Therapy doesn’t happen in a vacuum — it takes place within social, cultural, and political systems that shape safety, access, and whose pain is taken seriously. Ethical therapy isn’t about pushing ideology or demanding “correct” language; it’s about creating a space where marginalized clients don’t have to brace themselves to be respected. That requires clarity around boundaries, ongoing self-reflection from the therapist, and a commitment to nervous-system-informed care rather than intellectual debate.

Tiredness lifts when you rest. Burnout lingers because it lives in the body, in patterns of tension, vigilance, and emotional fatigue that sleep can’t touch. For many in D.C., it’s compounded by the collective stress of injustice and constant urgency. Repairing burnout isn’t about stepping away from what matters—it’s about restoring the nervous system so you can stay engaged without losing yourself.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or even scared following the inauguration of Donald Trump and the initial actions of his administration, you are not alone. For many, this week has felt like a whirlwind of unsettling news, mounting uncertainty, and legitimate concerns about the future. And if you belong to a marginalized group—whether you’re a person of color, LGBTQ+, an immigrant, or someone with intersecting identities—this stress can hit even harder, pulling at old wounds or amplifying feelings of vulnerability.

As a trauma therapist, I want to hold space for what you’re feeling. This is a valid response to an unsettling moment in history. Times of unrest, uncertainty, and perceived or actual threats can easily trigger what we call a trauma response. Your nervous system may interpret what’s happening now as a direct threat to your safety, even if the “danger” feels abstract or removed from your immediate environment. It’s not just in your head—what’s happening is both real and distressing, and your feelings matter.

But you don’t have to face this alone or stay stuck in overwhelm. In this post, I’ll break down why you might be feeling this way, offer tangible tools to help you regulate your nervous system, and share how trauma-focused therapy—especially intensives using modalities like EMDR, IFS, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy—can help you differentiate the past from the present and find a path forward.