Herb Lemke

(he/him)

LCMFT, 5 years of experience
No reviews yet

New to Grow

Authentic
Solution oriented
VirtualAvailable

With a seasoned background in military life, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with service members and their families—supporting them as they navigate the evolving landscape of military culture and its impact on relationships, identity, and transition. My twenty years of service as an Army chaplain shaped my understanding of resilience, loss, and the power of story in healing. Those experiences continue to inform my work as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and AAMFT Approved Supervisor. Whether you’re seeking support as an individual, couple, or family, I will walk alongside you as you re‑vision your story in ways that feel authentic and empowering. My approach integrates Narrative Therapy, Solution‑Focused Therapy, CBT, and Family Systems perspectives, always centering your voice and values. Together, we’ll explore the beliefs that have shaped your current story, gently deconstruct what no longer serves you, and open space for new, life‑giving possibilities. I believe therapy is a collaborative process—one that honors your lived experience and invites growth through curiosity and compassion. Our work will focus on listening deeply, identifying patterns that keep you stuck, and cultivating the kind of change that aligns with your preferred future. Whether you’re navigating transition, relational strain, or identity shifts, I offer a grounded, empathetic space where your story matters. It’s an honor to join clients in this process of re‑authoring their lives, finding coherence amid change, and discovering renewed meaning in the next page of their story.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Our first session is an opportunity for us to slow down, take a breath, and begin making sense of what brings you to therapy at this point in your life. Whether you’re coming in as an individual or as a couple, and whether your story is shaped by military life, transition, relationship strain, identity questions, or something harder to name, our time together will focus on creating a space where you feel heard, respected, and understood. I work with couples and individuals—including those navigating the unique demands of military culture—to re‑author their stories with clarity and care. My integrative approach blends Narrative Therapy, Solution‑Focused Therapy, CBT, and Family Systems perspectives. In our first session, you’ll experience how these approaches come together in a way that centers your voice and honors the complexity of your lived experience. We’ll begin by exploring what led you to seek therapy now. You’re welcome to share as much or as little as feels comfortable; there is no pressure to “start at the beginning” or tell your whole story at once. Instead, we’ll focus on the parts of your experience that feel most important today. I’ll ask gentle, open‑ended questions to help us understand the challenges you’re facing, the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and the hopes you have for change. If you’re coming as a couple, we’ll look at the relationship as a system—how each partner’s experiences, histories, and intentions shape the dynamic between you. If you’re coming as an individual, we’ll explore the stories you’ve been carrying, the beliefs that have taken root over time, and the ways those stories may be influencing how you see yourself and your future. Together, we’ll begin clarifying the goals that matter most to you. These goals don’t need to be perfectly formed; part of our work is shaping them collaboratively. You might be seeking relief from stress, a stronger relationship, support through transition, or a deeper sense of identity and purpose. Whatever your hopes are, we’ll name them together and begin outlining what a more preferred tomorrow could look like. Throughout the session, you can expect a calm, grounded presence. I’m not here to judge, diagnose you from across the room, or tell you who you should be. My role is to walk alongside you—to help you examine the stories that have shaped your life, identify the ones that no longer serve you, and open space for new possibilities. You’ll notice that I listen closely, reflect thoughtfully, and invite curiosity rather than pressure. By the end of our first session, you should have a clearer sense of what our work together will look like. We’ll discuss next steps, the pace that feels right for you, and how we can structure future sessions to support your goals. My hope is that you leave feeling understood, supported, and more connected to the direction you want your life or relationship to move. Therapy is a collaborative process, and the first session is the beginning of that partnership. You don’t have to have everything figured out before you arrive. You just have to show up as you are—and we’ll take it from there.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

The strengths I bring to our work together begin with a deep respect for your lived experience. I believe therapy is most effective when it is guided by your hopes—not by what I think is right, but by what wholeness and healing look like for you. My role is not to impose a direction, but to help you uncover the possibilities already present in your story and support you as you move toward the future you prefer. One of the core strengths I offer is a calm, grounded presence. Years of working with service members, couples, and individuals navigating complex transitions have taught me the value of steady, compassionate listening. I bring patience, curiosity, and a genuine commitment to understanding the world through your eyes. Clients often tell me they appreciate the sense of safety and clarity that emerges when they feel truly heard. I also bring a strong integrative clinical foundation. My work draws from Narrative Therapy, Solution‑Focused Therapy, CBT, and Family Systems approaches. This allows me to adapt to your needs rather than expecting you to fit a particular model. Whether you’re seeking practical tools, deeper insight, or a space to re‑author the stories that shape your identity and relationships, I tailor our work to support your goals. My background in military life adds another layer of cultural attunement for clients navigating service‑related stress, reintegration, identity shifts, or relational strain. Another strength I bring is a collaborative spirit. I see therapy as a partnership—one where your strengths, values, and intentions take center stage. I will ask thoughtful questions, highlight patterns that may be influencing your current experience, and help you notice the skills and resilience you already possess. Together, we’ll explore what is working, what feels stuck, and what new possibilities might emerge when your story is viewed from a different angle. I also bring a commitment to creating a therapeutic space that reflects dignity, respect, and authenticity. You won’t find judgment or pressure here. Instead, you’ll find a space where complexity is welcomed, where your emotions and experiences are taken seriously, and where your growth unfolds at a pace that feels right for you. I value transparency and collaboration, and I will always invite your feedback as we shape our work together. Finally, I bring a genuine sense of honor to this work. It is no small thing to be invited into someone’s story—especially during moments of transition, uncertainty, or pain. I hold that responsibility with care. My hope is that our sessions become a place where you feel supported, strengthened, and more connected to the life you want to build. I look forward to co‑creating a therapeutic space that reflects your strengths, your goals, and your preferred future.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

- couples, young, old, and in between, navigating life transitions - military, veterans, and their families navigating the challenges of military life - first responders - individuals battling anxiety, depression, self-worth, etc - individuals and couples navigating their family and faith narratives, and exploring what their own faith could look like - family systems work that explore patterns of behaviors

Specialties

Top specialties

Anxiety

Military/Veterans

Other specialties

Depression

I identify as

Serves ages

Licensed in

Maryland

Accepts

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Couples Counseling

Trained in a systemic approach, I deeply value helping couples find ways to create a shared narrative of "Us." Throughout my practice, I have seen couples learn to turn towards each other, fostering not just communication but also a commitment to building their own version of a healthy relationship. This method encourages individuals to redefine their relationship, allowing space for growth and shifting the focus away from problems.

Narrative

As a narrative thinker, I take pleasure in guiding individuals as we co-edit their stories and explore ways to contextualize their perceived challenges. One enlightening aspect of this process is recognizing that each of us has the power to craft our own narratives, writing with a pen that no one else should take away from us.

Faith based therapy

Serving for many years as a chaplain, I have witnessed firsthand the value of faith for a person's well-being. While wellness has many dimensions, I recognize the bio-psycho-social-spiritual model used by clinicians. This simply means I believe we must leave room for faith, as it allows many people to find deep comfort and strength.

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.