Therapy with Bri

Hi, I’m Bri

Pronouns: she/her

I’m passionate about supporting folks as they ask questions about who they are and who they want to be. We are constantly developing and growing into ourselves—no matter what age!

As you grow throughout life, new parts of your identity might emerge alongside other parts that have always existed in you. I like to imagine each person like a mosaic, made up of several unique parts that also work together to create the greater image of you. Becoming more familiar with the complex parts of you that are still “in progress” can bring a hopeful reminder to anyone feeling stuck that throughout life there are always opportunities to grow and change.

How I live out my passion as a therapist

I believe relationships have the power to heal some of our deepest wounds and feel that it is my greatest privilege to walk alongside others on their journeys toward healing, growth, and self-discovery. Exploring new parts of the self can at times be a frightening and painful experience connected to shame. Sometimes this change can feel like a threat, like we might lose an important part of ourselves by exploring another.

In my experience, there are some settings where it feels safe to explore new ways of being and some settings where it feels like breaking an unspoken rule. Many of us may need spaces to feel the freedom to think differently, and a trusting relationship with a therapist could be the perfect place to try out something new. For some, this may look like:

  • Needing to take a look at how your past experiences impact your relationships and your life,

  • Considering what changes can help you live your life to the fullest,

  • Addressing issues of difference between self and others, from comparison to examining race & racism,

  • Having space to voice doubts & questions about spirituality,

  • Exploring self expression, gender roles, or sexual orientation

    and so much more.

Breaking away from the norms of our lives can be scary, whether those norms were established by society, our communities, our families, or even ourselves. It takes courage to tolerate the discomfort that is often a necessary part of growth. In my experience, this is courage well placed. When we are honest about how our experiences shape us, take time to ask questions, and explore new perspectives, we can find greater connection to our identities. I hope to invite my clients to embrace the complexity in themselves as worthy of celebrating.

What you can expect in therapy

Therapy is a place to explore new ways of relating that honor your deepest self. My hope is that in therapy you will find space to be brave and to be real about how you are affected by others, including how we will affect one another. During sessions with me, you can expect more than a listener, but someone who is an active companion to come alongside you in processing your life. As we explore your inner world with curiosity, we can identify which patterns in your life benefit you and which ones you might have grown out of that need tending to. Often as we try new ways of operating that honor your true experience, we can untangle parts of you that have been restrained and you can find new ease.

My Therapeutic Orientation

My approach to therapy draws primarily from relational psychodynamics and object relations theories. The word “relation” shows up in both theory names because they each focus on our relationships as core parts of our lives and central in shaping who we are. Our relationship will be an essential tool as you and I will both be active participants in your journey towards change. Research consistently shows that the most important predictor of success in therapy is a good working relationship between the therapist and client (Norcross & Lambert, 2018). Because of this, I believe that establishing trust, care, and dignity for my clients lays the foundation for our work together.

Credentials

  • Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (MC61339553)

  • Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology

  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from University of Puget Sound, minor in Communication Studies

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

I am committed to acknowledging the social privileges that my identities have provided me throughout life as a white, straight, cis-gender woman. I am actively committed to racial justice and equity both as a professional and personally. I actively work to be an ally to queer, trans, and nonbinary folks. I consider myself a lifelong learner in understanding lived experiences beyond my own and I have energy to discuss issues of difference and bias with my clients of all identities.

Ready to Reach Out?

Contact me to schedule an initial session where we can talk more about working together.