Judy C. Roberts, MA, LMHC 1800 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 110   <map> Seattle, WA 98109 206-284-2744 Treatment Philosophy My belief is that most change that occurs in connection with therapy comes about through forming and experiencing a trusting, emotionally safe relationship, and in the context of that relationship increasing one's awareness of self, challenging one's old beliefs, learning new skills, establishing appropriate boundaries in relationships with others, and experiencing and letting go of old pain. My task is to assist or attempt to assist those with whom I work, in that process. The procedure I use generally involves talking about the client’s emotional experiences, past and present, that are sources of concern or anxiety. While in therapy, clients typically experience times during the process when they feel angry, frustrated, or depressed and not hopeful. These reactions are generally temporary and clients should expect that experiencing mixed feelings will be a part of the therapy process. Though there may be difficult periods in the therapy process, my intent is to work together with a client to achieve the goals he or she has identified. While the primary therapeutic technique I use is talking, clients sometimes may also find that it is helpful to supplement that with creative processes (i.e., writing, drawing, clay, etc.), and other activities that assist them to experience levels of themselves that are not as accessible through talk. I tend to be somewhat active in therapy. I ask questions, offer observations, and look for patterns in the aspects of the client’s life that are shared with me. I do, however, greatly rely on my client to set the direction for therapy as I believe that the individual client is the final expert on themselves, and I trust in their unique healing process. My style of working has been shaped by psychodynamic, developmental, systems, and behavioral theory.   Education, Training & Experience I am a Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor. My Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology was granted from Seattle Pacific College in 1968, and a Masters of Arts in Education (Counseling) from Seattle University in 1989. I am a member of the following professional organizations: American Mental Health Counselors Association and the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association.  I served as the ethics chair for both Seattle Counselors Association and the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association for over ten years and currently maintain a position of ethics consultant to the board of the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association.  I was a founding board member of the Washington State Coalition of Mental Health Professionals and Consumers, the Pro-bono Therapy Network for Sexual Abuse Survivors, and the Puget Sound Group Psychotherapy Network.  I also served on the board of the National Coalition of Mental Health Professionals and Consumers. After my graduate coursework, I completed a year internship at a mental health clinic and then worked for an additional two and a half years in the outpatient division of a community mental health center.  During this period I saw adult individual clients, families, children, and couples.  Early in my career I completed a significant number of post-graduate training hours in working with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.  I have several years experience working with adult women who have eating disorders and women who have been involved in abusive relationships.  I began my private practice work in 1989.  Over the past several years, my practice has evolved into a more general practice.  Currently I work full time seeing individual adults, couples, older adolescents and occasionally do some adjunctive family work. Since 1992, I have been teaching professional ethics & legal issues.  Currently I conduct continuing education workshops and agency in-service staff trainings for mental health clinicians, focusing on the topic of professional ethics.   Disclosure Statement & Notice of Privacy Practices    (requires Acrobat Reader)   Insurance Brochure: Why Wouldn't I Use My Insurance to Pay for My Therapy?           (requires Acrobat Reader) Intake Information Form (for new clients)  Curriculum Vitae   (requires Acrobat Reader)