I think Goldfish is great too. There’s a Silver Spring location too.

My son was the same as your DD. He is on his second set of lessons with Liz Coleson in Arlington, and the difference is astounding. When he started he panicked at any water in his face. Now we can’t keep him from diving for rings or submerging his face in the tub. He’s completed 12 30 min lessons and he is working in his front and side stroke across the pool. His younger brother is just starting and he is not making as quick progress, I think because he is just 5 and less adventurous. She is super expensive, but we justify it bc there is no way weekly classes were going to work (or we would have been paying for years) and we need him to know how to swim.

Aquatic stars in Takoma Park:
https://www.aquaticstars.com/

Coach Anna. My daughter was PETRIFIED of the water, and after trying multiple classes/lessons, Anna was the only one who made her comfortable in the water. She is now a year round swimmer at 13.

Good luck!

Private lessons at Kids First in White Flint. My daughter used to have lessons there, and we would notice other instructors working with a lot of fearful kids—an added bonus is that the water is really warm.

We go to Goldfish in Falls Church, off the beltway. DD had similar issues, she didn't want to put her face in the water. The first several lessons were getting her comfortable with what she wanted to do. The instructors were patient and worked with her. She came to the lesson one day and put her head in the water. The first lesson is free and they have weekend lessons so give them a try.

My 6 year old DD has had swim lessons in the past and is an okay swimmer but is very scared of going into water above her head and tends to panic and then start sinking. I don't want to force her and make her more scared but I'm feeling like she is too old to not be able to get in deeper. I'm looking for recommendations for a private instructor who can really work with her to get her over her fears. Or any other tips that others might have for this situation. We are in Bethesda but can travel into DC or close in VA if needed.