Derica Waller, MSW, LCSW

Are you ready to feel better? Are you struggling with anxiety or stress? Are you dealing with infertility or a difficult postpartum time? Or are you simply looking for more happiness and peace in your life? Then welcome to InnerLight Counseling. I have been helping people find their way through issues such as these for over 25 years. It has always fascinated me how, even in our darkest moments, we are able to find strength and new wisdom that pull us through to the other side of whatever it is we're struggling with. Allowing yourself the support of a therapist or coach is a brave and compassionate step toward finding that strength and wisdom. Sometimes therapy means tears and anger, sometimes it means taking life less seriously and finding lightness in our growth. Whatever your unique path is through this difficulty, allow me to walk with you. I will offer my expertise and experience, ideas to take home to try and to learn from. You will bring what you know of yourself and what you want. Together we will work to find ways for you to feel better, feel stronger and create new habits and perspectives that feel better.

Free Initial Consultation - Finding a therapist that is both experienced and with whom you feel comfortable is a crucial part of getting off to a good start. With this in mind, I offer a free 20 minute consultation so we can meet and see if working together will be a good fit. Insurance - In addition to private pay, I also take Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield (Regence) insurance. I will do the insurance billing for you, including billing for out of network coverage. Sliding Scale - I have a limited number of sliding scale spaces available for those experiencing financial difficulties.

Often, people come to my office having never done therapy before. "How is this going to help me?" they ask. Because therapy can be such a private process and because of the need for confidentiality, therapy is often shrouded in mystery. How does it work, exactly? I see therapy as a process of putting what you know and what you experience out on the table for both of us to see. Some of it makes perfect sense to you, some may not. As we look at what you are feeling, thinking and doing, we can often see the parts that serve you well, and others that are tripping you up. Having someone outside your life to look with you can help you question and observe things from a new perspective. Add to this mix a greater understanding about how anxiety, grief or stress often works and you have even more ability to understand what is happening for you in your life. Learning new skills such as mindfulness practices and breathwork also allows you new ways to deal with emotions that feel stuck or defy your best logic but still need your acceptance and attention. These new skills paired with a new perspective and understanding can often help you change your experience and open up new ways to walk through whatever you are facing.

My role as a therapist is to help you find ways to feel better. I can offer new perspectives from which to view your life and yourself. I can give you a nudge and provide some accountability to help you do what you say you want to do. I can give you useful information about concerns you're struggling with. I can also listen. A lot. You may find that simply talking about and acknowledging what is true for you can be healing in itself. And I will help create the compassionate space for this process to thrive. What I can't do for you is find the answers for you. And you don't need me to. Therapy works as a collaborative process, not me telling you what is right for you. Only you are the best judge of that, despite what it may feel like sometimes. The fact is, you are more powerful and wise than you may know.