Welcome!

Seeking a therapist can feel like an overwhelming process. I hope to ease that search and make it a little more comfortable by answering questions and concerns that you may have. I would love to chat over the phone or in our first appointment and ensure that you feel like you know what to expect from me and how I approach the process.

Are you looking for help with your marriage or a personal life issue, or do you want to work through the pain of past hurts or the grief of a significant loss? Or maybe you are simply seeking to tackle goals that have remained out of reach? Counseling provides the opportunity and support for healthy change, personal growth and healing. I strongly believe that you are the expert on your life and I therefore take a collaborative approach to counseling. Together we will identify specific areas in your life you would like to explore and understand, and then create a plan to work towards positive, lasting change. I will also help you build skills to manage your current stress and better handle future challenges.

I work from an integrated and holistic cognitive-behavioral perspective, along with eclectically incorporating other approaches as appropriate. I also have additional training and experience incorporating (as appropriate) integration of Christian faith, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and PREPARE/ENRICH premarital and marriage assessment.

I have worked with a diverse variety of clients struggling with many different kinds of complicated issues, helping each to establish a stronger sense of self-esteem and confidence in their ability to cope with and create change in whatever obstacles they face. I also bring an ability to uniquely connect with each individual and their experiences, having worked in various setting including multiple community mental health agencies, private practice, and churches, as well as having previous experience in various other career paths. One consistent thread is the joy of seeing people experience healing and growth.

As a Christian, I have a passion for providing spiritually-integrated counseling and believe this to be of great benefit. However, as a therapist trained to appropriately and effectively include the spiritual dimension in the therapy process, I am careful not to impose my values. Rather, I assist clients in exploring their own values and beliefs, and support them in their journey towards living more authentically in light of these. I am respectful of all faiths and worldviews and enjoy working with those both similar and different from myself.

Some insurance billing is available. I may also provide documentation for out-of-network claims. Upon request, I offer a sliding scale fee schedule.

For additional information, visit my Psychology Today profile at:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/joel-a-swan-olympia-wa/392577