Narrative Therapists in Fife, WA

I am a dedicated licensed independent clinical social worker in Washington state with over 26 years of working with clients. My work history includes government agency, drug and alcohol program, incarceration facility, psychiatric hospital, skilled nursing facilities, medical hospital, military behavioral health, and co-occurring inpatient program. My knowledge and abilities are working with infants, children, adolescents, adults, seniors, couples, and families. Therapies I utilize are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Buddhist Psychology, Solution-focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Strengths Perspective.

My therapy practice is client centered, so I place full attention on precisely what you hope for , what you dream of, and what gets in the way. I tailor our work to achieve meaningful change that will endure, regardless of outer circumstances.I combine Zen awareness training and cutting edge modalities that are innovative yet accessible and invite the inner courage of my clients.I recognize and honor the native wisdom of clients regarding their own lives. Clients report they experience the beginnings of change almost immediately. Over half of my clients work with me via Skype video conferencing.

Now accepting Premera, Lifewise and some BC/BS plans! We all struggle with changes in our lives; whether they are expected or come as a surprise. I am passionate about working with clients when they are in their season of change, whether that is work and relationship transitions, questioning and addressing gender and sexuality, and testing the waters about how to feel differently about their story up to this point.

Have you diligently worked to create a life that thrives, but still feel stuck by childhood or continuing harm? Is your past contributing to anxiety or depression in your current life? Often the coping strategies we form in childhood survive past their "effectiveness date," creating an invisible force that holds us back from thriving. In session, we will create a space for you to explore past, present, and hopes for the future. We will hold both harm and healing, as we create a framework for developing skills and a making adjustments that bring a freedom to thrive. Together we will forge a path that accounts for the beauty and harm.

Hello! My name is Monica and I'm on a journey to understand the connection between hope and healing. Lately, it feels like we're all plants that have been left out in the cold for far too long, and at times it feels like there is no way forward, no way to keep growing in the bitter winter chill. It is my hope, however, that together we can find a new way to grow, one that challenges our own assumptions, pushes us out of our comfort zone, and motivates us to work toward something better and brighter.

Throughout life there are many things we are in control of, however there are also things we may not have control over. Experiencing this feeling of no control can manifest itself in anxiety, depression, loss of self, or even impact relationships with those around you. Whether it's due to your upbringing, the environment, or traumatic experiences, the constant fight to regain power and control of your life again can be exhausting, overwhelming and isolating. Therapy is that helping hand that can guide you on your healing journey and path to self-discovery. It can also be your safe place to rest and just be.

I use several therapeutic approaches including CBT, DBT, SFT Narrative therapy to support individual clients, and families. I work with youth 10 or older, couples, parents, and adults seeking professional counseling.

Life can be very confusing at times for all of us. I welcome you to take the time for yourself to gain perspective on life's struggles. There can be great benefits in the process! I treat depression/anxiety, trauma, ADHD, Eating Disorders, and marital issues. My office is warm and cozy as we journey together thru the healing process. I use a narrative, solution-focused, CBT modality, Lifespan Integration for clearing trauma, along with a bit of humor over life's bumps. You are welcome to join me for your heart, soul, and body health!

My goal is to assist you in recognizing your inherent strengths that have been developed as a result of your unique experiences. Everyone comes to this moment with their own set of beliefs, values, morals, and expectations. You are stronger than you think. You are more capable than you think. Oftentimes individuals, couples, and families may not recognize their own resilience and their ability to break toxic cycles that may exist within relationships. Sometimes experiences can overwhelm us, and make us feel that we don’t know the way forward. The process of therapy is turning those overwhelming feelings into a road map.

ACCEPTING CLIENTS. I love to help women that feel they are being crushed by anxiety and expectations. I help my clients gain confidence, set boundaries, and shake off the need to always be "the helper". I work with anxiety, OCD, trauma processing, and perinatal concerns (pregnancy through postpartum).

However you have come to find yourself pursuing therapy, welcome. Being human beings on this earth is a complicated thing, it is a chaotic time to be living life, and you are worthy of finding some space for care and support as you navigate through how to be a human.

I believe in the inherent glory, beauty, and strength within each individual. While this may sound idealistic, it's undeniable that our lives often encompass brokenness, pain, darkness, and shame, obscuring our true essence. My mission is to guide you through understanding your personal narrative or "mythos" that has sculpted your identity. This involves exploring your self-perception, spiritual beliefs, and your interaction with the world. I am committed to journeying with you through the depths of pain and darkness to uncover the profound truth of our existence – that we are intimately known and cherished by God.

We are products of the stories we carry. They shape who we think we are, who we think we should be, and who we want to become. We are given stories by our families and those who raised us, from our peers and colleagues, from culture and society, and perhaps most important are those we create for ourselves. Some of them are empowering and give us strength to carry on through difficult circumstances. And some of them oppress us, keeping us from living in inner congruence or creating unnecessary conflict in our relationships. Through therapy, it is often helpful to examine these stories to gain understanding and curate them as needed.

I serve adults and some adolescents (ages 13-17), who may fall into one of the following categories: a brain experiencing depressed mood, anxiety, trauma, the bereaved/grieving, first- responders & their families, and marriage-in-crisis. The primary modality of therapy I utilize is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and have found this to be highly useful in treating depression, anxiety, certain types of traumas, and other significant life stressors. Additionally, I work with clients of faith and also provide psycho-education regarding boundaries. I'd be honored to help support you in optimal brain health! There is HOPE.

As a systemic therapist, I believe that people are shaped by their experiences and the people they’ve encountered along the way. I work from a place of non-judgement and celebrate body positivity, 2SLGBTQ+, and neurodiversity. I tend to use interventions from various theories, and will do my best to shape sessions so that they best fit my clients and their needs.

My work is influenced by the thought of existentialist philosophers and psychologists who speak compassionately to a profound and uniquely human dilemma—the quest for meaning in the face of suffering. Psychotherapy provides a safe and intimate space in which we might expand our capacity to bear suffering and to find meaning within and through it. Depth psychology proposes that the psyche consists of both conscious and unconscious thoughts, impulses, fantasies, and ideas. Symptoms (of depression, anxiety, addictions, etc.) are more than painful indicators of psychopathology.

Are you impacted by trauma and unsure how to escape its grip on your life? Perhaps you experience the past invading the present – along with the original sensations, emotions, images, and thoughts – in the form of PTSD symptoms when you encounter triggers. You might find yourself trapped in the throes of depression or an existential crisis, grappling with a profound loss of meaning and purpose that has left you feeling uncertain or without a sense of the future. It is possible to heal from the past and regain a sense of peace, meaning, and joy.

I specialize in working with adult individuals navigating ADHD, depression, anxiety, and the impacts of trauma. I feel honored to walk alongside clients searching for connection and healing within themselves and their relationships. My therapeutic approach is grounded in Narrative and Solution-Focused modalities, and I tailor my approach to fit each individual client. Additionally, I am trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy, a 12-week manualized therapy designed to assist clients in healing from PTSD.