Therapists in Puyallup, WA

I work with adults ages 18+ to provide support for anxiety, trauma, relationships, and LGBTQ+ identities. I work from an anti-oppression and social justice oriented framework, and my work with clients often focuses on themes of personal agency and empowerment, shame resolution, and self-acceptance. I enjoy supporting clients with issues related to burnout, chronic stress, anxiety, and trauma to live more authentically alignment with their values and to build stronger and more connective relationships with themselves and others.

No one is broken. What does it mean to be you? What are your heart’s secret longings? What are the heavy parts you carry in your body and the hopes that you have yet to speak aloud? Healing is not linear. Let us explore the winding path that is you: in the memories of your past, in your experience of the present, and in the possibilities of the future. I am a transgender-identified therapist who specializes in work with LGBTQ+ people and their loved ones. In addition, I work with trauma survivors, people who have experienced othering, and people in life transitions.

Even when we know that some of our emotional pain is unnecessary, on our own it can be difficult to figure out why the extra suffering and how to make it better. Anxiety, depression, trauma re-activation, relationship difficulties, and coping strategies are natural responses to life experiences and circumstances. Do they need to hurt so and are we stuck with them? Therapy is a great place to gain perspective on what you can change. Also, to widen the horizon from managing pain to living more fully like yourself and to thriving. Because, as Thich Nhat Hanh said, "suffering is not enough".

You are the expert on your own identity, experience, and challenges. Our work together will be guided by your intuition and understanding as we collaborate on a path forward. I can support you to navigate questions and challenges around identity, relationships, gender and sexuality, grief, trauma, anxiety and stress. I deeply value my connection with each client and know how important our relationship is in your healing. My goal is to provide a safe space where you can be in the moment and recognize the places you already feel empowered and strong, so you can apply those skills in other areas.

These days it seems everyone is dealing with trauma and overwhelming distress - whether childhood, complex, combat, generational, or just keeping up with the jones's, it is making our society sicker everyday as we forget how to care for one another and are forced into solitary corners of suffering. Those with the strongest natural supports and biological defenses will thrive, but more and more those natural supports and defenses are weakening, even for the most successful as the illness becomes pervasive.

Updated 2/19/24: My clients have come to me experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, and many other presenting concerns. In therapy I strive to understand and clarify my clients' goals and help them work toward building insight around their concerns. You don't have to know exactly what your goals might be, and during our work you can always add or change goals. This is your treatment and my hope is that you take an active role in determining the direction and depth of the work that we do together. My hope is that we can end every session feeling that we have made progress.

I work with individuals ages 18 and over. I have a particular passion for working with people living with religious trauma, confusion about their religious conditioning or emerging from cults or cult-like religious structures. I also focus on providing care for the LGBTQ+ community and I am a non-binary member of the community myself. Additionally, I work with people navigating depression, self-esteem issues, anxiety, and trauma. I also offer gender-affirming care, help for those questioning their gender, and people at any stage of transition.

Do you struggle with talking about your emotions but excel at talking about the facts of your experience? When someone or something hurts you, do you try to learn everything you can about it? Maybe you’ve read articles and books, follow professionals on social media, and try to understand all the details? It can feel scary to explore our emotions, but it is possible to safely reconnect to our emotions and find healing. I love working with folks who identify within the LGBTQ+ community, as well as those who have other marginalized identities and life experiences.

I am currently accepting new telehealth clients across all of Washington. It can be really difficult here and now to live a life that allows you to thrive. I offer support for people struggling, people who want to feel better, who want to grow. I am a good fit for people who want to shift their relationships with themselves, with loved ones, with standards that don’t fit. I love supporting young adults in their life travel. l am trans and non-binary, and I have a special place in my practice for LGBTQ+ people of all kinds, especially people on the trans and gender diverse spectrum, and people exploring their relationship to gender.

In today’s world it can be hard to connect with others or feel a sense of belonging at home, work, or within the general community. In times of disconnect and loneliness it can be tempting to implement poor boundaries in an attempt to keep people close, look for a sense of control through use of substances or disordered eating, or seek refuge away from others through isolation. Let’s work together to rebuild your self-confidence as we explore your values and what you want in life.

Accepting New Clients with weekly availability! I offer therapy that is compassionate, non-judgemental, and accepting of who you are and what you are carrying in the present moment. My work is creating a warm environment to explore different layers and parts of yourself, interpersonal relationships, goals and desires, as well as body-based mindfulness practices to process emotions in other ways besides talking. As a queer therapist centered in liberation frameworks, advocacy, and justice, I recognize how systemic oppression effects our mental health.

“There is no standard normal. Normal is subjective. There are seven billion versions of normal on this planet.” - Matt Haig. So very often, we find ourselves facing the word "should". Who "should" I be, where in life "should" I be, what "should" I be able to do. Whether you are just learning who you are for the first time, or are in a place of transition in your life, the process can be very difficult and can often leave us feeling isolated, alone, misunderstood, and in the need of support.

Currently accepting new clients. I work with couples, polycules, new relationships, platonic life partners, families and groups. I am passionate about serving folks who are part of the LGBTQIA+ and poly/ethical non-monogamy communities. Living in a society that prioritizes profit over people and systematically privileges & oppresses based on identity takes a large toll. I believe therapy is a resource to help us navigate this world & be intentional about how we show up in ourselves and our relationships. My approach is to meet people where they are at and provide tools, resources, and practices to aid them in living authentically.

I am interested in supporting you through transitions, trauma, and life changes that can be difficult to navigate. I utilize a trauma-informed approach that is grounded in social justice, lived experience, and uplifting community. I have primarily worked with youth and also have experience working with LGBTQIA adults and survivors of assault through therapeutic groups and advocacy work. I am committed to supporting those who have been marginalized and believe that healing and justice is necessary for our communities.

I bring a holistic, empathetic approach to help individuals and families. My approach is all about understanding and healing together in a safe and caring way. Through talking and activities, we explore feelings and find paths to healing.