Gottman Method Therapists in Lakewood, WA

Hello, my name is Sandra Golling, owner of LovedAlive Counseling. We all face challenges as we seek to grow and thrive in our life and relationships. When people are experiencing conflict, wounds, losses, or find themselves stuck in a particular life transition, therapy helps navigate these challenges. Wounds and losses in life often lead to relational difficulties and low self-esteem. Therapy can assist in the grieving process leading to resolution and peace. New ways of relating can be identified and practiced leading to healthier and more satisfying relationships.

Does your life or relationship need a major overhaul or maybe just a "tune up"? I can help you with either. Having successfully worked with a broad range of client issues from families in transition or conflict, to individuals with severe trauma and depression, I have been exposed to enough that nothing you tell me will shock me. I will not judge you. Often it is our unconscious patterns and life stories that influence the way we feel, think and behave. I can help you understand "why" so that you can change and feel better.... or perhaps gain the tools needed to ask someone else to change.

A family crisis, professional upheaval, personal struggle or challenge, conflict, loss, separation, divorce, break-up, parenting challenge, chronic medical condition or flare up of symptoms due to mental health stress, create difficult situations. With a compassionate focus on practical and reachable goals identified by the client, at her or his pace, new insights and skills can be acquired.

Are you feeling like you or your loved one should be getting more out of life than you have been? Sometimes we need a compassionate, objective person to help us sort out problems, regain perspective and enjoy life and our relationships again. It is important for you to feel a connection with your therapist and to sense that the therapist has your best interests at heart. I work from a solution-focused, experiential perspective, building on the power of the therapeutic relationship and clients' personal strengths to support lasting change while working with couples, families, individuals, and children.

I have been a mental health counselor since 2014 when my career began in the community mental health sector. The bulk of this time was spent working within the Child and Family Department, however I was fortunate enough to have opportunities to work with adults and couples as well. For those interested in LMHC supervision, I am a licensed supervisor as well with 3 years of supervisory experience. At this time I welcome the opportunity to work with those age 14 to mid adulthood in an individual capacity, for couples work, or family therapy. Also available for LMHC supervision and consultation.

IMMEDIATE APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE. I respond to emails within the initial 24 hrs. My therapeutic approach is centered around my belief that you deserve to be heard and understood. My passion is to empower and equip individuals and families experiencing invisible emotional wounds to heal themselves, build better relationships while strengthening connections and navigate through life challenges. You will discover your inner worth, love and acceptance. You have the power within yourself to do the work and awaken to your best-kept self! You are VALUABLE and deserve to have an opportunity to take care of your inner self.

As a psychologist, I seek to provide guidance in identifying strategies and solutions for tapping into your inner strengths and capacity for positive change. I have found that a positive therapeutic relationship serves an important role in accessing the resilience, insight, and courage needed to make important lifestyle changes that allow individuals and families to live happier, healthier, and more balanced lives. I approach the therapeutic relationship as a collaborative process where positive change occurs when we work together to identify strategies that will allow you to adaptively manage and overcome difficult life challenges. I strive to create a safe place by providing unconditional support.

I work with children as young as five, adolescents, and adults. My focus is with children, youth and adults with ADHD, autism, providing parenting supports, working through trauma, and working with depression and anxiety. I am experienced in providing vocational skills and transition supports to youth after graduating from high school. I use an eclectic approach with a foundation in person-centered therapy. I have certificates in CBT, DBT, and CCTP (Certified Clinical Trauma Professional).