About

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor as well as a Child Mental Health Specialist and Life Coach.  My undergraduate degree is in Art with an emphasis in Ceramics from The Evergreen State College. I received my Masters degree in Applied Behavioral Science with an emphasis on Systems Counseling from Bastyr University/LIOS.

Before becoming a therapist I was a studio potter on Vashon Island for many years.  After graduate school I was a Child and Family therapist at Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare in Lakewood WA, and then became an advocate and therapist at Dove House Advocacy Services in Port Townsend WA.  I started my private practice in Port Townsend WA in 2018.

Therapy Approach:

I am committed to helping people to empower themselves and promote their well-being by creating a nurturing and safe environment for strength-based, culturally sensitive and compassionate counseling. Together we will draw from different ways of understanding situations and different forms of collaboration to find what works best for you.  This may include traditional talk therapy as well as exploring healing through art, music, and journaling.  Other forms of therapy may include Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and the practice of mindfulness.
Therapy is a unique opportunity to learn about oneself and how to better work through struggles we all face. Whether it is responding to new experiences, navigating difficult transitions, or trying to understand and break old patterns.  All of my work is trauma-informed.  I have experience working with survivors of abuse, neglect, assault, community violence, loss, and vicarious trauma. I am nonjudgmental and open-minded.
 
Since I am a solo practitioner who can offer only limited after-hours or emergency care, I am not well positioned to treat those who are acutely suicidal or struggle with mental health concerns that require frequent out-of-session contact. If you need extensive after-hours care, contact your local Community Mental Health for services.  In Port Townsend WA contact:

Discovery Behavioral Health • (360) 385-0321 • 884 W. Park Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 • https://www.discoverybh.org

I offer Telehealth Counseling sessions online for Counseling and for Life Coaching.

What is the difference between Counseling and Life Coaching?

Counseling is for you if you are struggling and need some help and support getting through a tough time.  You are looking for support, a listening ear, and safe space to come to in addition to guidance, clarity and motivation.  I offer Online sessions through a secure HIPAA approved site for Washington State residents.

Life Coaching is for you if you are looking to level up.  My coaching clients want to see results quickly and are ready, willing and able to work independently between our sessions to maximize our process and time together.

Coaching sessions are fast-paced, typically focused on problem-solving.

Coaching is not counseling or psychotherapy in any way, so no diagnosis is made and no insurance is involved.  Online sessions available for adults in USA and abroad.

Each of us has skills, capacity, and resources in our lives that can benefit us and help move us towards our personal goals.  We may be aware of some of these assets, and unaware of others but they always exist – we wouldn’t be living, breathing people with beating hearts without them!

Patricia Bolen LMHC
Port Townsend WA
360 774-0006