Therapist profile
Dr. Astra Brantley, Psychologist
Maryland
Psychologist - Relationships and Stress
Continue with AstraWhere Astra stands
- Credentials
- Psychologist
- License
- Psychologist, Maryland / 02035
- NPI
- 1114955648
- Experience
- 25 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- Maryland
About
- relationship problems
- stress and anxiety
- caregiver strain
About Astra
Dr. Astra Brantley is a Psychologist licensed in Maryland with 25 years of professional experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, depression, and compassion fatigue. Her practice also attends to caregiving strains, codependency concerns, blended-family questions, and aging and geriatric issues.
She treats each person as the expert on their own life and looks for strengths to build on. Sessions focus on practical steps and clear goals rather than jargon. Conversations are direct and paced to fit what the person needs that week.
Her approach is collaborative. She helps people identify patterns that keep them stuck and tests small changes to see what actually helps. That can mean learning clearer communication, rehearsing new boundary language, or practicing ways to manage strong emotions in the moment.
She has worked across clinical and community settings over two and a half decades. That background informs how she balances problem-solving with deeper reflection about family of origin, guilt and shame, or issues like infidelity and forgiveness. Multicultural concerns and life purpose are also part of her work.
Practical matters such as caregiver stress, loneliness, and the fallout from separation or disaster are discussed plainly. People who want straightforward, experienced guidance on relationship patterns and personal limits often look to her for help.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online sessions
She uses evidence-based techniques focused on practical change and emotional understanding. One common approach helps people spot repeated relationship patterns, name the triggers, and try small behavior changes to test what works. That approach is useful for people who keep putting others first or struggle with people-pleasing. Another approach focuses on skills for managing strong emotions and anxiety, teaching short techniques to reduce overwhelm and improve day-to-day functioning. These skills can be practiced between sessions to see real effects.Choosing the right method is part of the work together. She will discuss options and decide with each person which techniques fit their goals and preferences. That collaborative planning can include checking progress and shifting focus if something is not helping.
Session formats are not specified in the provided biography, so confirm the available online options before booking. Many people find that remote sessions make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Others like being able to use video to practice new communication skills in real time. The practical aim is to fit sessions into day-to-day routines so therapeutic work can move forward without added friction.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Maryland
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, depression, and compassion fatigue, plus related areas like codependency and caregiver stress.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She works in a collaborative, practical way that emphasizes strengths and small, testable changes rather than abstract theory.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 25 years of professional experience working in clinical and community settings.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Psychologist licensed in Maryland and practices with an emphasis on relationship and stress-related concerns.
Can people who speak other languages work with her?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
She is not accepting international clients at this time.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin the process?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe at home, use the crisis and helpline numbers.