Self-Harming Therapists in Tacoma, WA

Currently Accepting New Clients! I believe relationships play a critical role in the way we navigate throughout our daily lives. We look to our partner(s) for support, validation, encouragement, and empathy. The security in knowing our needs can and will be met, fosters a bond and attachment that is safe and secure. When couples can concede to such emotional engagements, secure bonding can evolve, thus establishing a bond that contributes to overall well-being and quality of life.

Counseling is most effective when taking a collaborative and holistic approach. The Ignite team strives to create a strong, therapeutic relationship built on trust, respect, responsibility, empathy, and open-mindedness. We offer a safe and supportive space to explore aspects of the 'self' and life experiences that make up the 'self'. Our staff is trauma-trained and trauma informed. We value our ability to hear the unheard and to help clients find their voice of empowerment.

In my work as a therapist and organizational consultant over the last 35+ years, I have assisted youth, adults, families, and organizations in reducing barriers to and facilitating elements of healthy growth, functioning, and the achievement of goals. I work collaboratively with clients for I don't feel that I'm an expert on someone else life. We learn together what will work for you as the therapy progresses and by the work you do in therapy, it is hoped that you will reach the goals that you set for yourself at the very first appointment.

"I must be a mermaid; I have no fear of depths & a great fear of shallow living" (A. Nin). Are you wanting a deeper experience of life? I will explore those depths with you & help you craft a life that feels more balanced, that is rich and rewarding. I am an active & supportive listener & aim to help you feel held in your own journey yet challenged to be your best self. My deepest desire is to help you meet your own goals for balance, relationships, health & happiness so that you can truly feel the joy of living an enchanted life.

I hold Master's degree in Counseling from Seattle University. I work with clients on relationship issues, co-dependency, separation, divorce and co-parenting, anxiety and depression, grief and loss, sexual trauma and major life transitions. It is my belief that the ultimate human need is connection and meaningful relationships. My desire is to help clients clarify feelings, improve communication, and strengthen and deepen connections.

I am an interpersonal trauma and family systems therapist specializing in clients with depression, anxiety, behavioral issues, and PTSD. I have over ten years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and couples. I use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and a trauma informed care model that focuses on the individual within their current social systems in order to resolve issues and improve your overall quality of life. Currently accepting in-person and virtual clients. I look forward to connecting with you.

Preferred contact method is email, please check your junk for my reply! I feel so fortunate to have found a career that I love, and cherish! My practice came about in the form of an epiphany one day, as I sat on the AIDS unit in NYC as a volunteer. As I listened to a man share his story, I realized that he had not been celebrated for his many talents, but had been ostracized for having AIDS. I decided that my philosophy was going to be-"our differences are what make us beautiful, we should all be celebrated for our uniqueness." This is the philosophy I live by daily.

You matter. Your story matters. What's bringing you to this page right now matters. I care deeply about helping my clients feel seen and heard. I consider it an honor to come alongside someone and to be let into their world. As part of the therapeutic process, we can help uncover lies you might be believing, identify counterproductive thinking, explore relationship dynamics, process trauma, and troubleshoot life stressors.

In my practice, I blend NARM with other mindfulness-based methods to help clients gently access and heal unresolved issues in order to decrease unnecessary suffering in their lives. My practice is ideal for clients who are curious about expanding their capacity for intimacy in their relationships and creating greater joy and satisfaction in their lives. I enjoy working with clients who are curious about and engaged in their own healing process, and who are committed to compassion and nonviolence in their relationships with others and with themselves. I welcome adults, adolescents, couples, and clients from the LGBTQI+ community.

Being deaf, I have a strong desire to help other deaf and hard of hearing people but this doesn't limit me from working with hearing people too. My clients are struggling to fit in in a world that's constantly changing and sometimes seems out to get us all. Clients who come to me are looking for support, knowledge, and growth to counter the challenges of every day life.

Seeking therapy is a courageous step to take when life isn't turning out quite like you envisioned it would. I believe that this decision is one that should be met with unconditional positive regard, compassion, and non-judgmental understanding. I specialize in working with individuals seeking to manage anxiety, depression and other difficult emotions, have more successful and fulfilling relationships, and change harmful or unwanted patterns of behavior. I also work with individuals with significant trauma histories, experiencing grief and loss, or experiencing symptoms of severe mental illness.

Are you feeling a little “off” lately? Down, anxious or unsure what comes next in life—especially after the last year or so? Perhaps relationships aren’t working out or problematic patterns you want to quit just keep popping up. Maybe you find yourself struggling with old wounds that need care and attention. Or it could be you just don’t feel like yourself and you’re not sure why.

An ideal client is the one who has identified the need to seek help. Has the willingness to work on those areas that need to be adjusted or changed. Understand that goals are placed to help and improve their life, work on them and is ready to practice and practice the skills being taught.

Is your life in turmoil? Difficult relationships? Feeling depressed, anxious or overwhelmed? Allow me to walk beside you through your current struggles or past difficulties and provide you with tools and insight that can challenge areas blocking you from feeling satisfied with some or all areas of your life. Therapy is a relationship where you can express how you feel openly and honestly without fear. I want to hear your story so I can have a better understanding of your world through your eyes.

People prioritize therapy when it is necessary or important to them. I want to make therapy flexible enough for your busy life, with evening appointments, telehealth, and in-person options. Therapy works best if you have a trusting relationship with your therapist, and I aim to provide that setting, getting to know who you are and what you need, as you are the expert on your life. I hope to help you with the skills that will be useful throughout your life.

I strive to create an environment that encourages growth and healing. Issues such as anxiety, depression, grief/ loss, abuse, trauma, domestic violence, anger, relationship and identity crisis leave one feeling depressed and alone. Working closely with individuals, couples, and families, together we will face life's struggles. My experience as a family therapist has provided me with extensive opportunity to work with families and children in the foster care system, or those families at risk of children being removed from the home. Additionally, working as a mental health professional in hospital emergency rooms has provided hands on crisis intervention with individuals facing extreme emotional situations.

I have a deep passion for helping trauma survivors, combat veterans, and people who are struggling with addiction to accomplish and sustain meaningful recoveries in their lives. I provide a non-judgmental, compassionate, and safe therapeutic space to help them achieve their goals. The most rewarding thing for me as a therapist is helping a client work through and heal from the trauma and shame that is so commonly the underlying cause of their substance use, addiction, or mental health challenges.

I possess extensive experience working with community members who have difficulty feeling safe and heard in therapeutic environments. I take pride in creating a safe and nonjudgmental spaces to process complex experiences and feelings openly and tap into their inherent strengths to make positive changes that lead to lasting transformation. We will use a broad range of evidence-based modalities, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, and solution-focused brief therapy delivered with a person-centered and strengths-based approach tailored to your unique needs.

Currently, I am specializing in relationship issues, self-esteem, and women’s issues. I am skilled in working with anxiety, mood disorders, and complex trauma with all age ranges. My strong suits are empathy and my ability to really understand where someone is coming from, and I use that to develop a positive path forward. Rather than sticking to a particular method, I custom tailor my session to meet the unique needs of each individual. Earlier in my career, I was published in peer-reviewed journals for my research in Clinical Psychology.