Therapists serving clients in Mountlake Terrace, WA

I imagine you may be experiencing a number of emotions. Are you feeling overwhelmed by the process of selecting a counselor? Hopeful about the possibility of receiving support and making change? Skeptical about how an online therapist profile can actually give you a sense of a therapist's approach and how you might be able to work with them? You're not alone. I can tell you facts about me. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in the States of California, Oregon and Washington. I attended the University of California, Berkeley and received Masters in Social Work (MSW) and Public Health (MPH) and have had over 10 years of experience providing counseling to the medically sick, terminally ill, the bereaved, veterans and many others. I am experienced in and often use Dialectical Behavioral therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and I use a Humanistic approach that is Solution-Focused. These are techniques and approaches that you can Google to learn more about me but they alone may not tell you if you and I will work well together. Beyond the technical trainings and skills, here is who I am. I believe in therapy. I believe the statement that “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”. Practicing therapy gives me the opportunity and joy of practicing caring in a professional and skilled way. The therapy outcomes research bears this out: Across all treatment approaches, the most important correlates of positive therapy outcomes are: 1. Therapist characteristics (empathy, warmth, genuineness) 2. Alliance between therapist and client 3. Adoption of new behaviors by client Contact me if this sounds like a good fit.

I began my work in the social service field more than a decade ago, working in a wide range of therapeutic settings before laying my roots as a marriage and family therapist. From therapeutic group homes and the juvenile justice system to community mental health and private practice, I have spent years working with individuals and families in a multitude of roles. I believe individuals, families and couples have the ability to support each other, meet each other's needs, and solve their own problems. However, sometimes circumstances arise which make this difficult. At other times, people either lose objectivity with old problems or try to solve new problems in old ways. This is when professional assistance can make a difference. I believe that we all have our own experiencing of the world around us and that these experiences shape our narrative of ourselves, our relationships with others, and how these pieces fit together in our lives. I help clients understand these narratives and past patterns of behavior, and work to find new coping skills and solutions and provide support along the way. My therapeutic approach is collaborative, client centered, and active. I believe the relationship between myself and a client sets the tone for therapy and is key to helping the client on a path to wellness and reaching their established goals. I believe in holding space for clients that feels safe and comfortable for sharing and collaboration in helping my clients reach their goals. When working with clients I generally use a combination of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help clients form concrete goals with a time-limited approach. Additionally, I find a psychodynamic approach to working with clients to be helpful in meeting goals presented in our work together. I have worked as a therapist or counselor for more than ten years, have a BA in Psychology, a MA in Child, Couple, Family Therapy, and a MBA in Healthcare Management. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of Washington, as well as child mental health specialist and maternal mental health specialist.

Hello- My name is Tricia Richards and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of Washington. I have started my work in community mental health, in 2 different areas of Washington, which has given me a lot of experience working with diverse populations, with many different issues that individuals and families face, including anxiety, depression, abuse/neglect, reunification, parenting difficulties, stress, loss, and overall life difficulties. I take a client centered and goal oriented, systems approach, being guided by the idea that people do the best they can with what they have; Sometimes they just need more tools. I work with my clients to determine what they want their goals to be, and that is what we focus on, taking into account all of the systems at play in life, such as school, work, family, and friends. I earned my Bachelor's of Science in Family Studies, and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, from Central Washington University. Then, I went on to earn my Masters Degree from Seattle Pacific University in Marriage and Family Therapy. I have been doing therapy since 2014, married since 2017, and in 2018 my husband and I welcomed our amazing Boy/Girl Twins into the world. I look forward to working with you!

I am a retired Navy Chaplain with 10 years of enlisted service and 8 years as a chaplain. I retired in 2008 and then worked as a mental health crisis worker and worked in private practice, then I housed homeless Veterans. I have a wide variety of experiences with many different types of people in many different situations. My expertise is in crisis and trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety and severe mental disorders. I am also quite friendly and easy to get to know and help you understand what's going on in your life. I can't say I know everything, but I can say that if I don't know it, I'll do the research to find out. Love research. I have two Master's degrees and a doctorate. My doctorate is also in ministry from Regent University. I have further PhD work in counseling and education from Capella University. So I can honestly say that learning is key to understanding. Of course, one of those is in counseling. I have counseling licenses in two states (Oregon and Washington). My other degree is in ministry. I have worked in ministry and in the secular field which, I believe, gives me a good balance in helping people where they are at. I don't push my beliefs on anyone. It is my understanding that I am to journey with people. I know the answers are there but finding the answers is like taking a journey together and when the answer is found, you are the one who finds it. I am just there to guide and provide some information. You choose the direction. Philosophy and Approach: I believe that everyone can reach an optimum state of health and has the potential to recover from life’s difficulties, and even trauma. I employ an eclectic approach with a strong reliance on person-centered, cognitive-behavioral aspects and the recovery model. Formal Education and Training: I hold a master’s degree in counseling from Liberty University. My major course work included human growth and development with an emphasis on marriage and family counseling, individual counseling; all classes required for a licensed counselor’s certificate in Oregon and Washington. My major at Liberty University was Marriage and Family Therapy. I also hold a Doctor of Ministry from Regent University with major coursework in Clinical Pastoral Education. My undergraduate degree is from the University of Oregon, a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. I abide by the Oregon and Washington Boards Code of Ethics. To maintain my counseling license, I am required to participate in continuing education, taking classes dealing with subjects relevant to this profession. As a client of an Oregon and Washington licensee, you have the following rights: ∗ To expect that a licensee has met the qualifications of training and experience required by state law; ∗ To examine public records maintained by the Board and to have the Board confirm credentials of a licensee; ∗ To obtain a copy of the Code of Ethics; ∗ To report complaints to the Board; ∗ To be informed of the cost of professional services before receiving the services; ∗ To be assured of privacy and confidentiality while receiving services as defined by rule of law, with the following exceptions: 1) Reporting suspected child abuse; 2) Reporting imminent danger to you or others; 3) Reporting information required in court proceedings or by your insurance company, or other relevant agencies; 4) Providing information concerning licensee case consultation or supervision; and 5) Defending claims brought by you against me; ∗ To be free from discrimination because of age, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, national origin, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, or socioeconomic status.

We live in a complex web of relationships, and having a better understanding of yourself in relation to others can be the key to living your most authentic life. Therapy is a tool to better understand the barriers that keep us from experiencing joy, finding peace, and building meaningful relationships. Issues at work, grief, relationship challenges, and feelings of sadness and despair can be overwhelming. Finding the hidden emotional truth is the first step to identifying and addressing the real reasons we struggle. A therapist is a supportive partner who helps you navigate and understand the turbulent waters of human existence. Depth-oriented therapy gives people the ability to identify and understand the problem at hand. There are often patterns that are repeated unconsciously, and my approach to therapy is to be honest about the misunderstood but authentic emotions and motivations that shape our behavior. A better understanding of your true self lays the foundation for a life with meaning. My clients often ask me "How did you know?". My education, post-graduate training, and experience (both personal and professional) have taught me how to recognize the patterns and hidden truths that are core to our personalities and emotional well-being. I am passionate about helping others learn how to grieve; our society doesn't allow us the space to grieve all the things we lose, whether it be loved ones, relationships, opportunities or dreams. The only way to move beyond loss and sadness is to truly and deeply grieve, find the meaning in our lives, and move forward with hope.

I am a licensed mental health counselor in Washington State, with over eight years of experience in the field. I utilize a non-judgmental, compassionate, strength-based, eclectic approach through the use of narrative, person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, motivational interviewing, and more. I tailor my work to each individual’s own needs. In therapy, we will work collaboratively towards your goals. Whether or not that involves working on relieving your distress, resolving problematic behaviors, gaining insight, developing coping techniques to help you handle difficult situations, and more. My purpose in our therapeutic relationship is to give you a safe space to explore your thoughts, feelings, concerns, empower you, and help inspire change. I recognize that my availability for live sessions is limited to very early mornings but I promise that I am a very responsive to messages throughout the day. I look forward to meeting you soon.

I am a licensed psychologist in the state of Washington with over 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, coping with addictions, relationship concerns, and dealing with life changes. While my approach utilizes Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) techniques, I'm primarily a Client-Centered psychologist. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first step toward a change. I am here to support and empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in Tennessee with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

“There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.“ -John Green, Turtles All The Way Down I grew up in Maryland in a large family with 3 brothers and 2 sisters, and later moved to Washington. Through my experiences of being a foster family and living with a family member with a mental illness, I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a social worker. My experience includes working with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, postpartum concerns, PTSD, and grief. My therapeutic style is authentic, compassionate and grounding. We are our own harshest critic, and by focusing on your strengths, we can work together to improve any areas that need it. Clients who get the most out of working with me will be those who are willing to be authentic and to put in the work. My role is to listen, help you see new ways of thinking about things, and provide you with concrete tools that you can use in daily life.

I am licensed in Washington with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & intimacy related issues. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!