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Dr. Gwendolyn Drake, Psychologist

Experienced mental health professional

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

At a glance

Gwendolyn is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.

4.5 stars
Clients are very satisfied with Gwendolyn. View 42 reviews
Speaks English
Offers Telehealth visits
Licensed in Virginia, Tennessee, and 1 more

Recent reviews

This was my first time doing therapy and she made it very easy and she quickly help me look at my situation and give advice.

Reviewed December 2024

Dr. Drake is awesome. She has helped me establish boundaries with people and moved me away from my people pleaser personality. She has also assisted me in coping with stress related to caring for an elderly father and negotiating employment-related issues.

Reviewed December 2024

More about Gwendolyn

  • 18 years' experience
  • Female
  • Psychologist

I believe that a sense of compassion is essential in dealing with life's challenges, and I take my work and my clients seriously. Seeking help is difficult enough, and it's my job to make the process easier by offering my clients a warm, empathic, and safe place to address their challenges and concerns. If you are struggling with a particular issue, or simply looking for a safe place to express yourself, I'm excited to begin the process with you.

I am a clinical psychologist with 17 years of experience, and am currently licensed in Virginia, Tennessee and Arkansas. I was excited to join the BetterHelp team because I have always believed that mental health services are more effective in a range of formats, and in a manner that makes them accessible anytime and anywhere. My areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, trauma, stress and adjusting to many of the challenges life throws our way. I utilize a client-centered approach (meaning that YOU are the expert on you) that will allow you to identify your own strengths and resources, as well as cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness-based and dialectical behavior therapeutic approaches.

I look forward to speaking with you!

Specialties

Stress Anxiety Trauma and abuse Depression Coping with life changes Relationship issues Family conflicts Grief Intimacy-related issues Anger management Self esteem Compassion fatigue Adoption and foster care Aging and geriatric issues Communication problems Control issues Divorce and separation Domestic violence Emptiness Family problems Forgiveness Guilt and shame Impulsivity Infidelity Isolation / loneliness Life purpose Veteran and Armed Forces Issues Money and financial issues Mood disorders Multicultural concerns Narcissism Postpartum depression Post-traumatic stress Prejudice and discrimination Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling) Self-love Sex addiction Sexual assault and abuse Women's issues Workplace issues Young adult issues

Treatment Approaches

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Client-Centered Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Mindfulness Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Solution-Focused Therapy
  • Trauma-Focused Therapy
  • Internal Family Systems

Licenses

Dr. Gwendolyn Drake's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1871859066.

  • Psychologist · Virginia · 0810004452 · Expires June 2025
  • Psychologist · Tennessee · 3537 · Expires January 2025
  • Psychologist · Arkansas · 202222 · Expires June 2025

About online counseling

Affordable.
Pay a low flat fee.
Convenient.
Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
Available now.
There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.

Online counseling allows you to receive care from a mental health practitioner via phone, video chat, or instant messaging. It is convenient for those who may have trouble getting to or would prefer not to have in-person therapy appointments. Starting at $65 per week, online counseling is generally more affordable than in-person counseling. A study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley found that online counseling can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy while being more convenient, affordable, and accessible.

Reviews for Dr. Gwendolyn Drake

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

4.5

42 reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Clients mention: Helped Great Understanding Helpful Amazing Comfortable Listens Professional Recommend Caring

This was my first time doing therapy and she made it very easy and she quickly help me look at my situation and give advice.

Reviewed December 2024

Dr. Drake is awesome. She has helped me establish boundaries with people and moved me away from my people pleaser personality. She has also assisted me in coping with stress related to caring for an elderly father and negotiating employment-related issues.

Reviewed December 2024

Dr. Drake was very understanding and kind,had many suggestions for me. She’s very easy to talk to

Reviewed November 2024

She is great at listening and then talking through your issues with great questions. She is calm and balanced and seems to know what she’s doing !

Reviewed August 2024

She was very helpful! Appreciate her input!

Reviewed August 2024

Great therapist

Reviewed August 2024

Dr. Drake is an empathetic and excellent therapist who has helped me establish and maintain boundaries. She also helped me successfully cope with three major life changes.

Reviewed July 2024

Dr. Drake is focused when we're talking, is sympathetic and compassionate. She's very soothing to me too. Very calming.

Reviewed July 2024

Dr. Drake, She is an active listener, She is helpful, compassionate, and caring.

Reviewed June 2024

I am very pleased with my sessions with Dr. Drake. She understands me and encourages me.

Reviewed April 2024

I have been seeing Dr. Drake for a couple of years now. Initially it was to process trauma and past that, she has been just as helpful to help me talk through every day struggles. She is quick to communicate when scheduling, and very accommodating with my schedule. She has truly helped me through so much and I continue to feel heard and helped :)

Reviewed April 2024

Dr. Drake is an empathetic and insightful therapist. She has helped me navigate complicated personal and professional challenges.

Reviewed March 2024

Dr. Drake is very kind and knowledgeable and I really enjoy our sessions.

Reviewed January 2024

She is very good at what she does. She was easy to talk to.

Reviewed December 2023

Dr. Drake is very focused during our sessions and very client oriented/driven. We can be focused on a specific thing that we planned to discuss, but she can tell and will ask if something else is weighing on my mind even more at the time. She is flexible and very aware. She is SO genuine and it is SO refreshing. She takes great notes and constantly repeats things back to me for clarification and understanding. I am rarely anxious for my sessions like I was with previous therapists, because she actually HELPS with the anxiety and shame and stress, which is what therapy and counseling is supposed to be. Another major thing I appreciate about her is that she gives tough love--she will make sure I check my motives, my thoughts against myself and see a bigger picture, not constantly be stuck in the moment. She is the real deal.

Reviewed November 2023

Dr Drake is the best . I love when we have our sessions. Normally when I go into my session I’m full of myself and feeling overwhelmed but after my sessions I always come out relaxed and at ease. And the worksheets she provide as well seems to help & her overall feedback. Very caring and open-hearted.

Reviewed July 2023

Fantastic all-around. A perfect mix of laid back and blunt.

Reviewed March 2023

Dr. Drake was always on time, very understanding and compassionate during our Sessions. She also provided me with several tools to help me work through my anxiety, self-care, and actually heard what I was saying even when I didn't know how to say it clearly. She is Awesome!

Reviewed March 2023

Dr. Drake is an amazing therapist. She’s intelligent, insightful, and a pleasure to talk to. She made what I thought would be a scary experience, a pleasure. I’ve already recommended her to some of my friends!

Reviewed February 2023

Dr Drake doesn’t just hear you but listens. She asked thoughtful questions that shows she is listening and probes to uncover additional information you may not have thought was relevant. Very kind and empathetic without feeling judged.

Reviewed January 2023

Dr. Drake has been a calming and stabilizing influence during my grieving. She listens intently, is non-judgemental, knows how to compassionately offer guidance, and makes me feel like she's got my back. I enjoy each session and count her as an important enabler to me building my new solid foundation for myself.

Reviewed January 2023

Dr. Drake is an amazing listener and makes you feel comfortable from your very first interaction with her. I’ve not had many sessions with her, but I can already tell she is excellent at what she does. Not only that, but you can easily tell she does actually care about her clients from the very first meeting with them. I would recommend Dr.Drake to anyone!

Reviewed December 2022

Great therapist!

Reviewed December 2022

Dr. Drake is kind and she really listens. I didn’t have many sessions with her but she has an open and friendly demeanor.

Reviewed September 2022

Dr. Drake is personable and supportive, providing several strategies and worksheets that effectively breakdown the session at hand. I leave her sessions feeling seen and rejuvenated to tackle another week.

Reviewed September 2022

I always appreciate how much Dr. Drake validates my experiences and thoughts, it’s really reassuring to have someone do that! I also love that she can joke with me but also give me sound advice and help me see perspectives outside of myself!

Reviewed August 2022

Thank you Dr Drake. I really appreciate you as my therapist

Reviewed August 2022

Dr. Drake is easily the best therapist I have ever gone to. Now don’t take that lightly. She is one of the few I have interacted with that have spoken with such direct truth into my situation to help me grow. She is extremely understanding, calm, professional, but also warm and inviting. She gave me so many different tools at my disposal to work with and cope with my mental heath issues and trauma. She has helped me to live a normal live again. Now again don’t take this lightly, as someone who struggled with trust issues she has helped me to feel comfortable. With that she has taught me how to love myself, and isn’t that way we are all here?

Reviewed August 2022

Dr. Drake is very patient, is a good listener, and gives good advice. Out of the other therapist she has made me feel comfortable to talk to and able to take her advice without being offended.

Reviewed May 2022

She’s awesome!

Reviewed April 2022

Dr. Drake is very professional and amazing. I get hyped up every week getting to talk to her. It just sets me up for an awesome week! Definitely recommend. Thank you!

Reviewed April 2022

Dr.Drake is amazing. I was able to voice my situation without interruption and was provided some very helpful information to make better choices for me. I absolutely love being under her care. I look forward to our sessions!

Reviewed April 2022

I enjoy working with you and is confident that you will help me throughout my journey.

Reviewed February 2022

She is so helpful and honest

Reviewed January 2022

Dr. Drake is attentive, compassionate, and knowledgeable. She has helped me learn to reinforce boundaries and provided me with a different perspective on the life events that I am experiencing that brought me to therapy.

Reviewed December 2021

Dr. Drake is a great listener and speaker. She is there when you need her and always responds in way that makes sense. I would recommend Dr. Drake to anyone.

Reviewed December 2021

Best therapist. Hands down.

Reviewed November 2021

Not sure what to expect or what I was getting myself into. I'm grateful for Dr. Drake's patience and ability to breakdown and simplify questions and or understanding. Takes the time to ensure she understands your needs and will ask frequently to ensure consistency.

Reviewed November 2021

I was immediately comfortable talking to her.

Reviewed November 2021

Dr. Drake comes across as professional, patient and kind. I am looking forward to working with her more.

Reviewed November 2021

She’s is wonderful, will help me work around my busy schedule and resolve my issues with many different ideas

Reviewed November 2021

Dr. Drake is an exceptional counselor. She listens attentively and ensures that I am heard. She has positive feedback and is very understanding. I would highly recommend Dr. Drake.

Reviewed November 2021

How was your experience with Gwendolyn?

Frequently asked questions

Does Dr. Gwendolyn Drake offer telehealth visits?

Yes. Dr. Gwendolyn Drake works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.

What language(s) does Dr. Gwendolyn Drake speak?

Dr. Gwendolyn Drake speaks English.

How many years of experience does Dr. Gwendolyn Drake have?

Dr. Gwendolyn Drake has 18 years of experience.

Where is Dr. Gwendolyn Drake licensed to practice?

Dr. Gwendolyn Drake is licensed to practice in Virginia, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

Does Dr. Gwendolyn Drake accept clients outside of the United States?

No, Dr. Gwendolyn Drake does not accept clients outside of the United States.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."

What treatment approaches does Dr. Gwendolyn Drake offer?

Dr. Gwendolyn Drake offers clients Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems.

How can I communicate with Dr. Gwendolyn Drake?

Dr. Gwendolyn Drake can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.

How do I get started with Dr. Gwendolyn Drake?

Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.

Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.

And recovery is possible.

Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video

When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.