Licensed to practice in Washington and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Grief, Trauma and PTSD, Anxiety and 3 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
I'm Mary, and I'm excited to possibly support you in your journey! I have been described by people who've worked with me as disarming and easy to get along with. I am comfortable working with a diverse range of issues, but I specialize in grief/loss, trauma, in particular the treatment of PTSD and anxiety disorders utilizing CBT and somatic therapies such as EMDR and breathwork. My professional experience includes over 15 years of advocacy, crisis, and mental health care with a wide range of populations.
Our first session will be both a chance for me to get to know you, a little about your background, and a space to share what is rising to the surface. It is a chance for you to share any previous experiences with therapy, positive or negative, and what results you're hoping to see down the road.
My ability to have authentic connections with such a diverse range of people and personalities is likely due to growing up as a military kid and being bi-racial (African-American/White). I have a diverse family, friends, and life experiences that contribute to a natural ability to be comfortable around many different types of people, from all walks of life. My work in crisis care has presented me some extremely challenging cases, and I do not shy from meeting people after they have experienced sometimes unspeakable tragedy or trauma. I am trained through the official EMDR Institute, and have experience using EMDR for a variety of issues from trauma, anxiety, to phobias and addiction. I have experience using advance techniques to move clients past stuck points in EMDR, and am experienced in integrating it into overall therapy which may include other techniques.
My ideal client is motivated for change in their life, even if small. I enjoy working with clients who like to learn, are curious and looking to for something different. My ideal client would enjoy understanding the clinical aspects of their distress (body, brain, nervous system) in addition to a strong trusting relationship to feel comfortable opening up areas that are challenging.
Other specialties
I identify as
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use some of the ideas from Acceptance & Commitment therapy in a lot of my work with grief, loss and resentment. ACT allows us to explore how life can still be fulfilling and meaningful after losing something big, and how to become more flexible in our emotions and perspective.
EMDR
I have been practicing EMDR for 3 years, and it is useful for reducing anxiety (calming/grounding/self soothing) in addition to processing challenging traumas, phobias, or stuck points. EMDR is flexible, and I integrate it into overall therapy that may include other approaches.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I believe CBT is the foundation of all good therapy, as learning how to challenge how we think and ultimately cope with stressors is an on-going process. I begin with helping you understand common negative thinking patterns, and identify which ones you may need more support challenging.
Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS)
I am CAMS certified and greatly enjoy this more respectful, thorough way of assessing suicidal ideation. CAMS allows you more of a voice and deeper explanation of why you may be experiencing those feelings.
Grief Therapy
Grief is the experiencing of losing something, and its important to consider it is not always loss due to death. I consider all losses you may have experienced, to include loss of function, role, status, relationship, etc. I approach the processing of loss through recognizing our resentments and regrets.