Female Therapists in Bainbridge Island, WA

I work with men and women who are struggling with symptoms of depression and/ or anxiety, issues of grief and loss, compulsive eating, relationship/family and family-of-origin issues, as well as life-phase-transition issues. I am particularly attuned to how early life attachment relationships impact clients' interpersonal functioning as adults. Other special interest areas include working with clients with adrenal fatigue, individuals/ couples struggling with issues as related to fertility challenges and working with/ diagnosing clients with ADHD. I am qualified and licensed to conduct ADD/ADHD assessments and to assign a diagnosis accordingly.

My focus in therapy is on helping you create a life that you want to be present for, whatever that means to you. If you don't know, that's ok too (and you're in good company). We can figure it out together. I emphasize a nonjudgmental approach that focuses on balancing acceptance and change. I often work with people who are dissatisfied with their lives because they have high emotional sensitivity and have difficulty managing their behaviors, emotions, and relationships as a result of past invalidation. We can work together to both understand and change your unhelpful patterns and help you learn to accept yourself just as you are.

I counsel children, teens and their parents, as well as adults and couples who are experiencing a wide range of psychological and relationship difficulties due to parent child conflict, major life transitions, grief and loss and recent or historic trauma. My approach is systemic, meaning that I try to understand human problems in terms of the complex set of psychological and social systems in which they are embedded - family, social, cultural, educational and emotional experiences. I have specialized training and experience in treating anxiety and depression and trauma/PTSD using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

In 35 years of practice as a substance use disorder counselor I have come to the conclusion that individualized, holistic treatment is as good or better than group treatment in many cases. I try to include a client’s significant others in the treatment process whenever possible because support outside the treatment office is crucial, and educated support is the most beneficial. I really believe in lifelong personal growth and see recovery as a foundation to that, not as an end in itself. Recovery works best when it is a process more of running towards the unfoldment of one's natural strengths than away from "bad" choices.

I support individuals and couples through challenges and transitions to improve the quality of their lives. One focus of my practice is in Perinatal Mental Health (Pregnancy and Postpartum) including mood and anxiety disorders, depression, miscarriage, stillbirth, pregnancy or birth complications, trauma and grief, or difficulties bonding with your baby. I work with couples struggling with relationship issues including the impact having a baby has on a relationship, parenting challenges and healthy communication. Other treatment specialties include substance abuse, relational trauma, emotional regulation, and suicidality.

My professional orientation is very eclectic. I combine a Jungian philosophy with CBT and DBT interventions with a client centered approach that involves a caring and insightful focus on self, others and community. My intention is to collaborate fully with each individual and to assist him or her in changing the trajectory of his or her life in a positive way. I view self discovery as an essential part of our unfolding experience together and value our time together. To become an agent of change in one's own life takes tremendous courage and strength; I can help facilitate this.

I have experience working with couples, families and individuals of all ages from a variety of cultures/ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, and religious beliefs, as well as LGBTQIA+. My approach is integrated, operating from a systems theory background, with a lens that is relational and informed by awareness of how societal factors impact experience. Working as a certified chemical dependency counselor, I address not only the individual substance user, but the impact of use on loved ones. I see change happening through shifts from a person seeing themselves as the problem to seeing themselves as a person up against a problem.

I counsel couples and families through a variety of life-stages, helping them find well-being in their changing roles. Dedicated to working through the entire therapeutic process with you and those you love, I create a time and place for couples and families to explore their challenges and find acceptance, appreciation and gratitude for each family member. I believe that acceptance in the face of struggle and transformation is the first step for change and healing. I offer clear and compassionate guidance to you so that you may become gentle, kind witnesses of yourselves and others.

Counseling provides a safe place to explore beliefs, thoughts, emotions and patterns of behavior interfering with functioning and well being. Emphasis is solution focused to improve quality of life. Specific training over the last 13 years has included suicidal thoughts, self harm, adolescent and teen transitions, pregnancy, postpartum transitions and depression, chronic trauma/invalidation and its effect on the individual throughout the lifespan. CBT, DBT skills and developmental theory influence my interventions.