Written Exposure Therapy in Washington, DC
A focused, structured treatment for PTSD and trauma
If you’ve been through something overwhelming or traumatic, you may still feel its effects long after it’s over.
Intrusive memories or images
Avoiding reminders of what happened
Feeling on edge, disconnected, or emotionally shut down
Difficulty making sense of the experience
Written Exposure Therapy is a brief, evidence-based treatment designed to help you process trauma in a direct and effective way—without requiring long-term therapy.
What Is Written Exposure Therapy?
Written Exposure Therapy is a structured approach to treating trauma and PTSD.
It involves writing about a specific traumatic experience in a focused way, across a small number of sessions, with guidance and support.
The goal is not to “relive” the trauma—but to:
Process what happened more fully
Reduce the emotional intensity of the memory
Make sense of the experience in a more integrated way
WET is backed by research from organizations like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and has been shown to be effective for many people with PTSD.
How Written Exposure Therapy Works
WET is typically completed in 5 sessions, each with a clear structure.
Session 1: Introduction and Preparation
Review your history and current symptoms
Identify the specific event to focus on
Explain how the writing process works
Sessions 2–5: Guided Writing and Processing
In each session:
You write about the same traumatic experience for a set period of time
You are encouraged to include thoughts and emotions connected to the event
We briefly process the experience together afterward
Between sessions, there is no homework writing, which makes this approach more manageable for many people.
Why Writing Helps
Trauma often remains “unprocessed”—fragmented, avoided, or overwhelming.
Writing allows you to:
Organize the experience into a coherent narrative
Access emotions in a controlled way
Reduce avoidance without becoming overwhelmed
Change how the memory is experienced over time
Rather than circling around the trauma, WET helps you engage it directly—but safely and with structure.
What Makes Written Exposure Therapy Different
Compared to other trauma therapies, Written Exposure Therapy is:
Brief — typically completed in about 5 sessions
Focused — centers on one specific traumatic experience
Structured — clear, predictable format each session
Effective without being overwhelming — no prolonged exposure outside sessions
It can be a good fit if you:
Want a shorter-term, research-supported approach
Feel stuck despite trying to avoid or “move on” from the trauma
Prefer a clear, contained structure rather than open-ended processing
What You Can Expect
At the beginning, writing about the experience may feel uncomfortable.
Over time, many people notice:
Reduced emotional intensity around the memory
Fewer intrusive thoughts or images
Less avoidance
A greater sense of clarity and closure
The goal is not to erase what happened—but to change your relationship to it.
Who Written Exposure Therapy Is For
Written Exposure Therapy may be appropriate if you:
Have experienced a specific traumatic event
Continue to feel its impact (e.g., intrusive memories, avoidance, distress)
Are looking for a focused, time-limited treatment
It may not be the best fit if:
There are multiple unresolved traumas that need broader exploration
You are looking for longer-term, exploratory therapy
You prefer not to engage directly with the traumatic memory
Schedule Written Exposure Therapy in Washington, DC
Forma offers Written Exposure-focused individual therapy for adults in Washington, DC, including neighborhoods like Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill, and surrounding areas.
Sessions are available in-person and via telehealth across DC.