Stacie Townsend

Our life story is how we understand ourselves and make meaning of the world, but it can often feel like we have lost our voice and other people are authoring the narrative. I like to think of life as a rough draft still in process, and we all have the power to find our voice and change the narrative—we just sometimes need a little guidance to do that. My role is to partner with you as you seek your truth and write the next chapters in your story, because you are the hero of your own story and your story isn’t finished yet. I also believe that relationship and connection are the heart of our life story, and that an effective relationship between therapist and client is built on collaboration, listening to hear and understand, honesty, and trust. I use kindness, creativity, humor, and genuineness to create a restorative, culturally sensitive, safe, and inclusive space that encourages authenticity and acceptance where all are welcome. I also believe in the healing power of integrating mind, body, and spirit with evidence-based therapeutic techniques, and incorporate holistic practices into my approach.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate, both in the state of WA. I graduated with an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy with a Clinical Mental Health emphasis from Touro University Worldwide. I also hold an MFA in Nonfiction Writing from Goddard College and a Bachelor of Arts in English & Communications with a Fine Arts minor from Washington State University. I worked in community behavioral health for five years, but my experience in multiple roles throughout life, including mom, wife, teacher, writer, artist, singer, actor, bartender, and cat owner all add perspective to my approach.

I work with individuals, couples, and families with various issues, including grief/bereavement, infertility/pregnancy/post-partum/pregnancy loss, religious trauma/deconstruction, older adults/challenges related to aging, adult ADHD, end of life/hospice, tribal and cultural related issues, life and career transitions, relationship/marriage/divorce challenges, pre-marriage counseling, depression, and anxiety. I have a systemic perspective that is person-centered, trauma-informed, strengths-based, and client-directed. Some theories that inform my integrative approach include Narrative Therapy, Adlerian Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, DBT, Somatic Therapy, Attachment and Interpersonal Neurobiology, Internal Family Systems, and The Gottman Method.