Trinette Hawkins Coleman

Sometimes life can look fine from the outside while you are carrying much more than people realize. You may be managing work, family, relationships, or responsibilities for everyone else while quietly dealing with anxiety, stress, past experiences, relationship concerns, anger, or simply feeling stuck. Therapy can be a place where you no longer have to carry all of that by yourself.

I am a Licensed Therapist in Washington, DC and a Licensed Therapist in Virginia. I earned my Master of Social Work from Washington University and my Bachelor of Social Work from Howard University. I bring more than 25 years of experience in human services and have worked with adolescents, adults, and families across behavioral health and community-based settings.

My clinical work is grounded in trauma-informed, person-centered, and strengths-based practice. I am especially interested in supporting people navigating anxiety, stress, trauma, relationship challenges, life transitions, emotional regulation, self-esteem, boundaries, and the pressure that can come from taking care of everyone while trying to take care of yourself.

You do not have to come to therapy with everything figured out. We can start with where you are.

I believe therapy works best when it feels like a conversation rather than an interrogation. My style is warm, straightforward, supportive, and collaborative. I will listen carefully, ask questions that help you look at things differently, and challenge you when doing so can help you move toward the changes you want.

I use a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach and incorporate strategies from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other evidence-based practices based on each client's needs. We may explore how past experiences influence what is happening today, identify patterns in thoughts or relationships, practice healthier boundaries, develop coping strategies, or work on responding differently to situations that trigger strong emotions.

I also believe clients bring strengths into the room, even when they may have difficulty recognizing them. Therapy is not only about identifying what is wrong. It is also about understanding what has helped you survive, what is working, what you want to change, and what you want your life and relationships to look like moving forward.

My role is not to tell you how to live your life. My role is to help you better understand yourself, recognize choices and patterns, develop practical tools, and support you as you make changes that are meaningful to you.

Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other. You do not need to arrive with a perfectly organized story or know exactly what your therapy goals should be.

I will ask about what brought you to therapy, what has been happening in your life, what you would like to see change, and what has helped you cope up to this point. We will also talk about your strengths, important relationships, experiences that may be affecting you today, and what you hope to gain from therapy.

One question I often want clients to begin thinking about is: “If therapy is helpful, what would you like to notice is different in your life?”

Your answer does not have to come immediately. We will figure it out together.

Most importantly, I want the first session to feel comfortable, respectful, and free of judgment. You should leave with a clearer sense of what we can work on together and whether I feel like the right therapist for you. Therapy is your space, and building a relationship where you feel heard, respected, and able to be yourself is where our work begins.