Therapists in Bellingham, WA

My overall approach to treatment is through genuine and effective interpersonal communication. I believe that the process is a shared endeavor between the patient and the counselor and a successful treatment experience is based upon a strong therapeutic relationship. I create a safe, grounded, non-judgmental atmosphere so that my clients can explore and express the issues they are struggling with and find their path to healing.

I love working with both individuals and couples and in either case take the approach of discussing what it means to walk through this world in relation to others. Whether that's a committed relationship to a loved one or the relationship you've developed with a casual co-worker or the relationship you have with your parents or the relationship you have with yourself (how you view and think of yourself); all of these carry deep complexity. And all relationships take work. Finding someone who can help you navigate why you feel stuck in these relationships sometimes, can be relieving, healing, and even life altering.

We are born into lives that are not our choosing. Our parents, circumstances, and impactful events can define us and become the narrative of our lives. You may have reached a place where you would like to examine this, to decide who and how you want to be in the world, to align your values, interests and passions with how you live each day. Coping skills learned at a young age may no longer be serving you, and it may be time to learn new skills to support your growth and wellbeing. Together we can explore how you got here, and develop a pathway to connect with your true self.

Whenever you think of talking with someone, thoroughly explaining everything from how you feel today, or how you have felt for years, or to the choices you are facing, or how your body and sense of yourself alters things, and you wonder, how do I find that "right" person to talk to? You have found them. Adolescent or adult, individual or a couple, call me for a free consultation, and let's see where to go from here!

I am a clinical psychologist who provides individual, couples, and family therapy services for adolescents and adults. My approach is based on a cognitive-behavioral perspective, but I draw upon other approaches to collaboratively address the issues that concern clients. I tend to incorporate elements of Zen, dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT), and person-centered traditions to my work.

Sometimes it is really hard to persist. Making change or accepting reality can be confusing. Reaching out to a therapist can be scary. With empathy and an anti-oppression approach, I can help you examine what's keeping you stuck, overwhelmed, frozen, or confused. I specialize in working people who move through the world differently, particularly trans and queer people and neurodivergent people.

I believe in dignity, equity and compassion and that we are resilient creatures with capacity for healing and change. I work with children, families and adult individuals to help them cultivate meaning in their lives as they identify their strengths, gifts and understanding of themselves. From a shared understanding of your goals, we can work together to find the ways that are right for you to build resilience and the strength to deal with life's challenges.

You are full of potential... but something is getting in the way. For some reason, you are not living your best life. Maybe you have experienced trauma or struggle with anxiety and depression. Maybe you feel trapped in a cycle of negative thinking, toxic emotions, and failing relationships. Making your way through life's challenges, a part of you may carry burdens of shame, anger or sadness. No matter how bad things seem, you know a better life is possible.

I genuinely care about people and became a therapist because I want to help reduce emotional suffering. I excel at helping others sort out what's bothering them and what to do to develop new skills and resources for living a happier, more satisfying life. I will listen with empathy, compassion and respect while providing the information, support and guidance you need. Clients' feedback is very positive. I offer a free initial phone consultation, so feel free to call and we'll discuss what you need and how I can help.

My name is Rachael Simmer and I'm a licensed mental health counselor in Bellingham, WA. Currently, I work with individual adults who identify as women, gender expansive and non binary.

I believe in the innate power each of us possesses to heal. Beginning with a gentle exploration of your story, your sense awareness and your feeling world, I seek to find a mutually agreed upon place to begin deeper work together. I hold close to embodiment (breath/gesture/sensation); creativity (playfulness/curiosity/possibility); and compassion (non-judgment/empathy/connection): all these are pathways to ground and support your healing process. I have found that depth of relationship itself is a healer, so I strive for a REAL, courageous relationship with my clients- capable of sustaining vulnerability, fierceness and deep transformations.

I believe in supporting my clients in their desire to find more wholeness, aliveness, acceptance, and peace within themselves. Using multiple modalities such as IFS, EMDR, AEDP, mindfulness and somatic techniques, and person-centered therapy, I will help you in navigating life transitions, doubt, grief, anxiety, overwhelm, and fear. I rely on holistic practices and tools to help you increase self compassion, expand your capacity to feel and sit with the harder seasons of life, develop both skills to manage the many stressors of life, and make room for more joy, trust, intuition, and deep connection to others.

Throughout my 20+ years of providing therapy, my focus has increasingly been on supporting clients in realizing their potential. Each of us has a purpose: a gift we can offer to others that is unique to us. Attempting to emulate someone else robs the world of you. Minimizing the influence others have on you is essential to reaching your optimum capacity. Actively listening to others’ feedback while maintaining your reality is paramount to becoming an authentic adult.