• Tracy Henderson

      Counseling

      MA, LMHCA | Counselor

      206-228-5753

    • Therapy in Seattle, WA

      My services include individual therapy and couples counseling in Seattle, WA.

       

      I provide counseling for men 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 carries a stigma and there are many false narratives that I am inspired to breakdown in an effort to empower men 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, 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 am passionate about couples therapy and supporting both partners in their effort to have fun and find enjoyment in their relationship.

       

      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

       

    • Therapy 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

      Depression

       

      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

    • 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 men of all ages experiencing and expressing feelings and emotions can be an uncomfortable experience. Commonly, men restrict emotions, project anger and aggression towards others, or adopt isolating routines. On other occasions, men 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

    • 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

       

    • 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 and values-based therapeutic models. I also utilize emotion based therapies such as Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). These models are made-up of evidence-based treatments which have been found to be highly effective working with adults 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
      • Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)

    • Contact

      South Lake Union

      (Westlake)

      Get in Touch With Tracy!

      206-228-5753

      Submit

      Laurelhurst

      (U-Village)

    • Cost

      Rate

      Individual session | $125

      Couples session | $150

       

      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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      Men's Therapy and Couples Counseling

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