Female Therapists in Renton, WA

I have been in practice for 18 years. Life can get messy and complicated, sometimes we just need a little help coping. We all have the potential to be living fully; experience joy even during times of trials. "Meanings are not determined by situations, but we determine ourselves by the meanings we give to situations." Alfred Adler

​From early childhood, we are surrounded by expectations - from family, friends, culture, society.  We internalize those expectations and experience their impact on our health, career, finances, relationships. Sometimes it manifests as perfectionism or Imposter Syndrome…sometimes as anxiety, grief, depression and stress.  In the effort to please everyone, we are often left exhausted, defeated, feeling like a failure. So maybe it’s time to rewrite that script imposed upon you…or the one that you imposed upon yourself.

When life throws you curve balls, it can be hard to realize when you need support; especially when you've learned to cope by pushing through. You may not even recognize the signs, but deep down you feel yourself loosing your grounding. You may even fear the vulnerability in asking for help. Well, vulnerability is power and your bravery and courage are the first steps to getting what you need to walk down a new path. My goal is to walk beside you - through whatever mess is in the way, empowering you to envision where you'd like to be and guiding you through the journey of healing and growth.

Leah has an authentic style that appeals to adults who are ready to resolve problems and live more fully. She is effective with people who aren’t sure of their next step but are willing to learn the skills to get there. She is also effective with those who know their next step but want someone to guide them around the barriers to success. She respects that the client is always the expert about themselves. Leah teaches strong coping skills and powerful self-acceptance.

What do you fear? What do you long for? I have found that the answers to these questions often overlap, which can make us feel stuck, lost or out of control. You may feel like you've tried everything. You may be telling yourself that you are wrong or defective. Blaming ourselves for our pain is so normal and human. Know that here, you are not too broken. I view therapy as a no-expiration invitation to return to ourselves and a space where we reach for what has felt untouchable. I believe we can only work to the extent that you feel you can trust me. Because of this, we will give focused time to our relationship dynamic.

I believe you are the catalyst for your own healing and growth! My approach allows each client to determine how the session is influenced and to be decisive with their goals. Counseling can be that unique phase in life where you make the decision to focus on yourself. I offer a safe space for my clients and I empower you to pursue your personal goals.

I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Washington State. I have expertise in working with adolescents and adults experiencing change, behavioral health concerns, grief, chronic illness, pain, and disabilities.

Do you feel like you’re stuck in the past and find it hard to be in the present moment? Are you so overwhelmed by anxiety and burnout that any personal/professional commitment feels exhausting? Has something difficult happened and your heart races or your voice gets shaky every time you talk about it? It’s possible to feel at ease and connected to yourself and others after experiencing anxiety, burn-out, or trauma. I’m passionate about supporting teens, Gen Z, and Millennial women through these life events. I specialize in EMDR therapy for trauma, which helps people heal from trauma that feels stuck in the mind and body.

Are you hoping to better communicate, manage conflict and revamp your connection with your partner? Or are you in the midst of a major life transition? My clients struggle like you. Despite their brilliance, creativity and drive, the pressures of adapting to life's changes or communicating with their partner seem overwhelming. Before my clients came to see me, they figured that it was “too late” to make a change, and their life “is what it is.” They feared that if they took any drastic steps to improve their lives, it would be considered “selfish.” The fear of change, but also the fear of never changing created tension and anxiety.

I have experience working with individuals and families, and offer skill building and process oriented sessions. I have specialized training in the treatment of eating disorders, and those struggling with body image/self acceptance. I also specialize in the treatment of anxiety, anger management, ADHD, OCD, depression, trauma, parent/child conflict, mood disorders, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. My hope is for each of my clients to leave our session feeling heard and knowing that their experience and struggle is valid.

I have a passion for working with parents and young adults. I love to work collaboratively with my clients to build a life they enjoy and is in line with their values. I mainly provide services to ages ranging from 20-45, but please feel free to reach out if you are outside of this age range so we can discuss possibilities. Therapy with me, would look like learning skills for controlling emotions, making difficult choices in life, and coping with a variety of challenges.

Are you struggling to navigate life after a major change? Do you feel disconnected from your spouse, your family, or yourself? When life gets to be too much, we can all use some extra support. I work with adolescents, adults, families, and couples to overcome hurdles and find joy in the every day. Together, we will work to break down emotional barriers, uncover and heal wounds, and bring about self discovery.

I am specialized in: eating disorders, substance abuse, addiction, codependency, anger, ADHD, PTSD, OCD, autism, sensory processing disorder, depression, anxiety, trauma, parent/child conflict, mood disorders, self-injury, self-harm, suicidal ideation. I have worked in inpatient, residential, or day treatment levels of care for almost 16 years with a variety of populations and have vast knowledge and expertise in being able to provide safety and support for those in need. You can expect to be pushed and challenged and find your way to healing and creating a pathway forward. You can also find me at whitneyericksoncounseling.com

My passion is to help individuals and families discover their strengths and resources. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and a post-graduate certificate in Medical Family Therapy from Seattle Pacific University. I am a Certified Sex Therapist by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists. I am a Mental Health Professional, Brainspotting practitioner, Child Mental Health Professional, State and AAMFT Approved Supervisor and Asian and Pacific Islander Ethnic Minority Mental Health Specialist.

People come to counseling when they have problems that cause them unhappiness and pain, and do not know how to manage on their own. I have over 25 years of experience helping people cope with the challenges of their ever changing lives. I believe my role as a therapist is to teach my clients what I know, and to guide them through thinking and behavior changes that will bring them to a place of peace and contentment. I strive to help my clients improve their level of self-awareness, to increase their understanding of and empathy for themselves and others, and to increase their ability to communicate affectively.

Accepting New Clients: In my work with clients, the major areas of focus include: issues with relationship conflict, sexual compatibility, infidelity and intimacy. Whether as a couple or as an individual, I work with people to resolve on-going concerns. In my practice, all couples/individuals are welcome regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation. It is my belief that compassion and humor are agents of change and healing. I offer a safe and comfortable place for my clients to explore new ways of working on current or on-going problems.

I am passionate about working alongside an individual, couple or family motivated to live to their fullest potential in relationships! It is a privilege to be invited into a life story. I take it seriously, work with efficiency and excellence right along with my clients. We listen, we laugh, we cry, we look at what has worked in the past and what can change now. I am creative, confidential, encouraging and empathetic. I love working with people. The Bible tells us we are beautifully and wonderfully made with a hope and a future. I believe this. I live and work into this truth with hope!

I believe there are times in our lives when we are confronted with challenges which may feel insurmountable. At those times having a caring and safe place to work on issues such as life changes and transitions, parenting, relationship issues, losses, and feelings of anxiety and depression can be helpful. I enjoy working with adults and couples with the aim to help you better understand your values and goals for creating greater meaning in your relationships and in your life. My style is interactive, direct and and respectful. My hope is to help you become empowered to make the choices, changes and growth you want.

I help individuals, couples and families deal with the tension that comes with life transitions. My approach integrates counseling and spirituality. It encourages hope and empowerment to the lost, lonely, and left out, allowing them to move to a place of wholeness and healing. Working with a wide spectrum of cultural and religious backgrounds, I have the ability to meet people where they are at in their journey. Over the past 20 years, I have provided pre-marital and couples counseling through various relationship levels including marriage contemplation, pre-engagement, engaged and married to decoupling/divorce.