Whether you are single, dating, engaged, or in a life partnership, my work will provide a clear, structured path to help:
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Improve your communication skills
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Develop greater emotional intelligence and awareness
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Recognize and express your emotional needs more effectively
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Foster a secure attachment bond with your partner and family members
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Set and maintain healthy boundaries
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Make hard decisions with clarity and confidence
One of my missions as a therapist, former educator, and activist is to empower you to face your life and relationships challenges, one step at a time. Currently, you may feel powerless to make changes, but I’m ready to get in the fight with you and see to it that you are victorious.
Schedule an initial consultation or appointment with me If you are a person, couple, or family that is struggling with:
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Sadness
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Depression
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Stress
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Anxiety
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Loneliness
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Insecurity
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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Communication issues
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Trust issues
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Infidelity, cheating, or poor relationship boundaries
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Codependency
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Lack of intimacy or sex
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Growing apart
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Preparation for marriage (pre-marital therapy)
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Separation or Divorce
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Parenting issues
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Problems with In-laws
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Low self-esteem
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Body image issues
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Work performance
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Poor work/life balance
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Imposter syndrome
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Perfectionism
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Overthinking, racing thoughts, constant worrying
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Family conflict
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Financial worries
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Dating problems or heartbreak
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Social media overload
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Maintaining boundaries
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Grief or loss
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Caring for aging or sick family members
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Life transitions (changing schools, moving, welcoming a new baby)
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Sleep issues
Education
Touro University, MA Marriage + Family Therapy
Howard University, BA in Human Communication
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Licensure
Marriage and Family Therapist: Maryland
Cognitive Behavioral Tehrapy (CBT)
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Gottman Method
Hours + Rates
Tuesdays 9am-3pm, 6pm-7pm
Wednesdays 9am-3pm, 6pm-7pm
Thursdays 9am-3pm, 6pm-7pm
Individual Therapy
$165 First Assessment
$140 Standard Session
Couples Therapy
$185 First Assessment
$160 Standard Session
Family Therapy
$195 First Assessment
$170 Standard Session
Payment + Insurance Information
While Ongisa is not an in-network provider for any healthcare insurance companies, you may be eligible for reimbursement from your insurance company after attending counseling sessions. This means that you are responsible for paying the full fee at the time of each office visit, however, you may receive a portion of your payment back from your insurance provider after completing the appropriate steps.
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Covenant Therapy Group accepts all major credit cards as well as FSA and HSA cards.
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Scheduling and Communication
Clients may schedule appointments through our online scheduling portal or by contacting our administrative team by phone. Once an appointment is confirmed, a confirmation email will be sent to the email address on file. This email will include the telehealth session link and any required intake or consent forms. As a courtesy, reminder emails containing the telehealth link will be sent 48 hours and 24 hours before the scheduled session, along with an additional text reminder to the phone number on file.
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If an appointment is rescheduled or the time is changed, a new confirmation email with a unique telehealth link will be sent. Previous telehealth links become invalid and should be discarded, as each session requires its own secure, session-specific link.