Therapists in Mercer Island, WA

Accepting New Clients! Have you found yourself making changes to your life, such as a job change, a new partner, weight loss, or moving to a new city, and you feel disconnected? Do you find yourself asking questions, "Why haven't things changed? Will I ever find happiness?" In many cases, the external changes are not enough. Many times, what is needed is a change within us. By creating inner changes, we can find healing, joy, and peace within ourselves, so that the external change can be fully enjoyed.

I approach therapy from a relational, psychodynamic model, meaning the relationship between client and therapist can be a healing vessel in your therapeutic process. I pull from attachment theory, neuroscience, somatic approaches, and utilize EMDR in my work. My therapeutic approach also draws from my personality, which integrates humor, playfulness, and authenticity.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with a private practice on Mercer Island, Washington. I have experience in providing therapy for a variety of mental health concerns with children, adolescents, and adults, including those associated with adoption, depression, anxiety and trauma. My services might be particularly suited to those individuals with long-standing mental health concerns.

Building a strong, collaborative therapeutic relationship is my highest priority. My approach is very relational and client centered. Creating a safe place for you to talk about challenging issues and express painful feelings is the essence of good therapy. I provide gentle confrontation to promote growth balanced with empathy, acceptance, and caring. I truly love my work and would be honored to help you to feel better.

I provide a professional, confidential setting in which an individual is safe to explore and find personal solutions to the complex problems of emotional life and interpersonal relationships. I believe it is within the context of the therapeutic attachment that positive growth and development are facilitated.

It's no small thing to ask for help. At whatever pace feels comfortable we'll look at your situation and try to sort out what might be keeping you from the kind of life you want. Together we'll map out short and longer-term goals, developing tools to help you cope with things that right now might feel too big to handle. I strive to create a safe place to be curious about what things in your life are working and what things may need to change.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Washington and I work with individuals 12 years old and up and their families in the greater Seattle area. I specialize in eating disorders, anxiety, depression and mood, and trauma. I am also an approved clinical supervisor and offer supervision to those who need clinical hours for their licensure. I provide eating disorder and body image consultation for fellow clinicians in the Seattle area; my goal is to provide other therapists the opportunity to consult with a specialist in the field in order to feel more secure and confident in their work with clients.

Are you a woman or teen girl experiencing depression, anxiety, codependency, or who has experienced one or multiple traumas? Do you need to heal past wounds and resentments? Would you love to gain self-compassion and experience hope again? If you feel like something is keeping you from moving forward, I’m the kind of therapist who can help you manage current symptoms, find the root cause of your issues, work toward healing, and build a life you love! I provide online therapy for female-identifying and nonbinary adults and teens living in Oregon and Washington state and am trained in EMDR.

Avanti is a place where children, adolescents, young adults, couples and families can receive counseling and support. The foundation of therapy is the relationship with a trusted and trained therapist who can help teens and young adults deal with the causes of distress and help them acquire the skills to cope more successfully in the future. We are here to help you achieve healing, insight and growth in your life. We offer both in-person and telehealth services.

I am a guide on your journey to reclaim wholeness. Focusing on healing and growth, I assist you in making positive, long-lasting changes in the areas of your life in which you desire to come alive. Together, we will discover healing and possibility, developing effective means of integrating the mind, body, and soul for heart-centered living in the world and in relationships. I practice EFT for couples, an effective modality to strengthen your relationship bond, recognize the cycles that cause distress, and learn to effectively navigate conflict, and improve both communication and intimacy.

I have worked with a wide variety of clients, all of whom have been in different stages of change readiness. I work with all ages as young as 6 years of age to over 60 years of age. My clients struggle with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD, ADHD, relationship issues, grief and loss due to illness, injury, death and life transitions, as well as adjustments to positive transitions, such as job promotion, new business, or marriage. Whatever the issue we will work together to find the client's best solution.

I am a licensed psychologist with 20 years experience providing psychotherapy and consultation. My approach is gentle, respectful and compassionate, including challenge and encouragement as appropriate. I offer short-term and long-term psychotherapy, emphasizing the development of a warm, empathic therapeutic relationship. My treatment approach is integrative and most influenced by psychoanalytic, humanistic and developmental theories. Psychotherapy involves verbalizing your thoughts and feelings, exploring relational and behavioral patterns, and understanding how past experiences may impact you now. The needs and goals of the individual guide my therapeutic approach. My personal style is down-to-earth and interactive, with an occasional dash of humor.

My approach with clients is warm, compassionate and collaborative. In addition to relieving pain and symptoms, I strive to help clients make changes that bring them happiness and greater satisfaction in life. Areas of expertise include treatment of PTSD, depression, anxiety, trauma, and abuse, along with problems stemming from relationship issues, divorce, parenting issues, empty nest, career change, relocation, major illness, chronic pain, or grief. I use complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a personalized approach for each client, building on strengths to achieve the changes you want.

Relationships. Trust. Well being. Recognition of undiscovered possibilities. These core values are at the crux of my therapy practice. Whatever brings you to therapy...whether you are working on a personal issue that has been making you feel stuck, recovering from a trauma or difficult life transition, feeling inadequate or unworthy in some area of your life or feeling misunderstood in your relationship(s)...I am committed to being a skillful and compassionate practitioner who will ALWAYS keep your goals in focus. I am honored to accompany you on this journey of powerful insight, awareness, and transformation.

**NOTE: wait list available. Self-improvement. Relationship issues. Anxiety. Unhelpful thoughts or behaviors. These are some of the concerns that bring people, just like you, to my counseling practice. I value and work with the strengths, imperfections, gifts, genetics, history and humanity of each person or family, as these aspects inform and shape who we are. I support clients in identifying a values-based direction for positive change and explore both what motivates change and the barriers that are getting in the way. Together, we create a road map to a healthier life for you or your family.

It you're reading this then you're taking the first step to getting help with how you're living your life. I find that most people who seek therapy are struggling with some pain or conflict they cannot overcome with the skills and support currently present in their lives. Talking to a trained professional about your troubles can bring relief and help you to make changes. I work with individuals and couples to help them overcome obstacles in their lives such as unrealized potential, feelings of being overwhelmed or hopeless, relationship troubles, constant stress, and self-destructive behaviors.

In my training and career, I specialized in treating children with behavioral difficulties and adults suffering from anxiety, depression and stress. In working with children, my approach includes collaboratively working with the child and their family through their presenting issues and helping institute sustainable changes to foster individual growth in the child and relational growth in the family. This often includes psycho-education and coaching for parents in addition to individual therapy for the child. In working with adults I utilize a range of methods from existential to behavioral depending on the specific needs of the individual.

Helping couples connect is my specialty. Do you sometimes feel alone in your relationship? Does it seem like your partner does not understand you, and no matter how hard you try it seems like you end up in the same fight over and over again? Has that sense of being close and connected changed to feeling more distant and roommate like? If you're ready to reclaim your relationship back from the negative patterns that keep you stuck, I am here to help.

Dr. Carson is a forensic psychologist who conducts evaluations and provides expert testimony in civil and criminal cases. She is Board Certified in both Forensic Psychology and Couple and Family Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). Dr. Carson is the immediate past president of the Board of Trustees of the Washington State Psychological Association (WSPA), is the past President of the American Academy of Couple and Family Psychology, and is the Treasurer of the American Board of Couple and Family Psychology.