Therapists in Tacoma, WA

I am a LICSW with a focus on psychotherapy with adults, children and families. I have been a practitioner for 48 years, in private practice for 12 1/2 years and had been a psychotherapist for 26 years in the Behavioral Health Department at Group Health. While there, in addition to a general caseload that included Medicare patients, I ran a Children's Therapy Group, served on a county-wide child abuse oversight committee, co-chaired an inter-disciplinary case consultation team, and managed an intern program.

We will not try to make you do what somebody else wants you to do. We start with your goals & find ways to help you develop the necessary skills. We have found that, if a person's individual wishes are not represented in the solution, it will not work in the long run. So there is a strong emphasis on helping each person take responsibility and control over their own happiness. Some things are better handled individually, and some things are better handled with both people in the room. Our unique blend of individual & couples therapy is quite effective.

I specialize in supporting folks struggling with relationship issues and with major life transitions (moves, job loss, divorce, vocation and career changes, etc.). Often, depression, anxiety, trauma/complex trauma, and other mental wellness challenges show up in these areas. By working collaboratively on your counseling goals, I use research based, collaborative, nonjudgmental, and respectfully engaged approaches to understand your counseling needs and address them at a pace and in a way that's right for you.

Not Currently Accepting NEW Clients: I specialize in working with teens, those who self-harm, parents of teens with concerning moods and behaviors, and military families. My methods create substantial change in a short period of time. If you are struggling with high intense crisis emotions, or harmful behaviors, we would be a good fit. I specialize in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). -Telehealth Sessions Only. I am a Military Veteran & Military Spouse.

I believe that everyone comes to a place in their life and experiences the feeling of being”stuck” and not knowing what to do next. Anger, anxiety and depression can leave a person feeling overwhelmed and unsure. While people often have a strong desire for change find it difficult to reach out for help. As a licensed mental health counselor have helped many singles couples and families heal and grow, and I can do the same for you.If you are ready to take that first step then please call me. I look forward to meeting you. Sincerely, John J. Smith LMHCA

Are you wanting to be the best version of you possible? Do you want to have thoughts that are positive and encouraging rather thoughts of worry and guilt? Do you seek a happy, satisfying and intimate relationship with another person? These are all possible to you. If you would like to have a competent, wise, compassionate, non-judgmental advisor along your side while you explore these possibilities, I would be delighted and honored to join you.

I respect it takes courage to seek and partner with a therapist. My core values as a clinician are to provide others utmost respect, hope, resiliency, concern, empathy, challenge, creating a path to recovery and healing. I enjoy working with adults through age sixty-five, and children ages four through twenty-one, including families. I have been a Marriage and Family Therapist for thirty plus years, I am honored to enter with others in their healing journey.

Change comes through relationship and at Northwest Counsel I desire for you to see real, positive change in your life and your personal relationships. To give you an idea of what to expect, your first appointment is your chance to explain special circumstances and ask any questions about therapy. You will get a feel for who I am and how I can serve you, and together we can determine if I will help guide you to the next step on your journey of wellness. Sessions typically last 45-55 minutes and are custom tailored to your situation and your needs.

Being alive in a complex and unknown world is difficult, as humans we are daily managing our emotions, instincts, desires, frustrations, confusions, and joys. This is no simple task, and difficult to do alone. That is where the work of psychotherapy comes in to provide a path forward. By creating a space of acceptance, presence, and honesty together we can move towards building more security and freedom to live and enjoy life.

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.

Life can often be incredibly overwhelming and sometimes it's helpful to have a little extra support. If you are struggling with anxiety, ADHD, parenting, postpartum or perinatal concerns, low self-esteem, panic, OCD, and/or intrusive thoughts, therapy can help. If you need support through different life transitions and are trying to adjust to a different normal, I am here for you. I specialize in supporting clients through anxiety-related concerns with empathy and kindness. I offer a holistic and systemic perspective for all of the people I work with and will identify how the systems you are a part of impact your current struggles.

My goal is to assist you in recognizing your inherent strengths that have been developed as a result of your unique experiences. Everyone comes to this moment with their own set of beliefs, values, morals, and expectations. You are stronger than you think. You are more capable than you think. Oftentimes individuals, couples, and families may not recognize their own resilience and their ability to break toxic cycles that may exist within relationships. Sometimes experiences can overwhelm us, and make us feel that we don’t know the way forward. The process of therapy is turning those overwhelming feelings into a road map.

I support families, adults and elders in navigating difficult times more gracefully. As we rush through our busy lives, we can feel lost and disconnected from our best selves. We can even become so immersed in our negative culture that we feel a deep sense of hopelessness. We can forget that we are smart, strong, tenacious and resilient. I can help you bring a greater sense of purpose and hope into your life.

***I'M CURRENTLY NOT TAKING NEW CLIENTS. The KEY to therapy is feeling comfortable and understood by your therapist. Whether you need to work through relationship challenges, anxiety or depression, a life transition, or just need to get on track to feeling better, we can make that happen. My clients leave their sessions knowing what to do to make situation better or cope more effectively. We work on challenging negative thinking, changing unhelpful behaviors, learning to regulate emotion, building helpful perspectives, and understanding relationship dynamics. We build your sessions to fit your unique situation.

'Hope' (noun): To desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment; to expect with confidence. What do you hope for? I think deep down we all hope for similar things; peace, joy, love, excitement, and fulfilling relationships. When we experience depression, anxiety, trauma, stressful life circumstances, parenting challenges or relationship difficulties we can end up feeling hopeless and alone. My goal as a therapist is to help you rediscover your hopes and dreams and make a plan to achieve them! I will do this by providing a safe space to process what has gotten in your way and helping you identify what changes can be made.

Prioritizing mental health today can be so difficult to do today, but is important now more than ever. Along with prioritizing mental health, many of us engage in school, work, relationships, family dynamics, and friendships. After a while, many of these pressures may start to affect us in different ways leading us to experience anxiety, stress, bouts of sadness, irritability, and so much more. I did not even mention any unresolved trauma or feelings that may be experienced on top of everything else! Therapy is a safe place to work through many of these issues, with undeniable positive regard and support.

What’s your story? Is it a tragic tale of grief and loss? Or is your story a fast paced, anxiety ridden adventure repeatedly landing you in a pit of despair? I understand how difficult it can be to get control of the story of your life.

I am currently only accepting new clients for online therapy. Sending an email is the best way to schedule a new appointment. Please include what day of the week or time of day is most convenient for you. My practice specialty is providing therapeutic services to adolescents and young adults who are experiencing depression, anxiety or behavioral concerns. I am also available to provide individual therapy for adults in all stages of life, as well as family therapy and couples counseling. In addition, I have a long-standing interest in working with clients from diverse backgrounds and those affected by the foster care system.

Are you feeling unfulfilled in life? Maybe you want to find more joy, or maybe your relationship feels stale. Are you struggling to communicate with the important people in your life? Maybe you just feel like something is missing in your life. If any of this feels familiar, you are not alone! I work with clients facing a variety of concerns, working alongside my clients to find solutions to their concerns is my focus. I bring my authentic self to session so you feel comfortable being yourself too. Reach out to me for a free 15 minute consultation to see if we may be a good fit.