Therapists in Puyallup, WA

I work with clients who are dealing with depression, anxiety, grief and loss, challenges with self-worth and unhelpful thinking, trauma, PTSD, relationships and feeling stuck. I help clients realize their innate wisdom, achieve their goals - whatever they may be, and find new ways of being in a world that is constantly full of challenges. I also work with parents who are struggling with their roles as parents, dealing with guilt and shame that oftentimes comes with parenting and help to find positive solutions with childrearing.

First, I believe it is my duty to be able to actively listen to my client, obtain a good understanding of where they are and where they want to go. Together, we will move you and/or your team or organization in the desired direction to reach your goals. As a young man growing up in North Chicago, I quickly learned that life is full of rewards and upsets, if I allowed it to happen. At 3 months old, I was abandoned by my mother, left inside of a garbage can in an alley waiting to die. However, life had other plans for me. A passerby heard my faint cries and pulled me from the garbage can. Later, I was adopted but went on to experience years of physical and emotional abuse by my adopted mother. At the age of 12, I ran away from home and was placed in foster care. I was adopted again, but I experienced more mental and physical abuse. I dropped out of the 9th grade and began running away again. At the age of 16, the authorities declared me an emancipated teenager. With a story like mine, you would probably think there was no hope for finding happiness or for finding quality of life. However, I have learned to use my negative experiences as a testimony to reach out and help others.

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?

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Are you having difficulty coping with stress or life transition? Are your relationships with your significant other, family, or coworkers less than desirable? Maybe you feel depressed or anxious. Life can be difficult at times without help from someone else. I have 15 years of experience in providing counseling and psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families from all walks of life. Let me help you discover your strengths and get things back on track.