Welcome

I invite you to discover your innate connection to your truth and peace in the present.

​

I offer supportive psychotherapy for individual adults and couples who are struggling with challenging life issues, counseling for people ready to release patterns of suffering and reflection for those who wish to deeply know and make peace with themselves and others.

 

Therapy can be as much about learning to live a more conscious, aware and joyful life as it is about conflict resolution. For me, the challenge of authentically supporting another who is struggling is not about having "the answer" but rather reflecting back to the other so they may experience their difficulties and themselves in a new way. By listening carefully and providing a non-judgmental and safe atmosphere, I work to nurture my client's curiosity to go within and discover a greater perspective and acceptance of themselves and their situation. In this way one can discover one's own inner wisdom and a capacity of freedom even amidst the suffering.

​

How may we effectively respond to our suffering? Albert Einstein asserted that "we cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them." Similarly, the barriers which the mind has created will not be dissolved by more mental comprehension. It is not the challenges we experience which cause us suffering but rather how we think about them. When we "feed the story" through engaging in ruminating thoughts about a past painful experience or a future fear we suffer more. 

​

How may we relate to our suffering in a new way?

​

Through shifting our way of being with our suffering and our relationship to our experience, we can transform perceived "problems" into opportunities for our discovery and growth. The practice of mindfully "tuning in" to and anchoring in our present moment experience of the body is the practice of embodiment or Somatic Therapy - a transformative inner listening. Mindful embodied practice is a way of deeply listening and cultivating presence and connecting to our deeper truth. Carl Jung stated "what one resist persists." By facing into our difficult feelings we practice staying present and stop our habit of running away from discomfort.

Awareness and acknowledgement are the beginning of a new relationship with our patterns of conflict. This practice is simple but not easy. When we can release our unconscious personal identification with our suffering and quietly allow space to listen we have an opportunity to deeply know ourselves. By cultivating a spacious and patient willingness to face into our core suffering rather than denying it, a greater empowerment and confidence is developed.

Acceptance, gratitude, and open curiosity form a foundation to relate more effectively with our self and others. As one learns to let go of and accept those aspects of life which are not in one’s control, a greater degree of freedom, relaxation and peace can emerge.

​

I applaud you as you courageously step toward your healing and I look forward to journeying alongside you.

Sincerely,

Nathan

 

​

“When I face my suffering, my vulnerability opens me to the depths

of a nameless compassion for everything.” - Mark Nepo

 

ABOUT ME:

​

I am a licensed mental health counselor in Washington state (#LH60858641). I have lived in Seattle for over 20 years and I am the father of two beautiful children. My perspective is largely informed through valuing my relationships as a vehicle of learning and growth. As a father and husband the process of learning to love and to listen has long been my passion.  I received my Masters of Psychology degree from Seattle University in 2009 and have counseling experience in a variety of settings including Harborview's inpatient psychiatry units, crisis phone lines, and Seattle public schools.

    

My counseling employs and is informed by:

​

• Mindfulness meditation

• Somatic (Body-Centered) Therapy

• Existential Therapy

• Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Non-violent Communication Skills

• Ecotherapy

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

• Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

• Compassionate perspective of suffering from Buddhist philosophy

​