Anxiety is a Signal, Not a Flaw.
Specialized therapy for anxiety, panic disorder, and overwhelming worry. Whether your fear is personal, societal, or rooted in your past, we use an integrative approach to help you navigate life with more ease and agency.
You Are Not “Broken.” You Are Responding.
Anxiety is often misunderstood as a personal failing or an irrational fear. But for many of us, anxiety is a rational response to an uncertain world—or a survival mechanism that got stuck in the "on" position.
Whether you are grappling with panic attacks triggered by social situations, deep climate anxiety about the future, overwhelming financial stress, or the constant worry of parenting in a complex world, your experience is valid. You might feel like your mind won't shut off, that something terrible is always on the horizon, or that you can't breathe.
At Pacific Pines Counseling, we don't just try to "turn off" the alarm. We explore what the anxiety is trying to tell you, and we build a toolkit of evidence-based strategies to help you regulate your nervous system and reclaim your life.
A Spectrum of Worry
We work with individuals experiencing a wide range of anxiety presentations, including but not limited to:
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Frequent panic attacks, racing thoughts, and persistent worry that interferes with daily functioning.
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Fear of judgment in social settings, public speaking, or workplace interactions.
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The intense, often isolating fear of making the wrong decisions for your children or navigating a complex world on their behalf.
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Deep distress about environmental destruction, future uncertainty, and feeling helpless in the face of global crises.
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Persistent worry about money stability, job security, or physical health symptoms.
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Anxiety driven by social media comparison, Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO), cyberbullying, and the pressure to be "always on."
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Questions about purpose, meaning, and navigating identity in a shifting cultural landscape.
One Therapy Tool Does Not Fit All Anxiety.
Anxiety is complex because it lives in the mind, the body, our relationships, and our values. Pacific Pines Counseling doesn't use a single method; we blend modalities to fit your unique experience.
❋ ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy)For when worry feels like a battle you can't win. We learn to make room for uncomfortable feelings without letting them run the show, helping you move toward what truly matters to you—even while anxious.
❋ Somatic & Gestalt ApproachesBecause anxiety lives in the body. We use grounding techniques, breath-work, and movement to regulate a hijacked nervous system (fight/flight/freeze) so you can feel safe enough to think clearly again.
❋ Narrative TherapyTo separate you from the anxiety. Instead of "I am an anxious person," we see it as "Anxiety is trying to protect me, but now I need to take back control." We rewrite the story from victimhood to resilience.
❋ Motivational InterviewingTo help you find the intrinsic motivation to make changes when fear has paralyzed your ability to act.
❋ CBT & REBT (Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy)To challenge the cognitive distortions that fuel panic ("What if...?") and replace "musts" with flexible thinking. We look at the evidence behind your fears to see where they are rational and where they are amplified.
❋ Attachment Theory & Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT)For those whose anxiety stems from early relationship dynamics or fear of abandonment. We explore how your history shapes your current fears and use the therapeutic relationship itself as a healing experience.
❋ Ecofeminist & Person-Centered LensWe acknowledge that for many (especially women and marginalized communities), anxiety is tied to systemic oppression or environmental injustice. We validate these feelings as legitimate responses to real-world conditions, not just internal pathologies.
Specialized Support for Anxious Minds & Hearts
You feel like you're living in a constant state of "what if" or dread.
Your heart races, your chest tightens, or you experience panic attacks that leave you feeling helpless.
You find yourself doom-scrolling, ruminating on past mistakes, or worrying about things outside your control (climate, economy, politics).
You feel isolated in your anxiety, like no one else understands the depth of your fear.
Previous therapy felt too "talk-heavy" and didn't help you calm your body's physical reactions.
This path is designed for you if:
About Your Therapist
I know that anxiety can make the world feel like it's spinning out of control. It can make you question your sanity or feel like you're failing at life. My approach is rooted in unconditional positive regard: you are accepted exactly as you are, right now, with all your worries intact.
As a clinician trained in ACT, CBT, Somatic, and Relational-Cultural Therapy, I bring a flexible toolkit to our work together. Whether you need the structure of cognitive reframing, the grounding of somatic regulation, or the deep relational healing of attachment work, we will tailor our path to what your nervous system needs most.
I also hold an ecofeminist perspective, recognizing that for many, anxiety is a rational response to a world in crisis. I won't dismiss your fears about the future; instead, I help you find ways to live with those fears without letting them paralyze you. My goal is not to make you "anxiety-free" (because life has hard parts), but to give you the tools to move through the fear with courage and clarity.
Ready to Take Back Your Life from Worry?
Anxiety doesn’t have to dictate your days or rob you of joy. With the right support, you can learn to quiet the noise, regulate your nervous system, and live a life aligned with your values.
We serve clients in Tacoma, Bellevue, Gig Harbor, Bellingham, Olympia, and throughout Washington State (virtual options available).