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Thrive Counseling Center
Therapy for Individuals, Couples & Family
Individual Counseling
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Get the help and support that you need from our caring group of therapists who serve Federal Way, Tacoma, Kent, and the surrounding areas.

Man smiling after individual counseling in federal way
If You Feel Stuck - Schedule a Consultation Today
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Mental Health Counseling Federal Way

Do you feel stuck or unsure of what next steps to take?

Have you known for a long time that things need to change....but don’t know how to change them?

Do you feel like you would like someone to walk with you on your path, supporting you along the way?

If you find yourself saying yes to the above questions, you are in the right place!

We understand that life comes with some really tough parts. Many of our clients come to us saying that things have not been working for a long time and they just don’t know where to turn. Other clients come in having just gone through a major transition in their lives and don’t know what the right steps are to take next.

Our Therapists Are Here to Help in Federal Way

You don’t need to do this alone!

We work with people just like you who are ready to move forward in their lives. Part of our job is to ensure that you are not going through this difficult time by yourself - your therapist will be there right by your side every step of the way.

The Benefits of Individual Counseling

There are many benefits of seeking individual counseling.

Personalized Support

Individual counseling provides one-on-one attention, with sessions tailored to your unique needs, goals, and challenges.

Improved Self-Awareness

You can gain deeper insights into your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors through counseling.

Coping Strategies

Individual therapy equips you with effective coping tools to manage stress, anxiety, or other issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Take a look through our providers, and see who you feel most connected to based on either their description, their background and experience, or their picture.

You might also want to take a look at schedules to see which therapist has times available that work for you. 

Find the Therapist Who Fits Your Needs

If you are still unsure, or looking through and making the decision feels overwhelming, you can also give our office a call or send us an email and we can match you with the therapist who we feel will be the best fit for your needs.

Time and time again, research on the effectiveness of counseling and therapy shows that a strong alliance and positive relationship with your therapist is one of the strongest predictors of you having success meeting your goals in counseling. In other words, you have to feel a connection with your therapist for this to work.

No matter what the background, experience, or specialization areas of a provider….if you don’t click with your therapist, it’s a waste of your time, energy, and money. 

Contact Our Federal Way Office

Still not sure who is the right fit for you?  Give us a call at 206-567-7267 or send us an email for help in scheduling with the therapist who is the best fit for your needs.

Most of our clients will start off by meeting with their therapist once a week.

In our experience starting off by coming in once a week is the most effective frequency in order to get the best results from counseling. Starting off with meetings that are less frequent means slower progress, and backtracking in between sessions.

It’s likely that it took a while to get to the place where you are right now.  While it doesn’t need to take as long to get out of it, it does require consistency in doing and understanding things differently for the shifts to really stick. 

Amount of Counseling Sessions VariesWoman looking pensive during counseling

While we usually start off with weekly sessions, it is our goal to not keep you in counseling forever. Some of our clients work with us under a more brief therapy model (6-12 therapy sessions). Some of our clients who are facing bigger challenges will work with us for 6 months to a year. Some of our clients chose to continue to work with us over the course of several years. We are here to support you for as long as it feels helpful. 

As you progress with your licensed therapist towards your goals, it is common to decrease to meeting every other week, or perhaps once a month. We even have clients who come in for quarterly or yearly check-ins as part of the maintenance of their emotional, psychological, and relational health. We do this with every other part of our systems (and even our cars!), so why wouldn’t we take the time to invest in taking some time to check up on our emotional and relational health?

Contact Our Federal Way Office

Ready to get started? You can schedule online now, send us an email, or give us a call at 206-567-7267.

This is one of the most common questions we are asked. Your goals will primarily determine the length or number of sessions of counseling in Federal Way. Some goals take longer than others to achieve. 

Let’s see if we can break it down for you a little more…

The patterns or dynamics you are struggling with now didn’t happen overnight. Chances are you have been feeling this way for some time, or have struggled with a challenge for a while.

Profile of man staring off into distanceIt doesn’t take as long to discover new options and heal as it took to get to where you are now, but we can’t change everything in a week or two. 

Number of Counseling Sessions in Federal Way

Typically, we will recommend a minimum investment of 6-8 sessions to really make headway with what you are struggling with. After that, we continue for as long as counseling at our Federal Way office feels useful in helping you meet your goals.  

Contact Our Federal Way Counseling Office Today

Have more questions about if counseling might be helpful for you? Please give us a call at 206-567-7267, or send us an email. We are always happy and determined to help you reach your goals, and we welcome any questions you may have. 

Are you ready to begin?

Grief counseling is a therapeutic approach that helps individuals navigate emotional turmoil and grief, typically after losing a loved one. It focuses on acknowledging and expressing feelings, understanding the grieving process, and finding healthy coping methods.

At Thrive Counseling Center, our trained therapists provide a safe, supportive environment and guide you to explore your feelings of loss and learn strategies to support healing.

Signs You Might Need to See a Grief Counselor

Grief can manifest in various ways, and it's essential to understand when you might need professional help with grief. Here are a few signs that may suggest it's time to seek grief counseling:

  • Persistent feelings of sadness and despair: It's natural to feel sad after a loss, but if your sorrow is unrelenting and you can't seem to find joy or pleasure in anything, it might be time to seek help.
  • Difficulty performing daily tasks: If grief is preventing you from functioning normally—like keeping up with your job, maintaining personal hygiene, or managing everyday responsibilities—it's advisable to consult a grief counselor.
  • Isolation from loved ones: If you continuously withdraw from social activities or feel disconnected from people you care about, grief counseling can provide a supportive space to express your feelings.
  • Physical symptoms: Unresolved grief can manifest physically, causing symptoms like insomnia, weight changes, or unexplained aches and pains.
  • Feelings of guilt or anger: If you're experiencing persistent guilt or anger related to the loss, it's beneficial to seek professional assistance to work through these complex emotions.

Grief Counseling in Federal Way 

Everyone grieves differently; there's no "right" way to experience loss. If you're struggling with grief, seeking professional support is a courageous step toward healing.

At Thrive Counseling Center, our trained counselors offer strategies and help with grief. We serve clients from all surrounding areas, including Federal Way, Tacoma, and Kent.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a specialized therapy approach that focuses on restructuring unhelpful, unhealthy, and untrue thoughts.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) aims to help individuals in counseling identify how their actions, thoughts, and emotions intertwine and how these aspects can greatly affect how they feel about themselves and the world around them.

How does CBT work?

CBT is incredibly popular with therapists around the world. The root of this behavioral therapy is to recognize unhelpful behavior patterns—because when we learn to change our negative thoughts and challenge untrue assumptions, we become happier and improve our quality of life.

CBT is a form of “talking therapy” where an individual works one-on-one with a counselor to change behaviors and thought patterns. CBT does not typically focus on the past or previous life traumas—rather, it seeks to help the individual move forward and have more hope about the future.

What types of problems can CBT help with or improve?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy in Federal Way can help you if you’re struggling with any of the following:

  • Negative “self-talk” or habitually being unkind to yourself
  • Generalized anxiety
  • OCD
  • Relationship problems 
  • Insomnia
  • Eating disorders
  • Depression
  • Fear and phobias
  • Coping with grief 
  • Work-related stress

If you’re interested in trying cognitive-behavioral counseling in Federal Way, please contact our team today!

Do You Feel Stuck?

Country road in washingtonA question we frequently ask our clients is, "What do you love about your life or your relationship?" The reality is that many people wish they had more to reply with.

Somewhere along the way a lot of us got the message that the goal of life is to survive or just get by.

We believe that this message needs to be challenged and updated. We all deserve to live lives that we enjoy, that make us feel inspired and connected to others.

Living day to day with a disconnect between where you are and where you want to be is a recipe for feeling depressed or anxious. Our lives are complex and it's common to feel overwhelmed and not sure what to do to move onto a better track.

That's where we come in.

Our job is to walk with you through the tough parts of life and to help you find ways of engaging in your life and relationships that feel better and more balanced. Here at Thrive Counseling Center, we believe that your life should have some joy, inspiration, and connection within it. 

Therapy can be beneficial if you are feeling:

  • That I’m stuck not knowing what I need to do to get things back on track 
  • Like I just can’t get in control of my life
  • Stagnant in my relationships but I don’t know what to do to improve them
  • Anxious and overwhelmed in certain situations. Or just feeling anxious overall, like it’s just getting harder and harder to wake up in the morning
  • Really burned out in my job but I don't know what to do next
  • Like I might be depressed like I'm finding less and less joy in the places I used to
  • That I’m struggling with Attention Deficit Disorder or Adult Autism/Asperger's and no one really understands
  • Overwhelmed with a toxic relationship or situation and I don’t know how to get out of it
  • Like I’ve just gone through a big life loss and I’m struggling to find my footing again.

Featured Blog Posts - Individual Counseling

May 20, 2025

Is Therapy Only for a Crisis? The Benefits of Preventive Mental Health Support

tacoma man smiling

When many people hear the word “therapy,” they picture someone in crisis. Perhaps they are grieving a loss, going through a breakup, or navigating a major life change. And while mental health therapy absolutely supports people through difficult times, it’s not just for moments of crisis. At Thrive Counseling Center, ...

February 17, 2025

Healing from PTSD: Compassionate Therapy at Thrive Counseling

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Are you struggling with overwhelming memories, anxiety, or feeling constantly on edge? You're not alone. PTSD can make everyday life feel like a battle, but healing is possible with the right support. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can deeply impact daily life and affect one's emotions, relationships, and overall well-being. Whether ...

April 23, 2024

Understanding and Managing Anger: Insights from Thrive Counseling Center

silhouette of woman in the sun

Anger is a natural human emotion that, when appropriately managed, can be constructive. However, unmanaged anger can have significant adverse effects on both physical and psychological health.

At Thrive Counseling Center, we focus on helping our clients understand their anger and learn practical strategies through anger management counseling and therapy.

Physical ...

Support During Life's Challenges

Our highly skilled and experienced therapists will help you develop a plan and put that plan into action. Even after your first meeting, you will be given specific tools and strategies to move forward with your goals.

Working with an experienced therapist can help you feel:

  • Hopeful
  • Not so alone
  • Like a weight has been lifted
  • Relief that you finally have a plan to move forward
  • More confident in knowing how to take steps to get life on track
  • Empowered with new skills and strategies
  • More connected with yourself and with other people in your life
  • Excited and energized 

Our licensed and highly skilled therapists utilize evidence-based, proven methods to help you move from where you are to where you want to be.

For more information on our providers, take a look through our team to choose the therapist that feels like the best fit for you.  

Unsure about who would be the best fit? Send us an email or give us a call and we can help match you to the therapist best suited to help you with what you are going through.  

Meet Our Counselors:

Leslie Chun-Hajarizadeh LSWAIC
She/Her

Location: Virtual/Online

Ages: Individual Adults and Couples

Specializes in: Anxiety, Depression, Trauma/PTSD, Substance Use, Work and Life Stress, Elder Care, SI, Life Transitions

Language(s): English

"I base my practice on a humanistic and integrative approach to the ...

counselor lili lyne

Lili Lyne LMFTA
They/Them

Locations: In Office (West Seattle) and Virtual / Online

Ages: Teens, Adults, Couples, Children (7+)

Specializes in: LGBTQIA+ individuals, couples and children, Gender Identity, Perinatal Support

Languages: English

"My approach is client-centered, as I ...

Lindsey LaRosa, LICSWA

Lindsey LaRosa LICSWA
She/Her

Location: In Office and Virtual/Online

Ages: Teens (16-18), Individual Adults

Specializes in: Anxiety, Depression, Adjustment Disorder, Trauma, Bipolar Disorder, Substance Use

Language(s): English

 

"My goal as ...

Morgan Fischer, Licensed Social Worker Associate Independent Clinical

Morgan Fischer LSWAIC
She/Her

Location: Virtual/Online

Ages:  Individual Adults

Specializes in:  Anxiety, Codependency, Developing Effective Coping Skills, Depression, Divorce, Grief and Loss, Life Transitions, Parenting, Racial and Minority Identity,  Self-Esteem Struggles, Trauma and PTSD, Women’s Issues, Mood ...

Alejandra Fenton, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

Alejandra (Alex) Fenton LMFTA
She/Her/Hers/Ella

Location: In Office

Ages: Teens, Adults, Couples

Specializes in: LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, Addiction, Anger Issues, Anxiety, ASD, ADHD, Depression, Grief, Trauma/PTSD, Sex Therapy

Language(s): English, Spanish

"I want my clients to know first and foremost that I am a regular ...

Kenny Davis, Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate

Kenneth Davis LMHCA
He/Him

Location: In Office and Virtual/Online

Ages: Teens (14+) and Individual Adults

Specializes in: Anger Management, Anxiety, Career development/support counseling, Developing effective coping skills, Depression, Divorce, Family Conflict, Grief and Loss, Managing Life Transitions, Men's Issues, ...

Sara Moran, LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor, National Certified Counselor

Sara Moran LMHC, NCC
She/Her

Location: In Office and Virtual/Online

Ages: Children, Teens, Adults

Specializes in: Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions, Behavioral Issues, LGBTQ+

Language(s): English

"My driving passion is to help you overcome any barriers that are keeping you from living the life ...

Ashley Liu, LICSW

Ashley Liu LICSW
She/Her

Location: In Office and Virtual/Online

Ages: Children (5+), Teens, Families, Young Adults

Specializes in: Anxiety, Depression, Autism Spectrum, ADHD, Autplay Therapy, Family Conflict, Grief, Self-Esteem, ...

Beth Elliott, LICSW - Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

Beth Elliott LICSW
She/Her

Location: In Office and Virtual/Online

Ages: Adults

Specializes in: Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions, Women's Issues, Trauma/PTSD

Language(s): English

"I use Internal Family Systems, mindfulness, trauma informed cognitive approaches, and other strategies to help people affected by uncomfortable and ...

Hannah Dimiceli , LMHC

Hannah Dimiceli LMHC
She/Her, They/Them

Location: In Office and Virtual/Online

Ages: Adults

Specializes in: Anxiety, Depression, LGBTQIA+,  ADHD, Trauma/PTSD

Language(s): English

"My ultimate objective is to provide a safe space for individuals to express themselves in a judgement-free zone. I ...

Federal Way Counselor Todd Sadler , MA, LMHC, NBCC

Todd Sadler MA, LMHC

 

Location: In Office and Virtual / Online 

Ages: Adults, Couples

Specializes in: Anxiety, Self-Esteem Concerns, Neurodiversity, Trauma/PTSD

Language(s): English

"My holistic approach to therapy ...

Federal Way Counselor Meghan Flanagan

Meghan Flanagan MA, LMHC
She/Her

Location: In Office and Online/Virtual 

Ages: Adults, Couples, Teens

Specializes in: Anxiety, Depression, Grief/Loss, Intimacy/Trust

Language(s): English

"Together, we'll make sure we have ...

Federal Way Counselor Elizabeth Huynh

Elizabeth (Liz) Huynh MSW, LICSW, CMHS
She/Her

Location: Virtual/Online

Ages: Children, Teens, Adults

Specializes in: Autism, ADHD, Anxiety, Loss/Grief, Life Transitions, Trauma/PTSD

Language(s): English

"My goal is to provide compassionate therapeutic services to help you through various life issues. I see the therapeutic process ...

Federal Way Therapist Jess Mattina , MA, LMHC

Jess Mattina MA, LMHC, NBCC

Location: Virtual/Online

Ages: Adults

Specializes in: Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions, Loss & Grief, Self-Esteem / Confidence Counseling

Language(s): English

"We all ...

 Stephanie Phillips , MA, LMHCA - Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate

Stephanie Phillips MA, LMHC
She/Her

Location: Virtual / Online

Ages: Children (4+), Teens, Young Adults (18-30)

Specializes in: Neurodiversity, Anxiety, Depression, Behavioral Challenges, LGBTQIA+, Gender Questioning, Trauma/PTSD

Language(s): English

"My work stems from a relational strengths-based approach. I believe ...

Madeleine Cushman - Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Madeleine Cushman LMHC, CMHS, DMHS
She/Her

Location: Virtual/Online Only

Ages: Children 0-5, Adults, Couples, Families

Specializes in: Perinatal Mental Health (Pregnancy, Postpartum, Fertility Issues, Pregnancy Loss), Parenting Support, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, Working with Parents and/or Children with Disabilities

Language(s): English

"Madeleine ...

Stephanie Brickner, MS, LMFT

Stephanie Brickner MS, LMFT Assistant Clinical Director
She/Her

Location: In Office and Virtual / Online 

Ages: Children (4+), Teens, Adults

Specializes in: Autism, ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma / PTSD, LGBTQIA+, Family Dynamics

Language(s): English

Federal Way Counselor Deborah Bloom , PsyD, LMFT, CMHS

Dr. Deborah Bloom PsyD, LMFT, CMHS Clinical Director
She/Her

Clinical Director, Founder of Thrive Counseling Center

September Liam Valentine, LICSWA

September Liam Valentine LICSWA
She/They

Location: In Office and Virtual/Online

Ages: Individual Adults, LGBTQIAP+ & Non-Traditional Couples

Specializes in: Anxiety, Depression, Grief, ASD, ADHD, LGBTQIAP+, Polyamory

Language(s): English

"Perhaps as ...

Zi Li Strzelecki, LSWAIC

Zi Li Strzelecki LSWAIC
They/Them

Location: In Office and Virtual/Online

Ages: Individual Adults

Specializes in: Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, QTBIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Life Transitions, Relationship and Identity Issues  

Language(s): English

 

"

Megan Rizzo - Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Megan Rizzo LMHC
She/They

Location: In Office and Virtual/Online

Ages: Individual Adults, Teens, Children (3 and up)

Specializes in: Anxiety, Depression, LGBTQIA+, Neurodivergence, ASD, ADHD, PTSD, Trauma, Generational Trauma, Grief, L

Eric Gross, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate

Eric Gross LMHCA
He/Him

Location: In Office and Virtual/Online

Ages: Individual Adults & Children (10-12 years old)

Specializes in:  ASD, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Foster Care, Grief/Loss, Disabilities Support, LGBTQ+, Schizophrenia, Trauma, PTSD, Substance Abuse, Personality ...

Dawson-Tisdale, LMHCA

Dawson Tisdale LMHCA
He/Him

Location: In Office and Virtual/Online

Ages: Individual Adults, Teens, Children (11 and up)

Specializes in: Anxiety, Depression, LGBTQIA+, Neurodivergence, ASD, Substance Use, Developmental Disorders, Male Issues, Life Transitions, Interpersonal Relationship Challenges, Personality Disorders, Adjustment ...

Ryan Lock, LSWAIC

Ryan Lock LSWAIC
They/Them

Location: In Office and Virtual/Online

Ages: Individual Adults

Specializes in: Anxiety, Depression, Trauma/PTSD, LGBTQIA+, QTBIPOC

Language(s): English

"This time is your space to discuss, deconstruct, decompress, ...

Lois Yue Stolee, PsyD

Lois Yue Stolee PsyD
She/Her

Location: In Office and Virtual/Online

Ages: Individual Adults

Specializes in: Anxiety, Depression, Adjustment Disorders, Asian American Racial Identity, Faith Based Struggles, Relationship Issues

Language(s): English, Conversational Cantonese and Mandarin ...

Branwyn Pierpoint, Licensed Social Work Associate

Branwyn Pierpoint LICSWA
She/Her

Location: In Person and Virtual/Online

Ages: Children, Teens, Young Adults

Specializes in:  Anxiety, ADHD, ASD, Emotional Outbursts, Impulsivity, Behavioral Concerns, Play Therapy, Sensory Issues

Language(s): English

"I approach each therapeutic relationship with a spirit of unconditional ...

Baylee Ray Blanton, LMHCA

Baylee Ray Blanton LMHCA
She/Her

Location: In Office and Virtual/Online

Ages: Individual Adults

Specializes in: Anxiety, Depression, Neurodivergence, ADHD, ASD, Trauma/PTSD, LGBTQIA+, OCD, Grief, Sexual Health and Wellness, BPD

Language(s): English

"

Sydney Fone, LSWAIC

Sydney Fone LSWAIC
She/Her

Location: Virtual/Online

Ages: Individual Adults, Children, Teens and Parents

Specializes in: Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, ASD, Trauma/PTSD, LGBTQIA+, Parent/Child Relationship Building, CBT

Language(s): English

"

Courtney Rainer, LICSW

Courtney Rainer
She/Her

Location: In Office and Virtual/Online

Ages: Teens, Adults

Specializes in: Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, LGBTQIA+, Bipolar Disorder, Gender Dysphoria, Body Dysmorphia, Peer/Social Issues, Family Issues  

Language(s): English

 

Kim Burrow, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

Kim Burrow LICSW
She/Her

Location: In Office and Virtual/Online

Ages: Individual Adults & Teens

Specializes in: Trauma, Neurodivergence, ASD, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions, Grief & Loss, Adjustment Disorders, LGBTQ+, Gender Identity, BPD, Bipolar, Schizophrenia

Language(s): English

What Would Your Life Look Like if You Got the Help and Support You Need?

You don't have to do this alone. You can schedule online now, send us an email, or give us a call. We look forward to hearing from you. We provide online counseling to the state of Washington and in-person counseling to Federal Way, Tacoma, Kent, Des Moines, and the surrounding area.

Getting an appointment is fast and easy!
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