Harold Abbott, Mental Health Counselor in Seattle, 98103

Harold Abbott, LMHC

Profession(s):
Mental Health Counseling, Marriage & Family Therapy
License Status:
I'm a licensed professional.
Primary License:
LMHC - LH00007696

My Approach to Helping

My therapy style or approach in working with individual adults and adolescents is grounded in humanistic and trans-personal psychology. This means viewing individuals from a relationship perspective and holding the relationship between client and therapist as the central catalyst for personal change and transcendence. I also incorporate other disciplines and modalities into my work such as psychodynamic, EMDR, mindfulness and spirituality in maintaining a holistic perspective to the therapeutic process. When working with couples I use a intimacy based model of therapy, emphasizing bonding, differentiation and integration to help them achieve a more meaningful and fulfilling relationship. I also help couples effectively confront their conflicts while simultaneously maintaining connection with each other. During therapy I help couples communicate more honestly, openly and experience greater passion and satisfaction in their sex lives. Each person learns how to contain their own anxiety and maintain a clearer sense of self by asserting his or her boundaries and desires. When working with children and families I help clients understand the underlying dynamics and developmental issues that may be the source of conflicts and distress, while also addressing the dysfunctions within their unique family system. I work individually with children or conjointly with parents and/or all immediate family members. I may incorporate play therapy into my sessions with young children to help them express their feelings and understand their personal or family conflicts. I have over 25 years of experience as a psychotherapist, mental health counselor, and administrator, serving children, adolescents and adults in outpatient and inpatient settings. It has been my calling in life to help people find a more successful and meaningful way in which to experience life. I view the therapeutic relationship as a crucible where psychological healing and transformation may occur. Through this dynamic process I hold myself as a guide and mentor, collaborating with each person in their personal journey toward wholeness and well-being. At the core of my professional philosophy is to see people as evolving spiritual beings with personal problems that may serve as opportunities for growth. This perspective supports clients in understanding the causes of their distress and suffering, while also learning more compassionate and healthy ways of seeing themselves and fulfilling their life potential.