Relational Therapists in 98104

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 am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist treating individuals, couples and families with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, sexual concerns and career challenges. I work to establish a place where people can disclose and pursue their most personal challenges openly and truthfully. Therapy is a kind of 'second chance', an opportunity to 'correct' behaviors that may have been necessary in the past.

I work with individual adults, and couples. I specialize in relationship issues, work stress, and spiritual or existential concerns. I provide therapy for a broad range of issues including: anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem, adjustment, and family issues. My approach is person centered, and client driven. This involves open conversation that is candid, and collaborative. I strive to provide a nonjudgmental, caring environment to support the goals you define.

Undergoing intensive psychodynamic psychotherapy is deeply personal. For many individuals, this adventure into unknown recesses of their psyches reveals personal vistas previously unimagined. Such exploration frequently involves painful disclosures, frightening discoveries, an extraordinary development of self-understanding, an increase in capacity for intimate sharing, and an integration of strengths and aspirations. Such a journey, with phases of both pain and exhilaration, usually takes place over an extended period.

Welcome. My therapy practice was built with a vision of providing care to my community in ways that reflect my values as closely as possible. Those values center around my belief that healing comes when we have access to safety and authentic connection because the deepest answers we may need arise ultimately from within ourselves. I seek to be an active participant in creating a culture of care for all people. I come into this role from my own healing journey that is always on-going, still often surprising, and practiced with intention because it’s been my most meaningful source of freedom, inspiration, strength, and clarity.

If you are a woman in transition, or are feeling disheartened, depressed or stuck, I will give you assistance in identifying and uncovering your strengths, and recovering your joy of life! Or, if you are a member of a couple or family having difficulties, I will offer support and teach communication skills, which can deepen and enhance those relationships closest to you. It is often difficult to identify our stuck places and painful patterns. I have found that talking things through with someone with sound professional training and experience can offer new perspectives and life possibilities, allowing change to happen!

Are you at a crossroads? Throughout life, we experience "little deaths" that change our life’s course. Loss of a dream, health, family, the earth we stand on, job, marriage, relationship, country or beliefs can suddenly take us over a threshold, chosen or not into a new world where life no longer makes any sense. Our old tools and ways of coping or understanding our self or our world are no longer enough to pilot us to the other side of what can feel like a vast, deep and turbulent river. While often terrifying, these are the golden opportunities in which our true nature, our soul or purpose in life can be revealed.

Creating change in your life can be exciting, scary, hopeful, and challenging. Whether you are experiencing relational distress, going through a crisis or significant life change, or simply feel that you are not living the life you would like to be living, my goal is to create a supportive, non-judgmental and collaborative client/therapist relationship in which you can begin to effect real change. My hope is that you will find more peace, joy, and balance in life — and greater fulfillment and connection in your relationships.

For 25 years I worked with over 16,000 suicidal patients on the mental health unit of St. Francis Hospital with my office partner, Psychiatrist Dr. Sunida Bintasan, From observing their common patterns, I created an educational program (for persons with issues of deep despair, hopelessness, depression, feeling "LOST" & "TRAPPED" & "STUCK", and often with recurrent suicidal thinking) called Contextual-Conceptual Therapy (CCT). Combining expressive arts techniques, education, and therapy using "maps, models, & metaphors", it helps clients discover the roots of their deep despair, feeling trapped & lost, and/or suicidal thinking.

In difficult situations we might shut down, have a hard time identifying/communicating needs, might experience anxiety or struggle to control anger. In our work together you will have a chance to learn more about yourself, grow compassion towards yourself and understand your triggers better. I believe that our bodies are constantly giving us messages. These messages are an invitation to help us understand our needs and attend to them better.

I specialize in treating trauma, anxiety, self esteem, SUD, and struggles related to life transitions. I help clients find the solid ground they need to support forward movement and a more positive trajectory. I begin by working with clients in developing a deeper understanding of themselves to arm them with the knowledge necessary to address their problems and make changes necessary to develop more adaptive coping strategies and improve the quality of their lives. I am non-judgmental and work to create a space in which clients can freely explore, uncover, and accept themselves more fully to live fuller, more meaningful lives.

My desire is to collaborate with clients on navigating their journey through life, relationships, and with themselves. I work with all identities and partnerships and affirm LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and all marginalized communities. I work with individuals, couples, and families including children, adolescents, and young adults, who are experiencing a variety of stressors and mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, stress, relational conflict, and life transitions.

Welcome, thank you for taking a moment to visit. You probably browsed through a number of profiles already; looking for a therapist online is not an easy task especially under stress. In brief, therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution, I tailor my therapeutic approach to meet your needs and together we can sort things out and come up with a plan of action. Let's create some tools for you to relieve the stress and address the core issues.

Loneliness and isolation are difficult to work through on our own. We may feel overwhelmed by depression and anxiety and have difficulty finding meaning. We can feel chased by persistent feelings of dissatisfaction, grief, or loss, and question our self-worth. It may feel increasingly difficult to "hold it together" for others. Even though we need help, we may feel skeptical about whether therapy is for us.

Couple Counseling Only! I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified in Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT). Working exclusively with couples, I help partners to uncover underlying emotions and to communicate more effectively for attention, understanding, compassion and caring. The result is greater warmth, trust, safety and emotional connection. Honest and direct in my approach yet gentle and patient, I am committed to creating compassionate and authentic relationships where each partner feels deeply supported, understood, and seen. I work frequently with couples where one or both partners are of Asian ancestry.

UPDATE: I have room for 2-3 new clients that can pay out of pocket (I hate writing this, but it's the reality for therapists in the world of managed care).However, I am also diversifying my career and and am open to many clients as a trauma writing mentor/editor and more. Writing through healing is at least of equal value to psychotherapy. If you are interested in these services, visit me at www.elihastings.com) - I would be so delighted to work in tandem with other therapists, so please do consider if your clients might benefit!

If you need a committed and competent professional to help you with making changes in your life and how you experience it, I'd be more than happy to talk with you about what that might look like. I'm a lifer, dedicated to my profession, my clients, and to making your efforts count so that they lead to real and lasting changes. I work hard to get you results that are as quick as possible, and that will last through the lifespan. I am licensed in both Washington State and Alaska. I offer conventional psychotherapeutic services, as well as Tier 2 services for the highly motivated individual.

I’m a Couples Therapist and Individual Therapist as well as the Co-founder of The Wellness Collective Therapy Group. In therapy, I utilize evidence-based techniques such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Gottman, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Neuroscience. Through a collaborative approach, I work with clients to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Together, we explore thoughts and feelings surrounding sex and relationships, while ensuring a supportive environment for growth.

Are you a new mother who is juggling life with young kids? Are just now coming up for air after the complex newborn months? Are you yearning to get reoriented? The fact that you’re here highlights that you are both suffering deeply and deeply resourceful. I believe you are wiser than you know, and I trust that with some support, you can reconnect to your deep knowing. I would be honored to partner with you in discovering what is no longer serving you and exploring subtle shifts in how you want to relate to yourself and others. Even though your outside world may not change, your experience can be different. You can flourish.