Grow Through What You Go Through

Therapy for life’s changing seasons

Hi, I’m Courtney (she/her). I’m glad you found me.

As we journey through life, there are times when we all feel overwhelmed, stuck, or alone. My role as a therapist is to help you untangle the web of your emotions and experiences. “Messy” is welcome here as we work towards hope, healing, and connection.

I specialize in helping adults work through past traumas, grief, and times of uncertainty or transition. Together, we’ll work on tapping into your strengths to navigate life’s challenges with more grace and self-compassion.

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

— Anais Nin

My Approach

I work in a 1-on-1 setting with adults (18+) and use a trauma-informed relational approach to therapy. A relational approach means that I view our relationship as a crucial element in the therapy process—we know from research that a trusting relationship with your therapist is one of the most important elements of healing. Feeling comfortable with me as your therapist and empowered in the space I provide is a necessity in my book. However, this doesn’t mean that therapy always feels comfortable. This means that as your therapist, I will challenge you at times and work alongside of you to build community, process difficult events, and look inward in order to achieve your goals. You are the expert in your own life, and I see my role as a guide to help you access your resiliency and wisdom. My approach also encourages humor and playfulness in the therapy space.

We’ll work at the speed of trust, create a safe space together, and find your right pace for healing.

  • There is no one-size fits all in therapy, so I draw upon multiple modalities to create the treatment plan that works best for you. I am certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). However, I use it in concert with other approaches. Trauma, grief, and anxiety live in the body, so there are not always words to capture how we feel. Somatic methods help explore what we notice in our bodies and can help us tap into our experiences at a deeper level. Through sensations and movement, we can learn to feel safe again in our bodies and trust our internal wisdom. I am also informed by a method called Internal Family Systems (IFS) as well as meditative practices which encourage curiosity about different parts of ourselves and support grounding, release, and connection.

    True healing reaches beyond the therapy space. Together, we’ll find ways to draw on the strength of your community, family (however you define it), ancestors, music, art, nature, and friends for support. With my training as a social worker, I believe in the necessity of social justice as an integral part of my practice, and work continuously to decolonize my therapeutic approach. I am informed by Liberation Psychology, which challenges traditional Western-based ideas of healing that can feel pathologizing and isolating. Instead, I seek to center historically marginalized and oppressed individuals, and I look at how systemic and historical issues shape our experiences. As a white woman, I continually work to unpack how the intersections of my identity, education, and experiences show up in the therapy space and how this influences my interactions with others. Therapy is a place where you must feel comfortable to gain confidence. I am welcoming and affirming of all intersections of race, ethnicity, size, ability, faith, sexuality, and gender identities and expressions.

Focus Areas

Grief

Loss can be one of the most painful experiences we face in life. Whether it’s losing a loved one, the dissolution of a relationship or family unit, leaving a job, or moving on from a physical space you consider an integral part of yourself - grief is a natural and normal response to loss. It can also be overwhelming and isolating. If you're struggling with grief, know that you don't have to face it alone. Together, we can create a plan for you to navigate the ebbs, flows, and tidal waves that come with grief.

  • We will work to create a safe space for you to express your feelings and explore ways and rituals to honor your loss and move through this difficult time. Grief can also uncover a wave of existential questions that we can explore together, as you search for deeper meaning and purpose.

    Even though grief can be all-consuming in the moment, it won’t always feel that way. With the right support and guidance, you can find joy again, discover a sense of peace and acceptance, and learn how to hold what once felt too heavy.

Trauma

If you're struggling with the effects of trauma, especially repeated relational trauma or complex trauma, you might feel overwhelmed, disconnected from your body and mind, or like something is inherently “wrong”. You might be ashamed about seeking help, or feel like there’s no point in trying to “fix” your life after everything you’ve been through. Remember, seeking support from others is not a sign of weakness. With the right support, you can and will thrive.

  • These confusing feelings and sensations that result from trauma are normal and valid. Therapy with a trauma-informed relational approach can provide you with the tools and support you need to work through past traumas and start living a life of purpose and meaning.

    It takes courage to face the past and move forward. By taking the first step and reaching out for help, you are already showing strength and resilience. Let's work together to help you live the life you deserve.

Change

Life transitions—like going to college, moving to a new city, starting a new job, or ending a relationship—can be both exciting and daunting. Receiving life-altering news like a cancer diagnosis for yourself or a loved one can shake you to your core. Life transitions can raise many identity and existential questions as we seek to redefine how we “fit” into the space around us. While transitions come with their own unique set of challenges, they can also be catalysts for growth and self discovery.

  • You might feel overwhelmed, uncertain, “stuck”, or even powerless during these changing seasons. Therapy can help you navigate this process and gain clarity along the way. We’ll explore your emotions, work through patterns of thoughts and behaviors that might be holding you back, and develop coping strategies to help you manage stress and uncertainty.

    Together, we can work to uncover your strengths and inner resources, and help you transition to the next chapter of your life with a greater sense of purpose, confidence, and direction.

“It’s not the weight
you carry, but how
you carry it.“

—Mary Oliver

I offer a free 20-minute video consultation before booking an initial intake appointment. This is time for us to briefly talk about what brings you to therapy and mutually decide if we would be a good fit. I know finding a therapist can be a tough journey, so if I’m not the right fit for you, I am happy to provide local referrals.

My rate for sessions is $200 for a 50-minute appointment. Making therapy accessible is a social justice priority and value of mine and I recognize that my fee may be unattainable for some. I offer a limited number of reduced-rate spots which you can inquire about when you reach out for a consultation.

I am not currently in-network with any insurance companies. I can provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance company if you would like to seek reimbursement for services.  Before scheduling with me, I encourage you to call your insurance company to learn more about what out-of-network reimbursement they may offer and how their reimbursement process works. A Good Faith Estimate for services is available upon scheduling or upon request.

Fees

“The land knows you, even when you are lost.”

— Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass

I offer in-person sessions at an office in Wallingford, secure Telehealth (video calls), or in-person nature-based sessions at local Seattle parks. You are welcome to do a combination of Telehealth and in-person sessions, depending on what works best for your schedule and therapy needs. In terms of how often and how long we’ll meet for, that really depends on each person. Therapy can last for as short as a few months or continue for years, depending on a number of factors. There’s no simple answer to this, but we’ll figure it out together.

Services

  • I use a secure video platform to conduct telehealth sessions. In order for us to meet via telehealth, you must currently reside in Washington and be physically located in the state during each of our sessions. I have found that telehealth works well for those who have reliable access to the internet and a computer, have a private and quiet area where they can attend sessions without distraction and prefer the convenience of not having to travel for appointments.

  • This can either be a walk-and-talk session or finding a comfortable spot in a local Seattle park to sit while we draw on nature as inspiration for healing. Outdoor sessions tend to work best for folks who are willing to brave the elements of nature and have an appreciation for the outdoors. We will meet at a local park in NE Seattle, some of which are near bus lines, but access to reliable transportation for these meetings can be helpful.

  • I can provide gender affirming care letters in accordance with WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) standards as needed for insurance purposes. I offer this as a courtesy for ongoing clients without any extra charge outside of our session time. If you are just in need of a letter for insurance purposes and already have mental health support in place, I will also provide one-session (or two if deemed necessary) for the assessment, and write you a letter free of charge. I believe that the gatekeeping of the insurance industry for individuals to access comprehensive gender affirming care is an equity issue. One small way I can help make gender affirming care more accessible is by providing this service pro-bono. If it is difficult for us to find a mutual time that works for the session and letter, I will work with you to find other therapists who can also provide this service.

Whether we meet in person or virtually, my approach is grounded in creating a safe and supportive space where we can build a trusting relationship. Through my social work experience in hospital settings, community mental health, and oncology care, I understand the importance of holding sacred space during difficult times to process emotions and feelings. As a social worker, I am rooted in anti-oppression and social justice values, so advocacy work for marginalized communities is a core tenant of my practice.

I strive to make therapy accessible and approachable by helping you develop better coping skills and gain more insight in order to navigate difficult times with confidence and stability. I came to social work after my own experiences with grief and loss, and know how scary it is to feel alone and to face your past. Learning how to work through tough times has deepened my empathy toward others and fuels my passion for healing and social justice. 

When not providing therapy, I like to hang out with my friends and family (that includes my yellow lab, Penny), listen to music, hike, catch a gorgeous sunset, stargaze, garden, dabble in new hobbies, and enjoy a good latte. 

About Me

Education and Training: 

  • Bachelor of Arts, University of Washington

  • Master of Public Administration, University of Washington

  • Master of Social Work, Boston University

  • Certified in Trauma-focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

  • Certified in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level 1 for Trauma

  • Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker: LW61433657

I know how difficult it can be to find mental health support, so if I am not a good fit for your therapy needs or you would like additional therapy resources, here are some options:

Resources

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”

-Audre Lorde

Get in Touch

I offer a free 20-minute HIPAA compliant video consultation before booking an initial intake appointment. This is time for us to talk about what brings you to therapy, and mutually decide if we would be a good fit. Please fill out this form to get started or email me your information at:

courtney@courtneyleetherapy.com