As a WA State Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), I have a Master of Arts in Psychology from Antioch University Seattle (Dual majors in Mental Health and Couples/Family Counseling) and a B.A. in Comparative Literature with a focus on Education from Seattle University, as well as Alcohol/Drug Studies from both Seattle and Bellevue Colleges.
My clinical mental health experience consists of 20 years of Mental Health and Social Work experience, of which 12 years is working at: WA State Men’s Psychiatric Prison (as a Correctional Mental Health Counselor-2) and remaining years with other multiculturally diverse adolescents, adults, and elderlies in a variety of settings: state & city government agencies (court-ordered protection of children/families), correctional institutions (rehabilitation for juveniles), in-home private settings (crisis evaluation/investigation), other psychiatric hospitals (with children, adolescents, and adults), and non-profit organizations.
As seasoned therapist/counselor (LMHC), my role in the therapeutic relationship is to create a safe environment that is non-judgmental, respectful, compassionate, and multiculturally sensitive & competent for a diversity of clients (from adolescents to the elderly). My style is welcoming, approachable, responsive, and engaging with a blending of my clinical approaches in a supportive and optimistic atmosphere resulting in a collaborative treatment plan signed/customized to meet your unique and specific needs.
Recipient of the Employee Sea Mar STAR Card due to Excellent Service by the following:
“She was extremely compassionate and patient with me, and she went above and beyond her daily activities to understand my unique situation, while making me feel comfortable the entire time…” “Hero,” “Accurate,” “Patient,” “Complete,” “Mentor,” “Role Model,” “Discreet,” “Understanding,” and “Prompt.”
As an LMHC, I work collaboratively with others to help enhance their own personal well-being, decrease stressors, and manage & resolve crisis. I focus on an individual’s life functioning (from adolescents to the elderly) both personally and in their relationships with others, as part of a family, group, and organization. Specifically, I counsel individuals (from adolescents to the elderly) with emotional/behavioral problems affecting life’s functioning, such as: school/work, educational/career concerns or substance abuse issues, family/relational transition issues, legal issues, or overcoming disabilities/chronic medical issues, and facing retirement.
Therapy involves addressing both the typical, as well as more severe psychological symptoms, in the mental health spectrum which that occurs at varying stages/transitions of the lifecycle. Subsequently, therapy requires an assessment of the specific and unique needs of the client(s), diagnosis, and a collaborate on a treatment plan. When necessary, clients are referred to other professionals, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, or an Advance Registered Nurse Practitioner.
My clinical approaches are (but not limited to): Strength-Based Perspective, Personal-Centered or Rogerian, Brief Solution-Focused Therapies (Cognitive Behavioral, Narrative & Rational Emotive), Dialectical Behavioral (i.e., Mindfulness), Motivational Interviewing, Multicultural Sensitivity & Competency, Adlerian Therapy (Disabilities/Chronic Illnesses), Addiction/Chemical Dependency Counseling, Couples/Family Relational Dynamics, Family Life Cycle & Transitions, Grief/Loss: Existentialism & Spirituality.
In addition, the specific approaches I use with individuals relating to families and their social group are a blend of the following: Bowen, Experiential, Psychoanalytic, Structural, Cognitive-Behavioral Family Systems, and Gottman’s Choice Therapy.
The procedures and techniques used within counseling include, but are not limited to: Individual, family and group counseling mental health assessment and diagnosis and treatment formulation/outcome, Crisis intervention and trauma management, and referral to a psychologist, psychiatrist, or ARNP for medication evaluation, Blend of psychotherapies which are tailored to the client’s unique needs, and Continuing education & Clinical consultation
I recognize your courage and wisdom in seeking counseling, but most importantly, I acknowledge your individual strengths, achievements, and motivation to help work on creating positive changes in your life! Ultimately, I look forward to the privilege and honor in collaboratively working with you towards achieving your goals!
Years of Experience: 20
Services Offered: Messaging, Phone, & Video
Licensing: Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LH 00011376) and Counselor Agency Affiliated Registration (CG 60163533)
Special Interests/Hobbies (not limited to): Active in a Catholic multicultural/ethic church community and a native Seattleite raised as an American Asian Filipina and involved in other various ethnic communities, such as: Chinese/Japanese, Native American, Spanish/Mexican, Judaism, etc. Enjoys attending theater: operas, musicals, plays, and church instrumental/vocal performances. Plays classical & jazz piano and engages in creative therapies (i.e., Psychodrama, Art, Music, & Dance Therapies) and practices Martial Arts & Meditative Deep Breathing (Chinese Chi Gong) and endorses Asian/Native American healing remedies (i.e., Yoga, Sweat Lodge, and acupuncture, herbs, massage, etc.).
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Adoption and foster care, Aging and geriatric issues, Antisocial personality, Attachment issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Avoidant personality, Blended family issues, Body image, Cancer, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Dependent personality, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol addiction, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Fatherhood issues, First responder issues, Forgiveness, Gender dysphoria, Guilt and shame, HIV / AIDS, Hoarding, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Intellectual disability, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Veteran and Armed Forces Issues, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Narcissism, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Personality disorders, Phobias, Postpartum depression, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and discrimination, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-harm, Self-love, Sex addiction, Sexual assault and abuse, Sexual dysfunction, Sexuality, Smoking / vaping cessation, Social anxiety and phobia, Somatization, Traumatic brain injury, Trichotillomania, Visually impaired, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Existential Therapy, Gottman Method, Jungian Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems
WA LMHC LH 00011376
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Mary Jo Alejo. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Mary Jo is always such a great support to me. I couldn’t imagine working with anyone else!
Written on Feb 29, 2024 after therapy with Mary Jo for 2 years and 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Mary Jo is wonderful. She listens, affirms, and challenges me. I highly recommend her.
Written on Jan 24, 2024 after therapy with Mary Jo for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, parenting issues, coping with life changes, and coaching
Mary Jo is incredibly thoughtful and she listens to my concerns. I like that she is intentional about listening but also give great advice. She really helped me! I'd like to think that in different circumstances we could be great friends. Highly recommend
Written on Oct 27, 2023 after therapy with Mary Jo for 1 month on issues concerning trauma and abuse, and compassion fatigue
Great to work with on goals
Written on Oct 11, 2023 after therapy with Mary Jo for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life
She is the best and very easy to communicate with.
Written on Jul 13, 2023 after therapy with Mary Jo for 3 months on issues concerning anger management
She is a very strong feminist who has a lot of love in her heart and she wants you to succeed
Written on May 10, 2023 after therapy with Mary Jo for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, coachi