THERAPY SERVICES
We offer culturally-aware, trauma-informed individual and group therapy services. Sessions are held both in-person in our Washington, DC office and via HIPPA-compliant video conferencing software.
WE ARE CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS. PLEASE REACH OUT TO CONNECT WITH US!
WHAT TO EXPECT
Therapy can be a difficult and daunting undertaking. Exploring painful topics and working to make changes in your life can be exhausting. At TREC DC, we strive to make each client feel as comfortable and safe as possible in order to best address the challenges that have brought you to us. We will work together to identify how trauma is impacting you and will determine your targets for therapy, which may include anxiety, nightmares, difficulty in relationships, flashbacks, or feeling constantly "on guard" among other things. From there, we will create a personalized treatment plan to help you feel secure and in control of your treatment and your life. We will work together to determine how we can achieve your goals. Our job is to facilitate these processes using our expertise, while providing a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental setting.
Because we have multiple providers to choose from you can choose the provider you would like to contact. We have structured our practice in this way to allow for personal choice and to empower our clients. Please see our team page to learn more about our providers. If you have no preference you can contact us asking for the first available counselor or for more information here. Once you make contact, you will be sent basic information about our practice and asked to complete a brief questionnaire to help you decide if you would like to move forward with a brief phone consultation.
The best way to determine what therapy will be like is to schedule an initial consultation with a member of the staff. During this consultation, the clinician will ask you about what brings you to therapy and you can ask any questions you might have. Once you are working with a provider, it can sometimes take a few meetings to get to know one another. After several initial sessions your therapist will check in with you to discuss if you believe they are the right provider for you. If not, we will be more than happy to provide appropriate referrals to other trusted providers at TREC DC or in the community. If you would like to continue to work together, we welcome ongoing feedback and open communication about ways to strengthen our relationship and improve the therapeutic process.
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
At TREC DC all of our clinicians are trained in and specialize in delivering evidence-based practice for trauma survivors. Evidence-based practice includes the use of evidence-based therapies (EBT’s) for PTSD and other conditions that are sometimes diagnosed after experiencing traumatic events. EBT’s for PTSD are a time-limited approach to therapy that often requires practice work between sessions (for more information, please watch the informational videos on our resources page) that we adapt as needed to be culturally responsive.
However, we recognize that there is no “one size fits all” therapy, and that true evidence-based practice includes a collaborative discussion and decision-making process to identify therapeutic approaches that will work best for each individual. Further, we acknowledge that psychiatric diagnoses and research-based therapies have histories marred by oppression and are products of Western colonialism. Our therapists are committed to having direct discussions with clients regarding the potential benefits and limitations of various therapeutic approaches, and we are committed to learning new approaches as they become available.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
In addition to trauma-focused individual therapy, we offer adjunctive or stand-alone cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-i) to help individuals struggling with insomnia. TREC CBT-i treatment consists of 6-8 telehealth (virtual) sessions of evidence-based therapy to help individuals who experience significant difficulties getting to sleep and/or staying asleep that interfere with day-to-day functioning. We are able to provide these sessions at a reduced rate of $30/session as part of our training program - meaning that these sessions will be provided by a TREC DC trainee under the supervision of a licensed TREC DC clinician.
GROUP THERAPY
Trauma can cause us to feel isolated and distant from others and because trauma is often not discussed, it can be easy to feel alone in what you are experiencing. Group therapy is a wonderful and healing way to understand that you are not alone and that what you are experiencing is normal. Group can also be an effective place to practice connecting with others or being around others, if these are things that have become challenging for you. Please see below to find out about what groups are currently running and upcoming.
GROUP OFFERINGS
MINDFULNESS MONDAYS
We welcome you to practice mindfulness and create community with TREC DC! Open to those completely new to mindfulness as well as those who have been practicing for years, TREC DC’s new (free!) “Mindful Mondays” workshop is designed for anyone 18+ who has experienced trauma and is interested in learning about and practicing mindfulness in a virtual community. Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention, on purpose and without judgment, to the present moment. Facilitated by TREC DC clinicians Dr. Aysha DeSilva and Joan Oduyoye, each week will include brief education about mindfulness and the relationship to trauma healing and stress management, followed by a mindfulness practice and opportunity to ask questions and reflect about the practice. The workshop is free, and zoom link will be provided upon registration, with “drop-ins” welcome (no weekly commitment needed). Please note: this workshop does not include discussion of trauma memories or experiences.
Open to individuals 18+ who have experienced trauma
When: Mondays from 12:00 to 1:00 pm
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Group Facilitator: Dr. Aysha DeSilva and Joan Oduyoye
Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trec-dc-mindful-mondays-tickets-347145450387?aff=erelexpmlt
TRAUMA & PTSD INFORMATION WORKSHOP
This workshop will cover basic information about symptoms and common reactions to trauma, as well as treatment options for those who have experienced a recent trauma as well as those who have been living with trauma for longer. The workshop will include some basic coping skills that can be used during times of overwhelming emotion or strong re-experiencing symptoms. Fees can be reduced or waived if cost is a barrier.
When: One-time session offered on the 2nd Thursday of each month
Where: Zoom
Cost: $10/session
Group Facilitator: Dr. Lea Didion
Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trec-dc-trauma-ptsd-information-workshop-tickets-195273597587
GRIEF AND LOSS: THE JOURNEY OF A GRIEVER
Led by a BIPOC clinician, this is a 4-session, weekly virtual group that will help members better understand the grief process and gain tools to help navigate grieving. Fees can be reduced or waived if cost is a barrier.
When: Four weekly, 90-minute sessions beginning Thursday, January 26th at 6:30 pm
Where: Zoom
Cost: $25/session (or $75 for all four sessions if paid in advance)
Group Facilitator: Joan Oduyoye
Click here to register
Please contact us for additional information.
WOMEN OF COLOR CIRCLE
Led by a BIPOC clinician, this is a 1-time, 75 minute, virtual workshop for Women of Color providing attendees with supportive discussion, psychoeducation on racial trauma, and trauma-informed resources. Fees can be reduced or waived if cost is a barrier.
When: Thursday, February 23rd at 7 pm
Where: Zoom
Cost: $40
Group Facilitator: Dr. Aysha DeSilva
Click here to register
Please contact us for additional information.
FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COUPLES THERAPY
Trauma does not only impact the individual who experiences the trauma. The broader family and support system can be significantly impacted by a loved-one experiencing a traumatic event or PTSD and other related conditions. We offer education and supportive sessions for significant others, family members, or friends who would like to understand more about the impact of trauma and how to support their loved one. Contact us for more information on scheduling personalized sessions and to learn about upcoming family & friend support groups and workshops.