Counseling Services
Individual Counseling
Group Counseling
What is Counseling?
Psychotherapy/counseling is a type of talk therapy where a trained therapist helps people work through emotional, mental, or behavioral issues. Its purpose is to help individuals understand their thoughts and feelings, manage stress, and develop healthier coping strategies. The benefits include better emotional well-being, improved relationships, and reduced symptoms of anxiety or depression.
What Counseling Is:
- A safe space to explore thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
- A process for improving mental and emotional health
- Focused on understanding and managing emotions
- A way to develop coping strategies for challenges
- Collaborative, with goals set between the therapist and client
- Useful for both short-term problems and ongoing personal growth
- Guided by a trained professional (therapist/counselor) who has either completed a Masters Level education or is currently finishing their Masters Degree under supervision of a Licensed Supervisor.
What Counseling Is Not:
- A quick fix for problems
- A place for advice-giving or telling you what to do
- Only for people with severe mental health issues
- A replacement for medical treatment when needed
- Judgmental or critical of your experiences
- A passive experience (active participation is essential)
- Only about talking—sometimes it includes techniques like mindfulness or journaling
- A guarantee to reverse mental health struggles
Not all mental health struggles are ‘curable’ due to how the person’s brain is wired. This is otherwise referred to as Neurodivergence (ND) (see our ND Affirming Care statement on our home page).
Not every counselor is the “right fit” for every client. The therapist’s background, training, perspective, and even personality take part in the “right fit” process, as well as the client’s goals, personality and preferred methods of therapy. This is why reading a therapist’s Bio can be very informative for a client seeking counseling. If their words resonate with you and sound like they might understand your perspective/issues/needs, then that would be a good indication to set up a consultation with them and meet. (See our Getting started page for some quick prep questions for consultations)
Inpatient, IOP/PHP & Outpatient
Generally speaking, Therapy has two categories: in-patient facilities, and ‘outpatient’.
Outpatient Therapy
Outpatient counseling is a form of therapy where individuals receive treatment for mental health issues without staying in a facility. This is the most common type of therapy. Clients attend scheduled therapy sessions while continuing with their daily lives. Weekly and bi-weekly sessions are the most common when starting, but every 3-4 weeks can be sustainable for talk-therapy clients who have developed a good professional relationship and rapport with their counselor.
This type of counseling is suitable for those who do not require intensive care or constant supervision but still need professional support for issues like anxiety, depression, or relationship problems. Outpatient counseling can include individual, group, or family therapy, depending on the client’s needs.
It’s a flexible, cost-effective option that allows individuals to maintain their regular routines while working on personal challenges. These can be in person at a counselor’s office, or conducted online (telehealth) using platforms that are checked and protected under HIPAA laws to protect client privacy and safety. This clinic only offers Telehealth services.
IOP & PHP:
Intensive Outpatient Program & Partial Hospitalization Programs
The level of care between outpatient and inpatient counseling is called intensive outpatient programs (IOP) or partial hospitalization programs (PHP).
- Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): These involve more frequent therapy sessions (often several hours a day, multiple days a week) but do not require overnight stays. IOPs are designed for individuals who need more structured support than traditional outpatient counseling but do not need round-the-clock care.
- Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP): PHPs offer even more intensive care than IOPs, typically providing therapy for several hours a day, five days a week. Patients spend their days in treatment but return home at night. This level is often used for people who are transitioning from inpatient care or need more support than IOP offers.
Two examples of these facilities are:
Rainier Springs in Vancouver, WA offers both IOP and PHP programs. These programs treat a wide range of mental health and addiction issues, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders. They provide structured, evidence-based therapy like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
Website link: https://www.rainiersprings.com/)
Rogers Behavioral Health in Seattle specializes in PHP treatment for conditions such as OCD, anxiety, and depression. Their program includes evidence-based therapies like CBT, exposure and response prevention (ERP), and medication management.
(website link: https://rogersbh.org/locations/seattle-wa)
Both IOP and PHP provide a higher level of care for individuals who need structured, intensive support but can still maintain some aspects of daily life outside the facility.
In-patient Therapy
Severe mental health issues, where the person is at imminent risk of harming themselves or others can qualify for in-patient therapy where they go to live in a facility and are monitored and treated until the risk has passed/been processed. An example of these issues and some Seattle Area examples of facilities are listed belowOutpatient counseling happens in regular sessions while you continue with daily life, whereas inpatient therapy takes place in a facility where you stay temporarily to receive more intensive care.
Severe depression with suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Example: Fairfax Behavioral Health in Kirkland offers inpatient programs for those experiencing severe depression and suicidal ideation. (website link: https://www.fairfaxhospital.com/)
Psychosis (e.g., hallucinations, delusions) that impairs reality perception
- Example: Navos Mental Health & Wellness in Seattle specializes in treating individuals with psychosis through their inpatient services. (website link: https://www.navos.org/)
Bipolar disorder during extreme manic or depressive episodes
- Example: Cascade Behavioral Health in Tukwila provides inpatient treatment for individuals experiencing severe bipolar episodes. (website link: https://www.cascadebh.com/)
Severe anxiety or panic disorders that make daily functioning impossible
- Example: Smokey Point Behavioral Hospital in Marysville offers intensive inpatient care for severe anxiety and related disorders. (website link: https://www.smokeypointbehavioralhospital.com/)
Schizophrenia or other severe personality disorders
- Example: UW Medicine’s Mental Health Care System, which offers specialized programs for psychosis and schizophrenia through various facilities in the Seattle area. Their programs include early intervention, assertive community treatment (ACT), and cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis. (website link: https://uwspiritlab.org/psychosis-support/care-for-serious-mental-illness-in-the-uw-medicine-system)
Substance abuse that leads to dangerous behaviors or withdrawal risks
- Example: Evergreen Recovery Centers in Everett offers inpatient detoxification and rehabilitation services for substance abuse. (website link: https://www.evergreenrc.org/)
Eating disorders where health is seriously compromised
- Example: The Emily Program in Seattle provides specialized inpatient treatment for individuals with severe eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia. (website link: https://www.emilyprogram.com/)
QUESTIONS?
Whether you’re curious about therapy methods, a consultation session, or even our counseling approach, we’re here to address any inquiries you may have.