Therapists in Seattle, WA

We all experience great changes during our lives, evolutions in identity, shifts in how we see ourselves and how others see us. I specialize in helping people grow in the wake of significant life events and changes. Through reflection and dialogue we can understand and make meaning of our journey.

I assist clients in building skills and acquiring tools to align their life with their values and vision. I help clients identify their own strengths and wisdom to effectively face life's challenges, achieve goals and create lasting changes. I consider the social and cultural factors that impact each person's ways of being, how they are treated in this world, and how they adapt to difficult experiences. I offer a collaborative, non-judgmental, creative and hopeful space that is conducive to self-exploration and transformation.

We all experience challenges in our lives. Sometimes we feel stuck in unhelpful thought patterns or behaviors. Perhaps you are struggling in with communication in your relationships. Or you have been noticing an inability to focus. There may even be times where you feel like you don't understand who you are. No matter what is bringing you to therapy, you are not broken. We are all shaped by our experiences, and my job is to guide you as we explore these experiences together to try and make sense of them and heal. Reaching out can be hard, and I am glad you are taking this step towards a more fulfilling life for yourself.

We all can feel stuck from time to time. Whether it's a relationship issue, a career issue, or challenges with depression or anxiety, we can find ourselves repeating the same patterns. I help people understand the patterns of their lives and how to move beyond challenges and towards fulfillment. I started my counseling practice in 2006 with a mission of helping people get unstuck and step into their power to create change in their lives, relationships, and communities. I believe that social change starts at the individual level and that we can all be powerful agents for change in our own lives and in the larger society.

I work with those who struggle with anger. Often times the anger is brought on by unmet expectations and merely a symptom of deeper issues under the surface. It's my job to metaphorically stand in a place you can not see, and point you in the right direction as to the cause of what is contributing to the anger. By doing so, you can receive insight that will enrich your life and change it for the better.

We are all wired for connection, both to others and to ourselves. Anxiety, low self-worth, and family conflict are just a few of the many common barriers to achieving this connection we all desire. I am passionate about taking an empathetic, curious, and collaborative approach with you to help free you from the burdensome experience of feeling stuck and held back from this connection. Life is all about relationships. I greatly value the importance of a strong therapeutic relationship and aim to build just that by holding you, the client, as the expert in your own life while offering warmth, empathy, and consistency.

You might be feeling loneliness, loss, hurt, sadness, and frustration. You may also have experiences of family disruption, trauma, societal stigma, and not quite fitting in with your peers. In therapy, we will uncover the blocks that keep you feeling stuck in unresolved grief, disconnected relationships, depression, and anxiety, so that you can live a more enriching life. I come from the understanding that you innately carry the resources to thrive. Together, we can embark on a continued journey, learning about the complexity of who you are and ways you can heal to connect with your core self.

I believe in the importance of providing a compassionate therapeutic environment that is welcoming, non-judgmental, and supportive. As a therapist, I am actively involved helping you explore the issues that brought you into therapy, develop insight into underlying causes, and learn effective coping strategies. I work with a range of clinical issues including depression, anxiety, chronic pain, relationship difficulties and addiction. I am experienced working with diverse ethnic, racial, and gender identity client populations.

We are living in extraordinary times. Although we are more superficially "connected" through technology, research shows that anxiety, depression, and loneliness are skyrocketing. My practice is focused on helping people with treatment resistant anxiety and depression that often manifests in hyper-perfectionism, chronic stress & fatigue, relational tensions, emotional avoidance and loneliness. My practice is designed to compassionately help you understand yourself and emotions more fully and to give you tools to help rewire neural pathways, alleviate negative symptoms and "rejoin" your tribe.

I specialize developing a relational space in which self discovery and inner growth can emerge. Less about the functional and directive, this is an emotive, aspirationally impactful approach, based in the long history of the depth/soul work psychotherapy and psychoanalysis have fostered. Therapy is a process, non-linear and creative at times. In that formational space, I am committed to mutual impact, a reflective disposition and the on-going therapeutic process which I earnestly believe can be transformative.

When working with couples and families we work collaboratively to de-escalate negative cycles of disconnection, develop relationship stability, and construct new patterns that result in connected and satisfying relationships. We teach relationship skills and a relational philosophy for maintaining both a vibrant sense of self and a loving and connected relationship.

Emotional pain distorts our view of the world. The longer our pain lasts, the more unhappy we become. Unlike a well meaning friend or relative, a therapist can consider your concerns from a fresh, objective, perspective. But a therapist will not solve your problems for you; he will guide you by listening, questioning and observing—- so that you can find your own answers when extreme unhappiness, overwhelming anxiety or fear, feelings of inadequacy and low self esteem, sexual problems, and traumatic events interfere with your life or relationships with others.

My clients are high achievers by nature. They often come to me because their depression and/or anxiety symptoms are being amplified by a present stressor like climbing the corporate ladder, entering their first job out of college, or making career transitions. Anxiety and depression sometimes manifest in my clients' relationships with significant others and family. Some may even be experiencing imposter syndrome. While I do facilitate the therapy process, my clients drive the sessions. Together, our therapeutic endeavor is to help you achieve your goals.

I am currently accepting new clients. Contact me for a free 20 minute consultation. My focus is on working with adult men on issues of depression, anxiety, trauma, and life transitions. I can help you develop the insight and tools you need to change problematic patterns and live life more skillfully. The support of having a safe place to look deeply, explore, and experiment can be life changing - change that arises naturally when you experience spaciousness, awareness and acceptance in your life.

Personal and Professional Profile My name is Dumbe Emmanuel Elessa. I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the State of Washington. I have more than three decades of clinical and leadership work experience in Community Behavioral Health. I also have extensive clinical and supervisory experience in Adult and Geriatric Mental Health as well as in Ethnic Minority issues. I was born in tropical Cameroon. I obtained the Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Washington Graduate School of Social Work in June, 1986.

Life is unpredictable and difficult at times. Things don’t always work out the way we planned or expected they would. When we find ourselves out of balance and upset; it can be helpful to talk about our thoughts and feelings with someone who will listen. In a safe space, it will be easier to consider what is working for you and what is not. I’d like to offer you that safe space and to help you by listening and discussing your situation and experience. I believe in the strength and resiliency of each individual. I know you possess the power to regain balance in your life and I’d like to help you do that.

Now accepting clients via teletherapy. Teletherapy is secure and easy to use: you simply need access to strong WiFi or cellular, privacy, and a smartphone/tablet/laptop. As a therapist with more than 13 years’ experience in the Seattle area, I provide strengths-based, solution-focused mental health therapy to clients from diverse backgrounds. I specialize in working with young adults, adolescents, and their families. I also frequently work with men and women to address addiction, work performance, relationship challenges, and other life stressors.

I work with people to address depression, anxiety, trauma, challenges around attention and life transitions over the lifespan. The approach to counseling is pragmatic, transparent, and collaborative. All sessions are done through confidential telehealth sessions and I accept most insurance programs. Contact me by email here through Psychology Today and I'll be happy to follow up with a brief consult to discuss possible next steps. Thanks!

Welcome everyone! I work with all adults and adolescents and specialize in working with LGBTQIA+ folks. My specialties include depression, anxiety, trauma, physical & emotional abuse, identity development, internalized oppression (of all forms), substance abuse and stress management. I am attuned to how sensitive our social identities contribute to how we feel, and I believe we all have a unique and personal story to tell. It is my role to bring hope, compassion, respect & knowledge to our time together.