Welcome to Falls Church Therapy.
Great therapy begins with genuine curiosity and nonjudgmental presence. In this safe space, you can explore, heal, and grow.
My Approach To Therapy
In your first session, we will talk about what the end of therapy will look and feel like for you. Based on this, we will construct measurable goals that we will revisit. I respect your time, money, and the integrity of the field of therapy. Everyone is different, so the time this takes will vary, but my approach is to make meaningful progress as best as possible and then to slow down, pause, or end therapy in a timely manner.
The foundation of quality therapy rests upon the quality of the “therapeutic relationship.” This refers to what happens to our nervous system when we feel we can be open and honest with another human being. When the client feels this level of comfort, it is as if a key has unlocked something within us that allows us to discover more about ourselves. This is the first step to reducing stress and discomfort. I encourage you to speak to a few therapists before you choose one. Find one with whom you feel comfortable. Trust your intuition when you make your choice.
If you haven’t seen a therapist before…
There is something special about the therapy room. The core of great therapy rests on the therapist being genuinely curious and nonjudgemental regarding the client. In this safe, open space, the client can explore themselves and discover internal parts that were previously unavailable. This unique atmosphere is the fertile ground upon which personal growth occurs.
The therapist acts as reflective guide to help the client achieve a perspective on their discomfort that might have previously been elusive. The therapist assists the client to create tangible, measurable goals that represent a better version of themselves. Therapists have toolkits of research driven treatment methods that they can customize for each client. Improvement doesn’t necessarily occur in a linear fashion, but it does happen!
About Me: Tom Waugh
I have been married for 26 years and have three young adult children. This is my third career! After studying history and going to business school, I worked in the financial industry in New York.
Twelve years later, I went back to school as a high school psychology and economics teacher at a private school in Washington, DC.
I was particularly fascinated by psychology, which made me want to go back to school again to become a clinical mental health counselor.
It is the ultimate honor to share space with a client who feels comfortable enough to share and grow in a deep and meaningful manner.
When I started my training, I had a fairly rigid view of my approach to therapeutic modalities. I originally thought that I would focus mainly on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) training, since this modality is the one that is most often requested. With each additional client, I have realized that the diversity of human kind requires a much more open approach to various types of therapy. Yes, I use CBT, but I also blend it in with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). I also rely on the foundation work done in the 1940’s and 1950’s such as Gestalt Therapy and Client Centered Therapy. Like many other fields, there are both scientific and artistic components. I will listen to you and introduce an approach or a unique collage of approaches suited to you and where you are right now.
I take an integrative approach, weaving together these evidence-based modalities to create a tailored experience for each client. I believe in balancing practical tools with deep emotional work, honoring the client’s strengths while supporting them through moments of vulnerability. Whether it’s addressing intrusive thoughts, exploring past wounds, or embracing life’s uncertainty, I help clients build meaningful lives with compassion and clarity.
My Unique Perspective
Services
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CBT helps clients recognize how their thoughts influence feelings and behaviors. I guide clients in identifying and reframing negative thought patterns to develop healthier coping mechanisms. I often pair CBT with mindfulness techniques to promote long-term resilience and emotional regulation.
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ACT focuses on accepting difficult emotions and aligning actions with core values. I work with clients to embrace discomfort, rather than avoid it, while fostering a greater sense of meaning and purpose. I use ACT to help clients feel empowered in the face of life’s uncertainties and challenges.
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ERP is a highly effective approach for OCD and anxiety, designed to gradually expose clients to feared situations without engaging in compulsions or avoidance. I create a safe space where clients can face fears at their own pace, building tolerance and reducing the intensity of distress over time.
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IFS helps clients explore their inner world by understanding different parts of themselves such as the inner critic, protector, or wounded child. I help clients develop self-compassion and access their self as a source of calm and healing, integrating conflicting emotions and fostering inner harmony.
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Gestalt therapy focuses on self-awareness and being present in the here and now. I help clients explore unresolved emotions and patterns by examining how their current experiences reflect past struggles. This experiential approach allows clients to reconnect with their authentic selves and develop greater insight.
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With empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard, I create a supportive environment where clients feel truly heard and validated. I believe that clients are the experts in their own lives, and I guide them toward growth by fostering self-discovery and inner confidence.
20 Minute Free Chat
Please take advantage of free short conversations offered by therapists! This is not an intake session nor is it a therapy session. This is a casual conversation, the purpose of which is to find a therapist with whom you feel you could work. I recommend you ask the therapist to tell you how they think one of their current clients might describe the client experience. Hearing the therapist describe the work from this perspective can give you insight into the interpersonal skills the therapist has as well as their technical skills.
Don’t forget to ask the therapist about their schedule and when they have openings. If you can only meet during peak hours (after work or school), you want to make sure the therapist has availability during those busy times.
Pricing
Falls Church Therapy is an out-of-network (OON) provider. Learn more.
• Initial consultation - no charge: 20 minutes at $0
• Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation: 50 minutes at $150
• Psychotherapy: 50 minutes at $150
• Family psychotherapy, conjoint psychotherapy with patient present: 50 minutes at $150
Reviews
Contact
571-206-1212
140 Little Falls Street, Suite 207
Falls Church, VA 22046
I usually respond within 24 hours.