Find a Therapist in La Center, WA

(712015 Update: My practice is currently full. I AM CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW INTERNS.) Counseling, and the counseling relationship, can create a safe forum for deep and lasting change. For the last 20 years I've enjoyed working with a diverse population, primarily individuals, and find that people who are motivated to understand themselves better and apply the tools learned in our work together have the greatest chance to empower real change in their lives. Most people come into my office frustrated by persistent patterns that they tried to change, often through years of therapy, and to no avail. Self-criticism, fearfulness, procrastination, self-doubt, loneliness, insomnia, panic, conflictual relationships, etc. Some of these problems may seem to develop slowly over time, and some problems come about from recent loss or trauma. Most of us only skim the surface of what we know about ourselves and our inner resources, especially with regard to our capacity for emotional healing. I hold an integrated perspective about human growth and healing that takes into consideration social, biological, and cultural influences that may be out of balance. My approach is ultimately tailored to a particular person's issues and needs, though I hold great respect for time spent exploring internal thoughts and reactions, untangling inner conflicts and releasing a greater capacity for calmness, contentedness, clarity and balance. These resources are in every one of us.

My approach to helping people is rooted in warmth, empathy, and a deep commitment to personal growth, shaped by both my family life and nearly two decades as a licensed marriage and family therapist. Drawing inspiration from my loved ones, the arts, and nature, I strive to create a nurturing and safe environment where clients can heal and build resilience. I specialize in attachment and relationship-focused therapy, utilizing evidence-based modalities and the PACE model (playfulness, acceptance, curiosity, empathy), as well as integrating innovative practices like psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. My collaborative style empowers individuals to overcome trauma, grief, anxiety, and relationship challenges, honoring each client’s unique strengths and journey. I am dedicated to supporting you with compassion and positivity as you embark on your path toward healing and transformation.

Elizabeth Gann has a Master of Arts in Counseling from Western Seminary. She has a Bachelor of Arts in history from Hillsdale College. Elizabeth has a wide range of experiences, including time spent in nonprofit organizations, as an Interpretive Park Ranger and volunteer coordinator for the National Park Service, a homeschooling mom, an active duty military spouse, and an engaged community volunteer. Elizabeth brings warmth and empathy to the counseling room and a deep respect for the innate strengths and gifts of every person. She considers it an honor to sit alongside her clients, listening to their stories and supporting them in the work of change. She has experience working with individuals struggling with addiction, domestic violence, anxiety, and depression, as well as other concerns. Elizabeth has completed Level 2 of the Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and particularly enjoys the intersection of counseling and faith. An Oregon native, Elizabeth enjoys exploring new places, good coffee, and bookstores. She and her husband, who is retired from the military, have three children and two corgis.

Seeking counseling is not easy. It takes bravery and commitment, but allows for the healing process to begin. Whether you are seeking counseling for grief and loss, anxiety, depression, work-related issues, or some other issue altogether, emotions and relationships play a pivotal part in what you are experiencing. My philosophy for therapy is to provide a welcoming, relaxed, and engaging person-centered therapeutic environment that encompasses each client's individual needs and focuses on discovering individual strengths that empower you to live happier, healthier, and more meaningful lives.

Minah is a professional counselor associate and has obtained an M.A. in counseling from Western Seminary; she has completed a B.A. in political science from McGill University, Canada. Her coursework focus has included studies in human development, marriage and family counseling, integrative issues in counseling, and career lifestyle counseling. Minah has received advanced training through Gottman Level 2 in Gottman method couples therapy. She is a multicultural therapist who is originally from Seoul, South Korea, and has lived in many different countries, such as South Korea, the United States, Canada, Japan, and Malaysia. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her young son and meeting new people, who are often from other cultures. She also loves traveling to many different countries.

I provide therapy that will help you develop skills, face challenges, and build on your strengths to make life changes. This includes brief therapy to help you get unstuck and assertiveness training to help you listen and be heard, love and be loved. I can help you strengthen your communication skills, improve your connections with others, and strengthen your boundaries. I can help you free yourself from addictive and compulsive behaviors such as alcohol abuse, compulsive shopping, compulsive sexuality, emotional eating, obsessive self-doubt, and rumination. I can help you work through the difficulties of grief, abuse, loss, accidents, illness, and life transitions. I can help release you from unhealthy patterns of anxiety, anger, and depression, and heal you of the emotional reactivity that wounds those you love and destroys relationships. I have experience with Prolonged Exposure therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Somatic Experiencing, and ego-state therapies that promote mindbody awareness using movement, breath, and visualization, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Jungian Active Imagination, and Kundaline Yoga therapy.

I am a systemic therapist. As I work with you individually, as a couple, or as a family, I will consider your relationships and other contextual factors. If you are seeking help for difficulties in your marriage or family, I will encourage your spouse andor family to be involved because I believe it is the most effective way to help you solve a variety of challenges. At the beginning of therapy, I will ask you questions to help me understand the issues that bring you to see me. I will gather some background information but will mostly focus on the present and your preferred future. We will set goals together and work collaboratively to identify the strengths you have to fulfill these goals. Once you feel you have achieved these goals, therapy will be over. The length of therapy varies for each person and depends on your goals.

Jessica holds a Master of Arts degree in counseling from the Townsend Institute for Leadership and Counseling (2021) and a Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience (2003). Her major coursework includes human development, trauma, attachment, multicultural diversity within families, character development, anxiety, and depression. She is a certified Gottman therapist and holds additional certifications in trust-based relational intervention, child-centered play therapy, and Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts. Jessica has experience working with children, teens, individuals, and couples who find themselves walking through grief, trauma, and relationally challenging events. She believes character growth and relationship health develop through healing connections where it is safe to explore and process one’s internal world. Jessica has personally enjoyed traveling and living abroad, raising and homeschooling her five kids, and going on outdoor adventures with friends.

Michael Hafner, Professional Counselor Associate. Marriage, Family, and Adolescent Counseling Mike has a Master of Arts in counseling from Western Seminary. He also holds a Master of Divinity graduate degree from Multnomah University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in theological studies. Mike has completed Level 2 of the Gottman Method couples therapy. Mike has spent over a decade serving as a youth pastor in the local church context, providing discipleship and leadership skills to youth and their families. He has also spent time working in both inpatient and outpatient community mental health settings for adolescents, where he has helped teenagers struggling with a variety of mental health concerns. He believes all people are capable of change and growth. His aim is to come alongside the client(s) in their journey and help them navigate the areas of life where they are seeking change. Mike has also been trained in family systems therapy and seeks to help families thrive in their relational dynamics. Mike has been married since 2012, and they have three daughters. In his free time, he enjoys lifting weights, spending time with friends and family, and drinking coffee.

Olivia Ramey has a Master of Arts in counseling from Western Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts in sociology, including minors in Spanish and student ministry, from Geneva College. With 10 years of experience working in church ministry and nonprofit youth ministry, Olivia enjoys counseling individuals of all ages, particularly young adults and older teens, as well as couples. She has experience in sitting with those facing life transitions, spiritual abuse, trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and loss. Olivia operates in a simple person-centered fashion, incorporating elements of parts work, internal family systems, emotionally focused therapy, and narrative therapy. She has also completed Level 2 of the Gottman Method couples therapy. She cares deeply about relationships and sitting with others weathering the ups and downs of singleness, friendship, dating, marriage, and family relationships. Olivia counts it a privilege to collaborate with and encourage others in the deep, healing work of counseling. She seeks to create an environment of warmth, safety, and even fun. A self-identified “friendly introvert,” Olivia enjoys being active outdoors, cooking a good meal to share, and having quiet mornings at home.

You may be someone who feels deeply and reflects carefully about the world around you. On the outside, you may appear capable and composed while internally feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in survival mode. Many of my clients identify as highly sensitive, emotionally perceptive, or "deep feelers" seeking a trauma-informed therapy experience that honors depth, reflection, nervous system awareness, and authentic connection. Maybe you've been carrying something for a long time—grief that hasn't fully moved, emotional pain that still catches in your chest, or a quiet sense of being "too much" or "not enough," depending on the day. You may have tried to think your way through it, talk it out, or push it down—but your body still remembers. I'm Laurel, and I work with deep feelers, survivors, and sensitive, introspective adults who want to better understand themselves and the patterns they've learned to carry. In our work together, we'll slow things down and become curious about what's happening beneath the surface—your emotions, nervous system responses, relationships, and protective patterns. My approach is integrative, trauma-informed, somatic, and relational. Rather than asking you to push past your responses, we'll listen to them. Together, we'll explore how your experiences have shaped your internal landscape and create space for greater self-understanding, connection, and trust in yourself. For clients who are drawn to spirituality or intuition, there is also space to explore these experiences with curiosity, discernment, and care. If you're navigating trauma, grief, relationship challenges, anxiety, burnout, or major life transitions—and are looking for something deeper than traditional talk therapy—I invite you to reach out. I provide virtual therapy for adults throughout California and Washington.