Therapists in Puyallup, WA

Greetings and welcome. I'm Dr. Karen Beth Acheson, Ph.D., and I have over 20 years of experience bringing warmth, compassion, and a sense of humor to help empower people to make healthy changes in their lives. My primary focus is adult psychotherapy. My style is down-to-earth; I draw from humanistic, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral & mindfulness-based therapies. My specialty areas include: Depression; Bipolar (manic) Depression; Anxiety; Trauma (including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder); and Emotional/Sexual/physical Abuse. Also, I am now blending my lifelong passion for animals, including a B.S. in Animal Science, with

Now Accepting New Clients. I provide Telehealth only services to individual clients who have suffered from trauma, depression and anxiety. Clients who are ready to set goals, learn and put in the effort to change, are the most successful in bettering their mental and emotional health. I believe that no one therapy fits all and I will provide each client with the therapeutic approach that will work best for them. Let me help you rid the pain and suffering you have been carrying, so you are not alone in your journey to a better you.

When tears well up and tempers flare, give me a call and I'll be there. If you have never been to counseling before, you may be feeling anxious at the thought of calling me. That is normal, but I want you to know that I am a gentle soul who is here to help you. I hope you will reach out to me so we can discuss what is bothering you. My approach is filled with unconditional positive regard and respect. Counseling is my passion!

Life can be challenging, and every day brings a new series of events that impact our daily lives. Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, or behavioral problems and you just aren't sure where to turn? I have spent the majority of my career working with children ages 3-17 and their families to support those who struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioral challenges. I also have several years of experience working with adults who struggle with depression, anxiety, life transitions, parenting skills, and relationship challenges.

We all need a safe space to unburden our fear, anxiety and sadness. Therapy is a place where you can do that freely. There are as many “kinds” of therapy as there are therapists. As a seasoned therapist I tend to have a more eclectic blend of therapy modalities. I can change and offer different approaches depending on what you need. One of the most important things a therapist does is meet you where you are and walk with you forward, out of the place of pain that brought you in. I like to think of it as meeting people where they are, sitting down and drawing a map together to get you back to being you!

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS Do you have a sense that you have no control over your life, thoughts, or feelings, causing you NOT to be an active participant in your own life? Do these feelings cause you to feel that you are drifting through life, becoming depressed and anxious? My goal is to offer a safe, supportive space, to walk with you on your journey, explore aspects of the 'self' that you would like to build, and discover strengths that can be used in your present and future, in order to construct the life you desire. Remember, the steps you take don’t have to be big, they just have to be heading you in the right direction.

Are you dealing with unforgiveness, abandonment, rejection, and trauma suffered in childhood? Do you need someone to talk to, but find it difficult to trust your friends or family? Do you have relationship problems? Are you depressed? Are you grieving the loss of a loved one? Do you feel you are failing in life, and need to regain normalcy? Are you ready to deal with the root cause of issues faced in your life? Are you looking for a safe place where you can share your challenges without fear of being judged?

Congratulations! You have taken the first step toward healing by seeking help. It is important that the relationship between you and your therapist is a good fit, based on mutual respect and trust. I use a strength-based and practical approach. I have a sense of humor which seems to help clients feel more comfortable. Therapy's primary focus is on the present with an understanding of the effects of past events on current behaviors and the need to process unresolved issues. "The turmoil of the past is never wholly forgotten, unresolved it seeps through even the strongest foundation."

My focus has been on supporting clients experiencing depression, anxiety, domestic violence, and complex trauma. I believe that the therapeutic process looks different for each individual, and I believe in finding a unique, individualized approach for each client. I specialize in working with women, adolescents, children, and those in the queer community. I have a specialized background in art and play therapy.

What are your thoughts when you hear the words, “mental health.” Does it make you feel different, abnormal, or out of place with your family, friends, or your community? Better yet do you feel limited on the things achieved with your life? Do you ever wonder the root causes of your anxiety, depression, or even your personality disorder? What we don’t hear enough is trauma has a huge influence on our mental health and overall health. If you answered, yes or maybe to any of my questions above then you came to the right page!

Limited availability at this time. I Love what I do! Sounds Crazy- but the truth is I love working with people who have been thru unspeakable events in life and are looking to find their way back. Trauma is an abnormal event so approach it from a new perspective, talk about the things you are told not to and get into the depths of it. You have to be willing to walk into that bad neighborhood, that has become your mind, and clear it out- but you don't have to walk in there alone. Let me come with you. I'll be your lifeline.

I have been in private practice since 1994, providing services for children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples. As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, I have learned to treat a variety of conditions including Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Personality Disorders, marital problems, and other issues. I also provide a variety of assessment services including disability evaluations, psychological evaluations, custody evaluations, intelligence and academic achievement assessment, and personality assessments. I provide in person and telehealth options for treatment.

Have you been overwhelmed, anxious or depressed by life issues during the last two years, or maybe even longer? Have you encountered events in your life that have caused crisis and loss of what to do? Are you going through a divorce and unsure how to navigate the process of being a single parent? Are you experiencing challenges in parenting a child with ADD/ADHD? Are you encountering challenges in parenting a teen? Are you experiencing grief/loss due to loss of a relationship or death of a loved one? Are you experiencing chronic health issues that have left you feeling depressed, anxious, overwhelmed? Are you a first responder?

Thank you for checking in to learn a little bit more about me. Have you found that you struggling with issues related to anxiety, trauma, life transitions, or other major changes that can come on a day to day basis? We have all been there where we have found that we may need additional support to help navigate and cope with those challenges. My name is Santana and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Substance use Disorder Professional offering virtual services.

Counseling is a brave and wonderful step and finding a positive therapeutic relationship without judgement is necessary for change and growth. Our counselors believe in a client centered, strength-based approach. They have training and experience in several modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, solutions focused treatment and are experienced in the emotional, physical, and spiritual impacts of trauma.

You have served your community, patients, and faith groups, for many years. The excellent care that you provide you deserve. I have 25 years experience serving first responders, military, and faith group leaders. My focus is on individuals exposed to repetitive traumatic experiences in service focus occupations and faith group leadership. Providing tools to cope with various traumas, I am client centered, trained in EMDR and skilled in experiences that provoke trauma. My therapeutic approach is to journey with clients during dark times and support them as they discover the life they deserve.

Counseling is most effective when taking a collaborative and holistic approach. The Ignite team strives to create a strong, therapeutic relationship built on trust, respect, responsibility, empathy, and open-mindedness. We offer a safe and supportive space to explore aspects of the 'self' and life experiences that make up the 'self'. Our staff is trauma-trained and trauma informed. We value our ability to hear the unheard and to help clients find their voice of empowerment.

Talk therapy is great, but what many of the people I work with have missed in past therapy experiences is how to implement what they have learned about themselves into their real life. Self-regulation is key and after establishing a solid foundation using skills training for increasing distress tolerance and emotion regulation, I work with people to get at the root of the problems they are experiencing by using EMDR therapy and other interventions that address the core stuff, which is often the stuff that has kept us stuck in patterns that hurt. From there, we can work on improving your relationships and personal development.

To build trust with my clients, I strive to be authentic, empathetic, and respectful. I recognize that every individual has unique needs and experiences, and I work to tailor my approach to best meet those needs. I believe in the power of a collaborative therapeutic relationship, and I will work with you to create a treatment plan that aligns with your goals and values.