Psychotherapy with
room for complexity.
I am Joseph Dorer, PsyD, a Psychological Associate providing individual and couples therapy for adults at Dorer Psychology in Washington, DC, under the supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist. My work is psychodynamic and relational, with particular attention to anxiety, depression, relationships, identity, shame, and recurring emotional patterns.
A conversation about what brings you here.
Understanding patterns,
not only symptoms.
I approach psychotherapy as a place to become more curious about the patterns that shape emotional life, relationships, identity, and the ways people protect themselves when experience becomes difficult to bear.
My clinical thinking is informed by psychodynamic, relational, object relations, and Bionian traditions, while remaining responsive to the practical needs of the person in front of me.
Explore my approachDifferent ways to begin.
Individual
therapy
A space to explore anxiety, depression, identity, shame, relationships, life transitions, and recurring emotional and interpersonal patterns.
Individual therapyCouples
therapy
Attention to conflict, distance, repetition, communication breakdowns, attachment needs, and the meanings that emerge between partners.
Couples therapy
Thoughtful, engaged,
and collaborative.
My work is psychodynamic and relational, with an engaged and collaborative style. I bring curiosity to the experiences that can be difficult to put into words and to the relationships through which we come to know ourselves.
I earned my PsyD in Clinical Psychology at George Washington University and completed my doctoral internship at Boston Medical Center through the Center for Multicultural Training in Psychology. I now combine private practice with postdoctoral clinical work and teaching at GW.
About Dr. DorerWhen holding it together
takes a toll.
I work with men navigating anxiety, shame, intimacy, and the pressure to appear in control. You may be comfortable solving problems yet unsure how to talk about feelings or ask for support. Therapy offers room to approach these experiences with curiosity and without judgment.
I also work with people whose achievements can obscure how much they are carrying. A demanding career, high expectations, or a strong sense of responsibility can coexist with self-doubt, loneliness, and difficulty feeling close to others. Therapy offers room to explore these experiences without another expectation to perform.
Explore individual therapyLGBTQ+ affirming
therapy in DC.
Questions about identity, intimacy, family, and belonging deserve thoughtful attention. I work with LGBTQ+ adults and couples, including people navigating shame, relationship patterns, and the effects of marginalization.
My experience includes individual and group counseling at Whitman-Walker, a Washington, DC health center specializing in LGBTQ+ and HIV care.
Explore individual therapyInterested in beginning psychotherapy?
A free 15-minute consultation is an opportunity to talk about what brings you to therapy and whether working together may be a good fit.
Joseph Dorer, PsyD
Psychological Associate practicing under the supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist.
1350 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 605
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 714-4163
jdorer@dorerpsychology.com
Directions on Google Maps
Please use the consultation form above for consultation requests. Do not include sensitive clinical information in ordinary email.