Trauma Therapist in Washington DC


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Trauma Therapist in Washington DC | Trauma Resolution Therapy That Goes Deeper

You’ve been carrying something for a long time.
Maybe you don’t remember all the details, but something happened—something painful—and your body hasn’t forgotten. A smell, a sound, or a glance can trigger a rush of emotions, and suddenly you’re reliving the experience as if it were happening all over again.

If this sounds familiar, you might be dealing with symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or the lingering impact of unresolved trauma. These responses aren’t random—they’re your brain’s way of protecting you. Trauma locks your nervous system into survival mode, and without the right support, that mode never fully shuts off.

The good news? Healing is absolutely possible. And you don’t have to do it alone.

Trauma Therapy in Washington DC That Helps You Feel Safe, Seen, and Strong Again

In my trauma-informed practice, we’ll use a personalized, compassionate approach to help you:

  • Calm your nervous system and feel more grounded

  • Understand and process past experiences

  • Reconnect with your sense of self-worth

  • Build tools for safety, trust, and emotional regulation

One method I often use is Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR)—a highly structured process that helps you revisit and process traumatic memories in a safe, contained way. Based on behavioral and psychoanalytic principles, TIR supports long-term emotional relief by reducing the intense charge of past experiences.

This is not about retraumatizing yourself—it’s about gaining distance, understanding, and eventually peace.

Does This Sound Like You?

Maybe you’ve tried to move on. You stay busy, push through, tell yourself “it wasn’t that bad.” But your body keeps reminding you otherwise. Trauma isn’t just something that happened—it’s how your nervous system adapted to survive.

Clients I work with often say they:

  • Feel anxious or numb without knowing why

  • Struggle with self-doubt or trust issues

  • Avoid intimacy or over-give in relationships

  • Replay painful experiences over and over

  • Work hard to keep others happy, but neglect their own needs

  • Frequently engage in painful relationship dynamics that leave them feeling drained or rejected

You are not broken. You’re responding to what you’ve been through. And you can find a different way forward.

In our work together, we’ll use proven methods from the many therapeutic approcahes to treat trauma. One of the ones we use the most is Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR), a method based on elements of psychoanalysis and behavioral therapy. TIR is intended to help people process traumatic memories and reduce their negative emotional impact. Over time, you’ll learn how to safely process what happened, reduce emotional reactivity, and reconnect with the version of yourself who feels calm, grounded, and whole. We will decide together if that is the right strategy for you or we will need to use other tools to process.

Trauma doesn’t just impact memories—it affects how you see yourself and others. Maybe you’re successful on the outside, but inside you feel like you’re constantly questioning your worth. You try to move forward, stay busy, push through—but the past keeps echoing in your life and your relationships.

The trauma is not what happen, is the story and the mark, not only in your mind but even in your body. For that reason, our therapeutic work will also have a somatic approach.

You’re ready for something different

You’ve done your best with self-care, personal development, or maybe even past therapy—but it hasn’t quite clicked. You know something deeper needs your attention. Furthermore, you want to understand yourself better, to stop feeling like you're broken or stuck, and to finally feel like your past isn’t in the driver’s seat anymore.

That’s where trauma therapy comes in.

I believe that the things we’re most afraid to talk about are often the exact places where healing begins. But we won’t rush there. Together, we’ll first create a foundation of trust and safety—with tools to help you stay grounded as we move at a pace that feels right for you.

You don’t have to carry this alone anymore

Trauma therapy isn’t about reliving the past—it’s about releasing its hold on your present. If you're ready to take that next step, I’m here to walk beside you.

Let’s begin your healing journey, together.

Why Work With Me?

Maria Alfonso, LPC, LMHC Counselor in DC, VA and FL Specializing in Relationships, Sexual Health and Trauma Resolution

I am a trauma treatment expert who has

Contact me for a free virtual consultation for counseling

I know it can feel like a big step to contact a counselor, but I’ll make it easy. I provide an initial 30-minute virtual consultation free of charge. Schedule it directly here or send a text to 202-716-9409.

We’ll spend 30-minutes discussing what you are looking for, and I will let you know how or if I can help. If we are not the right match, I’ll do my best to get you to the right person.

Contact me for your free consultation for online counseling if you live in DC, Virginia or Florida. My specialties include relationships, breakups, sexual health, living with HIV/AIDS, trauma and PTSD.

Add me to your calendar

Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling with Maria Alfonso

  • My sessions are a safe and supportive space to explore your emotions, identify patterns, and work towards healing and growth. We’ll create a personalized plan tailored to your goals.

  • I am moving my practice out of managed care. I currently offer out-of-pocket services and do not accept insurance payment. However, I can provide a superbill that you may submit to your insurance provider (in case you have it) for potential reimbursement

  • I provide my services mostly via telehealth. Limited in person appointments at my Friendship Heights office may be available. Contact me for availability and conditions.

  • My session fees are $195 for 50 minutes of individual therapy, $245 for 50 minutes of couple therapy and $90 for 90 minutes of group therapy. Please contact me for details about my current rates, longer sessions or intensives and options of saving with sessions packages.

  • The length of therapy depends on your unique goals and challenges. Some clients find relief and clarity in a few sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. We will elaborate your treatment plan together and you will have a better idea after the first couple of sessions.

  • The best way to know is by scheduling a free consultation. This gives us the opportunity to discuss your needs and determine if we’re a good fit.

  • Absolutely. Many clients find virtual therapy just as effective as in-person sessions. Through secure, video-based platforms, we can establish a strong connection and create a safe, supportive environment where you feel comfortable sharing. Virtual therapy offers the same high-quality, personalized care, with the added convenience and accessibility of meeting from your own space. It’s especially helpful for clients with busy schedules, those in remote areas, or anyone seeking flexibility in their mental health care.

 

 

Telehealth Counseling with

Maria Alfonso

 

Virtual and/or in-person for DC,

 

Telehealth only for Virginia and Florida


Contact me today for your free 30-minute virtual consultation for counseling, I’d love to help.

Schedule today Here