brittany

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A Therapist’s Toolkit: How Attachment Patterns Show Up in Relationships

Attachment patterns can shape the way we connect, communicate, and respond to closeness in relationships. For many people, these patterns show up most clearly in moments of stress, uncertainty, or vulnerability; when the nervous system is doing its best to protect connection. At Steffen Counseling Services, we often look at attachment not as a fixed […]

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Understanding the Different Types of Intimacy: Physical, Emotional, Sexual, and More

Intimacy is often misunderstood as something purely physical or sexual, but in reality, it’s much broader and more meaningful. Understanding the different types of intimacy can help individuals and couples build stronger, more fulfilling relationships. At Steffen Counseling Services, we often work with clients who want deeper connection but aren’t sure what’s missing. The answer

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Meet Hunter Hansen: Your Kink and Poly-Affirming Therapist in Seattle

We’re thrilled to welcome Hunter Hansen (Her/Him) to our practice as our newest clinical intern! Hunter brings an affirming, relational, and creative approach to therapy. She has a special focus on polyamory, ethical non-monogamy (ENM), kink, LGBTQIA+ identities, neurodivergence, and nontraditional relationship structures. As a creative arts therapist, Hunter helps clients explore who they are

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Sex Therapy in Seattle: How to Find the Right Therapist for Your Needs

Searching for sex therapy in Seattle can feel overwhelming, especially if you are dealing with shame, anxiety, pain, frustration, or relationship tension. The good news is that Seattle has a strong community of therapists who specialize in sexual health, intimacy, and relationship concerns. If you are looking for help with sexual concerns, it helps to

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How to Cope With Complex Feelings About Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is often portrayed as a time of gratitude, celebration, and connection. For many, it can be a meaningful opportunity to honor a loving relationship. But for others, Mother’s Day brings up something far more complicated, grief, ambivalence, resentment, longing, or even relief. If you’ve been wondering how to cope with complex feelings about

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Mental Health Awareness Month: Why It Matters and How to Access Support

Mental Health Awareness Month, observed each May, is a national reminder of the importance of emotional wellbeing, access to therapy, and reducing stigma around mental health care. While awareness has grown in recent years, many people still face barriers to finding affordable, affirming, and effective support. At Steffen Counseling Services (SCS), we view Mental Health

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Common Relationship Patterns in Couples: Why You Keep Having the Same Fight

If you’ve ever thought, “Why do we keep having the same argument over and over?” you’re not alone. Many couples find themselves stuck in repetitive relationship patterns that feel impossible to break. In therapy, we often call these interactional patterns: predictable ways partners respond to each other under stress. These relationship patterns in couples are usually

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Emotional and Relational Spring Cleaning: Letting Go After Seattle’s Gray Winter

If you live in Seattle, you know how long winters can feel. Short days, gray skies, and a steady drizzle that makes staying inside (and in your head) a little too easy. By the time the city finally starts to green up again, many people are carrying an emotional residue that no one warned them

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Autism Acceptance Month: Supporting Neurodiversity in Individuals, Couples, and Families

Each April, Autism Awareness Month invites us to pause and reflect on how we understand and support individuals on the autism spectrum. In recent years, there has been an important shift from simply raising awareness to genuine acceptance. This shift matters. Awareness acknowledges that autism exists, acceptance asks us to respond with respect, curiosity, and

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