Find a Therapist in Des Moines, Washington.

Psychotherapy is a process of deep exploration that seeks to create a greater understanding of the self. Once you understand something, you will learn skills to create more options so you can make the decision that will enhance your view of yourself, tour various roles in your life, and your relationships. Skills learned in psychotherapy can improve how you assess things (decrease shame, guilt, anxiety, for example), how you understand what others are doing (such as depersonalizing their behaviors, decreasing our reactivity to things they say or do), and improve your ability to communicate your wants and needs clearly and effectively.

Psychotherapy is a big investment in yourself—and it has to pay off and reach beyond the hour you spend in the therapy room. Your unique needs and wants will shape our approach, rather than a one-fits-all method. This is your time to identify what you want for yourself, unburden, get support, gain new perspectives, tools, and skills. My approach is caring, curious, and active, with occasional humor sprinkled in. I want you to find the solutions that will work for you and the skills and insights to implement them.

My approach to Individual Counseling is really quite basic: We engage in honest and direct dialogue about life and relationships. During counseling sessions we examine the thoughts and feelings that create difficult circumstances and unsatisfying relationships. We begin to self-reflect. As our awareness deepens our worries and problems decrease and eventually dissolve completely. With greater focus and enthusiasm we channel our energy into realizing our heart's desires, allowing joyful experiences to naturally arise. A depth of meaning and satisfaction is seated within ourselves. We experience greater compassion and joy in all circumstances.

My approach to psychotherapy is rooted in a relational approach that engages not only your behavior but the ability to explore the meaning behind the behavior. You will be able to explore your story in an environment in which you will feel cared for and encouraged. Change takes place in our work together as we explore your current difficulties in such a way that will result in a different future. What clients have found is a sense of seeing and living differently in the world. My hope would be the same would be true for you.

I started as an intern clinical mental health therapist in a psychiatric center in 2007, and continued to practice therapy in elementary and middle schools, and in a community mental health center. Together, we will find the strengths of you, learning new coping and relaxation skills, and re-organize past traumas emotions into a harmless and neutral position. It is possible for you to feel valuable and joyful.