Couples Therapy

Two hands making a heart with a sunset centered in the middle

Creating Your Relationship Vision: A Guide for Couples, Friends, and ENM Relationships

A lot of people enter relationships with good intentions but very little structure. That can lead to misunderstandings, repeated conflict, and a vague sense that something important is missing. Creating a relationship vision can help you name what you want, how you want to treat each other, and what kind of connection you are trying […]

Creating Your Relationship Vision: A Guide for Couples, Friends, and ENM Relationships Read More »

Emerson

Meet Emerson: Your Attachment-Focused Therapist in Seattle

We’re excited to welcome Jessica Emerson, LMHCA back to Steffen Counseling Services! Emerson first joined our practice as a clinical intern, and we’re thrilled to celebrate her return as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA). If you’re looking for an attachment-focused therapist in Seattle, Emerson is currently accepting new clients for in-person therapy in

Meet Emerson: Your Attachment-Focused Therapist in Seattle Read More »

Captivating view of Seattle skyline and Puget Sound with cloudy sky and lush greenery in the foreground.

Best Questions to Ask During a Therapy Consultation: Guide to Help You Find the Right Therapist

Starting therapy is a meaningful step, and a consultation is an opportunity to see whether a therapist feels like the right fit. However, getting started can be the biggest hurdle—often because many people don’t know what questions to ask during a therapy consultation. At Steffen Counseling Services, we encourage new clients to use this first conversation

Best Questions to Ask During a Therapy Consultation: Guide to Help You Find the Right Therapist Read More »

A couple silhouetted by the sunset

Understanding Compulsory Sexuality: Why It Matters for Your Mental Health and Relationships

Compulsory sexuality is the often-unspoken belief that everyone is supposed to experience sexual attraction, desire, and interest in sex—and that these experiences should look a certain way. While this assumption is deeply embedded in many cultures, it can be harmful, especially for individuals whose experiences fall outside these expectations. At Steffen Counseling Services, we specialize

Understanding Compulsory Sexuality: Why It Matters for Your Mental Health and Relationships Read More »

Three polyamorous partners holding hands

Opening a Relationship: How to Know If You’re Doing It for the Right Reasons

Polyamory and consensual non-monogamy (CNM) are becoming more visible and more widely discussed, but visibility doesn’t always come with clarity. Many couples are curious about opening their relationship, yet not all motivations set them up for success. Understanding why you want to explore polyamory is one of the most important steps in determining whether it

Opening a Relationship: How to Know If You’re Doing It for the Right Reasons Read More »

Hand holding a Juneteenth flag

Honoring Juneteenth: Mental Health, Reflection, and Collective Healing

Juneteenth, observed on June 19th, marks the end of slavery in the United States and is a day that honors freedom, resilience, and Black history. While it is often celebrated with community, culture, and joy, it can also be a time of reflection and complex emotions. At our therapy practice, we view Juneteenth as an opportunity

Honoring Juneteenth: Mental Health, Reflection, and Collective Healing Read More »

A blurred hand raching for a flower

Sex and Sensory Issues: How Sensory Sensitivities Affect Intimacy

Sex is often talked about as something that should feel natural, pleasurable, and connecting. But for many people, sensory experiences during sex—like touch, sound, smell, or even visual input—can feel overwhelming, uncomfortable, or distracting. If that’s true for you, you’re not alone, and there’s nothing “wrong” with you. At Steffen Counseling Services, we often work

Sex and Sensory Issues: How Sensory Sensitivities Affect Intimacy Read More »

An engaged couple sharing a kiss

The Complete Guide to Premarital Counseling: Costs, What to Expect, and How to Get Started

Getting married is one of life’s biggest transitions. While it’s often filled with excitement and anticipation, it can also bring up important conversations about communication, finances, family dynamics, and long-term goals. Premarital counseling offers a supportive space to explore these topics and build a strong foundation for your relationship. In this guide, we’ll walk through

The Complete Guide to Premarital Counseling: Costs, What to Expect, and How to Get Started Read More »

A pregnant woman walking hand in hand with her young child through a grassy field

Prenatal and Perinatal Mental Health: What to Know, What’s Normal, and When to Seek Support

Pregnancy and the postpartum period are often framed as a time of joy and connection. For many people, parts of this are true. At the same time, this season can also bring emotional strain, unexpected distress, and a sense of disorientation. If that’s been your experience, you’re not alone. Prenatal and perinatal mental health concerns

Prenatal and Perinatal Mental Health: What to Know, What’s Normal, and When to Seek Support Read More »