If you're ready to start a growth journey with a therapist, Puyallup, WA, has plenty of practitioners to choose from. You can seek therapy for almost any reason; you don’t need to have a debilitating or overwhelming mental health concern to start the process. A therapist can help you try to break free from current challenges, develop proactive strategies for personal growth, and address practical problems in your life. 

If you do have a concern related to mental health and well-being, a therapist can likely help put you on a path to peace and happiness. For example, if you’ve been feeling anxious lately, a licensed therapist may offer relaxation strategies and other techniques you can use to keep anxiety at bay. Therapists are often able to help you move forward toward your personal goals and are typically well-qualified to offer support, encouragement, and motivation. They can also help with significant challenges, such as overcoming past traumatic experiences. 

When searching for a therapist, you have several options. You could look for local reviews, ask your primary care provider for a referral, or contact the clinical director of a community mental health center for guidance. It is often helpful to look for practitioners specializing in your area of concern. For example, if you’ve been feeling depressed, you may want to find a therapist who specializes in mood disorders, or if your romantic relationship could benefit from professional guidance, it may be worthwhile to seek out a couples therapist for guidance. 

Many mental health professionals are prepared to refer patients to potentially beneficial additional services, such as occupational or speech therapy. Therapists are highly trained, usually requiring a minimum of six years of education and several thousand hours of supervised clinical practice. They are typically well-prepared to coordinate with those in the medical field or other helping professions.

You may also want to consider online therapy as you search for a therapist. Online therapists typically have the same training and practice using the same evidence-based techniques as traditional therapists, and many offer their services both online and in person. With online therapy, you don’t have to travel to a physical office to attend sessions, making it a potentially more accessible and less burdensome way to access therapy. The therapists listed below, all highly-trained online therapists, may be worth a look as you choose a practitioner.  

Psychologist April Luman providing different types of therapy in Puyallup

April Luman

Clinician
License Type(s): MA,LMHC,LMFTA
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesDepression
7 years offering treatment

Hi there! I am a licensed mental health counselor in Washington with twelve years of experience working in a variety of mental health programs. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns such as depression, anxiety, behavioral issues, relationship issues, parenting skills, and have additional training specializing in work with trauma. My counseling style is warm and casual. I believe that everyone coming to counseling should be treated with warmth and respect. I believe in clear communication, not complicated jargon, and I do not believe in stigmatizing labels. I believe in a client-centered, humanistic approach that will focus on systems theory while maintaining a cognitive-behavioral approach. What all that means is, this is about you, and your treatment planning and work will be tailored to you, your environment, and your specific needs. Reaching out for support is one of the biggest steps in pursuing change, and here you are. If you are ready to take that next step, I am here to support and encourage you. I look forward to working with you!

Psychologist Josiah Barnett providing different types of therapy in Puyallup

Josiah Barnett

Clinician
License Type(s): LPC,LMHC
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefSelf esteemDepression
4 years offering treatment

I hold a master of arts (MA) in Counseling from Western Seminary-Portland, OR. This program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP holds member schools to the most rigorous standards of counseling curriculum and training experience in the United States. Since there is not a national counseling licensure standard, a CACREP accredited counseling degree is the best asset you can have to achieve licensure–in many states. Major coursework included clinical mental health counseling, skill-based coursework, internship experience, as well as a requirement to complete my own personal counseling. I am a licensed mental health counselor in Washington state, and I am a licensed professional counselor in Oregon. In regards to my clinical approach, I believe people have the capacity to improve their ability to make choices that are congruent with the person they truly want to be or become. You are the expert of your life, not me, but I can help facilitate recognition and utilization of that expertise if you so desire. I also believe that people are affected by their biological temperament, life experiences, past and present relationships with significant people, spiritual beliefs and experiences, and with their core values or core beliefs about themselves and life as they see it. My approach to therapy is based in cognitive behavioral therapy, but it also incorporates some ideas and language from person centered therapy, trauma informed care, narrative therapy and psychoeducation. On a fundamental level we will work with understanding and making desired changes to your thoughts, emotions, behaviors and core beliefs. My goal as the therapist is to help clients recognize strengths, identify needs, understand conflicts, discover new options, set goals for personal growth, and make informed choices. I also believe the therapeutic relationship between the counselor and the client is of upmost importance and is key in facilitating authentic and meaningful change.

Psychologist sarah tainter providing different types of therapy in Puyallup

sarah tainter

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyParenting issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
18 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Washington state with 18 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, parenting issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression and much more. 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. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. I view the counseling experience as a dynamic relationship that should serve you in the long term towards helping you discover who you are and how you uniquely view the world. We do this by exploring critical thinking skills and diving deeply into your individual temperamental traits, personality, and life experiences that have shaped you. I look forward to serving you!

Psychologist Maria Chiodo providing different types of therapy in Puyallup

Maria Chiodo

Clinician
License Type(s): MA,LMHC
Mental Wellness Specialties: Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesSelf esteem
28 years offering treatment

Hi! My name is Maria and I would love the opportunity to work with you to help you resolve whatever is going on! I am a licensed mental health professional in the state of Florida and have been practicing for over 25 years. I am the type of therapist who can usually get to the root of the problem quickly so you can begin to feel better. Most of us feel emotional pain because of relationship difficulties, whether it be with a significant other, siblings, co workers, children, parents, and even friends. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, and substance abuse. I also helped many people who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse. My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic and rational-emotive counseling. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek for a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

Psychologist Dr. Lea Lavish providing different types of therapy in Puyallup

Dr. Lea Lavish

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefDepression
12 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Missouri with 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Psychologist Kyra Larson providing different types of therapy in Puyallup

Kyra Larson

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
9 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Oregon and Washington with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, abuse, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with depression. 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 Heather Horner providing different types of therapy in Puyallup

Heather Horner

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietySelf esteemDepression
14 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Washington with 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with depression. 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 Diane Hudson providing different types of therapy in Puyallup

Diane Hudson

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issues
20 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Washington with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma, abuse, coping with grief, & coping with loss. I also have experience working with intimacy related issues. 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 Nikita Lehman providing different types of therapy in Puyallup

Nikita Lehman

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

I am licensed in Alabama, Florida and Washington State with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, career difficulties, & depression. 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 Tara Bates providing different types of therapy in Puyallup

Tara Bates

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyLGBTIntimacy-related issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changes
11 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Washington with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, intimacy related issues, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I am sex-positive, body-positive, trans-affirming, and kink-positive. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe that the single most important aspect of therapy is a healthy therapeutic relationship, and taking time to develop an understanding and rapport between therapist and client is important. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started! My therapy approach for you may include any combination of: talk therapy, DBT or CBT interventions, Motivational Interviewing, mindfulness and body awareness interventions, or Brief Solution-focused Therapy.

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Types of therapists available to clients in Puyallup

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 Puyallup that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), 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 Puyallup available through BetterHelp are accredited to help individuals and couples. Puyallup 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, Puyallup therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the Puyallup region and in the state of Washington.

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

Therapists in Puyallup 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 Puyallup may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment. 

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