With me, you will always feel supported, important, and free to be yourself without judgment. I want to help you reach your goals, so collaboration is required. Let's work together to improve your life.

I have a positive and friendly outtake on life and incorporate that into my counseling approach. I meet you where you are and adapt my approach accordingly. You are the priority, and you deserve to be treated respectfully and kindly.

I strive to set a calm, structured, and judgment-free atmosphere to create space for open communication and relationship-building. Many of my clients have shared that it feels easy to talk with me without fear of judgment.

Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) offers specialized adoption-competent in-person and teletherapy. Whether receiving individual andor family therapy, our therapists will include the family dynamic as a whole during the treatment plan. C.A.S.E. therapists are trained under the nationally accredited Training for Adoption Competency (TAC) program and have the specialized skills, insight, and experience needed to address issues and use various treatment types depending on the needs of the child, teen or family receiving care.

One of my favorite quotes is: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." To me, life is a journey. There will be many bumps, bruises, and obstacles along the way. That's okay. It's how you overcome those hurdles that count. Some need more assistance than others on this journey, and that's okay too. My approach is to promote healing and personal growth and development along this journey called life. I do not claim to have all of the answers. I believe that everyone is the expert of their own lives. My role is to assist you with getting out of your own way and discovering the path that you want to follow.

As a clinician, I am committed to creating a safe, supportive space where clients feel seen, heard, and understood. My approach is rooted in empathy and a person-centered philosophy, meaning I meet each individual exactly where they are in their journey. I believe healing begins with a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust, respect, and genuine connection. I specialize in helping clients process trauma using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), supporting individuals as they work through complex, life-impacting experiences. In addition to trauma work, I provide compassionate care for those navigating grief, depression, and anxiety. I work with adolescents, teens, and adults, tailoring each session to meet the unique needs and goals of the individual. Whether you are seeking support during a difficult time or looking to better understand yourself, I am here to walk alongside you with care, curiosity, and respect.

If someone is struggling with today's news and events, surviving a difficult upbringing, or wrestling with issues of identity, the best thing they can do for themselves is to find that safe, affirming space that allows them to speak freely without fear of judgement. My goal is to provide the emotional, physical, and affirming space for that very thing to happen. My clientele consists of students, mental health professionals, veterans, seniors, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. I hold master's degrees in trauma informed counseling and the arts. Sometimes individuals have a block and the words are difficult to find. A more creative process can often reveal nonverbal cues and metaphors that can deepen understanding and healing. I help clients use imagery, symbolism, and creative expression to uncover meaning and insight. I currently work with individuals ages 8 and up, I have worked with anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, grief and loss, life transitions, and trauma-related issues. I bring creativity, compassion, warmth, and a genuine desire to provide affirmation, and occasionally humor to foster a safe, affirming, and empowering environment.

I believe that my mission in life is to help others by providing the space in which they can share their struggles and concerns without judgment. Life is difficult, and more than anything else, I think we all crave to be listened to. I enjoy listening, and I like to help others to listen, too. By listening carefully we can create deep connection with others. Strong connection helps make life a bit easier and more enjoyable. Being a therapist has been a dream of mine ever since I was in middle school and my brother brought his introduction to psychology textbook home from college! I love to understand why we all do the things we do, and I enjoy helping others to understand themselves and those around them better, too.

I think the most important part of being a good therapist is genuinely caring about the well-being of the people I work with. I am an empathic therapist, and work to create a warm and welcoming environment for those I see in therapy. This sets a foundation that enables us to talk about what brings you to therapy, whether it be hopes, struggles, fears, conflicts, etc. Together, we will explore your concerns and wishes, and uncover what is standing between what life is like now and what you want it to be. I will help you recognize and understand the barriers that keep you from feeling the way you want to feel, and work with you to break through those barriers, which can result in greater satisfaction in relationships, work, and day-to-day life. I also provide support and guidance for those experiencing life transitions, such as marriage, children, loss, divorce, and those new to the city who are having trouble adjusting. I think that it is important to recognize that, although we all have limitations, we also have strengths and resources. I have a flexible approach to therapy, and have been trained in a number of different modalities that allow me to cater to your specific needs.

I help adults heal from complex trauma, PTSD, dissociation, anxiety, and the lasting effects of childhood trauma and adversity. Many of my clients feel overwhelmed by emotional reactivity, relationship difficulties, chronic shame, or a sense of being disconnected from themselves and others. Although they often appear to be coping on the outside, they feel stuck in survival mode internally. My approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and paced to your individual needs. I believe healing happens in the context of safety, understanding, and self-compassion, not through forcing change before you are ready. Drawing from EMDR, Somatic Experiencing®, parts work, DBT skills, and mindfulness-based approaches, I help clients regulate their nervous system, develop greater emotional stability, deepen self-understanding, and move beyond survival toward a more connected and meaningful life.

Welcome to my practice! Therapy can be a powerful tool in relieving distress, learning about oneself, and living a more fulfilled life. I believe that at the heart of successful therapy is a collaborative, open, and warm relationship. Through curiosity and acceptance, I help my clients gain more appreciation for their emotions, assist them in recognizing their strengths, and aid them in identifying opportunities for growth. I strive to help my clients obtain the tools necessary to overcome roadblocks, which often keep them from reaching their full potential. I work with clients from diverse backgrounds and life stages and welcome the opportunity to treat individuals facing a wide range of concerns. Given my training and experience working with adolescents, college/graduate students, and young professionals, I have a deep understanding of the challenges these individuals face as they navigate life transitions. In particular, I specialize in helping individuals with self-esteem concerns, relationship difficulties, depression, anxiety, trauma/loss, and disordered eating. Taking the step to begin therapy can be difficult. With the right therapist, however, therapy can be an important and rewarding tool to living a more satisfying, authentic, and fulfilled life. I invite you to contact me to see if I may be a good fit for you. My office is metro-accessible, conveniently located in the Dupont Circle area of Washington, D.C. I have daytime and evening hours available.

I am William Watson, a Licensed Social Worker Supervisee with 2 years of experience in Virginia. Shaped by a working-class, single-parent upbringing, I bring lived experience and strong clinical training to my work. I support adolescents and adults facing depression, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD), stress, and life transitions. My goal is to offer steady guidance and practical support as a respectful partner who values honesty, feedback, and collaboration.