Rejection Therapy in Washington, DC

The fear of rejection can be quietly paralyzing.

It might keep you from speaking up, connecting deeply, living authentically, or taking chances.

You may spend hours replaying what you said (or didn’t say), wondering if you came off the wrong way. Maybe you avoid dating, job interviews, or even close relationships, because the risk of being judged or unwanted feels too overwhelming.

Even small interactions can bring up big feelings: embarrassment, anxiety, shame, or deep self-doubt.

But you don’t have to let rejection define your choices or your sense of worth.

Build Resilience + Find Freedom

I’m Dr. Wayne Bullock, a licensed clinical psychologist offering in-person therapy to adults in Washington D.C. I help people navigate anxiety, relational wounds, and identity-related stress with warmth, insight, and intention.

If rejection—real or imagined—is ruling your inner world, you’re not alone. Rejection sensitivity often shows up as part of anxiety, especially social anxiety, but it can also stem from past trauma, attachment wounds, or experiences of exclusion.

Therapy offers a space to understand those patterns and gently transform them.

Contact me for a consultation or schedule an appointment to begin overcoming your fear of rejection.

What Is Rejection Sensitivity?

Rejection sensitivity is the intense fear or expectation of being rejected, criticized, or excluded.

You might find yourself:

Avoiding vulnerability in relationships
Overanalyzing texts, conversations, or interactions
Struggling with perfectionism or people-pleasing
Feeling devastated or ashamed when someone disapproves of you
Holding back from going after things you want
Doubting your worth based on how others respond to you

For many, these feelings trace back to earlier life experiences like inconsistent caregiving, bullying, exclusion, identity-based discrimination, or emotional neglect. Over time, your nervous system may learn to interpret everyday situations as threats, even when no harm is intended.

Signs You May Benefit From Rejection Therapy

Emotional & Mental Signs

You might be experiencing:

Persistent worry about what others think of you
Difficulty expressing needs or asserting yourself
Intense reactions to feedback or perceived slights
Feeling “not good enough” even when others reassure you
Rumination and self-blame after social situations

Physical & Behavioral Signs

Avoiding social or professional opportunities
Overpreparing or overexplaining
Shutting down or withdrawing when discomfort arises
Somatic symptoms (racing heart, sweating, nausea) in social settings

If any of these resonate, rejection therapy can help you build awareness, develop self-compassion, and navigate relationships with more ease.

How Rejection Therapy Helps

Rejection therapy is not about learning to “toughen up” or just ignore how you feel. Instead, it’s about understanding the roots of your fear and creating new, more empowering ways to relate to yourself and others.

Explore

We’ll begin by unpacking your unique experience of rejection including where it started, how it shows up now, and what beliefs you’ve internalized along the way.

In a safe space, you’ll explore the emotional charge that comes with rejection, and how it may be tangled with identity, worth, or early relationships.

Rebuild

Together, we’ll work to challenge unhelpful thought patterns and loosen the grip of fear. This includes learning to set boundaries, tolerate discomfort, and shift the inner narrative that says you have to be perfect to be accepted.

Through this process, you can begin to move from fear-driven avoidance to values-based choice.

Relieve

As insight grows, so does capacity. You may find more freedom to connect, express, and show up fully in your relationships.

Therapy can help you quiet the noise of shame and soften the need for constant approval so you can live with more presence, intention, and peace.

Therapist for Rejection Sensitivity in Washington, DC

I provide in-person therapy for adults in Washington, DC and surrounding areas, including Alexandria, Arlington, Bethesda, and the broader DC Metro region.

My approach is grounded in psychoanalytic and relational therapy, with a trauma-informed lens. I welcome people of all identities, and have extensive experience supporting members of the LGBTQ+ and Jewish communities.

You’ll find my style both compassionate and active. I’ll meet you where you are with respect and curiosity while also challenging you to grow into the version of yourself that feels most authentic and empowered.

We’ll begin with a free 15-minute consultation. From there, sessions are 45 minutes and typically occur weekly, depending on your needs and goals.

Let's Begin

You don't need to keep shrinking yourself to avoid rejection. You can build a life that feels more open, connected, and free.

Call (202) 505-2795 or contact me to book a consultation.

Ready to get started? Book an appointment today and take the first step toward reclaiming your voice.

Understanding and Managing Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD)

Feeling rejected can hurt. But for some, the pain of perceived criticism or exclusion cuts deeper than most people realize. This experience is often referred to as Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), a pattern of emotional responses where rejection (real or imagined) triggers overwhelming distress.

You’re Not Too Much: Reframing Internalized Rejection in the LGBTQ+ Community

For some LGBTQ+ folks, the fear of being “too much”, too emotional, too needy, too loud, too queer can feel like a constant companion. Often, it’s not about what’s happening in the present moment, but about years of subtle (and not-so-subtle) messages that who you are is somehow “wrong” or “extra”. But here’s the truth: you’re not too much.

Am I Too Sensitive to Rejection? Understanding Rejection Sensitivity

If you’ve ever been told you’re “too sensitive” or found yourself replaying a small comment or perceived slight over and over again, you’re not alone. This could be signs of something deeper like rejection sensitivity.