Marriage Counseling Therapists in Des Moines, WA

As a Marriage and Family Therapist my approach is systemic and strength-based. I believe in human connection as the most important factor to our own happiness and the health of families and communities. In my work with clients we strive to identify the unique strengths and abilities that will help them cope with life's challenges and build stronger relationships.

Accepting New Clients: In my work with clients, the major areas of focus include: issues with relationship conflict, sexual compatibility, infidelity and intimacy. Whether as a couple or as an individual, I work with people to resolve on-going concerns. In my practice, all couples/individuals are welcome regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation. It is my belief that compassion and humor are agents of change and healing. I offer a safe and comfortable place for my clients to explore new ways of working on current or on-going problems.

Whether female or male, we treat individuals who are overweight or obese for weight loss services, if you medically qualify. If you have a hormonal imbalance, such as low T, we can treat that as well. If you are male with erectile dysfunction, we can treat that through oral or injectable ED medications. If you are a female patient with anorgasmia, we have medications available for that as well.

With all that’s happening in your world right now you need support with feelings of overwhelm, grief, and isolation. You may be noticing the ways systems of oppression and traumatic experiences have impacted your self worth, relationships, and wellbeing. You want to get back your sense of inherent goodness, joy, and personal power but don't know where to start. You are searching for a therapist who is passionate about exploring cultural nuances in mental health. You have come to the right place.

Everyone goes through difficult times and needs a little additional support sometimes. I am interested in assisting you in finding ways to meet your personal goals. This is a collaborative, confidential process that can involve learning new coping skills, improving communication skills, increasing motivation for change, working through past trauma or feelings of grief, starting recovery for an addiction, or any of numerous other therapeutic goals. I have been working as a mental health therapist since 2000, and I find it very rewarding to be able to help others enrich their lives.

The world we live in is fast paced and in a state of constant change that can add complexities and challenges to our lives, our relationships, our internal thoughts and our emotional states that we can’t anticipate and may not be ready for. When things become complex it can be helpful to have a therapist to support your growth into the person you want to be in an empathetic and judgment-free environment. Just like every person, your story and life circumstances are unique, they brought you to the exact place you are at today.

Many of my clients need help with anxiety, pain, bad habits, relationships, sexuality, fears, and phobias. Issues my clients have and specific treatment areas (see my web site) range from tooth grinding, reducing chronic pain, improving performance in sports, stopping smoking, weight loss, anxiety about medical or dental procedures, sex issues, sleep problems, spiritual conflicts, setting goals and addressing mental "blocks," resolving past issues in life, to improving relationships. I help people learn to relax and how to have personal "tools" to "dial down" stress, pain, and anxiety to become healthy, happy, and centered.

My life experiences combined with my training give me a compassionate understanding of people and their struggles. Mother of six, one killed in an accident, grandmother of seven, one developmentally delayed. These traumas, though sad, have been great teachers. I use humor and common sense in my own humanistic style. Improving your sense of humor will help with personal growth, relationships, grief, pain, and your emotional and physical health. Designing Therapeutic Gardens gives me a sense of the cycle of life and I use Healing Horticulture with some of my clients.

You have found the courage to seek understanding of who you are and to begin to heal from life’s challenges. You are struggling with anxiety, depression, or trauma and its impact on daily life and relationships. You desire to develop awareness and compassion for yourself, your partner and those around you. You want to foster connectedness and build trust with your partner. You recognize it is time to begin that journey. And I am here to help.

The difficulties of daily life, relationship concerns, experiences with depression, anxiety, anger, ocd or grief have you searching the internet for a therapist you can afford, that takes insurance, that has in person and virtual options. Our knowledgeable and compassionate team have morning and evening appointments available virtually, in our Des Moines, Bellingham and coming soon Olympia office. With a free no commitment 15 minute call, you get to decide if you have found a match for your needs. This is what you have been looking for in your search for your therapist.

I work with adults, children, teens, and couples who are seeking insight into their own processes and behaviors, with a desire to heal broken places. I am passionate about helping people connect to their inner strength, beauty, and goodness, which means I will have a bias toward kindness and self-compassion. It can be intimidating and overwhelming making the first steps toward wellness-I aim to be open and authentic right off the bat to help ease some of the anxiety. I am an artist who has spent many years working in restaurants, so I especially love working with artists and folks in the service industry as they pursue wellness.

Your inner thoughts and emotions are causing you to feel at times, hopeless or overwhelmed, feeling disconnected from yourself, your partner or those around you. Your sense of self becomes dysregulated and you are off balance. You have low energy, diminished self-confidence, feeling isolated from family and friends. The future, and the positive parts of your life, are hard to see. You know something doesn't feel right and you want to feel better, want to express yourself and get onto the path of healing.

You wake up one day realizing you can no longer go on like this. You're ready to find help navigating difficult emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and conflicted relationships. You might be experiencing disconnection from yourself or others, anxiety, depression, feeling overwhelmed, or processing grief. I’m here to support you as we work through the things that seem to be getting in the way. Your emotions and internal experiences are seeking your attention and pointing the way towards your growth and healing. My style is warm and direct, working with you towards clarity, depth, and expansion of the self.

Accepting new couples. Waitlist available for individual therapy. Do you feel stuck, overwhelmed, lonely or not good enough? Whether you are struggling with trauma, anxiety, parenting stress, relationship issues or body image, you can feel better. The more we realize our power and our right to set boundaries, value ourselves and choose the path of our life, the more happiness we cultivate.

Negative self talk has become part of your routine. You feel overwhelmed and when life is unexpected or conflict arises, your mind spirals. You are flooded with emotion, experiencing anger and anxiety and you are ready to stop holding things in and open up in a safe space to be heard. You are struggling to start this journey, yet you are wanting to take that first step. I have created a space for you.

In person/Virtual evening Couples Appointments Available Now, 45$ per session. Life's pressures are feeling heavy, it feels like your relationship is cracking under all the pressures. You both have been holding it on your own for so long. The pressure is your romantic relationship, communication, connection or your sex life. Or it is work/school stress impacted by anxiety, low self esteem or performance pressures that are affecting your relationship(s). It is a combination of many things that have left you feeling it is time to seek help, to no longer hold this burden alone.

Do you feel stuck? Through living our lives, we develop mechanisms to navigate specific contexts, but sometimes, those methods no longer work or we grow tired of them. Some signs of being stuck manifest as complicated relationships, a lack of creativity, loss of agency, inability to rest, hesitancy to play, feelings of overwhelm or a lack of interest in life. Together, we can empower your story and regain movement by having an empathetic witness journey with you, navigate your particular context, the relationships/systems around you, your unique brain and perception of self.

It's become a struggle to express your needs to the people you love. Some days, it feels like you are repeating the same conversation or argument over and over again. You feel stuck and vulnerable. I understand what you are going through. Relationships can be challenging, with twists and turns that create anxiety, confusion, and discouragement. This may not be what you expected and it can be difficult to remember what it’s like to feel excited and satisfied. I want to help you find the way back to a more fulfilling and healthier relationship. There is a way forward.

I believe, that although we sometimes through no fault of our own fall onto difficult times and challenges, we are all special and have something to offer this world. Sometimes we just need a helping hand, to get back to that point where we can deal with our challenges in a healthier way and outlook.