our team at the tumwater wing

 My name is Dan and I am a fully licensed Mental Health Counselor. I grew up in Olympia and returned here after completing my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Bastyr University. I am a husband and father of two young children. 
I believe in a holistic approach when working with individuals; I believe it is imperative to consider the mind, body, and spirit when working towards wellness. I have worked in inpatient and intensive outpatient settings and have navigated many degrees of mental health and diagnostic presentations.
I utilize tools from CBT and ACT to support individuals in finding, building, and maintaining meaning in their actions and lives. I believe we all could use some support in facing the many challenges presented throughout our lives. I encourage those I work with to step into a willingness to experience these hardships for that is where the growth can happen. 
I strongly believe in utilizing the tools that one already comes equipped with. I explore with my clients how they can use their hobbies, relationships, interests to support their recovery in mental health. As a gamer and bit of a geek myself, I often look to the characters and stories people engage with to find role models or examples of values that can help guide meaning making.
I operate from a transdiagnostic approach to counseling, meaning I use a tool kit that works under a large number of conditions. I have experience with anxiety, depression, PTSD, psychosis, and other conditions. I work with teens (16+) and adults, but am open to other arrangements upon discussion. 
I am currently providing hybrid services, with remote and in-person availability. 

 Hi! My name is Amelia, and I’d first like to say that I know that asking for help, for yourself or a family member, can feel overwhelming so I want to acknowledge, celebrate and thank you for taking that first huge step!

Over the last 9 years, I have worked with individuals and families confronting many different, all-too-prevalent challenges including depression, anxiety and stress, autism spectrum disorders and ADHD, history of trauma and abuse, substance use concerns, family conflict and grief and loss, to name a few. I've worked with 2 years olds through 52 year olds across a multitude of settings from outpatient care, to residential treatment, from school-based, to in-home, and in the community.

I obtained a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California where I fell madly in love with the thought of a world where no one ever needs to feel alone. I am a fully licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in CA and conduct duties as a clinical supervisor. Since moving to Lacey two months ago from Los Angeles, I have become a fully Licensed Mental Health Counselor in this most beautiful state of WA as well.

I am undeniably excited about the work I do because I'm able to learn about the lives of the most incredible people! Getting to know and appreciate an individual’s story, however tormented, however complex, however restricted, however raw, is what truly drives me in this work and helping uncover unique, beautiful potential is the most rewarding of passions. The person-centered perspective I hold means that I will meet you where you are at. You are a human facing an obstacle, be it large or small, and together we can figure out a way over, around or through. The existential approach that I also employ means that I understand the power (and likewise the pressure and weight) of finding meaning and having purpose. I so look forward to getting to know you, and helping you know yourself. I will boost you from within, from that deep part of you that is uniquely you, by connecting you to it so that you and I can solve problems together, leaning on the strengths and resilience that are only yours. Lastly, I have a very strong love of life and have not lost the joy in finding fun that children perpetually have, that adults can often lose sight of. I use humor a lot in my work, so that we can, together, enjoy the hard work that therapy asks of us.

 I have a Masters in Science in Mental Health Counseling from Prescott College in Prescott, Arizona. I completed my clinical internship at Behavioral Health Resources - Children, Youth and Family Division in Olympia WA. 

I was born and raised in Olympia by a union nurse and a community college math teacher. I worked for many years as a caregiver, supporting elders and people with disabilities and bring a disability justice and anti-oppression lens to the work I do with clients. 

I serve adults and young people experiencing different life stressors, personal challenges, and health concerns.  Whatever you bring to session, I meet you with unconditional positive regard to support you in building the life you want.  In addition to other competencies, I have experience with depression, anxiety, Bipolar I & II, and PTSD.

My name is Lahela (she/her). I am a mother to two boys (one

neurodivergent and one neurotypical). We have been in Olympia since 2014 and love the Pacific Northwest!

 I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. My parents are both Italian and I grew up speaking Italian in the home. I have lived in Europe and across the United States. I have a master’s degree in French Language, another in French Literature, and taught foreign language in higher education for many years. I have also worked for local non-profits supporting education and the neurodivergent community. Across all my jobs, I have loved listening to, supporting, and helping others learn

and grow. Currently, I am in my final year as a master’s student in Counseling at Saint Martin’s

University. I have taken several trainings focused on neurodivergence specifically, autism and ADHD.

I am grateful and excited to begin my internship at Northwest Therapy Group. Previously, I

completed by Practicum at Northwest Therapy Group under the tutelage of Dione Laguana.

I love and value therapy because it offers a safe, open, and non-judgmental space where we

can learn to explore and nurture self-expression, self-discovery, self-acceptance, and healing so

we can engage life more authentically and meaningfully. It is an honor and privilege to

accompany an individual on that journey.

I resonate with psychodynamic, existential, person-centered, strength-based therapy, trauma-

informed perspectives, and the following modalities among others: Internal family systems

(IFS), DBT, expressive arts, narrative, and somatic. I am interested in the areas of anxiety,

depression, neurodivergence, and relationship issues, and trauma.

I enjoy spending time with friends and family, taking walks, walking our dogs, reading, painting,

singing, playing guitar, being in nature, learning new things, and practicing yoga.

Completed Certifications/Trainings:

 Becoming a Neurodivergent-Informed Clinician: Understanding ADHD and Autism

through a Strengths-Based, Neurodivergent-Affirming Lens, Instructor: B Lourenco, MA,

LMHC, Cascadia Training, from 4/12/2023 – 5/17/2023.

 Trauma-focused CBT, Medical University of South Carolina, 10/17/2022.

 Autism from The Inside Out, Instructor: Kiernan Rose, The Autistic Advocate U.K.,

11/4/2022—12/16/2022.

 The Do’s and Don’ts of Therapy with Neurodivergent Clients: A trauma informed

approach to Neurodiversity, Instructor: Nyck Walsh MA, LPC, Nyck Walsh Counseling and

Training Center, 11/30/22.

 Neurodiversity Play Therapy Training, Instructor: Robert Jason Grant Ed.D, LPC, RPT-S,

10/31/2022.