The Therapy Group of DC's training clinic
Affordable therapy in Washington, DC
Built for where you are, not where you’re “supposed to be.” Our advanced doctoral therapists are guided by licensed psychologists, for less than half the typical DC fee.
What therapy costs here
$110
per standard 45-minute individual session
One flat fee for everyone — simpler than a sliding scale. We don't ask about your income.
Therapy in DC typically costs $262 a session (Fair Health, 2026). Ours is about 58% less. Couples therapy is $125 per session (typical DC fee: $303).
Who comes here
Mostly folks in their 20s and 30s. Whether everything's come apart or something just feels off, there's no wrong reason to start.
Your first session
Pick your therapist and book a time online. The first session is for sorting out what you're looking for.
What might a session cost you after reimbursement?
If your plan reimburses out-of-network mental health care, part of what you pay comes back to you, and we file the claims for you. Drag to try your plan's rate:
$110 session − $66 back
≈ $44
out of pocket, per session
Estimate only — check your plan's out-of-network mental health benefits. We handle the claim paperwork either way.
Two clinical minds on your care
We're the training clinic of the Therapy Group of DC. Your therapist is an advanced doctoral student, chosen competitively for a year with us.
A dedicated licensed psychologist guides their work, meeting weekly about the people they're providing therapy to. Our training program goes well beyond that — adding 4–5 more hours a week of careful clinical training. Our fee may be lower, but the training structure sets high standards. We think every psychologist should learn to practice this way, and it's run here since 2014.
We built the Capital Therapy Project because therapy in DC is out of reach for a lot of people, and we think private practice should be part of the answer.
In-person sessions happen at our offices: 1350 Connecticut Avenue NW, near Dupont Circle in Washington, DC.
What we help with
Whatever brings you in, we’re working toward the same things: knowing your strengths, and compassion for yourself when you stumble.
Life
Anxiety, low mood, feeling stuck. Understand what's driving it and change how you respond.
Love
Dating, partnership, friendships, family. Work on the patterns that keep showing up.
Career
Figure out what you actually want from work, and what's in the way.
Common things we work on: anxiety · depression · career stress and early-career decisions · dating and relationships · gender and sexuality · identity · feeling stuck or behind · life transitions · self-esteem
How it works
Step 1
Schedule online
Pick a time online — no phone call required. You'll see who has openings.
Step 2
Initial appointment
You and your therapist map out what you're working toward.
Step 3
Weekly sessions
A standing appointment with the same therapist. Evidence-based therapy at our Dupont Circle offices.
Step 4
As long as you need
When your therapist's year ends, you're welcome to continue with an incoming therapist. Many clients do.
Your therapists
Advanced doctoral students, chosen competitively from programs across the DC region. This year: American University and George Washington University — and usually close to your own stage of life.
Amy Berger, M.A.
Therapist in Training
Diana Priestley, M.Psy.
Therapist in Training
Who runs the training
The Capital Therapy Project is led by licensed psychologists at the Therapy Group of DC — the faculty who direct the program and its clinical training.
Together, they direct the 4–5 hours of clinical training your therapist gets each week.
Common questions
How much does therapy cost here?+
$110 for a standard 45-minute individual session — about 58% less than the typical DC fee of ~$262 (Fair Health, 2026). Couples therapy is $125 per session (typical DC fee: $303).
Do you offer a sliding scale?+
We don't use a sliding scale. One flat fee of $110 for everyone, and we don't ask about your income. If you need a true sliding scale, the lower-cost options in the next question can help.
What if $110 is still more than I can manage?+
Then we'd rather point you somewhere that fits. DC has good lower-cost options: community clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers offer mental health services on sliding-scale fees based on income. The Open Path Collective connects people with reduced-fee therapists. Group therapy is often less expensive than individual sessions, and if you're employed, your Employee Assistance Program may include free short-term counseling. If you're in crisis, call or text 988 any time.
Do you take insurance?+
No, but we submit out-of-network claims to your insurance company as a courtesy. If your plan has out-of-network mental health benefits, part of what you pay may come back to you.
Who will my therapist be?+
An advanced doctoral student completing a year-long placement with us. Their work is supervised weekly by licensed psychologists at the Therapy Group of DC.
Is therapy with a therapist in training as good as with a licensed therapist?+
Clients treated in psychology training clinics show meaningful improvement in outcome studies, and the difference in outcomes between trainees and more experienced therapists is consistently small. What you give up is years of independent experience. What you gain is weekly oversight: two clinical minds on your care, and a therapist with the time and energy to focus on you.
What happens when my therapist's externship year ends?+
Externships run on an annual cycle. You can continue with one of the incoming therapists, as many clients choose to. Or we'll help you plan a good ending or transition, including a referral to the Therapy Group of DC if that's the right fit.
Where are you located? Do you offer telehealth?+
1350 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036 — near Dupont Circle. The Dupont Circle Metro's south entrance (Red Line) is steps from our building, and the office is a short trip from Maryland and Northern Virginia. Telehealth is available only to clients located in DC, and we generally recommend in-person sessions.
Is there a waitlist?+
Usually not. Availability shifts with the training year. When you book, you'll see who's available.
For graduate students: CTP is a year-long doctoral psychology externship in Washington, DC — intensive clinical training in a private-practice setting. Learn more about training at the Therapy Group of DC →
