Therapy for Sexual Trauma
in Washington, DC

Sexual trauma can leave behind more than just memories.

It can reshape how you see yourself, your body, and your ability to connect with others.

Maybe you've tried to move on, but moments of fear, shame, or confusion still linger. Or perhaps intimacy has become complicated, something you avoid rather than embrace.

These experiences are not uncommon. But they don't have to be your forever story.

You deserve to feel safe in your body and empowered in your relationships.

Regain Trust + Begin to Heal

I'm Dr. Wayne Bullock, a licensed psychologist in Washington D.C. I specialize in trauma, anxiety, and LGBTQ+ affirming care. I offer in-person therapy to adults who are ready to process past harm and reconnect with their sense of wholeness.

Sexual trauma can profoundly affect your emotional, relational, and physical well-being. It can make it hard to trust others and even yourself. But therapy offers a space where healing is possible.

With care and patience, we’ll work together to rebuild safety, process your experience, and support your journey toward self-trust, connection, and peace.

Contact me for a free consultation or schedule an appointment to begin therapy for sexual trauma.

What Is Sexual Trauma?

Sexual trauma includes any unwanted or non-consensual sexual experience that overwhelms your ability to cope.

This might include:

Childhood sexual abuse
Sexual assault or rape
Coercion or manipulation
Non-consensual sexual conduct or touching
Intimacy that felt confusing, frightening, or violating
Traumatic experiences related to coming out, identity, or cultural/religious shame around sex

Sexual trauma can happen once or repeatedly. It can occur in childhood or adulthood. And its impact may show up years after the experience or linger quietly in the background for a long time.

Common Effects of Sexual Trauma

Sexual trauma can affect people in different ways. Some of the common symptoms include:

Emotional & Psychological Symptoms

Anxiety, panic, or hyper-vigilance
Difficult trusting others
Guilt, shame, or self-blame
Flashbacks or intrusive thoughts
Emotional numbing or dissociation
Depression, grief, or isolation

Relational & Sexual Symptoms

Avoidance of intimacy or sexual contact
Difficulty enjoying or feeling safe during sex
Conflicted feelings about touch or desire
Struggles with boundaries or consent
Fear of being seen, exposed, or vulnerable

Whether your trauma happened recently or long ago, therapy can help you understand what you're carrying and how to lighten the weight of it.

How Therapy Can Help With Sexual Trauma

Therapy for sexual trauma provides a safe, supportive space to begin unpacking your experience at your own pace.

This work is not about rehashing painful memories before you're ready. It's about slowly understanding yourself, your symptoms, and what healing can look like for you.

Understand

We’ll start by exploring your story gently, noticing how your experiences have shaped your emotions, beliefs, and body responses.

Together, we’ll work to understand the meaning you’ve made of what happened—and what parts of that story you’re ready to challenge or shift.

Heal

As trust builds, we’ll go deeper. That may include processing feelings of betrayal, reclaiming your body, and healing patterns of avoidance or fear.

We’ll also examine any cultural, identity-based, or relational dynamics—especially for LGBTQ+ individuals—that may intersect with your trauma.

Reconnect

Healing from sexual trauma isn’t just about feeling less pain—it’s about feeling more freedom.

Therapy can help you reconnect to your sense of agency, navigate intimacy on your terms, and rediscover pleasure, presence, and peace.

Therapist for Sexual Trauma in Washington DC

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

I specialize in psychoanalytic and trauma-informed therapy, with deep experience supporting members of the LGBTQ+ and gay community. My approach is relational and warm. I’ll meet you wherever you are with patience, curiosity, and care.

We’ll begin with a free 15-minute consultation to answer any questions and ensure we’re a good fit. If you choose to move forward, we’ll meet weekly for 45-minute sessions at my office in downtown DC.