Therapists serving clients in Lake Forest Park, WA

Hi there, It takes grit and fortitude to do what you’re doing. Searching for a therapist is a big decision and maybe you’ve reached the point where you realize you can’t do it alone, and need support to work through the frustrations, challenges and struggles you are facing in your life right now. As you read my profile, you’ll notice my professional experience spans over 20 years and my training background covers a wide range of diverse topics. My clinical approach combines psycho-dynamic as well as other modalities like DBT, and systems theory to insure you have access to the most update-to-date information available. While adhering to confidentiality, ethical and legal standards, the individualized treatment approach I employ draws from the latest evidence-based practices, emphasizing a supportive insight-oriented, practical and common sense, straightforward style. I am committed to building an honest, respectful and collaborative alliance with you, to develop a sustainable capacity for continued trust and effective skill building. I make every effort to balance ego and humility, and pride myself on being honest, direct, and non-judgmental so you know you are believed, taken seriously, feel valued, and know you matter. It entails establishing boundaries, and striking a balance between recognizing the impact of confusion, anguish, conflict, suffering and turmoil to acknowledging and benefiting from understanding, insight/education, advice and feedback. The bottom line is; you gain the tools and coping skills necessary to regulate emotions, become mindful and insure that you gain confidence and competence in your ability to achieve a sense of personal safety, security and stability. My areas of expertise include working with diverse, multicultural clients including both Native American and Native Alaskan populations. I have worked in private practice, created an outpatient clinic providing DBT groups for both men and women diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. I was the clinical director of a medical behavioral health setting focusing on chronic illness, a homeless shelter providing mental health, substance abuse and HIV+ AIDS treatment services, an all-men’s dual diagnosed residential program, a trauma informed treatment program in the 56 Yupik villages of Alaska, a recidivism re-entry program for ex-offenders from San Quentin and Folsom State Prisons. I also worked in the 1st hospice in the United States, providing death and dignity counseling services to terminally ill patients and bereavement counseling for families. Currently, my focus is on, although not limited to, working with individuals living with depression, anxiety stemming from trauma histories, recovering from traumatic bonding/narcissistic abuse, and adults on the autistic spectrum who desire a need to understand Asperger’s and the impact it has on their lives and relationships. Also, treatment services for the LGBTQIA community; individuals with a wide range of concerns about sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual fluidity, the coming- out stages, intimacy social stigma, family/relationship conflict, parenting issues, employment concerns and advocacy approaches for the human rights campaign for civil rights. Most importantly, I am passionate about addressing visible, and invisible disability issues, the neuro-diversity of ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, and the need to address the fundamental issues of disability rights, learning styles, inclusiveness, ableism, workplace bullying and the impact of internalized oppression. What does this all mean for you? I would like to think, it demonstrates my competence and gives you some degree of confidence in my ability to help you achieve greater resiliency, authenticity, and happiness in your life. Chances are you are doing the best you can and you can do better. That's where your ingenuity, willingness, motivation, and commitment come into play. There are lots of reasons for you to consider entertaining the thought of on-line therapy. It is an effective way to navigate through your problems on your timetable, and support really makes a difference. It gives you the opportunity to start an action plan, get the help you need to stay on track, follow through and meet your goals consistently. It's also an emotional tune-up, putting energy and enthusiasm back into your life, so you are empowered to face reality, generate options, problem-solve, let go of the past and take the risks necessary to move forward. Putting the brakes on wishing things were different, you can break through your fears, self-sabotage, addictions, anger issues and codependency in order to set healthy boundaries and discover what it takes to stand up for yourself, say no, protect your own self-interest and become mindful. Expand your capacity for recognizing the importance of TFK - thinking, feelings, and knowing, the pillars of EI, emotional intelligence. By increasing emotional self-regulation, interrupting escalating patterns of RUI, reactivity, urgency and intensity, you will be able to manage triggers which will help you respond more calmly, giving you the ability to take on and accomplish the daily challenges with poise while not allowing the past to dictate your responses. Just think of that, being grounded and thriving, instead of simply surviving. Sounds simple, it's not nor do I pretend it is. Practice makes progress, there is no perfection. Successes and setbacks are inevitable, so it's one step at a time. Call it an incremental manageable approach to deal with getting impatient, bored, or overwhelmed. It’s not unusual for clients, maybe you included, to feel emotionally vulnerable, fragile, stuck, discouraged, helpless, hopeless and struggling with life-defeating behaviors or suicidal ideation. Regardless of the reasons you seek therapy, it is imperative that you feel understood, supported and can speak freely in order to benefit from the therapeutic experience so you can connect, learn, share, grow and pay it forward. Everything is connected by chains of events, coupled with your vulnerabilities, temperament, and your life experiences while your identity is formed by both narratives, both internal and external. Perhaps it's time you learned to see yourself through kinder eyes, to look at the world from a more neutral stance, recognize that co-perspectives exist, repair and rebuild in some instances vs. re-enacting and repeating, that way, you can accept consequences gracefully, cultivate a willingness to wait, tread softly, play by the rules, make lemonade from lemons, advocate for living, confront and process guilt and shame and recognize that there is no point going to an empty well and expecting water. Accessing online therapy is safe, secure, convenient, confidential, and cost effective. Keep in mind, you can work on understanding your underlying core issues, the impact of trauma, connecting the historical dots of your life, develop a mental health recovery plan, increase focus, concentration, motivation, and simply live without the drama and recurring crisis. Dramatically improve your ability to think and feel more positive and hopeful. It's like a long awaited of breath of fresh air! Instead of being on automatic pilot, you take ownership of your choices by being accountable and responsible, both deliberate, and intentional. Benefit from a trusting relationship with me, built on a foundation of mutual respect that gives you the best chance at personal growth and enhancing your own functioning. Improve your physical, mental and emotional well-being by stepping outside your comfort zone. It's about living with hope, having both meaning and purpose, and identifying and living your own values. Instead of suffering in silence you can live, laugh, learn, lead, love and leave a legacy. It's your opportunity to build a life worth living. I invite you to reach out to me. EDUCATION AND TRAINING BA in Humanities/Social Justice MA in Social Clinical Psychology Dual Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Trained in EMDR Levels I and II Trained in Palliative Care and Hospice Care Trained in Aging, Grief & Loss, Transitions, Chronic Illness Trained and Nationally Certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy Trained in Cinema ”Reel” to “Real” Film Group Therapy Trained in Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment/Recovery Trained in Trauma-informed Care and Trauma-specific Practices Trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level I Trained in Multiculturalism, Disability Rights, Ethnic Minorities, Culturally Diverse Populations including Race, Gender, Class, Religion, Power/Privilege and LGBTQIA Orientation/Identity and Coming-Out stages.

My aim is to provide personalized, evidence-based psychotherapy. Thus, my approach and treatment method will vary depending on your personality and the particular issue or problems you bring forward. I work from a client-as-expert standpoint; this leads to collaborative and strengths-based counseling. I frequently draw on solution-focused or mindfulness techniques grounded in a person-centered approach. I value transparency and find this reflected in the trust I receive from clients. We can work together to set goals based on your needs, build on your existing skills, and look for new ways of evaluating your situation or different ways of relating to yourself and others. I earned an M.S. in Mental Health Counseling from Western Washington University. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State (License# LH60825350), Nationally Certified Counselor (ID# 267361), and Registered Associate in Oregon (#R3073). I am a member in good standing of both the American Psychological Association and American Mental Health Counselors Association. I use they/them and she/her pronouns. I am available for sessions mornings and afternoons on Tuesday and Friday. I am available for messaging throughout the week. I respond to most messages within 48 hours. I am currently working with clients on a short term basis only (3-6 sessions). I want you to get support that best meets your needs. If you have been connected with me by BetterHelp and this does not fit your scheduling or care needs, please reach out to contact@betterhelp.com to request another counselor. If you think I could be a good fit for you, I look forward to working with you!

I am an individual therapist licensed in Washington State with ten years of experience in therapeutic interventions with clients presenting with a variety of different concerns. These include depression, anxiety, LGBTQIA-related concerns, relationship issues including in non-traditional relationships, and stress-related, motivation, and self-esteem challenges. I have also worked with people with trauma, addictions, parenting issues, and grief and loss. I also carry the credentials of Child Mental Health Therapist and Perinatal Mental Health Specialist. My style as a therapist is warm, genuine, honest, and casual, as well as interactive. I believe that you are the expert on your situation and come with the ability to overcome challenges, even if it may not feel that way right now. You are capable of making change, and I'm here to help. I believe everyone deserves to be heard with compassion and respect. My approach to therapy combines cognitive-behavioral, dialectical behavioral, and solution-focused counseling. We will work together on your goals and needs and come up with a plan to get there. It's important to note that I only offer communication via text, including asynchronous, email-style messaging and live sessions, which are instant-messenger style communications in real time. I am thrilled that you've decided to reach out, and I can't wait to meet you, get to know you, and help you meet your goals.

I am a thoughtful counselor with best practices at the heart of all my patient encounters. I have over a decade of experience working with groups and individuals who present with a variety of issues, including trauma, substance use, depression, anxiety, and relationship problems. I graduated from Pacific University with a Master of Arts in counseling psychology as well as from The University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. I utilize evidence base practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Trauma Informed Therapies. I use mindfulness techniques as a supplemental practice for interested patients as well. I am an easy listener who is interested in getting to know each patient and learn what their personal goals are and how I might help them. My therapeutic approach is human centered and unconditionally positive.

My name is Marihelena and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, who specializes in treating anxiety, depression and I offer relationship counseling as well. I have had the pleasure of working with different populations across various settings while providing therapeutic services at the highest standards. My number one priority is you, and to provide you with a safe and comfortable online environment to work on any goals that you may have. I sincerely love what I do, and I will do my very best to provide you with all the support that you may need. I use a variety of approaches tailored to your specific needs. Mostly, I work with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which utilizes acceptance and mindfulness strategies mixed in different ways with commitment and behavior-change strategies, to increase psychological flexibility. Additionally, I use Cognitive Behavioral Interventions and Gestalt therapy.

I am licensed in Washington with at least seven years of professional work experience. You are the expert of your story and possess many strengths to enhance your mental health and improve your quality of life. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. Emberlene Cossette, is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LISCW) here in the state of Washington. She has been working in the mental health field for 10 years, with seven as a social worker. Ember believes mental health, similar to physical health, is a right rather than a privilege and recognizes the importance in living a life of quality. In addition to formal education, she has worked with immigrants, detainees, those who are disabled, and those of distinct ages, genders, ethnicities, and cultures. Emberlene has a Master of Social Work from University of Washington, Tacoma. She also graduated from Saint Martin’s University and earned the Bachelors of Psychology with a focus on ethics and war trauma. She is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy. I practice believing that heart and soul precedes individual existence and that despite our perception of aloneness, the cosmos is inherent in all humans. Our being lies not only within ourselves and others, it is found in the natural world. The author Amie Kaufman expresses this more clearly, “The way [we] are all made of the same pieces; the same fragments of stardust and yet you are all so different.”

I am a licensed independent clinical social worker with experience working with people struggling with their mental health. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, phobias, and a history of physical and emotional trauma. I also have provided support to those struggling with substance abuse. I have additional experience working in a skilled nursing facility, long term care settings, and residential settings. Through this, I have provided support to individuals with chronic medical diagnoses, brain injury, and dementia. Along with supporting these individuals, I have also provided support to family, friends, and caregivers for these individuals. As a social worker, I believe in a person-centered approach and collaborating with my clients to meet their goals. I am very open-minded and want my clients to feel comfortable sharing what they are struggling with, without fear of judgment. It takes a lot of courage to seek support. Sometimes we can be our own worse enemy with reaching our goals and need help. I am here to support you to achieve your goals and find a more meaningful life. I look forward to working with you.

I am licensed in Texas and Washington with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am a licensed clinical social worker, working in the states of Nevada, Washington, Pennsylvania and others for over five years. I provide individual, couples and family therapy. My experience includes relationship and communication issues and assist with unbalanced family dynamics. I have extensive knowledge of trauma and addiction. It can affect coping skills related to depression and anxiety and alter your window of tolerance. I use cognitive behavior therapy, solution focused therapy and use a client centered approach when I meet with clients. Other interventions used are motivational interviewing, multidimensional family therapy and other evidenced based practices. I also work with dual diagnosis and other mental health issues related to depression and nanxiety, adjustment disorders, pain, grief and substance abuse. My approach is warm and friendly and open without judgement. I used empathic listening and validation skills to help you understand that I am listening and want to assist you in feeling better. Let us take these first few steps in creating a plan that will assist you in an improved life and better coping skills.

As a licensed mental health professional with a decade of experience in Montana, I specialize in assisting clients with a diverse range of challenges, including stress and anxiety management, relationship issues, motivation enhancement, self-esteem cultivation, and addressing depression. My approach prioritizes the creation of an open and safe therapeutic environment, where individuals feel empowered to share their thoughts and emotions without apprehension of judgment. Embarking on the journey towards a more fulfilling and contented life requires courage, and I am dedicated to providing steadfast support throughout this process. Together, we can work collaboratively to navigate obstacles, cultivate resilience, and foster positive growth. Your well-being is my utmost priority, and I am committed to helping you achieve your goals and aspirations.