Online Therapy in Washington, D.C.
You can hold a demanding role, answer every email, and still be running a second full-time job inside your own head — replaying a discovery, scanning for what you missed, wondering whether you can trust your own read on things again.
Therapy here is trauma-informed and paced. Sessions are held by secure video with adults physically located in Washington, D.C. There is no in-person office, which for most D.C. clients means therapy fits between commitments rather than competing with them.
Schedule a consultationWhat D.C. clients often bring
Betrayal and broken trust
Infidelity, a hidden account, a pattern of lies that ran alongside ordinary life. This is the core of the work — see betrayal trauma therapy for how it's approached in detail.
High-functioning anxiety
Performing well while your nervous system never fully stands down. Capable on the outside, braced on the inside. We work with the physiology, not just the thoughts.
Relationship patterns that keep repeating
Choosing the same dynamic in different people, over-functioning to keep the peace, or losing yourself inside a relationship you also want to keep.
Stuck memories and images
When something stays vivid no matter how much you've talked about it, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) can help you work with the image itself without narrating every detail.
Where Sarah can practice
Therapy is offered to clients physically located in Washington, D.C. or Florida at the time of session. If you split time between the two — a common story here — that's workable; we simply confirm where you are before each appointment.
Sarah Shortridge, RCSWI/MSW (Florida registration ISW22268) practices psychotherapy under the supervision of a qualified licensed clinical supervisor.
If you're located somewhere else entirely, coaching is a separate, non-clinical service and is not psychotherapy.
Private pay only. Fees are discussed during your consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to live in Washington, D.C. to work with Sarah?
For therapy, you need to be physically located in Washington, D.C. or Florida at the time of your session. That is a legal requirement, not a preference — where you are sitting matters more than where you pay rent.
Are D.C. sessions in person or online?
All sessions are held online by secure video. There is no in-person office in Washington, D.C. Many clients meet from home, from a parked car between meetings, or from a private office door-closed.
What does Sarah specialize in?
Betrayal trauma and relationship injury: infidelity, hidden behavior, secrecy, and the loss of self-trust that follows. Related work includes anxiety, nervous-system regulation, and long-standing relationship patterns.
What are Sarah's credentials?
Sarah Shortridge is a Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern (RCSWI) practicing under the supervision of a qualified licensed clinical supervisor. Therapy is offered only where she is authorized to practice — currently Washington, D.C. and Florida.
Is coaching the same thing as therapy?
Coaching is not psychotherapy, is not a substitute for mental health treatment, and is not limited by location.
Do you take insurance?
Private pay only. Fees are discussed during your consultation.
A consultation is a conversation, not a commitment
We'll talk about what's happening, what you're hoping for, and whether this is the right fit. If it isn't, I'll say so.
Schedule a consultationThis website and its forms are not monitored for emergencies. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) in the United States, or call 911.