James “Jay” Hardin, MSW, LCSW-C, MAC

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

James “Jay” Hardin was trained in DBT by Dr. Charlie Swenson, a leading national expert who for many years worked closely with Dr. Marsha Linehan herself. Jay combines this training with over 20 years experience working with teens and adults struggling with trauma, addiction, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder among other common and less common mental health issues. Jay has worked with individuals, couples, and families using DBT therapies as well as more traditional CBT and dynamic modalities. With broad-based experience in outpatient clinics, hospitals, and schools, Jay brings a wealth of experience to treating clients who come to the Bethesda Group for help.

Jay spent 12 years working at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where for 5 years he served as the Chief of the Addiction Treatment Service, providing care to active duty military, retirees, and their dependents. Jay treated junior and senior enlisted personnel, Officers, Flag Officers, and even members of congress. He also served as Chair of the Provider Wellness Committee, where he led the team supervising providers’ return to clinical practice following their own struggles with mental health and other medical issues.

Prior to working at Walter Reed, Jay served as a consultant to both public and private schools across the District of Columbia and Montgomery County, including Sidwell Friends, Gonzaga, Bullis, Landon, St. Albans/Cathedral School, Meret, BCC, St. Andrews, and many others. He also worked at Washington Adventist Hospital as part of the Intensive Outpatient team for both substance abuse and mental health disorders.

Jay has vast experience using DBT, CBT and Motivational Interviewing to build strong therapeutic relationships with both teens and adults in order to help them better understand themselves and their motivations. For over 20 years his gentle, patient, and evidence-based approach has helped clients live their best lives.