What Happens in Counseling?

Does the idea of going to couples counseling make you wonder, "Will I be blamed?" "Will I have to defend myself?" "Will I have to open up my life story?" The answer to these and many similar questions is, no. Effective therapy isn’t about blame, judgment and endless talking.

Doing the work of therapy is about feeling comfortable enough to talk at your pace, about what you want and need. This is a chance to share your truth as you are ready. More than just talking, I can help you understand the anxious and difficult thoughts and feelings that are so challenging to have and together we can figure out what it is you want to move forward in your life and relationships. If you come in as a couple, we will restructure your relationship to work for both of you.

“You have made such a huge impact in my life and my relationships. I am in such a better place than I was a year ago. I have more support around me, quality friendships, and hope for my future. Thank you for giving me the right amount of support and challenge that I needed to improve my life.”

-A.M., Bellevue

Schedule a session risk free and see what counseling can be like. We won’t just chat, we’ll dig and talk about what is possible. If you do not believe that we are a good fit, there will be no charge for the session.

Types of Counseling we offer:

Couples Counseling or Marriage Counseling

When you and your partner are stuck in a pattern of fighting and/or creating distance and tired of riding the roller coaster in your relationship; when you still believe you want to be with your partner, but are feeling alone in that relationship and unsure what to do, create the love and security you want. Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy is proven to work.

Pre Marriage Counseling

Before getting married, learn to spot the roots of the negative cycle that can grow between partners. Together we will restructure the negative cycle into a positive one that creates strength and love.

Individual Counseling for your Relationship

When your relationship is too challenging to face alone, and your partner will not come to counseling with you. You can still find support to figure out what you want in the relationship.

Individual counseling for depression, PTSD, Trauma, Anxiety

When you feel alone and overwhelmed with illness, grief, loss, decisions, family, parenting, children or emotions, receive the support you need to get through to the other side of happy. When you are fighting depression, suffering from PTSD, and anxiety or have had something traumatic happen, there is hope. I work using traditional therapeutic methods as well as more cutting edge therapies such as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and Lifespan Integration Therapy, both powerful methods for dealing with emotions and getting yourself unstuck and feeling the relief you seek.

Parenthood in Transition

Life can toss many types of transitions our way that can impact how we feel about ourselves and who we are as a parent. Separation, Divorce, death, illness, job changes as well as dealing with developmental issues in our children or ourselves, all can be places where we get stuck. Often our self esteem takes a hit too. Working with a blend of parent coaching and therapy, I can help your get back into a positive parenthood role and on track to taking care of yourself and moving life forward. Learn more about Parenthood in Transition at Leah's website.

Parenthood Coaching

If you have children, "couplehood" includes being partners and being parents. Has the parenting role become challenging? Alignment between parents strengthens the child's world and allows them to feel more secure to explore, learn and grow. Create a parenting partnership, parent based on your values and a build a secure base for your children to be healthy and happy, as well as yourself. Love and Logic is one of the tools we use to get you there.

Play Therapy

Children have fewer coping skills and less control over their environment. They are less able to verbalize emotional problems and consequently do not know how to show their distress. It can come out in indirect ways such as poor behavior. Play Therapy with Leah Koenig offers your child the opportunity to identify, discuss and understand the emotions that create their internal distress.

Family Counseling

Families have more dynamics than couples that can create challenge and stress. If your family is facing a crisis, if your family feels disconnected, if major changes are making if challenging to function as a family, join together to face the challenge while staying close and even becoming closer.

Divorce Counseling

If you have decided to divorce, the relationship is not automatically over, particularly and especially if you have children. Divorce counseling is about a way to dissolve the formal spousal relationship and create a new relationship to work together as parents.

Family Mediation

Sometimes therapy is not really what you need. Maybe you just need help working through an issue with a third party to guide you. Relationship mediation through Collaborative Couples & Family Counseling can offer a better solution.

Mental Skills Training for Athletes

There are nine, specific mental skills that contribute to success in sports. These nine are all learned skills and therefore can be improved with instruction and practice. As a long time athlete and coach, I am now offering my counseling and therapeutic skills using the models developed at the Ohio Center for Sport Psychology to work with competitive and recreational athletes of all ages and ability levels. I can help you learn and sharpen these skills and increase your performance potential. Emotional Freedom Technique, EFT, can also give you a performance edge.

In Each Session

You have a chance to sit with a non-judgmental person who is interested in understanding your experiences and viewpoints, not labeling or looking for where you are wrong. We may look at ideas or models then compare and contrast them to your situation. Different viewpoints or ideas may arise in a place where you can safely try them on or reality test them. We'll look at surface emotions and where they come from and see what deeper emotions might be driving your thoughts and actions.

The status and context of your relationships also are important to think about, as you look for change. In this way, issues such as depression, addiction, guilt, shame, PTSD, infidelity, loss of intimacy, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, anxiety, life transitions, and more, can all be addressed.

You are the hero in your own journey. Schedule a risk free appointment and together we'll collaborate to find the deeper meanings, understand the thoughts and feelings inside you that want to be expressed and then support your journey toward reaching your higher goals.

To find our more about any of our services, email us or call 425-417-4700. Or click here to schedule a risk free appointment today.