Trauma Therapy in Washington DC

Cushing Counseling offers specialized trauma therapy to Washington DC residents through secure telehealth. Our therapists are trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic approaches, and trauma-informed care for PTSD, complex trauma, and sexual trauma.

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Trauma Therapy for DC Residents

Living and working in Washington DC can carry its own particular weight. High-pressure careers, a politicized environment, and the emotional demands of public service or advocacy work create a context where trauma — both personal and collective — can go unacknowledged for a long time.

At Cushing Counseling, our trauma therapists understand this. We work with DC clients who are high-functioning in their professional lives but carrying wounds that are quietly affecting their relationships, their sense of self, and their capacity to be fully present.

What We Treat

  • PTSD and post-traumatic stress symptoms

  • Complex PTSD (CPTSD) from childhood or relational trauma

  • Sexual trauma and sexual abuse recovery

  • Betrayal trauma and relational trauma

  • Religious and spiritual trauma

  • Workplace and institutional trauma

  • Grief and loss

  • Anxiety and depression rooted in traumatic experience

  • Body-based trauma responses (hypervigilance, numbness, dissociation)

Our Approach

Our trauma therapists use evidence-based, trauma-informed methods including:

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) — A gentle, parts-based approach that helps you understand the different voices and patterns inside you with curiosity rather than judgment. Particularly effective for complex and relational trauma.

  • Somatic Experiencing (SE) — Body-based trauma processing that helps release stored trauma from the nervous system.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — Restructuring the thought patterns that trauma leaves behind.

  • Narrative Therapy — Reclaiming your story and identity beyond the trauma.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will talking about my trauma make it worse? This is a very common concern. At Cushing Counseling, we never push clients to revisit traumatic material before they're ready. We work at your pace, and our approaches — especially IFS and somatic work — are specifically designed to process trauma without re-traumatization.

I'm not sure if what happened to me counts as trauma. Should I still reach out? Yes. Many people minimize their experiences because they don't fit a narrow definition of "big-T trauma." If something happened that still affects how you feel, think, relate to others, or experience your body — that's worth addressing. You don't have to justify your pain to receive support.

Can trauma therapy help with sexual intimacy issues? Yes, and this is an area where Cushing Counseling has particular depth. Trauma — especially sexual trauma — often affects intimacy, desire, and sexual functioning. Our practice combines trauma therapy and sex therapy expertise, meaning we can address both dimensions of your healing.

Start Your Healing

Book Your Free 15-Minute Consultation

Serving Washington DC clients via telehealth | IFS Level 1 Trained | CCTP-II Certified