Intro:
I have always had a love for the process of therapy, mental health and wellness practices including mind-body techniques. I have incorporated these passions as an occupational therapist in the inpatient mental health and school settings and as a counseling intern in community mental health. Therapy can provide a supportive environment for each individual to reflect on their needs, goals, and strengths along with the challenges that are impacting their quality of life and growth. I look forward to working with clients in the process of letting go of ineffective thoughts and behaviors, learning new strategies to enhance their relationship with themselves and with others, and create greater feelings of authenticity and empowerment.
I work with a Humanistic, strength-based therapeutic lens that supports individuals as the experts in their own lives with the innate ability to discover the solutions to their own life challenges. I believe that mindfulness approaches enhance one’s insight and problem solving, and that a holistic perspective on mental health incorporates attention to one’s body to best support overall wellness. Every person is a story of their own making and being an engaged listener to each client’s narrative is a privilege.
Experience:
Becoming a counselor is a natural second career for me after working for 20 years as a mental health occupational therapist, including 15 years on the inpatient psychiatric units at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. During this time, I provided individual and group treatment approaches addressing stress and anger management, communication, and functional life skills, as well as completed training and leading group treatment in DBT- Dialectic Behavior Therapy.
While serving in the Seattle Public Schools for 10 years, I worked with students across all grade levels in special education, increasing my knowledge and developing sensory interventions with young people experiencing neurodiversity. My recent counseling internship at Sound in Seattle validated my lifelong goal of becoming a counselor. I worked individually with clients as they effectively utilized personal strategies to manage symptoms of depression, trauma, substance use, grief and the challenges of culturally navigating as a neurodiverse, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individual in our society.
Education
- Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University
- Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California
- Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of California, Los Angeles
Certification
- Comprehensive Program in Sensory Integration
- Initial Educational Staff Associate Certification
- Certified Autism Spectrum Specialist
Availability and Location
- Monday & Thursday 12-5pm (In-person)
- Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 12-5pm (Telehealth)
Insurances Accepted
- Aetna
- Ambetter
- Anthem
- Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- First Choice Health/Kaiser PPO
- Lifewise
- Moda
- Premera
- Providence
- Regence
Clientele
- Ages 18+
Modalities
- Humanistic, Person Centered Therapy
- Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
- Feminist Therapy
- Narrative Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Sensory/Somatic Therapy
Areas of Focus
- Anxiety and Depression
- Trauma and PTSD
- Life Span Transitions
- Multicultural and Gender based Challenges
- Neurodiversity
- Wellness Life Style
Take Action – Make an Appointment
call now (206-636-1982)
I was struggling with my anxiety and depression and I wasn’t sure what to do. After searching all over Seattle I finally came across Seattle Wellness Center. Their staff was warm, welcoming and accommodating to my needs. I could not thank them enough for everything they have done.
Mary Jackson