other North therapists
Bio for Elizabeth Clark Stern, MA LMHC
Elizabeth Clark Stern, MA LMHC
15849 35th Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98155
phone: (206) 720-1500
fax:
email: Inquiry@elizabethclarkstern.com
License, Certification, or Registration:
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Client Population:
individual adult, couples, families, adolescents, children, workshops
Appointments:
Monday through Friday daytime and evening appointments
Payment Options:
sliding scale $60-$90; payment due at time of service. Provider with First Choice, Uniform, and will provide client with statement for billing other insurance companies out-of-network
Therapy Styles:
I see the therapeutic relationship as a dynamic collaboration between the client and myself. My style is interactive and here-now, bringing in perceptions from exchanges right in the session. I utilize my years of experience not only as a clinician but as a human being, honoring the deep inner wisdom I believe all of us possess, even in times of depression, anxiety, longing, denial, or despair. I work from this place within myself, forming an alliance with the client's deep inner self. I follow your story with curiosity, inquiry, and compassion, to find images and symbols that give us clues about your path to wholeness. I give you feedback, and allow a place for healing emotional expression to occur. Your "inner guide" serves as the navigator that determines the pace and course of the work. I see my role as your "first mate", or trusted counselor, who follows your path closely, combining empathy with challege. For lasting healing to occur,we must both have the courage and trust to go deep into often sensitive parts of the inner self. I draw on the techniques and philosophy of Carl Jung to bring forth with you all of the parts of yourself, including the ones that may be blocking your growth and actualization in the world. This dialogue, from your inner "wise" or "navigational" self, and the other parts or inner personalities (the "lost child", the "dark mother, the "critical parent", etc) can happen through natural discussion , or you may choose to incorporate active imagination, a tool for dialoging with your inner parts. This can also extend to dream work, where the dream image provides us with information that can be amplified in role play, visual art,sand tray, writing, or a gentle process of inquiry. In work with couples and families, I honor the integrity and inner life of all parties, helping everyone in the room find the place of true self and deepest attachment. While this often involves conflict and the expression of strong emotion, the goal of the work is to move beyond rigid roles, blame, shame, and retribution, to a place of mutual respect, compassion, and self-informed love.
Areas of Expertise:
I believe each of us has access to an inborn creative process that seeks wholeness, personal integrity, and positive action in the world. I am particularly effective with individuals, couples, parents, and young people who desire to break through self defeating or debilitating behaviors, conflicts and emotions to nurture a unique, non self-critical personal self. Becoming the person you are meant to be, and building healthy, joyous relationships with others. I use intuitive skills to follow the complex dynamics of your story, and form a collaboration with your creative healing process, using active listening, and when appropriate, other interactive methods. This collaboration has the power to transform such difficulties as depression/bi-polar, anxiety, eating issues, relationship conflicts, divorce, major life transitions and losses, parenting struggles, low self worth, and the after-effects of neglect, abuse, trauma and alcoholic families. I have 15 years experience as a counselor, in addition to 20 years in teaching, writing, and the arts.
Other information:
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My approach is both practical- using some techniques of cognitive behavioral theory, and highly imaginal, using Jungian concepts of the Collective Unconscious, such as archetypes and dream images. These are not contradictory, for the work incorporates changes in perception in the inner life, as well as changes in the outer world. I have done a gret deal of teaching in my career, and incorporate education when necessary, for example, guidance to a young parent in approaching their children with mutual respect, love, and setting limits. I love my work and embrace diversity --of ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, writers and artists, engineers and auto mechanics. The scope, breadth, and imaginitive expression of human life stories holds for me an unquenchable fascination. Further information on my website www.elizabethclarkstern.com |
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