Therapists in Seattle, WA

Are you struggling to show up in the present? Do you ever feel 'haunted' by past experiences that foreclose your way toward the future you want? I have met such roadblocks myself and believe that building a healthy interpersonal relationship in therapy paves the road to unlocking your goals & desires. I have specialties working with queer women & femmes in addressing anxiety, t/Trauma processing & recovery, sexual assault, and identity exploration.

Are you creative? In transition? Depressed? Different? Parenting? Re-discovering YOU? Are you wanting to make changes in your life or to heal from old wounds? Do you want to develop self-compassion? Do you want to learn how to be present for your life, to learn mindfulness to help you through the tough times? If so, let’s see if we can create a compassionate, interactive and authentic therapeutic relationship to work collaboratively towards healing. In therapy, I can help you identify your goals, look at what is and isn't working for you, explore your stories, emotions, and experiences (past and present), develop new skills, and embrace your learning styles and talents. I also provide consultation and supervision to therapists.

My practice is focused on helping individuals understand and heal from the profound wounds caused by emotional or physical violence/neglect in close personal relationships. This includes adults who've experienced childhood abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment, as well as sexual assault, violence, and betrayal trauma. By conceptualizing complex forms of trauma from a feminist perspective, I investigate issues of gender, power, and culture, and identify them as the center of oppression, distress, and dysfunction in a person's life. Relational trauma often creates isolation, and I believe it is only in relationship that we heal.

If you are browsing through this website then you're most likely trying to find help with something in your life that you've been struggling with for for years. Maybe it's depression or anxiety and you need help trying to manage it, someone to hold it with you. Perhaps you have a hard time staying in a relationship for any length of time? Or maybe you're holding onto the secret of sexual abuse as a child or teen and have never told anyone. Sometimes things shatter and we don't know why, but it does. Life shatters us. I would love the privilege of walking with you. We can do it together. You don't have to do it alone anymore.

The greatest and most freeing gifts you can give yourself are self-exploration and compassion. Together, you and I can work collaboratively to further develop these qualities and foster your innate resilience. My goal is for you to feel safe, challenged, and empowered during our time together. The sheer fact that you are seeking support demonstrates an immense strength and courage. As a psychotherapist, I aim to create a non-judgmental, open-minded, and secure environment for clients to explore their feelings candidly and honestly. I utilize a variety of techniques and tailor treatment to the unique needs of the client.

I am a Christian therapist trained in the interpersonal/relational psychoanalytic theory. I've also engaged both object relational and cognitive behavioral theories through varied clinical experiences. I've mostly trained under Dan Allender. I am trained well to serve clients that desire to face issues of sexual abuse/trauma, narrative, and relational dynamics within relationships. I'm also able to help clients think through potential cultural issues that can also have impact on ones dealing with issues of abuse, story, and relationship.

Marissa M. Grasmick, MA, LMHC is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Seattle, Washington. In her private practice she focuses on working with adults addressing trauma, sexual abuse/assault, anxiety, self worth, relationships/attachment, and organization. Marissa's Masters degrees in both Art Therapy and Counseling allow her to weave art-based interventions with her knowledge of working with trauma and the body. Marissa is highly skilled in her ability to integrate her experience with meditation and Zen philosophy to bridge the gap between such things as cutting-edge neuroscience and our need to create meaning from suffering.

**CURRENTLY OFFERING TELETHERAPY SESSIONS in ARIZONA & WASHINGTON** Relationships can be challenging, particularly the ones that are most important to us. We want to feel known, connected and loved but often end up hurt and lonely, stuck in patterns which aren't working. Relational pain can show up as anxiety, fear, depression or grief among other things. I have extensive training in Psychodyamic Therapy. I have also learned directly from masters in the field of Couples Therapy: John & Julie Gottman and Phil Ringstrom to address these very issues.

Sometimes it seems impossible to imagine feeling better, or picturing our lives differently. Though distress can have a profound effect on our bodies and minds, growth and change are always possible. I begin with the understanding that we are all are whole and have the inherent ability to cope with life’s struggles, no matter how much pain we may be experiencing.

I have been counseling since 1981 and opened my private practice in 1988. I have expertise in working with individuals around their history of sexual victimization, people healing from trauma and LGBTQ life issues. I also specialize in working with couples whether poly, open, heterosexual and/or gay. Included within my expertise is the breadth of issues surrounding sexuality and attachment. I also specialize in helping people become aware of and channel their emotions in a healthy way. Moreover, people who are grappling with existential issues, developmental transitions or life changes find meaning in working with me as well.

I think life can be compared to a Hero’s Journey. While we may not have the same linear storyline with visible obstacles and hard earned victories, we are on a journey nonetheless. Therapy can help us explore the uncharted domains of our psyche, our overwhelming fears, our surprising heroic capabilities, and our joy. I use an integration of many therapeutic modalities in order to explore this including relational psychodynamic therapy, somatic/body psychotherapy, and attachment based therapy creating a more experiential and formative experience overall.

Counseling is a space where we get to focus on helping you move towards a life that is more fulfilling, meaningful, and connected. I work with people struggling with anxious thoughts, depression, or challenging relationships. Some are trying to navigate dating, intimacy, and partnership. Some have experienced spiritual abuse or are coming out of religious systems that have left them confused and even traumatized. Some of the people I work with are unpacking their past and trying to be free of difficult patterns. Many people are just stuck and want some help figuring out why. Counseling helps you get unstuck.

Therapy is a chance to awaken to ourselves. Each of us are complex human beings with hopes, desires and a unique presence in this world. Life, however, can have a way of getting in the way of who we truly are. My desire is to provide a space where together we can safely get to know all the parts of you, free these parts from past trauma, and allow you to live a fuller life. I work compassionately with people dealing with chronic people pleasing, religious trauma and faith deconstruction, childhood sexual abuse, anxiety, relationship issues, and identity exploration. I also work with couples desiring deeper connection.

Finding the right therapist can be a daunting process, yet it is one that really matters. It is understandable to feel out of sorts, isolated, or misunderstood when experiencing relationship, family, peer, academic, or workplace stress, during a life transition, or when recovering from trauma. You may also be struggling with a death, the end of a relationship, a relocation from another state or country, an adjustment to a health issue of yourself or a loved one, or being in an environment in which you feel you don't fit. It can be painful to experience these feelings and to try to find a way forward. You don't have to do this alone.

Welcome! For some, seeking help from a mental health professional can feel overwhelming, intimidating. Finding an understanding therapist who is best suited to your needs can be the first step towards a happier and more meaningful life. I work with adults and adolescents from a place of respect and compassion and believe that real transformation happens within the context of the therapeutic relationship. I value approaches that have been researched and proven to be effective, and tailor treatment to meet the needs of each individual. I have experience treating anxiety, depression, PTSD, sexual abuse, and gender dysphoria.

Current Availability- I offer a safe, supportive and non-judgmental space to process and heal. For 25 years I have worked in a variety of settings with adults and adolescents experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions and challenges. I specialize in supporting those navigating the effects of trauma and sexual abuse. Together, we will engage your life story with care and discover how you have been uniquely impacted by the events and people of your life. We will bring healing and wholeness to these spaces and build ways forward for you to thrive.

I am a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist in CA, OR and WA, with over 15 years of experience. I practice as an attachment and relationship based therapist and I specialize in supporting those who have experienced loss, trauma, narcissistic abuse, sexual abuse, physical/emotional abuse, depression, anxiety, co-dependency, relationship issues, work and life stress, and difficult life transitions. Together, we will focus on your strengths, prior successes, and your future hopes and wishes. I will provide empathic support, coping tools and strategies to promote change, so you can reach your goals and live the life that you wish to live!

Finding a "good fit" is essential when looking for a therapist. You should feel safe to be your authentic self without feeling judgment. I believe the client/therapist relationship is primary for healing and effective work. Within that relationship, I consider you the expert on your own life. While thoughtfully listening, I will also offer insights, invitations to try something new, and help you in building new skills and finding solutions. People tend to find me warm, accepting, and engaging.

Amy Barker D'Alessandro, Adoption and Trauma Therapist, offers specialized counseling, coaching, consulting, supervision, and public speaking services. Amy holds a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology, is a fully licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Washington state, and is trained in Relational Psychotherapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Attachment Focused Therapy, Filial Play Therapy, and Sand Tray Therapy. She currently works with individuals of all ages, families of all kinds, general counseling clients, and several monthly groups, ongoing retreats, and events.