Worry and Rumination

Do you worry that something bad will happen, even without clear reason? Do you think about the same problems repeatedly and feel unable to stop? Do you find yourself ruminating excessively about past or future events?

Physical Symptoms (Your Body’s Stress Response)

Do you experience restlessness, tiredness, or muscle tension? Are you unable to relax and feel constantly stressed? Do you have heart palpitations, dry mouth, throat tightness, or shortness of breath? Do you get nauseous or have digestive issues when anxious? Do you suffer from tension headaches along with other anxiety symptoms?

Hypervigilance — Always “On Guard”

Do you feel constantly on edge with interrupted sleep and difficulty concentrating? Are you more irritable and impatient with others than usual? Do you feel like you’re always “bracing” or expecting something bad to happen?

Emotional Changes

Do you feel persistently sad or depressed? Have you lost interest in activities you once enjoyed? Do you feel hopeless or experience despair? Are you withdrawing from others and life’s activities?

Physical and Sleep Changes

Has your appetite changed significantly in recent weeks or months? Do you have periods where you can’t sleep, or do you sleep excessively without wanting to get out of bed? Do you feel unable to relax or sit quietly? Do you lack energy and motivation for daily tasks?

Thought Patterns

Do you engage in negative self-talk? Do you have many negative thoughts about yourself? Do you have a history of depression dating back to your teens? Is there a family history of depression?

Recent Life Changes

Are you currently taking medication for depression, anxiety, ADHD, or substance use? Have you recently moved and are finding it difficult to adjust? Did you recently start or graduate from college and feel overwhelmed? Are you struggling after the end of a relationship? Have you experienced a significant life event that’s hard to process? Do you simply need someone to talk through what’s happening in your life?

Loss of Support Network

Did you lose your support system due to a geographic move? Are you having difficulty finding new, meaningful connections? Do you feel isolated in your current environment?

Current Relationship Conflicts

Are you involved in multiple relationships that cause emotional conflict? Do you and your partner argue frequently or lack communication? Has separation been discussed or threatened? Have you experienced verbal or physical abuse in your relationship? Do you and your partner live increasingly separate lives?

Pattern Recognition

Do you have a history of broken relationships due to trust issues or poor partner choices? Do you frequently feel lonely and isolated? Do you struggle with being alone? Do you maintain emotional distance from family, coworkers, and neighbors? Are you desperately using dating apps for social connection? Do you have unwarranted mistrust that leads to loneliness?

Social and Emotional Withdrawal

Are you withdrawing from important social relationships? Do you often feel hopeless and worthless? Do you experience persistent guilt?

Self-Perception Issues

Do you have a negative view of yourself? Are you easily embarrassed or frequently feel humiliated? Do you often feel shame or like you’re “not good enough”? Do you constantly compare yourself to others and feel you fall short?

Loss-Related Symptoms

Have you experienced losses and been unable to resolve your grief? Do your thoughts constantly focus on the loss, affecting your concentration? Are you confused about your future after a significant loss? Are you having difficulty accepting the death of a loved one? Do you feel bitterness and anger related to relationship loss? Are you unable to feel grief even when you think you should?

Sexual Orientation Concerns

Do you have uncertainty about your sexual orientation? Are you gay, bisexual, or questioning but not open about it? Do you worry about or try to suppress same-sex attractions? Has recent experimentation raised questions about your orientation? Would you like to learn more about LGBTQ+ communities?

Gender Identity Questions

Do you worry about or feel anxious about your gender identity? Do you experience gender dysphoria? Are you unable to express your gender in the way you desire?

Shame and Secrecy

Do you experience guilt and shame around sexual feelings and desires? Do you work hard to keep attractions hidden from others? Do these feelings make it difficult to feel okay about yourself?

Attention Difficulties

Do you fail to pay close attention to details, especially with uninteresting tasks? Do you have difficulty sustaining attention to tasks or activities? Are you often accused of not listening when spoken to directly? Do you struggle to follow through on instructions and finish tasks?

Hyperactivity and Impulsivity

Do you find it impossible to sit still for any length of time, feeling restless and fidgety? Are you described as always “on the go” or “driven by a motor”? Do you have problems engaging in leisure activities quietly? Do you talk excessively or interrupt others frequently? Do you often lose items necessary for tasks?

Life Impact

Did you have behavioral problems, impulsivity, or concentration issues in school? Were you diagnosed with ADHD in childhood? Have work relationships suffered due to difficulty functioning in structured environments? Are you easily distracted with attention drawn away from tasks?

Have you experienced a trauma-related event? Do you have nightmares and flashbacks about experiences in your life? Do you experience the anxiety and depression symptoms described above following a traumatic event?

As a trauma specialist trained in somatic therapy, Joseph LaFleur understands how trauma affects both mind and body, and uses evidence-based approaches — including Somatic Experiencing — to help with healing.

Taking the First Step

We accept most CareFirst BCBS plans and work with national care providers in the DMV area. Many insurance plans cover mental health treatment under out-of-network benefits — check with your insurance plan. Telehealth sessions are available for your convenience. Initial consultations help determine the best treatment approach for your specific needs.

Specialties Include

Individual psychotherapy for anxiety, depression, and trauma. Somatic therapy (mind-body approaches). ADHD assessment support and treatment. LGBTQ+ affirming therapy. Relationship counseling. Grief and loss counseling. Psychedelic integration therapy (where legally applicable).

Professional Credentials

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) across five jurisdictions. Certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP). Certified Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Provider (C-PATP). The Daring Way™ Trained Facilitator. Specialized training in telemental health and digital ethics.