Therapists in Bellingham, WA

Welcome, I am so happy you are here! Putting yourself first and reaching out for support can be so hard, and change can take a huge leap of faith. You don’t have to navigate life challenges alone, and I would love to support you on your journey. Whether you need intensive services or short-term treatment, together we can create a plan that best fits your needs. My approach to therapy is to meet you where you are, and to recognize that you are the expert of your life. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is the most important aspect of therapy, and I strive to create a sense of safety that also fosters growth.

Difficult life events or trauma may have shaped your past. Whether you are experiencing mood instability or anxiety, life transitions, or grief and loss of a loved one, you are not alone. I offer a kind, compassionate and nonjudgmental space to support people through hard times and self-exploration. Together we will identify what you want and need in your life, right now.

Are you feeling lost, stuck, lonely, overwhelmed, or burnt-out? Do you sometimes catch glimpses of who you would like to be, but have no idea how to get there? Are you tired of fighting with yourself and ready to begin working with yourself to live a life that feels more authentic to you? Whether you are struggling with a life transition, weighed down in grief, grappling with the decision about whether to become a parent, ready to let go of diet culture and body shame, or wanting more happiness and meaning in your life, I'm ready to help you make changes at a pace that feels right to you.

We all need support throughout our lives, and you may be looking for an additional resource to help you process lived experiences, problem-solve, or understand yourself in a deeper way. You may be struggling with anxiety, the challenges of caregiving, work stress and burnout, relationship challenges, or working through grief, loss, or bereavement. You want to engage in healthy coping skills and develop self-care habits to better support the vision you have for your life.

Welcome! Congratulations, you have done the hard, first step of searching for a therapist. I would love to introduce myself and my practice. I am a queer, fat, white woman who works with LGBTQIA+ folx and women around anxiety, depression, grief, fat liberation, LGBTQ issues, spiritual abuse, boundaries, relationships and life transitions. I work with both adults and teens. My practice is social justice and disability justice oriented, anti-racist, committed to fat liberation, and sex positive. I am always working to continue to grow in these areas and hope we can create a safe space for you to show up just as you are.

I would love to work with you on the things that hold you back. Reclamation of personal power will be the basis of our work together. We will explore relational systems such as justice and culture, and the role of the self within these systems. By re-imagining yourself as a cherished and sacred part of the whole, you can heal the wounds that have drained your precious energy and afflicted you with false negative narratives. Together, we will find out what your story truly has to tell us, and rewrite it for your benefit!

In the heart of ecotherapy lies the belief that nature has the capacity to foster emotional well-being and personal growth. I specialize in supporting motivated individuals overcome a range of challenges, including grief, stress, anxiety, depression, climate-related concerns, and the complexities of living in a fast-paced modern world. By integrating evidence-based therapeutic techniques with the natural environment, I guide my clients toward greater self-awareness, resilience, and a profound sense of connection with the world around them.

I provide a safe space to creatively heal trauma, learn nervous system regulation tools and explore your authentic and creative self. People who experience the most success with me want to use expressive arts and mindfulness to heal trauma, increase embodiment, unlearn limiting beliefs and learn tools for nervous system regulation. I am especially skilled at working with children and youth to heal from trauma and learn social-emotional skills. I am a queer non-binary neurodivergent dancer, performer, artist and facilitator committed to providing support to the LGBTQIA2S+ community.

As a therapist, and human in general, I am passionate about creating space for the stories and emotions that are so often pushed away, hidden from view, and disavowed. I believe that to be seen, heard, and accepted in these tender places can be a profoundly healing experience, even (and especially) when there is "nothing to do about it," other than bear witness and grieve. An important piece of this process is moving towards a way of being that centers less around achieving, perfecting and “doing” and much more around “being.” Being present, being messy, being perfectly imperfect and ok with slow processes and uncertainties.

I enjoy collaborating with individuals and couples, especially those who identify as Black, Indigenous, POC or apart of the LGBTQ+ community, to access their innate healing power, reclaim ancestral knowledge, and achieve their vision of wellness. I practice with the beliefs that everyone is the expert of their own story, and have the power to heal themselves under the right circumstances. I provide support to those ready to process and work through past trauma, grief, relationship challenges, life transitions, spirituality, identity struggles, multicultural experiences, and building connection and intimacy.

Human beings are unique, complex, and possess the capacity for change. Although adversity and struggle can feel overwhelming, can make us feel lost or stuck, our essential selves are not lost and are not wholly defined by depression or angst or trauma or grief. Compassionate, respectful support provides a space to explore, discover, reclaim, change, heal, and grow.

David works with clients to understand challenges, to develop specific goals, and to promote wellness using a variety of tools from therapeutic modalities including empathetic Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). David draws from experience working with individuals and families as an educator, birth doula, Guardian ad Litem, mediator, and counselor. David is also approved by WA State to complete DVIT Domestic Violence Assessments and Treatment.

My decision to become a therapist began with my curiosity of and a deep respect for the diversity of human experience and influences that have shaped and continue to shape who we are today. Although we come into the world alone, we are wired for connection and early on we develop a sense of self from what we observe in others and our relation to them. We develop stories about ourselves that sometimes become barriers to health and happiness. Our work together is a team effort to identify what may be getting in the way of authenticity, contentment, and peace. You have taken the first and brave step of seeking a therapist.

I am passionate about helping people make sense of their lives in complicated times. I am an actively involved psychotherapist. I believe in developing a strongly collaborative relationship. With mutual curiosity, we can explore meaningful ways to find relief and make lasting, positive changes. I do psychotherapy with children, teens, families, and adults in English, Spanish, French, Italian, and in Japanese. I also do psychological evaluations for Attention Deficit Disorder.

Through Life Stages: offers an array of services including but not limited to individual, children, couples and group counseling, crisis intervention, grief and loss therapy and conflict resolution. Dr Kaufman uses state of the art Mental Health Assessments. The Assessment includes a comprehensive social history, referral information, diagnostic impression, significant findings, and recommendations for treatment. A thorough Mental Health Evaluation like this is the best way to help yourself, your child, and your family. As a Professional Counselor Isabel E. Kaufman is experienced, knowledgeable and able to help!

I support people in the trenches of life, sitting with them in the dark and helping them locate the light. You might be struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, chronic pain/illness, grief & loss, performance pressure, relational challenges, or a challenging life transition. Or interested in growing your self-awareness and living more fully and authentically. You deserve support. My approach is warm, authentic, and relational. I seek to both gently challenge you and remind you of your strengths.

There are times in all our lives when we need emotional support. Reaching out for professional help takes strength and courage. Whether you are dealing with relationship issues, grief, depression, anxiety, a life transition or an emotional crisis, it can feel overwhelming to carry all of those emotions and worries alone. At times it can be difficult to even know what you want and need. I provide an open-minded, nonjudgemental, nurturing environment where you can feel safe to be yourself and express whatever emotions you are having.

I have a waitlist for individuals ages 18 to 100 for psychotherapy, currently via video/telehealth. I expect to be able to accept new clients after July 1, 2024. I excel in supporting clients with complex trauma, attachment wounds, grief, loss, adjustment, depression, anxiety, and identity issues. I work best with clients who are open to exploring their emotions, embracing both laughter and tears, engaging in meaningful conversations, and delving deep within to gain self-understanding and valuable insights.

I enjoy my work as a psychotherapist even more today then I did when I started over 20 years ago. There is so much power and insight that comes from a truly authentic relationship between therapist and client. You, the client, can then take what is learned in the safety of the therapeutic relationship out into the world full of Other relationships and feel equipped to navigate them in a way that is aligned with who you are. Whether it's your self as a mother, daughter, brother, or son, there is meaning to unfold in everything you do.