Meet Our Therapists

Desirée L. Israel, PhD(c)
LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW, CBS

Founder + Clinical Director

MotherlandCo., LLC was founded by Desirée L. Israel, who recognized the need for culturally-affirming mental health care. Desirée has personal and professional experience with the unique challenges faced by those experiencing reproductive concerns, racial trauma, and life transitions. She is passionate about creating a practice that would provide compassionate and effective care to those who need it most.

She is clinically licensed to practice in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. 

Desirée has over 15 years experience in child welfare and reproductive health. She is a trained birth + postpartum doula, herbalist, and certified breastfeeding specialist. She serves as an Assistant Professor and Practicum Director at Alverno College and is a PhD candidate in Social Work at Widener University. In 2017, Desirée co-founded the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color, a program within Postpartum Support International, to bridge the gap in perinatal mental health support services for birthing persons, providers, and communities of color.

Desirée navigates the world as a Black, fat, queer, femme, woman, mother & partner.

Desirée's approach to therapy centers on empowering and validating your lived experience and prioritizing your agency in the healing process. She is not only committed to promoting reproductive justice but also the dismantling of oppressive & racist structures that disproportionately harm communities of the global majority.

Desirée accepts self-pay and the following insurances:

BCBS, Cigna/Evernorth, Aetna, UHC/Optum & MD Medicaid