A Fresh Start Therapy is a progressive behavioral and mental health counseling practice located in Washington, D.C. Focused on individual self-improvement, we believe that no matter the struggle, our clients can achieve a better tomorrow.

From a child’s behavioral issues in school to a relationship or family conflict, our experienced staff will get to the root causes and prepare clients for a positive future.

Along with self-pay options, we work with various public and private insurance providers to ensure you or your loved ones get the attention you need and deserve.

Please note: This page contains photos of some of the team members of A Fresh Start Therapy. They are pictured with their families and stakeholders from their communities.

A Fresh Start Therapy Ebony Lea
A Fresh Start Therapy Bret Family
A Fresh Start Therapy Bret Family

A Fresh Start Therapy specializes in addressing:

  • Depression
  • Mood Disorders
  • Eating Disorders
  • Child and Adult ADHD
  • Grief
  • Anger Management
  • Peer and Domestic Relationships
  • Spiritual Development
  • Employment Issues
  • Women’s Issues
  • Medical Challenges
  • Educational and Behavioral Problems in Children and Teens
  • Coping with New Family Dynamics

A Fresh Start Therapy uses a wide range of treatment methods, including:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
  • Motivational and Life Coaching
  • Play Therapy
  • Trauma Therapy

About the Founder

Ebony N. Lea, LCSW, has been helping children, adults, and families in the D.C. area since 2003.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Ebony has been a counselor, clinical program staff supervisor, and a front-line advocate for youth mental health. She’s received specialized training in child abuse and neglect, trauma systems therapy and play therapy. Currently, Ebony is a student in the Somatic Experiencing Program. Somatic Experiencing is a trauma-based therapy that focuses on processing trauma by exploring sensations in the body. She is expected to become a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner by fall of 2019.

Ms. Lea graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore, receiving a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a dual concentration in nonprofit management and clinical practice. The University also honored her with the Mark Battle Scholarship, awarded to students demonstrating leadership in the nonprofit sector.

A member of the National Association of Social Work, Ms. Lea incorporates her diverse professional experience in administration, community organization, and clinical services into A Fresh Start Therapy’s daily practices. When she’s not busy helping individuals and families achieve a higher degree of mental health, Ms. Lea enjoys dancing, shopping and traveling. Ebony has daytime and evening availability on varying days throughout the week. Feel free to schedule your appointment here.

Team Members

Bret Zdanowicz

Bret Zdanowicz is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Washington, DC and New Jersey. Bret graduated from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, where he obtained both his graduate degree in Social Work and his undergraduate degree in Sociology.
Bret has over 10 years of experience in a variety of settings and with a diverse clientele, including both long-term and brief interventions. Bret has experience working with diverse populations in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Bret also has experience providing individual and group therapy to both children and adults. Bret has primarily focused his work with the most underserved populations; particularly the homeless population; economically disadvantaged; individuals with severe mental illness diagnoses; and substance abuse issues.
Bret incorporates a variety of therapeutic approaches with an emphasis on problem focused treatment. Bret’s therapeutic styles include; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Therapy and Mindfulness Therapy. During his free time, Bret enjoys remaining active and spending time with his wife and daughter.
Bret has evening and weekend availability. Feel free to schedule your appointment here. today.

Sam Broderick

Sam Broderick, LGSW, has over 15 years social work experience, varying from non-profit management, state government, workforce training, research, program development, health education/sexuality, and residential/direct care services. She has a strengths-based and humanistic approach to supporting client growth, balancing playfulness and accountability.

Sam’s social work career started with forming non-profit peer-to-peer networks as a young adult, and building resilient networks for homeless youth and young people in and from foster care. She created a Safe Space program for queer youth in foster care in New Jersey, and has worked around the country to build collaborative projects between young people, families, and service providers. She believes the foundation of good practice is in creating safe and affirming environments, and has particular experiencing working both to keep youth from entering residential treatment and to support their return to community after leaving.

Sam earned her Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University in 2007, and has continued to pursue post-degree specialty training with a focus on trauma interventions for diverse populations. She is currently a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner in Training, a body-based approach to trauma resolution. Sam continues to learn and contribute to the field, and has collaborated on several publications, including co-authoring Flux: Life After Foster Care, an no-nonsense yet compassionate handbook on the emotional transitions of young adulthood. When she’s not passionately geeking out about social work, she can be found reading, gardening, gaming with friends, or working on some sort of participatory community art project. Sam is available on weekdays and some evenings. You may schedule an appointment with Sam by sending an email to [email protected] .