Therapists in Gig Harbor, WA

Life is hard. Sometimes we have deep wounds that have been shoved down or covered up for years. It may be a significant traumatic event, adverse childhood experiences of abuse and neglect or painful moments in adulthood. These events may shape the way we see ourselves, others and the world around us. Whatever the wounds, when you find they are impacting your life in the here and now it is necessary to clean the wounds in order to allow the body and brain to heal.

Everyone can use a little help sometimes. Whether it's working through a personal or relationship problem, crisis, decision, transition, or loss; changing a habit; overcoming anxiety or roadblocks to success; or learning how to make a good relationship better & increase the likelihood it will be long & happy; I'm here to help. Clients describe me as: "easy to connect with," "resourceful," "energetic," "patient," "pragmatic: concerned with practical results," "logical: can go from the big picture to the application," "skill-building: gives you tools you can use today," as well as "has a great sense of humor."

Life can be challenging and stressful. Therapy is a place where you safely address and process through your internal responses to life’s obstacles. If you feel out of touch with your authentic self, problems can seem insurmountable. I work with individuals to explore and develop insight around your own thought patterns and responses to life events. We work together to overcome those things that are stopping you from having a full life and bring you into alignment with your authentic self.

Seeking counseling can be one of the most difficult decisions a person can make. It is also one of the bravest decisions. Day to day life is stressful, and at times, life tosses us a curveball. My goal is to help you identify your strengths, and help you navigate through the stresses and transitions that many people struggle with. You are not alone, and I am so glad that you are here. Some of my areas of focus are on addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, family dynamics as well as parent coaching.

I help people that are feeling anxious and depressed, feel less anxious and depressed. Your mind replays the past and dwells on the future, sending you into panic or making it hard to get out of bed. Your stomach is queasy, your neck is tight, and you feel like you can never quite relax. It feels like others don't see or trust the challenges you face and the effort you actually put in to just get by. You feel uncomfortable in your own skin and unaccepted wherever you go and crave a place that you can truly be yourself, un-judged and appreciated for your unique ideas and qualities. We are going to figure this out together.

If you are struggling with your mental health, I want you to know you are not alone and it can get better. Reaching out for help isn't always easy, but it will be worth it. Video therapy sessions with me are a safe, supportive and non-judgmental experience. My goal is to help you understand yourself and your situation and to provide you with practical tools to help you manage life in a healthier way.

I believe that each person has a unique story and I stay curious as to what that is. I am Level 2 trained in EMDR and Level 2 trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy. I trust in the power of attunement to my clients; by creating a safe space for clients to be heard and able to express their stories, powerful changes can occur. I love being able to dig deeper into the layers of client's experiences and help them understand the patterns. I use empathy and curiosity to attune to what is being said and also what is not being said. I have a solution-focused lens and work towards relationship repair through compassion.

As I thought of the mission for Tisino Family Services, I thought of strength's-based. TFS facilitates children, youth, adults, and families back into the arms of what family means. One important goal of TFS is to reduce recidivism and teach preventative steps for sustaintainability. So often, I see individuals dealing with unmitigated trauma, self-identified barriers, and generational disadvantages without coping skills. This mission implements practical skills with persistence that capture the attention of specialized techniques that provides significant breakthroughs of unstable mental health and increase healthy living.

Are you stressed and having difficulty getting along with your family or spouse? Can't get your partner into counseling but you need relationship help? Do you suspect you might have a mood disorder like bipolar? Are you haunted by trauma you can't shake? Are you struggling with abandonment fears and even self-inflicted violence? Are you living with adult autism or ADHD or other neurodiversity, or trying to manage a neurodiverse relationship? To get started, I offer free consultations by phone or a 30-minute face-to-face consult for $40. Call or email for an appointment (email is faster).

I specialize in providing counseling to kids and teens, and work with a variety of issues such as ADHD and neurodiversity, anxiety and depression, high sensitivity, school issues and learning differences, social skills, relational issues, behavioral challenges, emotion regulation, and social-emotional learning. As Registered Play Therapist and former teacher with a Master's degree in Special Education, I have advanced training and diverse experience connecting with young people and supporting their development and emotional growth. I believe it's important to work closely with parents to help them support their child's progress.

Have you ever been made to feel like you can do nothing right? Do you question your ability to make a decision? Are you anxious, on edge, depressed or even lonely? Authentic Thoughts is a counseling practice that helps you move from where you are to your true authentic self.

Are you struggling with difficulties from your childhood or from recent past experiences? Are you feeling overwhelmed and need support, building the tools to reconnect with feelings of peace or purpose? Do you have experiences that seem to linger, impacting your emotional and physical well being in ways that are distracting? Are you looking for ways to develop inner strength and authenticity to promote overall wellness? I would love to meet to discuss how I can collaborate with you in your goals toward a sustainable pathway to healing.

We all make mistakes. We sometimes get caught in a pattern of mistakes that we can't break. I offer compassionate support, respect, warmth, and a safe place to talk about difficult private issues. I have a positive and hopeful view of life. I am interested in working with people who find themselves at a challenging point in their life and are looking for someone they trust to help them move forward. It is a great sign of strength to reach out to a helping professional, and I look forward to working in collaboration with you!

To build trust with my clients, I strive to be authentic, empathetic, and respectful. I recognize that every individual has unique needs and experiences, and I work to tailor my approach to best meet those needs. I believe in the power of a collaborative therapeutic relationship, and I will work with you to create a treatment plan that aligns with your goals and values.

Are you looking to recover from trauma, anxiety, self-doubt, self-criticism, and negative thought patterns? Are you unsure of where to start and feeling overwhelmed? Are you looking for someone to shed some light in areas you cannot yet see clearly for yourself and to help you create a roadmap from where you are to where you want to be? We can create goals and a plan for moving forward together. If you're ready to put in the work it takes to heal and prefer a collaborative approach to therapy wherein you are in charge but will have a caring guide to walk beside you, then we will be a great match.

Clients primarily request services with me to work on communication between partners and other members of their family systems. I am contracted to work in the capacity as an LMHC with Summit Health Management in Gig Harbor. Please contact (253) 858-7056 to schedule an intake. I am currently accepting new clients and will work with you in person or via telehealth at the Summit Health Management office in Gig Harbor, WA. In addition, I also utilize games such as Dungeons and Dragons with families, kids and teens, to roleplay therapeutic scenarios out in a safe environment (I also run a weekly social skills teen group on Thursdays).