In Olympia, WA, individuals seeking support can find skilled mental health counselors who provide specialized services such as trauma therapy or assistance with co-occurring disorders. These professionals often have specific training to address a range of psychological issues that may affect adult clients and their families.

Therapists in Olympia are often equipped to help clients explore their life experiences in a way that can foster understanding and healing. For those dealing with challenges related to alcohol use or other substances, the therapeutic approach often involves strategies tailored to manage both the individual’s intake and any potential underlying mental health conditions.

One therapeutic modality that is commonly used by mental health professionals is trauma therapy. This type of therapy enables individuals who are suffering from the long-term effects of traumatic events to dive deeper into these past experiences to start their healing journey. 

Therapists in Olympia may provide support to those looking to eliminate thoughts that emotional healing is far-fetched by shifting their focus towards fostering a more hopeful mindset that can reflect great love and understanding of oneself.

Please see the therapist profiles below for more information on the different therapists available online.

Psychologist Patricia Lehr providing different types of therapy in Olympia

Patricia Lehr

Clinician
License Type(s): MSW M.Eds. LCSW
Mental Wellness Specialties: Parenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changes
40 years offering treatment

I am a licensed clinical social worker in the state of California and the state of Washington. I earned my Master of Social Work Degree from Washington University in St. Louis, and my Masters of Education from University of Texas San Antonio. For the past thirty years I have worked in private practices, schools, juvenile courts and community health organizations doing therapy and mediation. I have worked with a wide variety of clients from children, young adults, families, and the elderly from diverse backgrounds. My specialties include, parenting issues individually or in groups, play therapy with children concerning friendships, grief and loss and autistic children's social needs. With teenagers ,and young adults our focus has been relationships, anger management ,and career choices, and with the elderly 65+ population their issues of loneliness and depression. I am a compassionate and experienced therapist using a combination of approaches. I work with my clients where they are, give them the space to explore and use their strengths and experiences in order to help them get to where they want to go. As we process together gaining an understanding of their struggle, they will simultaneously learn new tools and skills to foster healthy functioning self esteem and relationships. Given the present social isolation, people are looking for a secure place to reach out and find support. I am passionate about helping those in need. I can offer a supportive and nurturing environment enabling clients to work through their challenges. I respect your courage for making the choice to work with Better Help to seek better understanding.

Psychologist Amelia Jensen providing different types of therapy in Olympia

Amelia Jensen

Clinician
License Type(s): LICSW
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseCoping with life changes
20 years offering treatment

Welcome to my Therapy Room. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience working in Mental Health. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including refugees, geriatric, chronic mental illness, relationship issues, and trauma. I have had special training in diagnosing Adults on the Autism Spectrum using the ADOS 2. I have had training in sex therapy and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy as well. I can supervise other therapists/students in WA state and discuss cases with colleagues as required per your code of ethics. My therapy style is person centered and solution focused. I believe you already have answers within you but may need someone to shine a flashlight on parts that may be hidden or buried. I will tailor our dialogue to meet your unique and specific needs. I am an introvert and will be more of a listener and guider. My style is not as interactive and upbeat as compared to an extroverted therapist. I am straightforward and go straight to the work in most cases, rather than spending lengthy time on small talk. I am part of the LGBTQ+ community. I came to this country as a refugee in the 1980s and am a survivor of trauma. Age is important to clients so I will disclose I am in the 40s age range. My hobbies, include hiking, board games, reading, drinking tea and playing with cats. A little explanation on how I use different therapies: Somatic- helping you locate the feeling in the body and describing it based on a feeling meditation that originates from Eastern philosophies (this is a common technique used by therapists in recent years) CBT- working on thought distortions. Specifically, I like to teach a session on 12 common thought distortions and help you identify how they show up for you. ACT- working on seeing things can be both this way and that way, it's not black and white. We add the word "and" rather than "or" to your view of the world. AEDP- exploring how anxiety is really a cover for other emotions such as disappointment, rage, fear etc. Compassionate Inquiry- identifying how the emotional flashbacks (aka triggers) you are experiencing now are related to things that took place in the past. Awareness leads to initiation and we work on no longer letting these patterns take control of your life. Therapist self disclosure with personal stories that relate to yours is necessary. (this goes against some older styles where therapists didn't self-disclose) Motivational Interviewing- looking at how your goals don't match your current behaviors. Regular talk therapy and venting is great too- it helps me reflect back your patterns to you. For instance if you say a certain phrase frequently I will point this out to you. Poetry- I enjoy mixing in poetry when it pertains to certain issues and especially if you are a writer/poet. Shadow Work- exploring your unconscious patterns and stored memories and how they affect your way of thinking. Please take advantage of the journal feature. If you share it with me I may comment and we can discuss highlights during our sessions. I am ok with you having to multitask/snack/cook/text as long as you are dressed appropriately and engage in therapy. While we try our best to have a professional setting, sometimes working from home entails apartment noises, and a less than perfect setting. I may eat a snack or use my standing desk and exercise my feet for health reasons. If you are here for relationship struggles I will ask you and your significant other to take the Gottman Relationship Checkup which will cost $39 per couple. It will give us a comprehensive map of areas to focus on. Please do not pay for this test before you see me, the one that therapists use is very different than the one people get when they self-refer. My sessions are 30 to 45 minutes. We can see how the session is flowing and the stopping point will occur naturally for each session. However the minimum is 30 minutes. I can't accept less than that due to financial reasons. Betterhelp is great because you have an unlimited chat service available 24/7 and when you schedule sessions, you can choose between phone, video and chatroom (livechat). So if you had a video session booked but it turns out you are at the doctor's office- we can quickly make it a livechat or if you are driving we can make it a phone call. It's easy to switch on my end. I look forward to meeting you!

Psychologist Theresa Bowes providing different types of therapy in Olympia

Theresa Bowes

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesCoping with life changes
26 years offering treatment

Life can sometimes be difficult and surprising. There are ebbs and flows. The seasons of our life hold challenges, new issues arise, and we are sometimes confused. Perhaps what we seek is a new question. That question might lead to new answers and strategies for navigating through the present challenge. I’m a counselor with over 20 years of experience and specialized trainings. I’ve become familiar with the variety and depth of our human circumstances and encounters. I hold a conviction and personal view that every person’s trials and perceptions are their truth and that they present an opportunity for growth. What is true for you, your reality, is our starting point toward achieving goals. Counseling is a tool that helps us get current with our life. In the partnering of counselor and client, I utilize a holistic focus that validates your experience, finds the wisdom that makes the most sense in your challenge, and gives you a place to be seen and accepted without a need to be other than your true self. With my ease of listening with empathy and intuition, and my ability to guide through the background noise and chaos of life events, your life story and the innate wisdom it holds will unfold so you can develop strategies that are in your highest and best interests.

Psychologist Barbara Leigh providing different types of therapy in Olympia

Barbara Leigh

Clinician
License Type(s): M.S.Ed., LPC-S, NCC
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSleeping disordersSelf esteemCoping with life changes
36 years offering treatment

With over 30 years of experience as a therapist, I offer a seasoned combination of wisdom, current relevance and flexible interventions. I have seen trends come and go in the fields of psychology and counseling, so I like to identify your particular needs and tailor treatment modalities to your unique circumstances and expectations. I enjoy helping people discover their true needs/desires and pursuing their dreams, potential and meeting their life goals. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression. trauma and neurodiversity (autism, ADHD, traumatic brain injury, etc.). I enjoy working with individuals of all age and work mostly with longer-term clients who are interested in lasting, life growth work. I own an autism consulting business and am a Certified Autism Specialist, a Board Certified Telemental Health Provider, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and a Clinical Supervisor (for AL). I have worked in multiple settings - inpatient, outpatient, day treatment, residential, in-home, private practice and, of course, virtual. My pioneering work with online counseling in the 90s (pre-Google!) was featured on Oprah's network and in Glamour Magazine, so I come to you with the highest of standards in the field. I typically use cognitive-behavioral therapy, skills-building from dialectical-behavioral therapy and neuroeducation (teaching about how your mind-body chemicals spur your feelings which lead to thoughts, behaviors and habits). I believe that people change when they're ready - my goal is to help you get ready to change and then to support you through change. You know you can't directly change others, but you CAN change yourself - and by doing so, you help change the world for the better, one step at a time. And it all starts with you! Let's create a treatment plan that is both realistic and challenging for you - one that involves a precise balance of safety and risk, comfort and courage. My clients say I'm easy and fun to work with because of the combination of my personality, professional and personal experience...and thus I use a balanced combination of compassion, reality and humor. Change is hard enough - why not make it fun, meaningful and enjoy the journey? I look forward to working with you! Ready? Set....Grow!!

Psychologist Uzma Ahmad providing different types of therapy in Olympia

Uzma Ahmad

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefParenting issues
25 years offering treatment

I am licensed in two states and also Nationally certified Counselor. I am licensed Professional Counselor in Oregon and Mental Health Counselor License in Washington, with 25 years of professional work experience, including teaching Psychology at the university level. My therapeutic approach is strength based. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, grief, relationship issues, parenting, conflicts, cultural & generational issues, trauma/abuse, sexual abuse and others. I work with my clients to build working relationship and create an open and safe space where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Signing up for therapy is a step towards self-care. I recognize that this step may takes courage. I am here to support & empower you in this process.

Psychologist Hao Zheng providing different types of therapy in Olympia

Hao Zheng

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemDepression
5 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Texas with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Psychologist Virginia Spini providing different types of therapy in Olympia

Virginia Spini

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyGriefCareer difficultiesDepressionCoping with life changes
30 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Arizona, Tennessee, Florida and Washington. I have 12 years as an LCSW and have 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, career difficulties, & depression. I have served 13 years in the military. We all have difficulties and sometimes when we go through difficult times, it is nice to find a place to lay our troubles and get some help with the burdens you carry. You are the expert of your story and I hope to help you recognizing your own strengths to assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It is scary to ask for help, but I am here to support you in that process. Reach out, things can get better, let me help.

Psychologist Debra "Debbie" Briggs providing different types of therapy in Olympia

Debra "Debbie" Briggs

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSelf esteemCoping with life changesADHD
13 years offering treatment

Each day we have in life is a bright new adventure just waiting to be discovered! I view my work in counseling as an adventure I am privileged to share with each client! In my 13 years of experience I have worked with individuals as they have struggled to overcome and cope with grief and loss, anxiety, depression, trauma, sexual abuse, relationship conflict, ADHD, motivation, self esteem, confidence, coping with life changes, and other distressing circumstances. I enjoy helping individuals create healthy, functional relationships and lives that flourish. My focus is on strengthening the family system, identifying each individual's needs, and discovering hope for their future. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Psychologist Dr. Michael  Till providing different types of therapy in Olympia

Dr. Michael Till

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsDepression
28 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Michigan, Illinois, and Missouri with 29 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, depression, problem-solving, conflict-resolution, marital and couples therapy, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & family conflicts. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Psychologist Valerie Amack providing different types of therapy in Olympia

Valerie Amack

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyAddictionsLGBTDepressionCoping with life changes
3 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Washington with 3 years of professional work experience in therapy but have been working with clients with complicated medical conditions like cancer for the last 12 years. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with addictions, lgbtq+ related issues, depression and chronic medical conditions. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Find a therapist serving clients in Washington

What types of therapists are available to clients in Olympia?

Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist. Be sure to narrow your search for therapists in Olympia that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), therapeutic talk therapy, group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy depending on your needs.

Licensed therapists & mental health professionals available through BetterHelp's online platform

Mental health therapists in Olympia available through BetterHelp are accredited as psychologists to help individuals and couples. Olympia therapists' credentials can include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinician or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, Olympia therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the Olympia region and in the state of Washington.

How can a therapist help you destress, manage your emotions, and guide you towards the life you want?

Therapists in Olympia can help clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, couples challenges, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, self help tips, offer life coaching, family life, or change in negative thinking patterns. A therapist in Olympia may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment. 

Is it better to find a mental health counselor or therapist in Olympia offering online therapy or in person?

Studies show online therapy can be just as effective as in-person counseling. Online therapy with licensed counselors is often more affordable, with BetterHelp pricing ranging from $65-$100 weekly, while in person therapy can cost up to $200 per session.

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