Licensed Professional Counselor in Seattle, WA
Wendy E. Smith, MA, LMHC | Licensed Professional Counselor photo
Wendy E. Smith, MA, LMHC
Helping You Become...
Emotion Focused, Mindfulness-Based and Existential Therapy
Location
18 W Mercer St, Ste 360   
SeattleWA 98119
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Practice Information
I have discovered that I work somewhat differently with different people; this is probably because each client is different and has different problems, strengths, needs and goals, and because, in each case, a unique relationship develops between me and the client. In all cases, I place the utmost importance on deeply understanding the client’s experience and on meeting that person with empathy and respect. I believe that people contain the seeds of their own authenticity and development, and that it is the therapist’s job to help the client remove what blocks his or her natural growth.

When working with individuals, I use Emotion-Focused Therapy, existential therapy, and mindfulness-based therapy, as well as other techniques. I also pay a lot of attention to people’s histories in order to understand how their past development and experiences might be affecting their current capacity to live well in the present and imagine a future.

Finally, I sometimes use Lifespan Integration© therapy to help clients integrate bodily/emotional memories from infancy, childhood and adolescence with their adult capacities for understanding. I find Lifespan Integration to be especially helpful for healing recent trauma gently without re-traumatizing.

In couples counseling, I use Emotionally Focused Therapy to help partners deeply reconnect on the level of needs and feelings (as opposed to having that same unproductive argument over and over again). Once couples have learned to communicate in a way that is likely to get their needs met and have had help in healing breaches of trust, they generally find they can solve other problems without therapeutic help.

Main Counseling Services:

mental health counseling services (sometimes called “therapy” or “psychotherapy”) for individual adults
couples counseling for couples in conflict, couples seeking to address specific relationship problems, and couples wishing to enhance their relationships
grief counseling, trauma counseling, and treatment for people suffering from anxiety or depression, as well as for those working through identity issues, life transitions, or a variety of other problems
counseling for people adjusting to, or coming to terms with, physical disability, sensory disability, chronic illness, life-threatening illness, or terminal illness
counseling for family members of people with disabilities and/or illnesses, such as those needing help with caregiver stress
counseling for crime victims under Washington State’s Crime Victims Compensation Program.
Licenses/Certifications
 Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
License Info
LH 60390527 (Washington State)
Education
Substantial advanced training in Emotionally Focused Coupes Therapy and Emotion Focused Therapy for Individuals, 2010 to present

MA in Psychology/ Mental Health Counseling, Antioch University Seattle, 2009
Clinical Internship, Navos Mental Health Solutions, Burien, WA, 2008 - 2009

MA and MPhil in English Language and Literature, Yale University, 1991
BA in English Language and Literature, Princeton University, 1987
Bio:
Since an important ingredient of our work together will be creating a comfortable working relationship, I’d like to tell you a little bit about me as a person. I’m in my late forties, and am originally from New York. This last may account for the direct and genuine interpersonal style that caused a past supervisor of mine to remark, “You’re so deeply caring with your clients, without being…well…nice.” I like to smile and laugh, and I use and appreciate humor when working with clients. On the other hand, I have personally experienced anxiety and depression and know how difficult (and possible) it can be to live through, and transform, those experiences.

I have been visually impaired since I was a baby, but did not begin fully to appreciate the myriad meanings of that experience until my late 20’s. Over ten years ago, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, so I also know what it can be like to acquire, live with, and successfully manage, a chronic illness. I have been greatly empowered by both of these experiences.

Prior to retraining as a counselor, I worked as an English and literature instructor, as a writer, and in human services. I am committed to a variety of social justice and human rights causes, and volunteering in their service is an ongoing part of my life.
Recommendations
Payments Accepted
Cash, check, paypal, WA Crime Victims Compensation Program
Hours
M, W, TH 2 PM - 9 PM; T 10 AM - 2 PM
Cost/Session
$60 - $120
Helpful Links
Practice Areas/Issues Treated
 Therapy
 Anger Management
 Anxiety and Panic
 Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
 Bicultural Difficulties
 Caregiver Issues
 Chronic Illness
 Couples
 Depression
 Gay or Lesbian Issues
 Grief and Loss
 Life Transitions
 Loneliness
 Marriage Counseling
 Men's Issues
 Online / Teletherapy
 Relationship Issues
 Self-Esteem Issues
 Stress Management
 Trauma and PTSD
 Women's Issues
 Work and Career Issues
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Nearby Cities
  Bainbridge Island   Medina
  Bellevue   Mercer Island
  Kirkland   Rollingbay