If you’ve been feeling exhausted, unmotivated, or emotionally drained, you might be wondering whether you’re experiencing burnout vs depression. While these experiences can feel similar, they are not the same, and understanding the difference can help you get the right kind of support. At Steffen Counseling Services, we often help clients navigate burnout and depression, […]
Burnout vs Depression: How to Tell the Difference Read More »
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
Commitment to Clarity: Understanding Why We Require a Diagnosis for Insurance Therapy Read More »
Starting therapy can feel like a big step, and it is completely normal to have a mix of emotions before your first therapy session. Many people wonder what will actually happen in that appointment and whether they need to prepare anything in advance. The short answer is: you do not need to have everything figured
What to Expect in Your First Therapy Session (Intake Session Guide) Read More »
Many people come to therapy wondering how to heal shame and feel more at ease with themselves. Shame is one of the most powerful, and often most hidden, emotions we experience. It can shape how we see ourselves, how we relate to others, and how safe we feel in our own bodies. In therapy, working
A Therapist’s Toolkit: Practical Tips on How to Heal Shame Read More »
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
June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the resilience, diversity, and contributions of LGBTQIA+ communities in Seattle and beyond. It is also an opportunity to highlight the importance of accessible, affirming mental health care for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Seattle has a vibrant and diverse LGBTQIA+ community, yet many folx still face challenges that impact emotional
Pride Month and Mental Health: LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy in Seattle Read More »
When you’re living with depression, chronic illness, pain, or disability, everyday tasks can feel overwhelming or even impossible. That’s where daily living hacks can help. These small adaptations and alternatives are designed to make hygiene, eating, cleaning, and connection more manageable when your energy, motivation, or capacity is limited. There is no single correct way
Gentle Daily Living Hacks for Depression, Chronic Illness, and More Read More »
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
How to Cope With Complex Feelings About Mother’s Day Read More »
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
Mental Health Awareness Month: Why It Matters and How to Access Support Read More »
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
Emotional and Relational Spring Cleaning: Letting Go After Seattle’s Gray Winter Read More »
