Erik Ploof, MA, LMFTA

Erik provides his clients with a unique perspective combining his post-graduate training in marriage and family therapy, a 30-year career in senior leadership positions in the high-tech industry, and first-hand knowledge of navigating the rigorous demands of today’s corporate environment while maintaining a secure and fulfilling marriage. Erik has mastered a broad range of relational skills, including effectively dealing with interpersonal conflict and coordinating conversations, so everyone’s voice is heard, and each individual’s goal is considered.    

 

Following an integrative treatment process, Erik combines Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Gottman Couple Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to identify and reduce the wide array of contributing factors to marital, familial, or individual conflict. Erik works collaboratively with his clients to construct solutions that empower the client to manage their conflicts and rebuild relational stability with loved ones, or one another.

 

Erik specializes in couples therapy and helping men identify, experience, and express their feelings to strengthen their self-identity, compassion for others, and relationship bonds.  Specific areas of focus include couples therapy, trauma, family conflicts, infidelity, intimacy, and mental, physical, and relational issues associated with aging.

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About Me

For over 34 years, I have had the good fortune of a stable and loving relationship built on mutual respect, honesty, and trust. I also understand the work that goes into maintaining that bond and cultivating a healthy relationship during periods of distress, conflict, marital impasse, and outside challenges throughout the relationship.

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In any relationship, you are dealing with a kaleidoscope of individual needs, emotions, and experiences that must be considered when building a life-long partnership.  As a therapist, I am passionate about helping my clients discover, express, and build mutual respect for each individual’s experiences, feelings and perspectives to establish a solid bedrock for a mutually satisfying relationship.  Whether it is healing from betrayal or trauma, renewing lost intimacy, establishing a new beginning, or learning to live alongside a life-altering change, we will work together to co-create a solution that provides the best outcome possible.

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Using an integrative approach combining Emotion Focused Therapy, Gottman Couples Therapy, systems theory, and Narrative therapy, we will work together to identify individual attachment needs, problem-saturated dialogue, negative behavior and interactions, and personal experiences that are maintaining roadblocks to your happiness.  Establishing a deeper awareness of the contributing elements enables us to develop a path forward that is right for you. 

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I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to determine if my approach meets your needs. 

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Areas of Focus:

• Couples Therapy

• Men’s Relational Skills and Self-expression

• Compulsive Sexual Behavior

• Infidelity and Trauma

• Enhancing Communications and Intimacy

• CBT, ACT, DBT, and Gottman (Level 1)

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Education & Credentials

Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy - North Central University

Washington Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

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Professional Memberships

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

Washington Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

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If you would like to set up an appointment with Erik please reach out today!