Tracy Henderson
Counseling
MA | LMHCA | CCTP
206-228-5753
Therapy in Seattle, WA
My services include individual therapy, couples counseling, and coaching in Seattle, WA.
I offer therapy for men and teens who are experiencing depression, emotional challenges, or relationship issues with their friends or parents, wife or partner, with their son or daughter, among social circles, or work related issues creating abnormal stress professionally.
Therapy for men and teens carries a stigma and there are many false narratives that I am inspired to breakdown in an effort to empower males of all ages to feel safe being vulnerable with others, speaking their truth with courage, and becoming confident in who they are.
For couples counseling, I provide support navigating the ebbs and flows in relationships as well as the difficult challenges associated with infidelity and cheating, while also working with couples to identify the repeating patterns that lead to relationship problems. We work together to strengthen your foundation by offering tools and strategies to effectively communicate, manage conflict, and connect emotionally.
I also understand that relationships can become overwhelming and we can get lost in understanding "Why am I still in this marriage?" Therefore I offer a process called Discernment Counseling for couples who are considering divorce.
I am passionate about couples therapy and supporting both partners in their effort to have fun and find enjoyment in their relationship.
I provide coaching for individuals who want to develop the mental muscle to achieve a particular goal in their life or develop the habits to overcome obstacles.
If you feel challenged by a current situation and you’re not sure how to move forward then let's talk. We’ll discuss what's going on for you and develop an approach that’s specific to both you and the individual needs of the situation.
Contact Me Today
206-228-5753
Emotional Intelligence
Each of us are unique individuals who express ourselves in very different ways. There is not a right way to be, but rather there are emotional signs and behaviors that we project to others which tend to communicate we need and want help.
Individual therapy and couples counseling can benefit tremendously by understanding the impact our own emotional heritage has and the personal relationship each of us have with our own feelings.
"How do you feel about feelings?"
For males, of all ages, experiencing and expressing feelings and emotions can be an uncomfortable experience. Commonly, men and teens restrict emotions, project anger and aggression towards others, or adopt isolating routines. On other occasions, men and teens also tend to mask their discomfort through a "stoic" demeanor. Eventually, physical signs and internal discomfort begin to surface and provide additional emotional clues.
In a relationship both individuals bring an emotional heritage with them that infiltrates the relationship at some point. Most couples find themselves rehearsing the same perpetual disagreement over and over until emotions run high and the conversation and behavior eventually goes sideways. By that point, both partners often find themselves flooded, exhausted, and overwhelmed by the threat of another argument as well as they feel unsafe sharing their feelings. Escalated arguments, distancing from one-another, and shutting down are common signs that one or both partners are hurting emotionally.
Examples of dysfunction in your life from restricting the expression and communication of feelings and emotions may include:
- Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness towards others
- Anxiety in common social situations
- Obsessive thinking or unwillingness to compromise with others
- Compulsive behavior that interferes with work, family, or social situations
- Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Unable to concentrate, feel restless, or on edge
- Abnormal stress from work or ongoing commitments
- Excessive use of alcohol or drugs to help cope
- Engaging in unusual high-risk activities
- Ongoing sadness or hopelessness
- Feeling unusually flat for an extended period of time
- Trouble feeling positive
- Regular headaches, digestive issues, or unusual aches & pain
- Isolating one self from family and friends
If you find yourself, or someone close to you is experiencing one or several of the examples above for an extended period of time then let's talk.
Contact Me Today
206-228-5753
Counseling for Men in Seattle, WA
Let's talk about the F-word....Feelings. A part of you wants to go there but you also know that men are supposed to be strong. You have learned that you are definitely not suppose to talk about your feelings. Yet, because you are not talking about how you feel, you stuff these feelings down. You do not ask for what you need, so your feelings tend to be more reactionary. Therapy for men in Seattle can help!
I provide support and counseling for men who want to open up and develop the skills to enable emotional flexibility and emotional intelligence. These tools enable men to find a balance, manage their emotions, and interact with others in a healthy way.
Emotions and feelings can be overwhelming and flooding. As a man, a husband, or a father you have been influenced by cultural norms, social pressures, and a "guy code" that instills a distorted belief that sharing feelings lessens your masculinity. You may have experienced first-hand the messaging "don't be soft" or "toughen up." Over the years, you may have been told "stop feeling that way." The results from exposure to one or many of these experiences may lead to a number of sideways behaviors, ultimately impacting your relationships and personal health.
Common dysfunctions for men include:
Anger
Stress
Anxiety
Isolation
Depression
Withdrawal
Shutting Down
I strongly believe that men benefit tremendously from developing a solid social and emotional foundation. The advantage from learning how to recognize, manage, and communicate our feelings and emotions has lifetime benefits. It's never to late to start! In addition, it is essential for fathers to model, develop, and nurture both emotional and social skills with their sons and daughters as they mature into adulthood.
If you feel challenged by a current situation and you’re not sure how to move forward then let's talk. We’ll discuss what's going on for you and develop an approach that’s specific to both you and the overall needs of the situation.
Contact Me Today
206-228-5753
Counseling for Teens in Seattle, WA
If there’s one constant in this world, it’s that things always change. Change is hard for a lot of us…especially when you’re navigating your way toward adulthood.
My clients are full of questions like: Who am I? How am I supposed to act? I don’t know what I should be? Or some feel lost and they don’t fit in… and some say they’re not good enough and nobody listens to them or loves them.
Whether it’s about a specific traumatic change like divorce, finding ways to understand your emotions, or learning how to build better communication between you and your parents, or maybe it’s just about figuring out who you really are, where you want to go and how to get there.
Either way, you deserve and will get the same respect of any adult that walks through my door. I am an ally, mentor, and resource to my young clients. I offer - no BS, straight talk and “real” listening.
If you feel challenged by a current situation and you’re not sure how to move forward then let's talk. We’ll discuss what's going on for you and develop an approach that’s specific to both you and the overall needs of the situation.
Contact Me Today
206-228-5753
Couples Counseling in Seattle, WA
I work with couples as a resource. By this, I mean I provide support untangling a recent complicated situation that may have occurred or digging in and sorting out longstanding differences that have built up. I offer support and guidance in re-visiting conversations that may have never taken place.
I offer pro-active strategies using emotion based therapies such as Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to prepare and strengthen your relationship for short-term and long-term transitions.
For many couples, there are conversations that never took place and should have. The stages of a relationship speed up and these critical conversations never happened. Years can pass and both partners feel embarrassed, carry personal shame that now it's too late to talk about these sensitive topics, or both partners have built up a stock pile of resentment that has distanced them too far apart to feel safe talking with each other.
Commonly, couples struggle with communication involving sensitive topics such as infertility, intimacy, or addiction. Couples also tend to fight over money, chores, or small things such as the thermostat. Furthermore, couples find themselves repeating the same argument over and over.
Examples of relationship problems that I commonly support in couples counseling include:
- pre-marital anxiety
- marriage stress
- a child
- a second child
- working through an infidelity
- career change
- balancing a business
- going back to school
- loss of connection as kids have grown up and moved on
- managing a busy household
- long term care of a family member
- loss of a loved one
I believe commitment to another human is a practice that requires our attention, intention, and constant effort. If you feel challenged by a current situation and you’re not sure how to move forward then let's talk. We’ll discuss what's going on for both of you and develop an approach that addresses your individual needs , as well as, the overall needs of the relationship.
Contact Me Today
206-228-5753
Infidelity and Cheating in Seattle, WA
Navigating infidelity and cheating in a relationship can be extremely stigmatizing and traumatic for both partners. Discovering a partner has stepped outside of the relationship can be an emotional flooding experience. Disclosing to your partner that you have stepped outside of the relationship can be an emotional flooding experience.
Both partners are hurting
Both partners are in pain
Both partners need support
I offer support for both partners.
For those that have discovered their partner has stepped outside of the relationship it might feel like the life has been sucked out of you and the current image of the relationship has abruptly been smashed into a million pieces. Like a mirror being dropped on a hard surface. Cracks emerge and pieces of what was are scattered everywhere. Your emotions and feelings may feel like you're on an extreme roller coaster.
"How could they do that to me?"
"Were they living a secret life?"
"What about the kids?"
For those that have disclosed they have stepped outside of the relationship it might be one of the most overwhelming conversations you've had to have. A disbelief may have washed over you.
"How did I let this happen?"
"How did it go so far?"
"I am not that person?"
For many couples, this may be one of the most challenging experiences to navigate together. The stages of healing and recovery from infidelity and cheating will take time. One partner will want the process to speed up while the other partner deserves however long it takes to process these critical conversations and build an understanding. What both partners need is support to navigate the process both individually and together.
Recovering and healing from infidelity and cheating is a process of healing, building understanding, and developing what relationship 2.0 could look like. While the process is not easy, it is possible to heal, recover, and thrive together. The process does require patience, nurturing, communication, effort, and tremendous courage and vulnerability from both partners.
If infidelity and cheating has taken place in your relationship and you’re not sure how to move forward then let's talk. We’ll discuss what's going on for both of you and develop an approach that addresses your individual needs , as well as, the overall needs of the relationship.
Contact Me Today
206-228-5753
Discernment Counseling
In Seattle, WA
Are you considering divorce but not sure what to do?
Are You:
Emotionally exhausted and "gone?"
"Out" but can't decide to leave because of the kids?
Starving for "hope" that the relationship can work?
"One foot in and one foot out" but can't decide if you're ready?
Fighting to "save" the marriage but your partner has "checked out."
Angry that your partner is not working hard enough to save the relationship?
Discernment Counseling offers an excellent opportunity for partners who are considering divorce but want to work together with a neutral party in a safe environment to discuss what is going on in the relationship and decide if there is hope to save the marriage.
Discernment Counseling is NOT couples counseling rather it is short term, focused, and intended to help both partners come to a decision on what the next steps should include.
The goals of Discernment counseling:
1. Clarity
2. Confidence
3. A Decision
When couples take part in Discernment Counseling they find clarity about how the relationship has evolved, what each partner is experiencing, and how each partner has contributed to the current state. Both partners walk away with confidence that the decision they have agreed to is mutual and going forward they have a plan.
Contact Me Today
206-228-5753
- Coaching in Seattle, WAAs a husband, father, small business owner, competitor I understand the challenges that go along with organizing your life to meet a goal of crossing a finish line. I also understand the commitment and sacrifices that are made to balance responsibilities at home, go back to school, train for an event, coach youth sports, travel for work, remain connected with friends/family and prepare for both the physical and mental challenges that lie ahead when the starting gun goes off.I work with individuals from all backgrounds to develop the mental muscle, that is equally as important, as the physical aspect of training and preparation.
Considering all the roles we experience in our daily routines, the balancing act can become overwhelming.
You may be dealing with overwhelming feelings, feel "stuck" in your current role at work, or experience on and off again stress from balancing work, family, school, social circles, family expectations, or training for an event. An injury may have set you back and you are feeling guilty that you cannot workout.
Together we will develop an appropriate plan to support you along your journey.
My role is to be a resource that enables you to fully enjoy the life experience you aim to accomplish and achieve the goals you set for yourself!
Contact Me Today
206-228-5753
Therapy
I treat each person as a unique individual deserving of respect, understanding, and fairness. As a couple you are both individuals, as well as, partners. I believe in a collaborative holistic approach. We will universally review the full context of what is happening in your life, as well as, the relationship and direct family. As relevant or needed, I also incorporate secondary family members, friends, and other wellness providers.
To do this, I incorporate strength, emotion, and values-based therapeutic models.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing.
- Gottman Method
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
These models are made-up of evidence-based treatments which have been found to be highly effective working with individuals and couples.
“I am not what happened to me,
I am what I choose to become.”
C.G. Jung
Bio
About
As a young boy I had no clue about my emotions and I let them run free. In hindsight, I have realized that I was out of touch with myself. I thought yelling, becoming frustrated, and throwing stuff was “normal” until friends and family members repeatedly scolded me or asked me if I was okay?
I didn’t like to be scolded and I especially didn’t want to be considered “not okay.” From those experiences I began a journey of shutting down my emotions, masking them, or only revealing them when I was completely alone.
While I constantly tried to control my behavior, on unfortunate occasions, my bubble would burst and friends or family would witness the ugly in me come out.
As an adult, I have realized that I was not unique in terms of being a young boy experiencing big emotions and trying to find ways to ask for help. While I did have big emotions that were exhibited in uncomfortable ways I was not “bad” nor was I “broken.”
Unfortunately, over time I did learn the hard way about how emotions and feelings can impact your life and relationships in unhealthy ways. All facets of my relationships, I.e., professional, friends, family, and romantic relationships, were impacted. Which is what led me to seek knowledge, find support, and learn to embrace my emotions and feelings as an adult male in a healthy way.
The road from shutting down my feelings, expressing explosive unhealthy displays of emotions, and keeping my feelings silenced to a more healthy approach of managing emotions and expressing my feelings along with sharing them has been a long journey in self-exploration, education, and practice. A lot of practice….
It has also been a giant leap of faith, in terms of building my courage, to stand in front of others and express myself, and allow myself to be vulnerable. Opening up, asking for help, and communicating what I need has fostered deep and meaningful relationships that I could have never imagined, especially with my wife and children.
Experience & Education
- MA in Counseling Psychology, Bastyr University 2014
- MS in Information Management, University of Washington 2008
- BA from The Evergreen State College, Olympia 1997
- The Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Fremont, WA.
- Renton Area Youth and Family Services (RAYS) Renton, WA.
- Foster High School in Tukwila, WA
- Secondary Learning Center in Renton, WA
- The Gottman Institute
- The Doherty Relationship Institute
- Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
- Contact
Lake Union
(Westlake Ave)
Online Therapy
If you are interested in online therapy as an option please get in touch with Tracy to discuss the process, risks, limitations, scheduling, etc.
Cost
Rate
Coaching session | $50 for 30 minute session
Individual Counseling session | $125
Couples Counseling session | $150
Discernment Counseling session | $200 for 90 minute session
I believe therapy should be accessible to everyone. Don't let cost stop you from calling. Please contact me for more information regarding flexible billing.
Payment
Cash, check, or credit including Health Savings Accounts.
Insurance
Please note: I do not accept insurance, but I can provide you with a receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement as an Out of Network provider. I will not bill, or make submissions for reimbursement to your health insurance provider.
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