Therapists in Lake Forest Park, WA

Childhood is a sacred time yet our children are facing many challenges and choices as they try to navigate growing into the best and healthiest version of themselves. I provide support and a safe place for parents to be real about their hopes and fears and work with children in a way that celebrates their strengths. In our sessions together I will bring over 25 yrs of experience as a counselor serving children and families (outpatient & in schools) and 22 yrs of learning and personal growth raising two children. I have hand-picked each item in my therapy office to help meet the needs of my clients.

Immediate openings available-I believe that our deepest wounds occur in the context of relationships; so too does our healing. Therapy is a collaborative process - I am committed to bringing both my clinical expertise and my humanity to our work together and my aim is to create a safe-enough space for you to bring your whole self as well. Together we will listen to what brought you here, prioritizing curiosity and support over judgment with the goal of moving from stuck places and hopelessness toward possibility, more authentic living and agency.

While my initial focus was concerns of young people through early adulthood, over the years I have extended my range, and presently work with all ages and development. I deal with problems from normal developmental issues to serious psychological disorders. My interests also include developmental disabilities, parenting, and the special concerns of very able individuals. I work with individuals, families, and groups. As appropriate, I employ a variety of treatment modalities, including behavioral, cognitive, and insight-oriented, with emphasis on understanding clearly clients' needs, collecting useful information, and coming up with positively-oriented plans that fit them as well as being most likely to work.

I am passionate about helping people with complex, highly demanding medical conditions, particularly diabetes, to face the emotional and behavioral challenges that so often accompany chronic health problems. I also enjoy working with 15+ teens and young women struggling with feelings of being "too much" and still "not enough". There is hope, and I can help you overcome frustration and discouragement to find peace, balance and a sense of purpose. You are not alone, and you don't have to do this alone.

I'm an individual and family therapist who enjoys helping adolescents and adults cope with life changes and traumatic experiences. Some issues I help clients with include: healing from abuse, divorce, school difficulties, parenting challenges, domestic violence, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, and coping with chronic illness. I work to provide my clients with a safe and comfortable space to talk as well as to provide them with tools to help get through difficult times and situations. I am experienced in working with clients from the LGBTQ community, as well as those in non-traditional family/relationship structures.

The problems and desires you bring to therapy are invitations to heal and grow. I'll help you respond to those invitations with creativity, vitality, and hope. Jung wrote that "The greatest and most important problems in life can never be solved, only outgrown." Such problems, he continued, "fade when confronted with a new and stronger life urge." I'll help you find those new, stronger, deeper, more authentic parts of yourself, and bring them to life.

I believe that when you have compassion for yourself, a better understanding of your motivations, and a safe place to process your feelings, you can make positive changes and reclaim your mental and physical health. I was trained as a therapist and a dietitian. My training and experience equips me to help you achieve your health goals.

I am a licensed Marriage (Couple) and Family Therapist and an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Clinical Fellow and Approved Supervisor with over 30 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families from a broad range of ethnic, cultural, physical health, gender, socio-economic and sexual diversity. My experience includes many persons and families challenged by high conflict and multiple interlaced problems. I have extensive experience helping children, teens, and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, and the impact of grief, trauma and challenging relationships and/or a family member's chemical dependency.

In psychotherapy much depends upon the rapport. You must feel comfortable with the therapist and hopeful about the therapy. When you feel this way, therapy is more likely to be helpful to you. I have been practicing clinical psychology since 1977. I focus on the interplay between our internal world and our relations with others. Not restricted to one approach, I integrate a range of useful change strategies including interpersonal and cognitive-behavioral. Psychotherapy is both an educational process and an interpersonal process. Each person’s experience is unique. I have special interest in eating disorders, relationship disturbances, depression, and stress.

What is the goal of life? It is to be happy and to build a life worth living. We become happy when we are able to develop true, authentic life, self-connected with others, and undefeated by our circumstances. When we work hard to reach our goals, we feel a sense of accomplishment and pride. In turn, this spurs a stronger desire and commitment to continue to make progress and deepen our personal mission in life. I believe the purpose of counseling is to support and encourage this lifelong journey.

I view therapy as a collaborative relationship. By providing a respectful, judgment-free atmosphere, I hope you will feel comfortable sharing the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that are concerning to you. Through this cooperative and supportive process, my goal is that you will better understand and have compassion for yourself. It is my privilege to work with couples, individuals, and those in nontraditional relationships to help navigate life's challenges. I believe in a holistic approach to therapy and I use a variety of techniques from biological, psychosocial and spiritual perspectives.

Are you looking for support as a whole person on your journey to wellness? Mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health are all vital aspects of wellness- when one area suffers, the others often do too. Seeing you as a whole person rather than just a diagnosis, I can support underlying concerns rather than masking symptoms. I enjoying working with clients on eating disorders, athletic injury recovery, and living with a chronic health diagnosis. I also have 9 years of experience providing support to college-aged students, including the transition to college, career counseling, and student success counseling.

I am a clinical psychologist in private practice. My work is with adults who seek help for relationship concerns, depression, anxiety, attention deficits, substance use/abuse, problems related with where they are in life, and many other questions that come up in daily life. Different people have different stories. Different stories bring up different questions. An open and honest dialogue is possible in an atmosphere of listening and thinking. Our sessions are private and confidential.

Current Appts. Avail: Families are facing feelings of anxiety & isolation in these unprecedented times, challenging their sense of wellness & in creating safety resilience & peace. Adjusting to new situations within one's life include finding coping skills to lessen the impact on your mental & physical well-being. I offer support to children, teens, young adults & parents as they navigate their feelings, relationships, and place within their community, school & family. I promote the balance of mind, body & spirit utilizing compassionate holistic interventions, honoring inner strength, individuality & respecting multiculturalism.