Ara Christensen, LMFT
425-610-8676
You are the sky. Everything else is just weather.
~Pema Chodron
A Little Bit About Me…
When you come to therapy you are asked to share intimate details about yourself and your life. It is my job to help you to feel safe and supported in sharing such information. Part of the way I go about doing this is by letting you know you also have the right to know a little bit about me. You have the right to know what makes me a good choice for joining you on your therapeutic journey.
Education: I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Psychology. I also hold a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. Both of these degrees were attained at Regis University. I have completed EMDR basic and advanced training.
Credentials: I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Colorado (MFT.0001759), and A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Washington (LF 61123107).
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I invite you to keep reading as I’ve shared a little bit about my experience below.
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My Experience
My life journey has encouraged me to develop the skill of empathy. I decided at a young age I wanted to utilize this empathy to join with and support others. I started as a peer counselor, volunteered along the way, became a relational trainer in corporate America, and finally became a therapist. I opened a private practice, that I still operate, beginning in November of 2016.
I have been a generalist and therefore have worked with, and am qualified to work with, people from many walks of life. Although this is true, I do specialize as well. People seeking trauma recovery, relief from issues regarding dependence or codependency, and those that have a desire to positively shift maladaptive relational patterns are a best fit for me. Whatever your walk of life, I aspire to connect with, hold space, and invite relief for your struggles.
While you’re waiting….
Here’s what you can expect
Yes, therapy is about sharing. You can expect a safe space for whatever you may be feeling or experiencing.  When a therapeutic relationship can offer validation, positive regard, healthy structure, and resources for your life’s experiences the benefits of therapy are many. Let’s explore a few examples…
The Benefit of Therapy
A few examples
Trauma Therapy
Trauma is an uninvited guest. At first it exists outside of us, and then it begins to exist inside of us. It starts to become intense anxiety, maybe it becomes an internal bully, or even many fractionated parts. At first we learn to survive trauma, and once we've managed to do this we have to learn how to recover from trauma. Therapies that help the recovery process are those that discover the trauma that you carry around with you on the inside. Therapy endeavors to welcome all of you to a safe place where your fears and your parts can find rest and relief.
Individual Therapy
This is all about you…what you think, how you feel, and what you want. The therapeutic relationship gives you a space to know your world as only you know it; to explore and grieve what is not working; to heal old wounds; and to discover your new way forward.
Couples Therapy
In couples work we find out there is a repeated pattern of interaction we engage in with each other. You may even be aware that your past has something to do with this pattern. If you'd like to learn more and discover what corrective experience feels like check out couples work.
Family Therapy
Families are groups of people that experience some of the most binding and the most polarizing events. Families have the power to bind us together and tear us apart. Family is precious, and therapy seeks to preserve the ties that bind.
You Have The Right To Receive A “Good Faith Estimate” Explaining How Much Your Medical Care Will Cost
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items or services.
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You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services.
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Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
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If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of the Good Faith Estimate.