Narrative Therapists in Marysville, WA

I am a Christian therapist trained in the interpersonal/relational psychoanalytic theory. I've also engaged both object relational and cognitive behavioral theories through varied clinical experiences. I've mostly trained under Dan Allender. I am trained well to serve clients that desire to face issues of sexual abuse/trauma, narrative, and relational dynamics within relationships. I'm also able to help clients think through potential cultural issues that can also have impact on ones dealing with issues of abuse, story, and relationship.

From the time I was very young, I have loved stories. I loved stories and reading, and most of all connecting with others over the stories I read. Ultimately, I developed a passion for narratives, for hearing and telling stories and finding new ways to understand them. As a counselor, I believe in the power of narrative as a way to bring healing and fresh perspective to our lives. Each person has their own narrative, and their own story to tell. Together, we will explore your story to heal from the past, identify barriers that may be stopping you from achieving your goals, and discover your authentic self.

Now Accepting New Clients.... Are you looking for support in understanding your actions and intentions? Counseling offers the experience of support while exploring your personal narratives. You may feel defined by the layers of thoughts and feelings that have developed throughout your life experiences. You may feel overwhelmed by the behaviors that do not really fit who you want to be in this world. Counseling offers a respectful and nonjudgmental environment for you to safely explore your life experiences and identify your values and motivations.

My focus in the therapeutic relationship is to work along side someone who wants to examine the many parts of their life in every aspect from their thoughts, feelings, family dynamics, current relationships, and where they would like to be headed. We often find ourselves attached to one identity in an attempt to preserve the expectations of others, losing sight of the other complexities that make up our whole self. With deep desires to meet the needs of others, whether family, school, work, or in relationships, we forget to establish and nourish our own needs.

I have spent the last 25 years in a wide range of settings working with children, adolescents, adults, and families regarding issues of depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, and other related issues. My areas of expertise include relational problems, sexual abuse issues, trauma/PTSD, Dissociative disorders, and attachment issues.

I invite you to a better second half of your life than the first half was. My specialties? Healing childhood abuse, couples, & brain injury. So often we settle for less—I invite you to a life full of more. Our lives are stories that intersect with those around us. Who we are, our relationship patterns, careers, & how we navigate life's events are rooted in our formational experiences. In a kind and conversational style, I invite you to step into the earth of those places. By walking barefoot through the dirt of your deepest heartache and how you were (and are) shaped by it, you will find that you return to your truest self.

I am excited to announce our next Hold Me Tight couples workshop: October 5 & 6, 2024! Check under Groups for more information. I enjoy working with individual adults and couples. I meet my clients with warmth and acceptance, and provide a safe, calm, and grounding space that supports them in dealing with issues such as grief and loss, life transitions, anxiety and depression, distance or conflict in relationships, developing personal identity, working through trauma, and parenting issues.

Please inquire through email for a quicker response as it is sometimes difficult to return phone calls. We all have unique life experiences. Depression, anxiety, trauma, difficult life decisions can have a significant impact on how we feel on a daily basis. It can interfere with work, school, and our relationships. Sometimes we need a little help. Reaching out for help can be one of the most difficult things to do. Our goal is to make this process less frightening. We would love the opportunity to work with you on your path to healing.

I am often described as warm, open, and that I provide a safe place to explore complex or difficult emotions. I enjoy working with people who are struggling to find the motivation or tools needed to make the changes they hope to see in their lives. I am here to help you learn how to listen to, respond to, and advocate for your values and emotions. I have a passion for working with caregivers, people wanting to develop self-compassion, or integrating their nature-based sptituality into therapy. You deserve to build a life that is fulfilling and beautiful. As your counselor, I want to support you in embracing your favorite self!

I am a mental health counselor and I specialize in trauma, depression and anxiety, incorporating CBT, Narrative Therapy, and art. I am a trauma-informed therapist. I know the word trauma is both scary and popular right now. My graduate degree was pointed towards PTSD and that's the space I like to work in. This doesn't mean that other mental health issues cannot be addressed during our work together. I like to get a detailed history of one's life, to include childhood and relationships history, past and current coping skills, some of which might have become more detrimental than helpful.

There exists in all of us a wound or hurt that we have learned to either live with, or maybe disguise-a protective and gracious attempt at avoiding pain. Therapy is a unique setting to safely explore not only past wounds, but how they impact your present life and relationships. In this way, we can learn to have compassion for the parts of us that have not felt cared for and move towards healing and new ways of relating to self and others.

I have a passion to help individuals who have experienced trauma of human trafficking victimization to help them heal through surviving & eventually thriving in a meaningful life they desire to maintain. I offer a safe space to heal & not be judged while building self worth & work through other areas of trauma endured & been exposed to. I am huge on recognizing a person's strengths & empowering others, which gets incorporated into my practice. This specific passion expands to other types of trauma, ADHD, families, couples, anxiety, depression, etc. I enjoy helping those who have been misunderstood & offer emotional validation.

I approach therapy from a relational, psychodynamic model, meaning the relationship between client and therapist can be a healing vessel in your therapeutic process. I pull from attachment theory, neuroscience, somatic approaches, and utilize EMDR in my work. My therapeutic approach also draws from my personality, which integrates humor, playfulness, and authenticity.

As a therapist, I aim to provide my clients with a safe space to share, connect, and work on treatment goals together. My hope is to create a therapeutic relationship with my clients where they can learn about themselves and how to best cope with life's challenges. I am especially interested in working with adolescents and young adults who have suffered trauma in their life. I believe we all have the strengths within us to persevere even after unique challenges in our lives.

Accepting new clients as of 05/20/24. Evening and Saturday openings. I am committed to offering support to communities of color, Spanish-speaking individuals, military families, and individuals dealing with chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Through my role as a medical social worker at a pediatric hospital, I've gained valuable experiences in assisting children and young adults managing type 1 and type 2 diabetes, along with other chronic health conditions. I also have a special focus on providing support to new parents, expectant parents, and those encountering fertility challenges.

The thing that is universal to why someone is seeking therapy is that they want a place to talk about thoughts, feelings and relationships without fear of being judged or of hurting someone's feelings. It is always an honor to be trusted to hear people’s thoughts, feelings and experiences. I do not believe it is my roll to tell someone how to do things, how to feel about things or how to think about things. I believe my role is to ask you questions, offer relevant information and skills but mostly listen to what you what. To do this, I use a variety of different techniques, skills and theories.

Feeling stuck? Wanting more out of life and your relationships? Are you frustrated by patterns that continue to repeat themselves? Through spending time in counseling, you will find a new way of being in relationships, both with others and yourself. I have had years of experience working with clients from all walks of life, and I look forward to being a part of your journey towards a different way of living and relating. "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." -Annie Dillard.

Life can be messy and difficult. It is hard to rise up from difficulties and reach your true potential. My clients feel heard, understood and supported while acquiring skills and knowledge to create the changes in their live that makes them happy and successful. Hoping things will change with time is probably not going to happen. You are precious and matter. I truly believe that people are meant to live exordinary lives. Let me help you reach your potential. Embrace Hope Counseling is a Video Telehealth Therapy Practice which gives clients the ability to have sessions without wasting time getting to an office.

I work collaboratively with clients to build on the strengths they already possess. I provide a safe and compassionate place for people to tell their story and create new stories involving self worth, healthy relationships, and a sense of empowerment. I will focus on your goals for yourself and you will drive the direction therapy takes you. I focus on your values as you define them with no judgment and no agenda. I will help you learn new skills to better handle trauma, life transitions, anxiety, depression, parenting, or any other life struggle that brings you to therapy.