Couples Counseling Therapists in Bellevue, WA

I am a licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washinton state. I am a passionate clinical psychologist with experience in counseling, clinical supervision, crisis work, and clinical work. I have experience in a wide range of concerns such as stress, anxiety, young adult issues, depression, life changes, relationship conflict, self-confidence issues, multicultural issues, co-occurring disorders, and substance use disorders. I started my role as a mental health counselor at Associated Behavioral Health Care in June 2021.

Healthy relationships provide a nourishing, supportive connection that allows those in the relationship the safety and freedom to love each other and themselves well, and it can feel lonely, confusing, and heartbreaking when your relationship feels otherwise. I work with individuals, couples , and romantic partnerships who are experiencing relationship difficulties or general mental health concerns (depression, anxiety, trauma, loss). Relationship difficulties often include poor communication, conflict, distance, codependence, wanting different things, working through a breach of trust, such as infidelity, and sexual concerns.

As a therapist, I work with individuals and couples who are seeking positive change in their life and relationships. Change can feel daunting, and finding the right person to help you through the process is important. I offer a relaxed atmosphere for therapy, where humor and lightheartedness can be incorporated into our professional relationship , when appropriate. If this appeals to you, and if you’re ready to work towards change, I may be the right therapist for you.

Perhaps you're here because you want things to be different in your life. Less stress, better relationships, better coping skills, or just to be happier. Therapy can be an important step in making your life more manageable, enjoyable and meaningful. My goal is to create a warm, relaxed, and accepting atmosphere where you can meet the challenges of an immediate crisis, or work on long-standing issues you'd like to change.

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.

My goal is to create a safe, healing environment for clients to explore and resolve issues that are causing distress or holding them back from living a more fulfilling life. My style of interaction is warm, collaborative, supportive and strength-based, and I view my role as partnering with you to help you get unstuck, improve your relationships, and create the positive changes you are seeking.

My interest for this job stems from my spiritual artistic insight and the love of helping human beings. I hope to give my clients a comfort environment by being culturally respectful and providing a non-judgmental atmosphere in which you can examine and clarify the issues that concern you in your life.

As a Christian counselor, I provide help for individuals and couples through a distinctively faith-based approach. I often find that there is more to what people go through than what is on the surface. Sometimes our life isn't aligned with our core values, and we need help overcoming negative patterns. I'm here to help you find clarity, set goals, and succeed. My specialties include marriage counseling, premarital counseling, Christian life counseling, and counseling for anxiety, depression, bereavement, and trauma. Whatever you face, I'm dedicated to helping you move forward through adversity and toward a life of purpose, love, and peace.

Are you feeling stressed and overwhelmed? Often anxious and sometimes depressed also? Do your problems get in the way of what you want to do or how you enjoy life? You may be a teen or college student who is constantly overthinking. Or a young adult dealing with a life transition or relationship issues. No matter what you're struggling with, one thing is for sure: you are ready for some relief. You’re ready to worry less and feel happier. You’re ready to learn how to cope with the stress and struggle that does come your way. Most of all, you’re ready to be kinder to yourself and feel a sense of calm.

Are you in a relationship and still feel alone? Do you find yourself feeling angry all the time? Have you started to lose hope in your relationship ? It doesn't have to be that way. Most couples learn that it isn't their partner they are tired of, rather the problem is the negative cycle that takes over every time they try to talk or connect. Individually, we can focus on easing anxiety and depression, boosting your self-esteem and setting boundaries where necessary.

"I now see how owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do." - Brené Brown I agree. You've already taken a courageous step. I hope to begin a counselor/client relationship that I believe will be a helpful, rewarding, and healing process. Choosing a mental health counselor must be an attentive and conscientious course of action. I offer both individual and group therapy to help increase your self esteem and shame resiliency, combat perfectionism, and to foster your journey towards authenticity, vulnerability, and embracing your story.

I am trained in and utilize the evidence based Gottman Method Couples Therapy approach. I am a Washington State Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 20 years of experience. Over the course of time, I have worked with people in every stage of the life supporting a wide variety of mental health challenges. At this time in my career, I have decided to shift my focus towards working with couples as I have a heart for keeping you together being married and divorced myself. Couples start off dedicated to one another and feeling cherished but over time the challenges of life and personal differences erode what was so beautiful.

At it's core, therapy is a process of healing and change. The decision to address an addiction, change your struggling marriage or address the other issues that hold you back is a difficult, but important step. I work with you to strengthen your relationships, create intimate connections, and sort through the baggage of life. My approach is positive, supportive and challenging when needed. In addition to addiction work, I also do "general practitioner" work like depression, anxiety, couple/marital therapy, and other mental health issues. My office is a safe and affirming space for all gender and sexual orientations.

I work with individuals who feel anxious, unfulfilled, and stuck. They are looking for support around life dissatisfaction and recurring patterns that keep getting in the way. I have over 15 years of experience offering empathic and reflective counseling for those in search of clarity, direction, healing, and growth. Through our work together, you will rediscover your core strengths and potential. We will examine how past experiences may have shaped current situations and what you would like to see change. When we have a greater insight, it often leads us to increased self-worth, confidence, and personal growth.

We all long for intimate human relationship but for many of us, we can't seem to shake this dull aching loneliness that resides in the pit of our souls. However, the inherent human need for meaningful relationships has remained elusive. Often, it feels easier to isolate than to face the intolerable reality. We have become experts at stifling our needs and desires. But when we enter into the presence of another, when we begin to tell our stories of heartache and pain, healing begins. We need a witness to our grief, someone to join alongside us as we lament. Above all, we need a place to experience belonging.

I perceive life as a journey, consisting of searching meaning and coping: Meaning in different roles and aspects of life motivates us to move forward; coping is strategies to get there from here. However, at different life stages, we often got stuck because of different reasons. Thus, either we no longer can see the life meaning(s) and/or our coping strategies are no longer effective. We are likely stuck under these circumstances, which leads to sufferings. I believe that counseling is a catalyst to facilitate the needed changes & adjustments to get unstuck and to have a meaningful life again.

I am passionate about relationships and specialize in providing relational therapy for individuals and couples using an attachment focused approach. I help clients explore unhelpful patterns and dynamics that interfere with their personal wellbeing and the happiness of their relationship . I also help couples in the aftermath of an affair or multiple sexual betrayals. The shattering of trust can be extremely painful and overwhelming, and you may feel lost. I will provide a supportive path forward with the tools you need to resolve conflict, restore trust, share empathy, communicate effectively, and strengthen emotional intimacy.