Premera Blue Cross Therapists in Des Moines, WA

Great to meet you! With a 25-year career as a Masters level Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I offer an approach to counseling where meaning is paramount for every human being. I firmly believe that every person can be made new by the process of redemption. I am a husband, a father of three young adult children, and a lover of the outdoors. My experience includes work with adults in crisis, individual therapy, running a psychiatric rehabilitation program for people with serious mental illness, teaching Mental Health First Aid, and consulting with other therapists. I am an approved supervisor with 16 years of supervisory experience.

I have over 35 years of service in individual, couples and group counseling. I am a compassionate friend, open to healing your heart and opening your mind by deepening spirit and celebrating the Real You. I have worked in community mental health centers, schools and private practice facilitating domestic violence offender programs, recovery programs, anger management programs, protective non-risk parenting groups, providing spiritual, emotional, cognitive and behavioral counseling to individuals. I love working with individuals around issues of trauma, relationships, and emotional regulation.

You need an affordable mental health appointment soon. 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 Lacey office. With a free no commitment 15 minute call, you get to decide if you have found a match for your needs.

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.

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.

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.

Are you tired of diet culture ruling your food choices and body image? I collaborate with clients on rebuilding safe relationships with their bodies. I am a body liberation, Health At Every Size (HAES), and Intuitive Eating provider that specializes in treating binge eating disorder, orthorexia, anxiety, and challenges with embodiment after diagnosis with a chronic health condition. As a holistic therapist, I identify and treat underlying concerns rather than masking symptoms. We'll create a courageous space for you to explore and reconnect with your mind, body, and spirit.

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.

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.

If you are consistently anxious, unhappy, dissatisfied or uncomfortable about one or all aspects of your life, you may need a “compass” to help navigate this life journey. The uniqueness of being a person of color or who’s family of origin is from another country, may also add layers that make you feel confused, conflicted and/or unbalanced with family, peers and even your professional life. You will unlearn what is no longer serving you well. I can help guide you to more clarity and understanding of all the intricacies of your narratives, so you can determine the path you want to take to be a better version of you right now.

I believe in tailoring the therapy to meet each client's individual. I primarily use psychodynamic therapy which helps the client gain self-insight but also use a variety of therapeutic techniques including cognitive and behavioral methods. Being able to stand back from one's self and gain perspective about one's personality, choices and actions are important in helping an individual work through issues. I help the client explore what issues from the past or present may be contributing to depression or anxiety.

My professional experience includes therapy with children, adolescents, individuals, couples and families who have sought help with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, traumatic experiences, behavioral issues, difficulty with emotion regulation and emotional expression, social deficits, issues related to educational or occupational functioning, relationship issues and difficulty communicating. I work from a LGBTQ+ affirming, racially equitable and feminist framework to provide clients with the support they need and deserve.

My ideal clients are couples in early recovery from substance use disorders or other addictions. Early recovery can be a critical time for both partners to quickly gain the skills needed to be successful and stay strong as a couple. I also have extensive experience working with youth and young adults with substance use and mental health challenges.

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.

Accepting New Patients In Person and Telehealth children, teens, and couples. She received their master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Northwestern University in June of 2023. Annie's past clinical experience includes working with a variety of clients at a community mental health agency dedicated to reaching underserved populations. Prior to becoming a licensed mental health counselor associate.Annie worked as a board-certified music therapist at a state psychiatric hospital for six years. Annie utilized a variety of expressive arts and therapeutic activities in both individual and group therapy settings.

I see a wide range of clients, although I specialize in relationships, anxiety, frustration, ADHD, and problems with focus and motivation. I see both couples and individuals, as well as adolescents. Counseling focus may include relationship satisfaction, anxiety control, focus and motivational problems with both personal life and work, as well as general ADHD management. I've helped countless clients move from a place of feeling stuck and dissatisfied, to one of happiness and flourishing. I offer both short-term counseling (8-10 weeks) and long-term counseling. I also offer coaching related to focus and motivation.

Are you looking for assistance through major life transitions such as relocating, a breakup, or loss? I aim to create an environment where one can work through their battles. I am here to support individuals seeking a safe space to process trauma and am passionate about helping clients find confidence, and personal power.