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Commitment to Clarity: Understanding Why We Require a Diagnosis for Insurance Therapy

Individual Therapy, Low Cost /

When you use insurance for therapy, your therapist has to give you a mental health diagnosis and send that to your insurance company so they can decide whether to help pay for your sessions. This diagnosis for insurance therapy piece can feel uncomfortable or confusing, especially if you’re coming in for help with non-diagnosable issues […]

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Aftercare in Kink and BDSM: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Do It Well

Couples Therapy, Low Cost, Sex Therapy /

If you’re exploring kink or BDSM, you’ve probably heard the term “aftercare.” It’s often mentioned as a best practice but in reality, it’s much more than that. Aftercare is a core part of safe, consensual play, and for many people, it’s nonnegotiable. For individuals and partners experimenting with a kink, understanding aftercare is often one

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

Affordable Therapy, Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Individual Therapy, Low Cost, Our Therapists /

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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Navigating Uncertainty: How Discernment Counseling Helps Seattle Couples Decide Their Next Step

Affordable Therapy, Couples Therapy, Low Cost, Sex Therapy /

When one partner is leaning out and the other wants to work things out, traditional couples therapy often struggles to meet both partners’ needs. That’s where discernment counseling comes in; a short-term, structured approach designed specifically for Seattle-area couples who feel stuck or unsure whether to stay together or separate. At Steffen Counseling Services in

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Celebrating International Asexuality Day: Affirming Asexual and Aromantic Identities in Therapy

Individual Therapy, Sex Therapy /

April 6 is International Asexuality Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness and affirming the experiences of people who identify as asexual, aromantic, or anywhere along those spectrums. At Steffen Counseling Services, we celebrate by offering asexual affirming therapy in Seattle that honors every way of experiencing attraction and connection. Understanding the Asexual and Aromantic

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Hidden Signs of Desire: What Your Partner Wants (Beyond “More Sex”)

Couples Therapy, Sex Therapy /

Signs of desire show up in so many quiet ways before anyone says, “We should have more sex.” In fact, for a lot of couples, sex isn’t actually the problem. Instead, sex is the place where disconnection, stress, and old hurts eventually become too hard to ignore. Desire Is About More Than “Enough Sex” In

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Understanding Open Relationships, Polyamory, and Ethical Non-Monogamy: A Beginner’s Guide

Couples Therapy, Sex Therapy /

Relationships today are more diverse than ever. While many people choose monogamy, others find that different relationship structures better reflect their values, identities, and needs for connection. Terms like open relationship, polyamory, and ethical non-monogamy are appearing more often in conversations about modern relationships. For some, these relationship styles feel like a natural fit. For

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Kink‑Affirming Therapy in Seattle: Exploring Desire, Consent, and Connection

Couples Therapy, Sex Therapy /

Curiosity about kink or BDSM can be a powerful part of intimacy and self‑exploration, yet many people feel confused, ashamed, or afraid of judgment when they start to notice these interests. Our culture often sends mixed messages about sexuality, framing kink as risky or unhealthy rather than recognizing it as a valid form of expression

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Why Lube Matters: A Sex‑Therapy‑Informed Guide to Using Lubrication (and When It Helps)

Couples Therapy, Sex Therapy /

In sex therapy, one of the first topics that surprises many people is lube—short for lubrication. It might seem like a small detail, something you pick up at a drugstore or forget in a drawer. But in reality, lube can profoundly change how people experience intimacy, connection, and comfort during sexual activity. The Role of

Why Lube Matters: A Sex‑Therapy‑Informed Guide to Using Lubrication (and When It Helps) Read More »

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What If I Mess Up? How to Repair When Dating Someone With Sexual Trauma

Couples Therapy /

You’ve been dating someone with sexual trauma you care about deeply, and things were going well—until a casual touch, a certain word, or even a well-meaning question brought everything to a sudden halt. Your partner froze, pulled away, or left the room. Your heart sinks. You didn’t mean to hurt them. Now what? The moment

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