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SEATTLE & BELLEVUE, WA

Individual Mental Health Therapy

Maybe you never thought you would be pursuing therapy. But life throws curveballs, and sometimes you find yourself struggling to cope. Perhaps you're experiencing anxiety or depression, navigating problems in your relationship, or dealing with overwhelming and traumatic life stressors and finding it hard to move forward.

 

The truth is, your reason for considering individual counseling doesn't matter as much as your belief that we can offer support. You've likely tried different coping mechanisms: journaling, talking with friends, or even trying to avoid stressful thoughts and feelings, only to find yourself still stuck, repeating the cycle, and unsure what to do. Maybe you've explored self-help books or podcasts, or even worked with a therapist before, but haven't achieved the desired results.

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Here's the good news: wherever you are in your journey, we're here for you. We've helped countless individuals overcome feelings of sadness, anxiety, compulsive behavior, trauma, anger, hurt, and much more.

Individual counseling in Seattle & Bellevue, WA

Check out some of the areas we are most known to help others in below, and when you're ready, schedule an appointment to begin your individual therapy journey. We're excited to be a part of your transformation. Remember: pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.

 

Our team of therapists at Pacific Behavioral Healthcare is comprised of experts in the treatment of a diverse range of mental health struggles.  We emphasize the use of scientifically tested and validated treatments to ensure that you receive the best care available.  As a treatment team we collaborate extensively to ensure that our clients benefit from the various areas of expertise that our talented therapists offer. You can rest assured that our clinicians will go the extra mile to make sure that you receive the best care possible.

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Anxiety Disorders

BELLEVUE, WA

Anxiety Disorders

We all experience some level of anxiety in our lives.  Anxiety is necessary for our survival and serves to prepare us for potential future threats.  However, when this natural feeling becomes out of our control, it can wreak havoc on our lives.  You may feel like your anxiety has taken root and is difficult to manage on your own. â€‹â€‹â€‹

​​​​We can help you harness your anxiety and gain mastery over the voices that are fueling your worry

Anxiety and Stress
Social Anxiety

Anxiety & Stress

Anxiety is a common response to stress.  At times, we all worry about different aspects of our lives such as work, finances, or family.  Anxiety can become unbearable when it feels out of control and disrupts our ability to enjoy life.  Our fears and anxious thoughts can leave us paralyzed in our ability to make decisions and can cause uncomfortable physical symptoms of tension or panic. Worry is a part of anxiety that makes managing stress more difficult.  Typically, worry involves looking into the future and forecasting negative events.  It is natural to experience worry when facing something new in one's life.  Worry can also be a natural reminder to take care of things.  However, when we are not able to stop worrying we tend to predict worse case scenarios which can interfere with our mood, appetite, and ability to sleep and concentrate.

Social Anxiety

Social Anxiety is incredibly common.  You may experience dread and extreme discomfort when encountering certain social situations.  You may fear that you will appear awkward in front of others or that they will judge you.  You may also feel that you do not have the communication skills to handle the nuances of social interactions.  As a result, you likely avoid social situations or possibly use drugs or alcohol to cope.  Although avoidance seems to reduce your anxiety, over time it can restrict your life and lead to feelings of depression, loneliness, and hopelessness.  Without help, social anxiety can cause distress and unhappiness and interfere with the life that you want to live.

Panic Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Panic Disorder

Panic attacks come on suddenly and can be incredibly frightening.  They may occur with no warning or perhaps when you are worrying about other stressful situations in your life.  Experiencing shortness of breath, tingling, or racing heart are common symptoms.  You my believe that you are losing control, possibly dying, or even going crazy.  Because panic attacks feel so threatening to your safety, you may avoid certain situations out of fear of having another panic attack.  Unfortunately, attempts to avoid panic attacks only makes matters worse and prolongs your symptoms and suffering.  Untreated panic attacks can result in depression, increased anxiety, and interfere with living our lives to the fullest.  The good news is that panic attacks can be effectively treated in a relatively short amount of time.  We will work with you to understand the onset of your panic attacks, teach you the skills to cope, and help decrease the likelihood of panic attacks in the future.

Generalized Axiety
Disorder

You may find that your worries are constantly on your mind and feel out of control.  You may be experiencing uncomfortable physical symptoms, additional life stressors, and conflict in your personal relationships.  Excessive worry can be destructive to your life and happiness.  Generalized Anxiety Disorder intrudes on many areas and aspects of life and can make it incredibly difficult to cope with daily life.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Phobias

Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder

Many who struggle with compulsive behaviors are aware that their symptoms are indicators of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).  However, the reality is that many who suffer from OCD are not aware that their obsessive thoughts, with or without identifiable compulsive behaviors, are part of a pathological pattern that warrants clinical attention.  OCD can take nearly infinite forms.  Hollywood suggests that OCD sufferers compulsively wash their hands, check locks, or avoid stepping on cracks.  Although many do exhibit such symptoms, many more have symptoms that are completely unrelated to these depictions of the disorder. Treatment for OCD and related conditions is generally very effective.  Although considerable challenges to symptom relief are sometimes present, a number of well-validated treatment tools are available to provide considerable hope.  Individuals who are willing to fully engage in treatment can expect to be challenged, and to reap considerable rewards for their courage.

Phobias

If you are suffering from a Phobia, then you understand the extreme distress brought about by the situation you fear.  Phobias can include heights, driving, crowds and many other situations.  The distress caused by a phobia leads to avoiding the situation whenever possible.  However, when the fear is ongoing and continuously avoided it can cause considerable distress and disruption in your life.  You may be afraid that you will be unable to control your fear and exaggerate the danger of the situation.

Depression
Persistent Depression

BELLEVUE, WA

Depression & Related Disorders

Depression robs us of the joy and rewards that make life exciting.  Many who struggle with depression report feeling as though they have crawled into a cave that is void of the light or warmth that the outside world has to offer.  Worse, efforts to leave the cave to reengage life often feel unsuccessful and motivation can be difficult to find.

 

Many people live with depression every day without knowing that that their symptoms are part of a depressive disorder. Depression can manifest itself as fatigue, bodily pain, gastrointestinal problems, sleep difficulties, loss of interest, sluggish thought processes, or irritability.

 

For those who are willing to engage with therapy, a rich life can be found.  By understanding how depression works and developing the necessary tools to keep it at bay, people can find a sense of joy and optimism that they never thought possible.

Chronic Depression

Experiencing a chronic low mood can be difficult to face alone.  Even though the depth of your depression may not be as severe as major depression, the pain that you feel from a struggle that never seems to end can be devastating.  You may have always felt more down compared to others or may be robbed of experiencing the level of happiness you wish you had.  People who experience these types of struggles are often facing a condition called Persistent Depressive Disorder.  If this pattern describes you, we can help you to explore the reasons contributing to your low mood, identify your values, and experience greater fulfillment in your life.

BELLEVUE, WA

Trauma & PTSD

Are you carrying the burden of past pain?

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Traumatic life events rarely come with any advance warning.  Suddenly, they turn our world upside down and leave us feeling emotionally crippled.  Our lives can be forever changed by a traumatic experience. 

 

You may feel anxious, numb, or confused.  You may be triggered by cues in your everyday environment leaving you overly vigilant and haunted by the memories.  You may feel as though nobody is able to understand what you are going through.

 

There is hope for you. We offer effective trauma therapies such as Cognitive Processing Therapy and EMDR to help you work through the painful memories and experience relief from the emotional burdens you are carrying.

Trauma Treatment

Complex Trauma & PTSD

If you have experienced intimate betrayal in the form of abuse, infidelity, or hurtful sexual behaviors, you understand the devastation of broken trust. You may question your self-worth, worry that you could have somehow prevented the betrayal, struggle to cope with your overwhelming emotions, and find it hard to trust anyone. These reactions are normal following betrayal and are your mind and body's way of coping and 'protecting you.' Over time however, this reflexive way of coping becomes problematic to your life and well-being. Helping you heal from trauma takes a supportive and trusting environment and effective trauma therapy. We understand the struggles you are facing and will provide trauma-focused strategies to help you heal. Call today to get started.

Substance Abuse Addiction

Substance Abuse & Addiction

Facing problematic substance use can be a challenging journey on your own. Often times, when an area of your life begins to break down you start to recognize that your alcohol or drug use is problematic.  You may be feeling alone, guilty, and think that your future is hopeless. 

 

We will help you to identify your abuse patterns, recognize your underlying needs, and heal past emotional wounds so that you can experience a more stable and fulfilling life.  If addiction is present, we will guide your through a recovery program that ensures you receive the appropriate treatment tailored to your needs.

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Addiction can be a lonely experience.  You may want to stop the destructive cycle, but feel powerless to control your drug or alcohol use. 

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You may continue to function socially or professionally despite your continued substance use.  Over time however, addiction makes itself known through problems in your relationships, at work or school, or even on you mental health. 

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We will help you recognize the underlying problems contributing to your addiction and lead you on a path towards recovery.

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Bipolar Disorders

Bipolar Disorders

Living with bipolar depression can be difficult without professional help. You may feel like your life is out of control and the pain can also be felt by your loved ones. The mood shifts become exhausting and can take a toll on your relationships, work or school performance, and happiness. We can help you regain stability, learn ways to mange stress, and experience life to the fullest. Often times individuals who are engaged in treatment are less likely to have a bipolar episode in the future. This is because they gain insight into problematic behaviors and ways of thinking that can contribute to the onset of a bipolar episode. 

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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive - Compulsive Disorder

Many who struggle with compulsive behaviors are aware that their symptoms are indicators of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).  However, the reality is that many who suffer from OCD are not aware that their obsessive thoughts, with or without identifiable compulsive behaviors, are part of a pathological pattern that warrants clinical attention. 

 

OCD can take nearly infinite forms.  Hollywood suggests that OCD sufferers compulsively wash their hands, check locks, or avoid stepping on cracks.  Although many do exhibit such symptoms, many more have symptoms that are completely unrelated to these depictions of the disorder.

 

Treatment for OCD and related conditions is generally very effective.  Although considerable challenges to symptom relief are sometimes present, a number of well-validated treatment tools are available to provide considerable hope.  Individuals who are willing to fully engage in treatment can expect to be challenged, and to reap considerable rewards for their courage.

Image by Milan Popovic
Loneliness

Loneliness

Persistent feelings of loneliness can cause deep emotional pain.  You may be unsure how to create new friendships or consistently struggle to maintain relationships with others.  You also may be experiencing overwhelming sadness from a relationship break up.  We can help you uncover the reasons behind your loneliness, address underlying concerns that may be contributing to your pain, and create a path forward towards establishing rewarding relationships.

Sad on Couch
Grief

Grief

Grief is a natural response to loss.  At times however, grieving a loved one can become all consuming and interfere with your ability to function in your daily life.  You might feel stuck in your grief and hopelessly saddened by your loss.  You may experience a deep yearning for your loved one and find that thoughts and images of them bring painful reminders of their loss.  It can be difficult for you to imagine your life with meaning or purpose without your loved one and you may feel lost in how to move forward.​

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We will help you create an understanding of your loss and find new ways to incorporate your loved one into your life.  Maintaining a connection to your loved one, while continuing to heal will lead to a sense of peace and and inner strength. 

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Let us help you to experience relief from the pain of loss so that you can live a full life that honors your loved one.

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Start healing today.

We're here to help. Reach out today to get started.

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