Meet Your Therapist

Hey, I’m Bria Anderson (she/her), a licensed clinical social worker and founder of First Thought Therapy based in Maryland. I work with individuals, teens, families, and couples who are navigating the real-life stuff—anxiety, trauma, burnout, relationship stress, life transitions, and all the messy, layered things that come with being human (and especially with being Black, Brown, a woman, or just plain overwhelmed).

As a Black woman and therapist, I create a space where you don’t have to over-explain who you are. You can bring your full self—skepticism, hope, humor, messiness—and I’ll bring tools, reflection, honesty, and a lot of care. I truly believe therapy doesn’t have to feel stiff or clinical. We’ll talk like real people and work together to figure out what healing looks like for you.

I earned my MSW from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and have worked in hospitals, schools, and private practice settings. I draw from a range of evidence‑based approaches—including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment‑Based work, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution‑Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)—to tailor each session to your unique needs and goals.

Whether you’re carrying generational trauma, drowning in perfectionism, or just trying to keep it together without reading 12 more self-help books—you’re in the right place. My goal is to help you feel more grounded, more at peace, and more connected to yourself and the life you want.

Established in Maryland but I see clients virtually in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Colorado.