Have you noticed that you are spending most of your time stressed or on edge, never really feeling relaxed? Do you spend most of your time scrolling and distracting rather than getting things done or connecting meaningfully with others? Maybe you are struggling with irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease, or fertility challenges, and it feels like these concerns are taking over your life. Therapy might be for you! In my practice, I see you as the expert on you and I'm here to be a mental health guide. Some of the interventions we'll use will help you make your emotions work for you instead of draining your energy, put stressors in their place even if we can't get rid of them, and let go of long-held beliefs that have been holding you back. Therapy is not magic - many of the interventions that we discuss involve practical strategies. Sometimes it's about providing a safe space you've never really had before to talk through something. We’ll aim to set you up with knowledge and tools to empower you to become your own therapist. In therapy, we spend a bit of time getting to know you and the difficulties that you have been struggling with. How do they impact your life and what would things look like if they were different? What have you tried and what has been helpful, or not helpful? Sometimes what helps in the short-term can actually make it more difficult to move forward in your life. When we have a good idea of the issues, we start with interventions and strategies to make these as easy to put into practice as possible. My goal is to make therapy work for you as much as possible.

I view every individual, family, and couple as unique, and as such, I utilize methods and techniques best suited for each situation. I approach my work using a client-centered, strengths-based model. My scope of practice has included many areas, all pertaining to individuals, couples, and families. Most of my experience and passion involves working with women, teens, and the LGBTQIA community. I am also interested in, and currently work with, individuals and couples around sexuality and intimacy. I was trained in family systems therapy at Seattle Pacific University, which means I approach my therapy work holistically, focusing on the individual and extending beyond that to the interactions between family members and significant others. I work with clients to help them recognize how extended family, culture, and society may impact them as individuals.

In addition to my training and education in counseling, I rely on more than 20+ years of experience studying human performance, human behavior, and organizational behavior in my previous careers in sports, business, and marketing. I bring to my work a broad multicultural and international experience, after living, working, or studying in half a dozen countries. I see my role as your partner in growth, who works to help you discover your own resilience so you can create the life you deserve. My clients find me helpful at managing an array of difficulties, including relationship problems, sexual trauma, breaking free of a rut, managing anxiety, and moving into personal discover and growth, among other issues. I offer a safe, supportive, nonjudgmental, and encouraging space. We work together to help you uncover your true beliefs, attitudes, feelings, and behaviors, then use this insight to help you create a pattern of success. I also created my own trade marked therapy approach Positive Existential Therapy or PET to address client challenges that were not responding to outdated counseling techniques. While I fully maintain my license as a professional counselor in multiple US states, I now exclusively offer coaching services.

Challenging circumstances can take us to the edge of our ability to cope, and major life transitions such as a cancer diagnosis, illnessloss of a loved one, trauma, beginning a new phase of life, or changes at home andor work often leave us feeling overwhelmed and out of control. No matter how together we appear on the outside, life can feel exhausting if we're hurting on the inside. Therapy helps you adjust to your circumstances by empowering you with new skills and offering alternative perspectives.

Let’s be real… Hi, I’m Raleigh! I promise to always be up front and honest with you so let’s get a tough conversation out of the way… Therapy is hard work. You probably found your way here because you feel stuck, alone, confused or afraid and if you’ve seen commercials or pop psychology selling you the latest quick path to eternal happiness then you might start to wonder if you are the problem… I hate to break the illusion but those easy solutions do not exist. Even the most talented therapist can’t help you to insight without time and the most important part of the puzzle: Your inner world and commitment to trying something new. Life is an ebb and flow of good times and tough times. Can we maximize your happiness? Absolutely — But can we become so enlightened that we never have to experience hardship, suffering, loneliness, heartbreak or grief ever again? Unfortunately not… That’s the bad news but let’s get to the good news: We can learn to ride the ebbs and flows of life — and just as happiness can teach us depths of feelings that we never knew existed, pain can also be a teacher if we can find the bravery to face it head on. That’s where I come in! I can’t promise it will be easy but I can promise that you won’t have to do it alone. If you can find it in yourself to do the work then I will be with you every step of the way with my knowledge, expertise, curiosity, understanding and toolkit of evidence-based and holistic therapeutic techniques. Together we can work to create the individualized therapy to empower you to build the authentic and fulfilling life that YOU want… It all sounds a little bittersweet doesn’t it? Well the only way out is through — but the juice is worth the squeeze, I promise.

I aim to create a space where you can just be yourself: no judgment, no guard up. I work with individuals and couples facing challenges with self-esteem, connection, grief, anxiety, infertility, postpartum concerns, and more. Sometimes life throws a curveball, or a relationship stops feeling like what it used to be. Together, we can find new ways of relating to yourself and the people around you. It is hard feeling stuck in patterns that don't work for you anymore, and it can feel lonely when you can't see a way out. Let's change that, and build toward more peace, agency, and hope. I believe who we are is shaped by our upbringing, how we move through the world, and the systems we live within, which makes every experience unique. To truly thrive, we need to feel seen and supported. Together, we'll notice patterns, explore challenges holistically, and honor your lived experience. You are the expert of your life, and I'm here to collaborate. A bit about me: I'm a mom and a partner. I enjoy reading fiction, trying out new restaurants, hanging with our dog, Pickles, and watching reruns of Parks & Rec. I'm really happy to live in Washington, even though I grew up outside of Chicago, and I also serve clients in Chicago, Illinois. I hope you reach out!

Hello! Thanks for taking time to read about my approach! People who know me describe me as gentle, respectful and present. I like to work collaboratively with folks from a stance of curiosity and appreciation. Some people begin therapy for help discerning a path forward. Others are experiencing overwhelm in response to stress in their lives. Some enter therapy feeling frozen and cut off from vital aspects of themselves. Whatever the issue, we begin by taking stock of what is happening, what your strengths and challenges are and what needs to happen to bring about positive change. I help people access their native calm, curiosity and compassion which are key ingredients for healing. By being in relationship with the various parts of yourself you can develop more capacity for bringing yourself into balance. It is also more possible to access precious resources that lie within and outside of you. When we are mindful of and in relationship with our thoughts, feelings, and bodily experiences, we can be more present and live more satisfying lives, in line with our values and intentions. Often the work leads us to parts of you that have been wounded and kept out of your everyday awareness. When these parts are witnessed and healed, there is the possibility of releasing burdensome beliefs and bringing in other much needed qualities. I love working with people of different faiths and philosophies. I believe in the truth that is held in our physical bodies and the wisdom that lives in our dreams. It is a privilege to sit with a person and to witness his or her growth and healing. I have a special interest in supporting people facie the emotional and intellectual impacts of climate crisis. If you are interested in finding out whether I might be a good fit for you, please call or email me to set up an appointment!

The majority of my practice is online right now but I am beginning to offer some in-person sessions in Seattle (U District office) on Wednesdays. Email is the best way to contact me. I am an experienced psychologist with a background in community mental health and university counseling centers. My philosophy and approach to helping people includes integrating a variety of techniques to best address the concerns that bring you to therapy. I have a friendly and professional demeanor that helps people feel comfortable and safe to open up to me. I will take the time to get to know you and understand your concerns. I believe that through a strong therapeutic alliance, we can foster personal growth. We can discuss what areas of your life you would like to improve and how you view and interpret the world around you. I can be more directive in therapy or be more empathic and reflective, if you prefer.

Spanish and English speaking. Accepting new patients in person and via telehealth for couples, families, substance use condition groups, and individuals. Therapists in my practice also accept couples counseling, with evening time slots still available for those who work, as well as morning and daytime options. Pedro Ruiz is a licensed mental health counselor in Washington who has been practicing since 2017. Outside of work, Pedro is an advanced chess player who enjoys the art of solving problems, singing (salsa music), spending time with family, trying new food, and traveling. He enjoys working with adults, families, and couples. He has a Master of Science in professional counseling, with 17+ years of experience with addiction counseling, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress (PTSD), and trauma. He likes working on couples issues using emotionally focused therapy (EFT) and the Gottman approach. Pedro is fluent in Spanish and English. Pedro strives to listen actively, gain an understanding of the underlying issues and challenges, and provide guidance to overcome, find relief, and experience healing from emotional and psychological pain.

Thoughtful Counseling Group has over 12 years of experience in community mental health, working in different settings, providing mental health services to individuals and families who have suffered from domestic violence, trafficking, sexual abuse, physical abuse, substance abuse, life issues, marital conflict, child abuse, family systems, first responders, and emotional abuse. Several of our therapists are also proud military veterans. Our approach to counseling is collaborative, compassionate, respectful, and client-centered. We believe that people are unique individuals and have the capacity to grow, heal, and change, learning new ways to improve their health and well-being in all areas of life, including biological, psychological, social, and spiritual. Personal growth is facilitated by setting and working toward goals, assessing and building strengths in these areas to develop skills and resources that help them manage life challenges. As professionals, we focus on working collaboratively with our clients in a safe and open environment to identify goals and work towards positive resolutions.

Relational in nature, my approach to therapy is rooted in witnessing rather than analysis. I believe that healing is the result of being truly seen by a compassionate other. In our time together, you can expect me to set all judgments aside in order to create space for your unique complexities to unfold. In this opened clearing, we will do the work of therapeutic integration so you can rediscover that sense of wholeness that was always there even when obscured. My background in existential-phenomenological psychology has led to my endless curiosity in the subjective experience of the suffering individual. As an existential therapist, I believe that we come into this world already burdened, and the issues that cause you to seek help are not personal pitfalls but features of existence. With this as our starting point, we will work together to reframe your struggles with a meaning-making lens, emboldening you to take over your own narrative. I look forward to accompanying you on your healing journey.