Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) 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.

I deeply value the chance to speak candidly with others, to see and be seen. In a context of trust, where both parties are free of fear of the other’s reaction, genuine communication is a powerful and aligning force. I strive to maintain transparency in our work together to create a collaborative environment that enables the free exchange of thoughts and feelings. As we work together to meet your goals, you can expect my compassion, flexibility, and commitment. I am personally and professionally familiar with the value of geek and gaming culture and am competent to incorporate it into therapy when appropriate.

Hi, I'm Abbey! I am so glad you are here! My goal is to empower you to show up as you are and leave each session feeling valued, heard and trusted. I am here to help you process and bring clarity and growth to the areas you would like to work on. I build a welcoming and safe environment for you in order to provide the best care possible. Each and every one of us have varied life experiences which means my style is not one-size-fits-all. I spend time getting to know you in order to come up with goals together that are individualized to your needs, including varying therapy techniques that are the right fit for you.

I want perspective clients to know I genuinely care about the people I work with, and have a passion for joining people on their journey to a new self. The fact that you are searching for a therapist shows you would like something to change. We can often lose perspective about situations and how we deal with them. This can also be a result of things we have buried from our past, or relationships that did not support us in the way we needed.

I am committed to helping adult individuals and couples find deeper understanding, connection, and peace in their lives. I work with adults on anxiety, overwhelm, loneliness, relationship issues, conflict, life changes and transitions, dating, parenting, friendship, identity work, and more. My work focuses on first identifying and communicating emotional experiences; and then tracking and disrupting patterns that occur individually and in relationships. I believe in collaborating side by side to define and work toward your goals together.

The moment we start to think "who am I," "why am I like this," or "is this the true version of who I am" are moments I consider to be breakthroughs. Moments of self-reflection can be difficult to understand, difficult to seek answers, and just the thought seems bizarre or confusing. At times it may not even be self-reflection. Instead, it is the feeling of guilt, shame, worthlessness, or insecurities. It can also show up as anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, somatic symptoms, interpersonal challenges, or strain in quality of life. This is the result of exposure to or experiences of neglect and abuse during our lifetime.

Please EMAIL for new appointments. I am a clinical social worker with a passion for helping clients tap into their inner strengths and learn skills to lead a healthy, empowered life. I have experience in the areas of self-esteem, depression/anxiety, and general life stress as well as supporting survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence. I use solution-focused, cognitive behavioral approaches that help clients build capacity to address life concerns in accessible, sustainable ways. I also incorporate somatic practices (yoga, breathwork, body awareness) into sessions to help support the holistic wellbeing of clients.

Are you struggling with issues related to trauma, grief, addiction, anxiety, or major life changes? I’m here to support you on your journey toward healing and self-discovery. I incorporate active, supportive, empathetic listening with a strengths-based approach. My goal is to assist with empowering your narrative with safe guided exploration of self, while honoring your intergenerational and lived experiences, as you are the expert in your story.

Have you ever been made to feel like you can do nothing right? Do you question your ability to make a decision? Are you anxious, on edge, depressed or even lonely? Authentic Thoughts is a counseling practice that helps you move from where you are to your true authentic self.

I work with clients aged 13+ on a variety of issues, including adjustment issues, anxiety, career counseling, depression, family issues, identity issues, life transitions, mindfulness, mood disorders, OCD, panic, phobia, and stress.

I'm glad you're here! There are points in everyone's life when they could use a little more support. Change can be daunting, whether it's finding a new therapist or starting counseling for the very first time. Wherever you are with your journey, congratulations on taking this step! My approach to therapy is goal-oriented, strengths-based, and empowering. This means we'll keep focus on the things you are doing really well and expanding on them, as well as looking at ways change might be useful. I work to meet folks where they are, using a harm-reduction model to create a safe and judgment-free space.

Hi There! Are you nervous and reluctant about starting therapy? The decision to seek therapy is a personal one, and it can bring up a range of emotions and uncertainties. I understand that seeking therapy can be both exciting and challenging. It takes courage to embark on a journey of self-exploration, and I want to assure you that I am here to support you every step of the way. I value your unique perspective and life experiences, and I will work collaboratively with you to tailor our therapeutic approach to meet your specific needs and goals.

Updated May'24. Wait-list of approximately 3-4 months. I enjoy working with adults, children/adolescents, and families. I believe that counseling needs to be a safe and brave space to process hard topics. I value choices, respect, culture, education, balance, and curiosity in my work which inclines towards acceptance-commitment, attachment, compassionate, trauma-informed, and brain-based approaches. Trained in EMDR and Brainspotting. DBT certified. Asia Pacific Cultural Center referral resource. Pending VA/medicare credentialing. Fuji is my therapy Maltipoo pup in-training and attends some sessions.

Remember the saying," Two heads are better than one?" I believe counseling should be collaborative. Both counselor and client bring knowledge and experience to the table. Together we can go over what strategies have not worked and implement new ones. Many life problems are complex, having biological, psychological, and/or social factors, but all are spiritually implicated in some way. My Christ-centered approach emphasizes Biblical renewing of the mind and spiritual growth, in addition to practical, proven strategies to help you overcome. I will support and care for you, strive to restore hope, and walk with you on your journey!

I specialize in helping adults and adolescents who are struggling through difficult life situations. My hope is that my clients will begin to emerge from the experience with strength, insight and a sense of empowerment to address the next challenge with grace. Using a strengths-based approach, I employ concepts of cognitive therapy and mindfulness to increase self-awareness and choice within life's challenges. I also use EMDR, an evidence-based approach, to help release the impact of past experiences on current emotions, thoughts and behaviors including traumatic events and childhood trauma.

Have you been impacted by problematic relationships, infidelity, or sex addiction? You might feel lost, betrayed, and alone. Do you ask yourself, "How do I keep ending up in these relationships?". Are you afraid to be alone even when your partner is clearly unhealthy? Core beliefs are the foundation of our being but when they cause us pain, embarrassment, and shame we can become depressed, anxious, fake, and withdrawn. Do you compare yourself to others (I call this Comparanoia)? Do you tell yourself “I am stupid”, “I am worthless”, or “I am not good enough”? If so, then your core beliefs may be contributing to your pain today.

I believe compassion is the heart of good therapy and do my best to help you feel safe and understood. I am accepting new clients. I work with adult individuals, 21-101, who are wanting support to grow and change. My specialties include anxiety, depression, aging, major life transitions, grief (including eco-grief), dreamwork, and the search for meaning in life.

Do you often feel like it is difficult to connect with yourself, or that others don’t understand you? Are you a parent who is worried about your child’s difficulty in forming new connections or their sense of belonging? It can be difficult to find someone who understands what it can be like to fit into a world that doesn’t understand you. As an autistic therapist, I help individuals and families navigate the complexities in a world that sometimes sees uniqueness as something that needs to be changed, rather than something that should be celebrated, and used as a strength in working towards your goal of living a more fulfilling life.

Are you struggling in your relationships? I work with couples and individuals around communication and intimacy. Do you struggle with self esteem? Finally become your happiest, healthiest, and most genuine self. You have the capacity to make changes in your life. Therapy can help you to feel more comfortable in your own skin. If you are finally ready to make a change, I'm here to help.