LMHCA

Taru Barrett

Hello to you, I am happy you are here. My hope is to provide a space for you that feels safe and compassionate. I invite you to share your story with me, including the most difficult parts of it, all of you is welcome here. My hope is to be your travel companion as you are looking at the harder parts of your life and work together with you to understand your story better, in order to help you experience healing.

In my practice, I focus on deeper, lasting change as well as the importance of relationships, especially related to early attachment. My approach varies a bit depending on what is most beneficial to you. Through open communication I want to collaborate with you to find the best approach for our work together. I believe that healing happens in a relationship and my hope is to see my clients find and accept their true self, and keep moving towards authentic connection with self, others, and God. I am happy to integrate counseling with faith, if you so desire.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

I received my Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, with a Concentration in Trauma and Abuse. Before this, I received an MA in Social Sciences, majoring in Social Work and a BA in Education at the University of Jyvaskyla, Finland. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) in Washington State.

I have worked for several years as a social worker among immigrants, refugees and high school students. I also served a few years in the mission field among poverty stricken populations. As a counselor, I have experience of working with adults of all ages experiencing trauma, life transitions, anxiety, grief, depression, aging, relational and family of origin issues. I am bilingual in Finnish and English, and I have a special interest to work with immigrants as well as missionaries going through adjustment and life transitions.

AREAS OF FOCUS

  • Trauma (complex, generational, PTSD)

  • Life Transitions

  • Multicultural issues: immigration and cross-cultural adjustment

  • Family of Origin

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Self-worth

  • Shame

  • Relationships

  • Grief

  • Life Meaning and Purpose

ABOUT ME

I'm married to a wonderful husband and we have one child. As a family we love traveling to new places, hiking, and Nordic skiing. I also enjoy reading, exercising, watching a good show, having meaningful conversations, and eating a delicious meal. I was born and raised in Finland, moved to the United States in 2018 and have a very personal experience of adjusting to a new culture. My cultural background has instilled within me a love for nature, and a desire for deeply honest conversations.

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate of Washington

  • Narrative Focused Trauma Care Level II at The Allender Center

Three Steps to Start Today

STEP 1

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

STEP 2

One of our counselors will connect with you to schedule your counseling sessions.

STEP 3

Experience the joy of growth & healing.