Trauma Therapy in Washington, D.C., Virginia & Maryland
Trauma is not just a memory. It lives in your body, in the tightness in your chest before a difficult conversation, the knot in your stomach when someone raises their voice, the way your heart races when something feels too familiar.
Schedule a Free ConsultationAt Full Self Psychotherapy, we work with people throughout Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland who are ready to understand why their nervous system responds the way it does, and who want to find a path forward that doesn't require reliving every painful detail.
Trauma therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy designed to help you process and heal from experiences that have left an imprint on your mind and body. Whether your trauma is linked to a specific event, an accident, a loss, an assault, a medical crisis, or to a lifetime of difficult experiences like childhood neglect, emotional abuse, or growing up in an unpredictable home, the effects can show up in ways that feel confusing or even embarrassing.
You might not understand why certain situations send you into a spiral, why intimacy feels unsafe, or why you can't stop second-guessing every decision you make. That's not weakness. That's your nervous system doing what it was designed to do.
How Trauma Affects the Body and Mind
Your brain and body have spent many years adapting to stressors and building up ways to protect you. As we get older, our situations tend to change. We usually have more control over our environments and an ability to cope that we didn't have when we were younger.
But in times of stress, your body might not know the difference. It may go into its default mode of trying to protect you from danger, even when that danger isn't there anymore.
This can feel very apparent, like being activated by something that reminds you of a prior trauma. Or it could be more subtle, like feeling shame, not good enough, or "too much" in a situation. You may be carrying trauma if you notice:
- Constant self-doubt and perfectionism that leave you stuck, with tightness in your chest or a knot in your stomach
- Difficulty trusting yourself and others, making real connection feel impossible, leaving you tense and uneasy
- Flashbacks or intrusive memories that pull you back into the past, triggering a racing heart or heaviness in your limbs
- Struggling to set boundaries and prioritize yourself, leaving you burnt out and resentful
- Emotional numbing or shutdown, or swinging between overwhelming emotion and feeling nothing at all
- Creative blocks that hold you back from reaching your potential, making you feel weighed down
Healing from your past is possible. Together, we'll help you reconnect with your body and mind, finding safety and strength to move forward.
How We Can Help
At Full Self Psychotherapy, we use a mix of approaches to help you reconnect with yourself. Sessions with our clinicians 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.
EMDR
EMDR will help you reprocess triggers by tapping into your brain and body's natural ability to heal. Using bilateral stimulation (i.e. guided eye movements, light tapping, or buzzing stimulation), your therapist helps distressing memories shift from emotional overload to a more balanced, calm state. You don't have to relive what happened to heal from it.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
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. Developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, IFS helps you get to know these parts, like the perfectionist, the inner critic, or the anxious part, understand their roles, and heal the deeper wounds they might be protecting.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
With Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, we'll explore how your body holds onto past experiences. This somatic approach works at the intersection of body and mind, helping you notice and work with physical sensations tied to traumatic experiences, without relying solely on verbal processing.
Trauma Therapy Can Help You...
- Feel more in control of your emotions, even in tough moments
- Get to know yourself better and build self-compassion
- Set and stick to healthier boundaries
- Feel more connected to yourself and others, building real, meaningful relationships
- Feel more in tune with your body, find relief from past struggles, and experience a greater sense of balance
And SO much more...
Even if you're not sure whether what you're experiencing qualifies as trauma, that uncertainty itself is worth exploring. You don't need a diagnosis to benefit from trauma-informed care.
Schedule a Free Consultation
What to Expect in Trauma Therapy
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.
We believe the therapeutic relationship is itself a healing experience. Many people who have experienced relational trauma find that the experience of being seen, respected, and not judged by a therapist is part of what allows healing to happen.
Looking for faster progress? We offer Therapy Intensives, a condensed format that dives deep and helps you break through stuck patterns more quickly. Many clients experience major shifts after just one intensive, especially with EMDR.
Change is possible, and you don't have to do it alone.
We're here to help you find your way to a life that feels better and more you.
Schedule a Free ConsultationIn-Person Therapy in Washington, D.C.
We see clients in person at our Dupont Circle office in the heart of Washington, D.C. It's a warm, private space designed to help you feel at ease from the moment you walk in.
Therapy for Adults
In-person trauma therapy for adults at 1350 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 1030, Washington, DC 20036. Monday through Saturday, 8:30am to 6pm.
Learn more about therapy for adultsTherapy for Teens
We also work with teens navigating trauma, anxiety, and identity. Our clinicians are trained to create a safe, non-judgmental space for younger clients.
Learn more about therapy for teensVirtual 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. 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 Trauma Therapy in Washington, D.C.
What can I expect from my first session?
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.
How do I know if I have trauma?
The truth is, everyone experiences some degree of trauma in their life. Trauma doesn't always mean a major event; it can also come from things like growing up without enough emotional support or dealing with chronic stress. How trauma affects us varies, depending on our resilience, support systems, and how we process emotions. It might show up as self-doubt, perfectionism, emotional numbness, or feeling disconnected from others. If you're not sure if what you're experiencing is trauma-related, that's okay. We can explore it together in a safe, supportive space.
How do I know if trauma therapy is right for me?
Trauma therapy can be helpful if you're struggling with things like anxiety, flashbacks, emotional numbness, or a sense of being "off" without knowing why. If you're finding it hard to move past certain memories or if past experiences are affecting your daily life, trauma therapy can help you start processing and healing. Even if you're not sure if you have trauma or if therapy is the right step, we can talk about it together and decide what's best for you.
How long can I expect to be in therapy?
The length of therapy depends on your needs and goals. Some people make progress quickly, while others choose longer-term work for deeper, lasting change. Almost every client we've worked with has felt some relief after the first session, whether from feeling truly heard or sensing that change is on the way. We'll regularly check in to make sure our approach is working for you.
If you're looking for faster progress, we offer therapy intensives that dive deep and help you break through stuck patterns more quickly. Many clients experience major shifts after just one intensive, especially with EMDR.
How do we get started?
Getting started is simple. Reach out to us through our contact page to schedule a free 15-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!
Do I need to talk about my trauma in detail to heal?
No, you don't need to talk about the details of your trauma to heal. While talking can be a part of therapy, it's not necessary for healing to occur. Our approach includes techniques like EMDR and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, which allow you to process and release trauma through the mind-body connection, often without the need for detailed storytelling. You'll be guided to a place where you feel safe and supported, and we'll work at a pace that feels right for you.
What are the signs that I might benefit from trauma therapy?
Signs that trauma therapy may help include persistent anxiety or hypervigilance, difficulty trusting others, emotional numbness or disconnection, intrusive memories or flashbacks, and physical symptoms without a clear medical cause such as chronic tension, digestive issues, or fatigue. These responses are not character flaws; they are your nervous system's learned adaptations to experiences that felt threatening or overwhelming. If these patterns are interfering with your relationships, work, or daily life, a trauma-informed therapist can help you understand what's driving them and develop a path toward regulation and healing.
What is the difference between EMDR, somatic therapy, and talk therapy for trauma?
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they lose their emotional charge. Somatic therapy focuses on how trauma is stored in the body, using breath, movement, and body awareness to release tension patterns held in the nervous system. Many trauma therapists, including those at Full Self Psychotherapy, draw from more than one approach, tailoring treatment to how each individual's trauma shows up.
Do you offer telehealth trauma therapy in Virginia and Maryland?
Yes. Full Self Psychotherapy offers telehealth trauma therapy to clients throughout Virginia and Maryland via a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. In-person sessions are available at our Dupont Circle office in Washington, D.C. Contact us to discuss which format is the right fit for your situation.
If you are an exhausted people-pleaser, a professional running on fumes, or someone who feels stuck despite trying everything, Full Self Psychotherapy in Washington, D.C. was built for you. Their team of three therapists uses a blend of EMDR, IFS, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy to help adults and teens across D.C., Virginia, and Maryland finally move through trauma, anxiety, ADHD, and low self-worth in a way that sticks. Sessions are available in person at their Dupont Circle office or virtually from wherever feels most comfortable.
Full Self Psychotherapy does not provide crisis services. If you are in crisis or need immediate support, please call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room.