Therapists in Gig Harbor, WA

"I must be a mermaid; I have no fear of depths & a great fear of shallow living" (A. Nin). Are you wanting a deeper experience of life? I will explore those depths with you & help you craft a life that feels more balanced, that is rich and rewarding. I am an active & supportive listener & aim to help you feel held in your own journey yet challenged to be your best self. My deepest desire is to help you meet your own goals for balance, relationships, health & happiness so that you can truly feel the joy of living an enchanted life.

I believe that the relationship to our self is the most important relationship that we will ever have. A bond with a therapist who witnesses and understands us in a nonjudgmental way can be a wonderful ally in improving that relationship and making positive changes in our lives. Trauma, attachment issues, toxic families of origin, oppression, grief, and ancestral/family patterns are just some just some examples that can cause suffering that motivates someone to start therapy. I have experience working with clients with depression, anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, and other mood disorders that make it difficult to function in life.

I meet with individuals, couples, families, and run groups. I generally work with folks who complain of depression, anxiety, grief and loss, stress management, anger management, trauma/PTSD, interpersonal conflict, parenting challenges, spiritual challenges, frustration tolerance, and some health challenges to include nicotine addiction. I also provide in-home nursing-aid care, DD respite care, and tutoring. A client is encouraged to boldly explore their own thoughts and emotions in a safe, warm and collaborative therapeutic environment and find new solutions, skills, insight and awareness around life's challenges, both within the person and the persons' life experience

**I am unable to take new clients at this time** I believe in the inner capacity of all humans to grow and heal in mind, body, and spirit from trauma or challenges faced in life. Due to our interconnected nature, this healing capacity is deepened and broadened through the assistance and support of others. I seek to hold a safe space through the therapeutic relationship to allow for the development of greater understanding and appreciation of self. Through this process, people begin to make meaningful changes and courageously act in ways that reflect their values and wholeness.

I am a compassionate and dedicated therapist specializing in trauma recovery and mental wellness. With a deep understanding of the complexities of trauma and its profound effects on individuals, I offer a safe and nurturing space for clients to embark on their healing journey. Many of my clients have experienced trauma during childhood, leading to conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), dissociation, self-harm, suicidal ideation, or debilitating depression and anxiety. Together, we'll explore the depths of your resilience, reclaim your sense of self, and emerge stronger than ever before.

Are you someone who is looking to improve their daily functioning and overall quality of life? Are you seeking help with communication, social interaction, and emotional regulation? You may be struggling with anxiety or depression, difficulty forming and maintaining relationships, or finding a fulfilling career. My goal is to work collaboratively with my clients to develop strategies and tools to help them better navigate the world around them and achieve their individual goals. By creating a safe and supportive environment, I aim to empower my clients to become more confident, independent, and fulfilled individuals.

While I am currently on maternity leave until 3/1/2024, when I return I'll work with those feeling the effects of the pandemic, women's issues, those affected by the polarization of the country, and people of color experiencing the tumult of the events over the past several years. Struggling with dating or relationships with family members? I'd like to help with that too. I also work with people who want to understand their own relationship with money and how that affects their lives and the lives of their children. Other issues of interest include the treatment of trauma, self-esteem, workplace burnout, depression, and anxiety.

Almost everyone at times needs some support or coaching on their life journey. As a seasoned therapist I'd be happy to sit down with you and compasionately listen to your story and lend some hope and support. I see "crisis" as an opportunity to face and overcome the dangers around and in us and a time to open up to the radiance and mysteries of Life.

I am an artist/poet turned therapist. My method is to slowly build a therapeutic relationship, uncover strengths, and move toward client-identified treatment goals. I support clients to externalize problematic narratives or inner states they are stuck in through creative mediums. Once clients are resourced and can see, and then interact with their patterns and parts they make changes. Together we discover and incorporate parts of the self that had to go underground due to trauma or oppression. Clients emerge from their work, whole and empowered.

Skills for Life offers therapy for children, adolescents, young adults, and the families that support them. We are located in Madison Valley by Cafe Flora and also offer HIPAA compliant telehealth. Call for a free 15 minute consultation to see if counseling can help your family.

My approach to therapy is very client focused. I am a systemic therapist and will try and look at the whole picture of your life to help figure out how to help. Working with couples to save, restore, or provide maintenance is my passion. There’s nothing in the world quite like trauma and the way it impacts us as individuals on many different levels. I can help you deal with and navigate these painful memories and intrusive thoughts to live a healthier life. If you are a parent struggling with a child or family problems, I believe I can connect with and help teach both parent and child to help you be a more successful family unit.

Life is unpredictable with many ups and downs. No matter how much we want life to move in a linear fashion it often goes unplanned causing us to feel off balance. I believe therapy is a safe place to begin your own personal journey and learning to be present in your life. It allows you to rediscover who you are. Therapy is different for every individual and/or couple. I have an EMDR, existential & integrative approach to helping clients create healthy, fulfilling and rewarding lives. I integrate therapeutic styles depending on the best fit for client and situation.

My approach to counseling is holistic, humanistic and client-centered. I am trained in EMDR and trauma. I work with you and together we create an individualized approach to counseling that supports your goals. My professional background is in Trauma, PTSD, Grief, Loss, Early Parent loss. Anxiety, Depression. CBT, Family Systems Counseling, Narrative Therapy, Restorative Retelling, EFT, Matrix Reprinting, Multicultural Cultural Counseling, Feminist, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. Since 2000, I have had the experience of living abroad as an elementary K-8 Certified teacher in Shanghai, China, Chiangmai, and Saudi Arabia.