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

I provide a supportive environment for individuals and couples to practice skills designed to enhance personal, relational, and professional satisfaction. My office is a safe confidential place to process life. I help individuals manage mental health and reduce need for prescriptions by incorporating research based practices. Learning tools to reduce anxiety, depression and PTSD due to trauma. Additionally, I am familiar with the challenges of military families and first responders. The unique cultural challenges of these groups and how therapy can help normalize and reduce mental distress for families and individuals.

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.

I work with each person through a holistic and integrative lens. Whether I am completing an evaluation or providing therapy, it is not one size fits all. I take a lot of pride when a client tells me, “you’re not like my other therapist.” I’ve heard all sorts of reasons I’m not like others. Most often, I hear appreciation about my ability to validate and push for change at the same time. I provide individual and group therapy; working with older teenage and adult men and women. I also provide evaluation services in various areas, such as behavioral, emotional, personality, cognitive, sexual, and memory domains.

It’s time to PAUSE, HEAL, and LIVE. We may find ourselves just existing or wrestling through our day, instead of really living. We may question what is our worth, or if we are living an authentic life. Allow me to share the journey of your discovery towards finding purpose and meaning. I am a passionate, grateful, compassionate, flawed, human being, seeking to contribute to the growth and wellness of any who desire to journey this thing we call life. My aim is to help you meet your goals and needs, and discover hidden strengths and values that makes life worth living by using strategies grounded in best practices and evidence-based.

-TEMPORARILY NOT TAKING NEW PATIENTS- Life and relationships can be overwhelming. Oftentimes, in spite of our best efforts, we find ourselves ineffective with the tools we have. Identifying and understanding your underlying tendencies, which frequently stem from hurtful relationships, is foundational for making peace and moving forward with more effective tools. We want to love and be loved. Before we can do this, we need to be love-able, in other words- healthy enough to express and accept love while maintaining healthy boundaries.

There are times in our lives when we feel stuck. We struggle with transition, grief, and loss. We may find it difficult to relate to others or even ourselves. My approach to therapy with adolescents, men, women, and families is client-centered and collaborative. My role is to help you solve your problems in positive and fulfilling ways. I provide a safe and compassionate place where you can find balance, connection and growth. Because my experience involves working with children, teens, adults and families, I hold a broad scope and view you as a whole person.

Not Taking New Clients- - If you are finding that worries, fears, feeling too little or feeling too much are keeping you from living the life you want help is available. Whether it's adjusting to big changes in your life, dealing with fears and worries that seem like they have always been there, or struggling to make and keep relationships help is available. Most of us get stuck at some point in our life and need someone to support and guide us to get back on track.