Mental Health Therapy

Tending to mental health is just as important as tending to physical health. And that the two are interrelated makes it that much more important. Using a holistic, collaborative, creative, and client-centered approach, our providers offer a unique experience in therapy. Sessions can include and be a blend of evidence-based trauma and mind-body techniques, mindfulness, and expressive arts - in addition, to talk therapy.

Our team of trauma-informed therapists are all trained in EMDR therapy. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is considered by trauma experts, including the U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense and the American Psychological Association, to be a front-line treatment for PTSD. It is a type of therapy that can help people heal from overwhelming life events that contribute to chronic stress, which can lead to emotional and physical health issues. Therapy begins working immediately and can reduce trauma symptoms in as quick as a few sessions.

Services Offered:

  • Talk therapy

  • EMDR trauma & PTSD therapy

  • Somatic (body-oriented) therapy

  • Neurofeedback

  • Imago Relational therapy

  • Emotion Focused therapy

  • Complimentary Consultation

  • Couples Counseling

  • Child & Family Therapy

  • Sliding Scale Services with our Intern Therapists

Beneficial for:

  • Trauma, PTSD & complex trauma

  • Chronic pain & medical illnesses

  • Grief, loss & bereavement

  • Life transitions

  • Relationship discord (Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples and Individuals)

  • Couples Therapy (monogomous, ethical non-monogomous and polyamorous relationships)

  • Support for other helping professionals

  • Anxiety & stress

  • Depression

  • Phobias

  • Treatment for Disordered Eating

  • Addictions

  • LGBTQIA

  • Domestic Violence

  • Sexual Assault

  • Childhood Abuse Recovery

  • Inner Child/Ego State/IFS Informed Therapy

  • First Responders

  • Mindfulness and Somatic (body based) interventions

Meet Our Providers

RAQUEL RAMIREZ, LMHC

Raquel is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and EMDR Therapist who provides a container, a safe and compassionate space, to explore the areas you seek to shift or expand. Her style is warm, intuitive, authentic, compassionate, and direct. Raquel naturally uses a trauma-informed lens, and leans towards a Psychodynamic, Attachment, and Person-Centered approach to get a big picture of you and your experience. She believes we are better able to shed layers and get into deeper truths when we feel seen, safe, and heard, from a supportive non judgemental person. Bringing the unconscious to light to become empowered and capable of making the choices needed to live the life you desire. Raquel works with adult individuals and teens 15+, as well as couples.

KELIE BRYSON

KELIE BRYSON, LMHCA

Kelie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) who provides a safe and nurturing space to explore the journey of your life’s story. She uses a trauma informed lens to help those she works with build their stories into strength and resilience. Her early career of working in the medical field plus lived experience of chronic illness have cultivated a passion for her to work with populations who struggle with chronic illness, medical trauma, and navigating a new medical diagnosis. She uses a person-centered lens that focuses on human connection and utilizes techniques from Narrative, Psychodynamic, EMDR, and Solution-Focused Therapy. Kelie works with teens ages 12-18, adults, couples, and families.

BROOKE JEFFERSON

BROOKE JEFFERSON, LMHCI

Brooke is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor intern completing her master’s degree at Naropa University in Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling. She brings warmth and an authentic enthusiasm to witnessing every person as whole, just as they are.

Brooke is especially passionate about working with individuals who are navigating trauma, dissociation, eating disorders, and/or any experience of marginalization. She offers support through a client-centered lens and often modalities such as somatics, parts work, and mindfulness. For her, it’s an honor to walk alongside her clients in their wellness journey, and you can expect her to meet you wherever you are in the process with a nonjudgmental stance.

Sarah Ruhl

Sarah Ruhl, LCSW

Sarah is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in both WA and OR with 40 years of experience. She is an expert in working with Trauma using EMDR and other modalities, and can work with all ages including kids (ages 3+), teens, adults, and families. 

Sarah believes that we are all born with the ability to attach and to love, to be curious and playful and to be wired to learn and grow, as long as not much gets in the way or blocks these natural/innate processes from occurring. It’s these blocks that tend to create anxiety and depression, and they are in fact clues that something has occurred that we did not have the skills, or adequate support, guidance or protection to navigate through the challenge on our own.  

Sarah uses her training, intuition and warmth to help with creating enough safety to plot a path that is individual to you, your history and your goals. Together, through a collaborative plan, there is hope and optimism towards alleviating concerns that brought you to seek services. Sarah works together with you to regain and develop the internal skills and external resources that will help you to increase your internal self-support and emotional regulation, improve relationships, and ideally experience joy and well-being.

When not working Sarah spends time with her family and two silly cats, as well as gardening, Zumba, reading and singing to help maintain balance in her life.

Stephanie Zoeller, LMHCI

Available June 2024 - Call to book ahead!

Stephanie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Intern completing her master’s degree at Oregon State University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is deeply passionate about supporting individuals on their journey towards holistic well-being. 

Stephanie believes in the inherent resilience of each individual and works collaboratively with clients to identify their strengths and empower them to overcome life's challenges. By helping clients identify and challenge troubling beliefs and thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress, Stephanie helps encourage individuals to reframe negative thinking patterns, cultivate self-compassion, and develop healthier coping strategies.

Her goal is to promote emotional well-being and psychological resilience by equipping individuals with the tools and insights needed to navigate life's challenges with greater clarity and resilience. Stephanie is dedicated to fostering a supportive and non-judgmental therapeutic environment where clients feel free to explore their concerns and work towards meaningful change.

Stephanie has a special interest in working with the following groups: law enforcement, fire fighters, dispatchers, those in emergency medical care, attorneys, as well as family members of those in that career field.

Adults and Teens (13 and older)

Intern Therapy

At VWS we are proud to support our community by providing reduced fee services for clients seeking mental health. We offer a clinical training program for graduate-level intern therapists. As part of this program, we offer low-cost counseling with fees of $90 for Individuals and $115.00 for Couples + Family therapy.

Our Intern Therapists start at different times throughout the year, most often in January or April, and see clients during their internship for up to 10-18 months. After that time, clients can continue with their therapist once they become a VWS employee, or be transitioned to another VWS therapist to continue their care. Learn more about our Intern Therapists below!