Therapy in Washington, DC
Washington, DC is a city of remarkable ambition, constant change, and hidden weight. Whether you work inside federal agencies, navigate the shifting landscape of policy and advocacy, manage the pressures of a high-stakes career, or simply live in a city that never quite slows down, the mental and emotional toll of life in DC is real, and it's common.
At Full Self Psychotherapy, we use an integrative, evidence-based brain and body approach to help adults and teens reconnect with themselves, process what's held them back, and create change that actually lasts.
- Trauma therapy and PTSD treatment
- ADHD therapy for adults and teens
- Anxiety therapy and nervous system support
- Self-esteem and identity work
- Teen therapy
- Therapy intensives
How many of these struggles can you relate to?
- Constant self-doubt and perfectionism leave you stuck, paralyzed, and with tightness in your chest or a knot in your stomach.
- Difficulty trusting yourself and others makes forming real connections feel impossible, leaving you tense and uneasy.
- Unresolved trauma and flashbacks pull you back into the past, triggering anxiety, a racing heart, or heaviness in your limbs.
- Struggling to set boundaries and prioritize yourself leaves you burnt out and resentful, with exhaustion you carry in your back and neck.
- Focusing on everyday tasks feels impossible, and you wonder if ADHD might explain why everything feels so overwhelming.
- Past painful experiences still cast a shadow, showing up as intrusive memories, difficulty trusting others, or a constant sense of being on edge.
You're in the right place.
How We Can Help
At Full Self Psychotherapy, we use a mix of approaches to help you reconnect with yourself. Sessions are collaborative and centered around what you need. We'll explore how the past shows up in your present, process what needs healing, and find practical tools to help you move forward.
Rather than pushing insight or forcing progress, we focus on creating safety, trust, and nervous system regulation so healing can unfold sustainably.
Our goal is to help you feel confident and build meaningful connections, not just manage symptoms. For clients who have tried therapy before and felt like nothing really changed, this integrative, brain and body approach often makes the difference.
Schedule a free consultation
Therapy can help you...
A clearer, calmer mind
Feel more in control of your emotions, even in tough moments, and get to know yourself better with real self-compassion.
More emotional openness
Set and stick to healthier boundaries, and feel more connected to yourself and others, building real, meaningful relationships.
A body that feels safe
Feel more in tune with your body, find relief from past struggles, and experience a greater sense of balance and ease.
And SO much more...
Mental Health Services in Washington, DC
We provide individual therapy for a range of concerns that frequently bring DC-area clients to our practice.
Trauma Therapy
Trauma doesn't always look the way people expect. Using EMDR, IFS, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, we help you reprocess triggers, reconnect with your body, and release the patterns that have kept you stuck, at a pace that feels right for you.
Learn more about trauma therapy
ADHD Therapy
If you've been diagnosed, or suspect a diagnosis, and want more than a medication review, we can help. We work with the emotional experience of ADHD: the shame, the chronic self-criticism, the relational patterns, and the identity questions that come with a brain that works differently.
Learn more about ADHD therapy
Anxiety Therapy
High-achievement environments like those common in DC can create or intensify anxiety in ways that are hard to separate from "just how things are here." We help you understand and work with the parts of yourself that carry anxiety's story, so it loses its grip.
Learn more about anxiety therapy
Self-Esteem Therapy
Some of the most successful people in DC carry a persistent, private sense that they aren't enough. Therapy for self-esteem addresses the deeper internal patterns that formed your sense of worth, and we work toward the confidence and connection that's possible for you.
Learn more about self-esteem therapy
Teen Therapy
Adolescence in a high-pressure environment like DC creates a particular set of challenges. Our teen therapists specialize in working with adolescents navigating anxiety, identity, academic pressure, and family transitions, with approaches that are age-appropriate and genuinely effective.
Learn more about teen therapy
Therapy Intensives
Experience faster breakthroughs with focused, personalized therapy intensives designed to jumpstart your healing journey. Perfect if you're ready to dive deep and start feeling real relief sooner, without the stop-and-start of weekly sessions.
Learn more about therapy intensivesWho We Typically Work With in DC
Our clients are not defined by diagnosis. They're defined by a shared desire to understand themselves more deeply and change more fundamentally. In Washington, DC, we frequently work with:
Federal employees and government contractors
Navigating workplace stress, identity questions, and the weight of politically volatile environments.
Attorneys, lobbyists, and policy professionals
Managing chronic high-stakes pressure and the erosion of personal life under demanding careers.
Nonprofit and advocacy workers
Experiencing burnout, vicarious trauma, or mission-identity conflicts that are hard to name.
Adults with late ADHD diagnoses
Seeking to understand themselves beyond the diagnosis and build strategies that actually fit their brain.
Individuals in transition
Career changes, relationship shifts, identity work, or navigating the move to or from DC.
Teenagers and young adults
Whose developmental work is complicated by high-pressure environments, social intensity, and academic demands.
Meet Our Therapists
Whether you're an exhausted people-pleaser, a close-to-burnt-out professional with high-functioning anxiety, or just stuck, we are here to help.
Margot Lamson
LICSW (she/hers)
Margot is a trauma-focused therapist who specializes in working with people for whom talk therapy hasn't been enough. With over 13 years of experience, she uses an integrative, evidence-based brain and body approach to help clients move out of patterns that feel stubborn, overwhelming, or hard to change.
Learn More About Margot Here!
Molly Michael
LMSW (she/hers)
Molly provides therapy with a warm, collaborative, and client-centered approach. She serves clients 18+ in DC, Virginia, and Maryland, specializing in life transitions, anxiety, depression, and trauma. She draws on advanced training in IFS and EMDR to help clients build resilience and move toward meaningful change.
Learn More About Molly Here!
Brendan O'Connell
LMSW (he/him)
Brendan provides therapy with a warm, authentic, and collaborative approach. He serves teens and adults in DC, MD, and VA navigating relationship struggles, self-worth challenges, and the weight of past experiences. He draws on IFS, EMDR, and Somatic Experiencing and meets clients in-person and via telehealth.
Learn More About Our Team!In-person therapy in Washington, DC
- Location 1350 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 1030, Washington, DC 20036
- Neighborhood Dupont Circle. Walkable from Adams Morgan, Logan Circle, U Street Corridor, and Georgetown. Accessible by bus and bikeshare.
- Metro Dupont Circle station, Red Line
- Hours Monday through Saturday, 8:30am to 6:00pm
- Telehealth Available throughout Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland via secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform.
- Fees VERIFY: Confirm current fees before publishing. Margot: $265 / 45 min. Molly: $200 / 45 min. Superbills provided for out-of-network reimbursement. Contact us to discuss options.
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Ready to get started?
Here's what to expect.
Book a free consultation: Call or email us to schedule a free 20-minute consult.
On the call: We'll ask about your goals, answer any questions, and make sure it's a good fit on both sides.
Next steps: Join us for online or in-person therapy and begin your journey of growth and healing.
Virtual Therapy: Healing from the Comfort of Home
Life is busy, and carving out time for therapy can feel like just another stressor. That's why we offer virtual therapy, a flexible, accessible option designed to fit seamlessly into your routine.
Imagine settling into your favorite chair, a warm drink in hand, your pet by your side, and starting your session from the privacy of your own space. Many clients find it easier to open up when they're in a familiar environment, free from the pressures of commuting or worrying about being seen at a therapy office.
Virtual therapy offers all the same benefits of in-person sessions, with added convenience and confidentiality. You can save time, avoid transportation hassles, and focus entirely on your healing. Your sessions will be held over a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform, ensuring your privacy and safety every step of the way.
Learn more about virtual therapy
FAQs about Therapy in Washington, DC
What types of therapy does Full Self Psychotherapy offer in Washington, DC?
Full Self Psychotherapy offers trauma-focused, evidence-informed individual therapy for adults and teens in Washington, DC. Specialties include trauma therapy (with EMDR and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy), ADHD therapy, anxiety therapy, self-esteem work, and teen therapy. Therapy intensives are also available. Sessions are offered in person at our Dupont Circle office and via telehealth throughout DC, Virginia, and Maryland.
Do you accept insurance for therapy in Washington, DC?
VERIFY: Update with accurate insurance and fee information before publishing. We provide superbills for clients who want to seek reimbursement from out-of-network insurance benefits. Many PPO plans offer partial reimbursement for out-of-network mental health services. We recommend calling your insurer to confirm your benefits before getting started. Contact us to discuss fees and options.
Does Full Self Psychotherapy offer telehealth therapy for clients in Washington, DC?
Yes. Full Self Psychotherapy offers virtual therapy for clients located anywhere in Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland. Virtual sessions are held over a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform and offer all the same benefits as in-person sessions. Many DC clients, especially those with demanding work schedules, find it easier to open up when they're in a familiar environment, free from the pressures of commuting.
What is EMDR therapy, and how is it used to treat trauma?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based approach that helps your brain reprocess and heal from trauma by using bilateral stimulation, like guided eye movements. This taps into your brain and body's natural ability to heal, helping distressing memories shift from emotional overload to a more balanced, calm state. As the brain reprocesses these memories, you can experience lasting relief from anxiety, trauma, depression, and other unresolved issues. At Full Self Psychotherapy, EMDR is often used alongside IFS and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for a comprehensive, mind-body approach to healing.
Do you provide therapy for ADHD in adults and teens in Washington, DC?
Yes. Full Self Psychotherapy works with adults and teens navigating ADHD, including people who received a late diagnosis, people who have always suspected ADHD but were never formally assessed, and young people who are struggling with focus, emotional regulation, or the transition to more independent life. We work with the emotional experience of ADHD, not just the symptoms, helping you build strategies that actually fit how your brain works and address the self-esteem and anxiety that often come along for the ride.
How is Full Self Psychotherapy different from other therapists in Washington, DC?
At Full Self Psychotherapy, we use a mix of approaches to help you reconnect with yourself. EMDR helps you reprocess triggers. Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps you understand and work with the parts of yourself that have been trying to protect you, even when they carry pain or doubt. And with Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, we'll explore how your body holds onto past experiences. Sessions are collaborative and centered around what you need.
What should I expect in a first therapy session at Full Self Psychotherapy?
Your first session is all about getting to know each other and creating a safe, comfortable space for you to be yourself. We'll talk about what brought you to therapy, your goals, and any challenges you're facing. There's no pressure to jump into heavy topics right away. We'll move at your pace. Your therapist will share more about their approach and how you can work together to help you feel seen, heard, and supported.
Do you work with teens? What age range do you accept?
Yes. Full Self Psychotherapy works with teens as well as adults. VERIFY: Update with your specific age range before publishing. Our teen therapists specialize in working with adolescents navigating anxiety, academic pressure, identity, trauma, and ADHD. Sessions are structured with age-appropriate approaches while maintaining the clinical depth that characterizes all work at the practice. Parent involvement is discussed and calibrated individually based on the teen's age and needs.
What are therapy intensives, and are they available in Washington, DC?
Therapy intensives are extended, focused sessions designed to jumpstart your healing journey. Instead of weekly 50-minute sessions, you work in longer concentrated blocks, allowing for deeper processing without the constant stop-and-start. EMDR is highly effective in an intensive format. In fact, we typically don't conduct EMDR sessions under 90 minutes to start, because we find it more ethical to allow enough time for the brain and body to engage fully in processing. Intensives are available in Washington, DC and are especially helpful for clients with demanding schedules or those ready to dive deep. Visit our therapy intensives page to learn more.
How do I get started with therapy at Full Self Psychotherapy in Washington, DC?
Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact page to schedule a free 20-minute consultation. This is a chance for you and your therapist to connect, talk about what you're looking for, and see if we're a good fit. If you decide to move forward, your first session can be either in person at our Dupont Circle office or virtual through a secure platform. We'll get started on your goals from there!
Suggested: Dupont Circle neighborhood or DC scene
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Full Self Psychotherapy offers trauma-focused, evidence-informed therapy for adults and teens in Washington, DC, specializing in trauma, anxiety, ADHD, and self-esteem, with sessions available near Dupont Circle and via telehealth throughout the DMV area.
We use an integrative, brain and body approach, including EMDR, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and IFS, to help you move out of the patterns that feel stuck and into the life you actually want to be living.
A safe, affirming space for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC clients. We are committed to ongoing learning and cultural humility at Full Self Psychotherapy.
Schedule a free consultationFull Self Psychotherapy does not provide crisis services. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in immediate danger, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. For crisis support, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. The Crisis Text Line is available by texting HOME to 741741.