Psychotherapy is a process in which you can gain greater self-awareness to change how you live in the world and relate to others.

People seek therapy for lots of different reasons. You may be in crisis or experiencing painful emotional distress, or you may manage adequately on a day-to-day basis but feel dissatisfied with your life or your relationships. You may feel comfortable with your life but wish to experience a greater sense of well-being. You may seek more focused problem-solving counseling for a specific challenge.

The terms counselor and psychotherapist/therapist can be used interchangeably. Generally a counselor is more practical and focuses on problem-solving skills. A psychotherapist fosters insight by exploring how past experiences affect your current emotional make-up. Both however, help you make positive changes in your life.

We can match you with Seattle counselors or therapists who are able to address any of these concerns.

There are many different approaches to counseling and therapy. Here is a brief overview of some of the most common therapy styles. Some psychotherapists draw on aspects of more than one therapeutic orientation.

Psychodynamic Therapies (including psychoanalytic approaches) explore your thoughts and feelings and your relationships with others in order to broaden your ability to have healthy interactions and function productively. This comes about through examining early family experiences, the relationship between you and the therapist, looking at dreams, and understanding how old patterns of thought and feeling affect current living.

Cognitive therapy involves identifying ineffective thought patterns, negative self-talk, and maladaptive behaviors to treat symptoms of depression and anxiety. Changing your beliefs about yourself can lead to greater self-esteem and emotional well-being. Action-based behavioral techniques provide tools to increase your sense of control and manage emotional distress. Cognitive & behavioral approaches focus on helping you solve present problems in direct and practical ways.

Systems therapy, also known as Family Systems, looks at the patterns of interaction within and between relational units such as couples, families, and organizations. It can also be used in individual psychotherapy, focusing on your past & present relationships. Systems approaches value the context in which we live, including gender, culture, sexual orientation, age, mobility and other aspects of self in one's environment.

Body Work and Energy Therapies address emotional distress, tension and memories stored in your body, with physical touch and breathing techniques often being used to access problematic areas, work through emotions and balance your body's energy. The therapist often teaches ways to focus on and visualize inner states. These therapies can be very effective for somatic conditions or pain, and can also be helpful as an adjunct to more verbal styles of intervention.

Existential and Humanistic Therapies explore self-esteem, identity, and meaning-of-life questions. The supportive role of the therapist fosters safety and self-acceptance. There is an emphasis on what is possible and positive but also on facing the inescapable concerns of responsibility, choice, and impermanence that are a part of human existence. Spiritual aspects of self are explored and valued.