Who we are

District Clinical Services, based in Washington, DC, delivers comprehensive clinical services for providers looking to grow their expertise as well as individual therapy services for folks looking to deepen their individual growth. We provide thoughtful supervision and professional development for those pursuing LICSW, LPC, LPAT and ATR licensure. Our work is grounded in connection, integrity, and ethics, to build clinical excellence. Our mission is led by Danishka Y. Valdés, LICSW and Caroline Santilli, LPC.

Danishka and Caroline’s work together began 4 years ago while working at a DC nonprofit. Danishka joining first as a direct supervisor and then co-supervisor with Caroline to lead their team together. These roots have helped foster deep respect and understanding of each other’s work as well as a collaborative partnership. As a supervisory team, they have been able to lean on each other’s clinical strengths and guide teams with a vast background of knowledge and experience.

Two women walking along a paved path in an urban neighborhood with colorful Victorian-style houses and green trees in the background.
Young woman with dark curly hair smiling outside in front of a marble building with gold double doors and two small windows.
Young woman with dark curly hair smiling outside in front of a marble building with gold double doors and two small windows.

Danishka Y. Valdés, LICSW, LCSW, LCSW-C

Clinical Supervisor, Mental Health Coach & Therapist

With over a decade of experience across the social work landscape, Danishka brings a wealth of expertise to District Clinical Services. She holds a Masters in Social Work from Simmons University with a specialization in severe chronic mental health and substance use. Having navigated complex care systems within non-profits, hospitals, and educational settings. In addition to her work in high-acuity environments, Danishka has spent nearly a decade as a dedicated therapist and mental health coach.

Danishka is a multi-state practitioner, who is licensed as an LICSW in Washington, D.C. and Maine, an LCSW-C in Maryland, and an LCSW in Virginia. With more than four years of experience in clinical supervision, Danishka is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of clinicians. Danishka uses several modalities in her therapy practice, including, but not limited to, solution focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and CBT. Her approach is rooted in a lifelong passion for social justice and mental health advocacy, ensuring that clinical excellence is always paired with ethical, culturally-informed, and community-focused practice.

Danishka currently offers individual and group supervision, mental health coaching, individual clinical therapy as well as workshops and trainings to interested organizations.

Connect with me at dvaldes@districtclinicalservices.org

A woman with shoulder-length wavy hair, wearing a black t-shirt and jewelry, smiling outdoors in front of a white marble building with gold door and black-framed windows.
A woman with shoulder-length wavy hair, wearing a black t-shirt and jewelry, smiling outdoors in front of a white marble building with gold door and black-framed windows.

          Caroline Santilli, LPC, LPAT, ATR

Clinical Supervisor, Mental Health Counselor and Art Therapist

Caroline has been working as a counselor and art therapist in DMV area for the past eight years, developing a passion for the communities she has served. Caroline earned her Masters in Art Therapy and Counseling from The George Washington University and is independently licensed in both counseling and art therapy. Over the past eight years, Caroline worked within DC Public Schools, Nonprofits and private practice settings curating a passion for the intersection of community development and clinical work. Caroline’s clinical approach centers around providing integrated systematic support to clients of all ages on individual, family and community levels.

Caroline holds an LPC in both DC and Virginia as well as an LPAT in DC and an ATR national credential. As a clinician in training, Caroline experienced continual change in supervision which helped her see the vast differences in approach to clinical supervision as well as the need for consistent supervisory relationships that foster deep clinical growth. Caroline’s supervisory approach is focused on compassionate understanding of the individual’s strengths, development of ethical decision making and cultural understanding of communities served.

Caroline currently offers individual and group supervision as well as workshops and trainings for interested organizations.

Connect with me at csantilli@districtclinicalservices.org

Let’s Work Together

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!