Courtney Palmer

 

Pronouns: she/her
INDIVIDUAL & ADOLESCENT THERAPY

$170 / 50-minute session

LMHCA

I believe we all naturally strive for positive, personal growth. Our lives, however, do not always provide us with optimal conditions for that growth. We face societal oppression, family of origin issues, relational, and physical difficulties that may be working against our efforts to move in the direction of our values and life goals. As a result, we can feel anxious, depressed, or experience other forms of emotional distress.  As a therapist, I see you as the expert of your own life, in your experiences of love, loss, disappointment and success.  Therapy requires the emotional vulnerability to look at those experiences, which at times can be extremely challenging. I admire all those who choose to engage in it despite the discomfort. It is an honor to hear your life story and be part of the process of new discovery.

I primarily work with adolescents and adults who are experiencing depression, anxiety, life transitions, grief and loss, and trauma.  I also have a passion for working withwomen’s issues. If you are someone struggling with issues of purpose, meaning, and identity, we may be a good fit.

Together, we will investigate what your experiences of grief, loneliness, isolation, and anxiety may be trying to tell you about your life and where it may be possible to change these conditions. We will explore larger questions about what it means to be human, including where you find joy, love, and meaning. I believe that the therapeutic relationship encourages exploration, growth, and change. I seek to create a safe, relational space where you can feel seen, heard, and understood so that you can have the courage to look inward and discover what may be holding you back from the person you want to become.

My approach is shaped by relational psychodynamic, attachment, and somatic theories, as well as humanistic and existential phenomenological approaches to therapy. Each of these therapeutic modalities value your life experiences, the therapeutic relationship between us, as well as how you experience and hold things within your body and nervous system.  In our sessions, we will pay attention to your past and present, our relationship, and may also include breathwork, mindfulness, and light movement as ways to help ground you and settle your nervous system. I believe that our bodies hold the answers and we will pay particular attention to what yours is trying to tell us. 

I was born and raised in Michigan but have called Seattle home for the last 20 years. I worked for New Beginnings as a Domestic Violence Advocate during my time in school and am passionate about helping survivors regain their lives. I have a bachelor’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science and a master degree of psychology from Seattle University and am currently in training to become a Somatic Experiencing practitioner. I am a yoga teacher and student and credit the practice of yoga with helping change my direction in life, leading me to this work. I am also a lover of dance, and you can find me dancing to loud music in safe spaces with large groups of extraordinary people most weekends. I love connecting with people and trying new things.


INDIVIDUAL, ADOLESCENT & COUPLES THERAPY
$170 / 50-minute session
courtney@selfspaceseattle.com