First Choice Health | FCH Therapists in Gig Harbor, WA

The moment we start to think "who am I," "why am I like this," or "is this the true version of who I am" are moments I consider to be breakthroughs. Moments of self-reflection can be difficult to understand, difficult to seek answers, and just the thought seems bizarre or confusing. At times it may not even be self-reflection. Instead, it is the feeling of guilt, shame, worthlessness, or insecurities. It can also show up as anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, somatic symptoms, interpersonal challenges, or strain in quality of life. This is the result of exposure to or experiences of neglect and abuse during our lifetime.

Help is here. You've made it to the right place! I work with clients struggling with depression & anxiety. My niche is women of color processing racial trauma, workplace micro aggressions, and struggles navigating being a person of color living in a predominantly homogenous community. The weight that BIPOC folks feel is often too heavy to lift alone. Having a therapist who looks like you, and understands your cultural lens, is paramount to partnering with you to achieve wellness and recovery. Racial trauma looks like subtle slights + stress from internalized pain of tolerating intolerable systemic stressors based in a toxic culture.

We all can be vulnerable to the twists, turns, and pressures that life presents to us. I provide a safe, respectful, and comfortable space for you to learn how to better cope with life has brought you. I believe that you bring strengths, and resources with you that can help you to reach your goals in therapy and my approaches are matched to you as a unique individual. I have over 20 years experience working in a variety of areas such as treating trauma and abuse, dissociative disorders, parenting, divorce/separation, anxiety, and mood disorders.

Having difficulty with relationships? Feeling lonely or isolated? We all need support in our lives, especially during these difficult times. Life can be overwhelming, chaotic, stressful, and unpredictable. You are brave. You are ready take the first step in acknowledging that something isn’t quite right. Therapy can be a healing, wonderful, and freeing way to connect back to your inner self and with those you love. There is hope and there are ways to help and re-build and re-gain confidence, self-esteem, and manage emotions that we often want to ignore. There is HOPE!

I provide a safe space for my clients to be heard, understood, and supported. I believe counseling is a process in which I work with them to reflect on, develop, and shape their unique story. Everyone has intrinsic strengths, and I love helping clients identify and utilize their personal strengths to heal and grow. My goal is to create a space that allows for personal exploration, genuine healing, and skill development to help them become healthy and confident in their identity and path forward.

Accepting new Clts** I believe in the importance of establishing a client/therapist relationship based on mutual respect and integrity. My focus and goal in my work is to help navigate through the personal process of growth and change done through my approach of aligning to provide hope and healing. I use a strength based, client centered and cognitive/behavioral approach to help develop techniques and coping skills.The heart of my holistic approach is centered on truly hearing your story with compassion and supporting you in your healing journey. My ideal client is one who is motivated to seek change and willing to take the steps.

My approach to counseling is to focus on strengths and help to assist with solutions rather than telling my patients what to do. My focus is to address short-term problems as well as long-term psychological well-being. The more you can tell me about what and how you are feeling, the more effectively I will be able to assist you in resolving your personal problems and issues. I believe all individuals are deserving of acceptance, respect, compassion, and understanding, and all children are capable of success in academics, extracurricular activities, and social interactions.

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!

If you’re frequently anxious or overwhelmed, if there are difficult events from your life continuing to invade your life in memories or nightmares, if you’re experiencing chronic pain, if you’re feeling depressed, irritable, stuck, or alone, I can help. You may have tried everything you can think of to start feeling better and nothing seems to fully address your struggles. I’m so glad you’re here. There is hope. If you don’t believe that yet, that’s ok, I am holding it for you until you can.

Mattie obtained her Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pacific Lutheran University in 2016. Mattie's graduate studies focused on couple and individual therapy with internships at the Chaplain Family Life Center on JBLM and the PLU Couples and Family Therapy Clinic. Her clinical experience began with teens experiencing grief and most recently has been focused on clients age 60+ in Older Adult Services at MultiCare Behavioral Health in Puyallup.

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).

In my work as a therapist and organizational consultant over the last 35+ years, I have assisted youth, adults, families, and organizations in reducing barriers to and facilitating elements of healthy growth, functioning, and the achievement of goals. I work collaboratively with clients for I don't feel that I'm an expert on someone else life. We learn together what will work for you as the therapy progresses and by the work you do in therapy, it is hoped that you will reach the goals that you set for yourself at the very first appointment.

My therapeutic approaches/techniques are tailored specifically to you, providing you with a higher level of comfort and facilitating change.rnCHILDREN: Use of play therapy techniques to provide a positive experience and means to openly express themselves.rnrnTEENS: An open, accepting, and safe environment for self expression so that together we may address their individual challenges in a positive manner.rnCOUPLES: A neutral and structured atmosphere where each individual may feel comfortable to express and address their concerns. Together we work to introduce new elements into the relationship to resolve conflict and strengthen the relationship bond.

I have a passion and specialize in couple and family distress including issues of trust, power and emotion in relationships, alcohol and substance abuse and best outcomes for families and individuals. I have worked with teenagers at home and at schools with their depression, anxiety and eating disorders. I am trained in various of therapy modulates including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution focus therapy, and Interpersonal psychotherapy.

Our lives are often impacted by forces beyond our control. We wonder if life will ever return to "normal." I work with young and old who encounter challenges common to modern living: Retirement, work stress, family dynamics, personal tragedy, financial troubles, loss of community, and loss of direction. I also address unique challenges associated with aging: Chronic and acute illness, life partner debilitation, and hardships unforeseen. Refocus and reclaim your strengths and life as we work together on insights, new strategies and skills that enable you to overcome obstacles, re-connect with life and your passions.

I believe in the importance of building a therapeutic relationship and connection with my clients in a safe environment for them to be heard and understood. I help clients better understand and accept themselves, while using their strengths to create positive, meaningful changes in their lives. I treat a wide variety of issues using individualized treatment modalities based on clients’ needs and the aspects of themselves and their lives they want to grow and work on.

Are you looking for someone who can help you understand the unique challenges you are facing in your life? Do you want someone who truly listens to you? Artistic Affirmations Counseling offers a unique combination of looking at family relations and implementing creative modalities to help you reach self enlightenment. I have worked extensively with children, adolescents, adults, families and the LGBTQ community. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master's degree in Art Therapy. I combine many theoretical approaches to fit your needs to maximize your journey towards a greater insight into your own well-being.