Malikah Duncan, LMFT

Malikah Duncan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in Washington with more than 20 years of clinical experience. She has supported people across a broad range of settings including telehealth, private practice, community mental health clinics, hospitals, military bases, detention centers, and schools, bringing a breadth of experience to each therapeutic relationship.

Her work spans many presenting concerns such as depression, anxiety, grief and loss, relationship and parenting challenges, school and career transitions, substance use, self-esteem issues, and the effects of trauma or abuse including domestic violence. She has often worked with clients from diverse socio-economic backgrounds and has particular experience with people of color, young adults, families, and couples, sometimes serving as a community liaison on their behalf.

Colleagues have recognized Malikah for strong interpersonal skills, thorough assessment and diagnosis, and clear professional writing and organizational abilities. She has been acknowledged for teamwork and effective crisis management, and she is known for investing extra effort when clients need additional support. Her clinical toolbox includes Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Narrative Therapy, and she is certified in Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) and Motivational Interviewing. Malikah approaches therapy with flexibility, respect, sensitivity, and compassion, avoiding stigmatizing labels and tailoring dialogue and treatment plans to each person’s unique needs. She aims to support and empower those ready to pursue change and greater well-being.

Evidence-informed approaches adapted for online therapy

Malikah Duncan often integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into online sessions. CBT helps people identify unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and develop practical skills to manage symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and difficulties with sleep or anger. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is another approach she uses - ACT emphasizes accepting difficult emotions while clarifying personal values and taking meaningful action, which can be helpful for stress, life transitions, and coping with persistent difficulties. Malikah also draws on client-centered principles, offering an empathic, nonjudgmental therapeutic stance that supports self-exploration, self-esteem, and relational concerns.

Choosing the right method is part of the therapeutic process. Malikah collaborates with each person to determine which approaches best match their goals, needs, and preferences, and she adjusts the plan over time as progress and challenges unfold.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing flexibility for those managing work, family, or mobility constraints. These formats make it possible to maintain continuity of care and fit therapy into a busy life while working with licensed professionals trained to adapt evidence-informed techniques to remote delivery.