Find a Therapist in La Center, WA

My approach to helping people is rooted in warmth, empathy, and a deep commitment to personal growth, shaped by both my family life and nearly two decades as a licensed marriage and family therapist. Drawing inspiration from my loved ones, the arts, and nature, I strive to create a nurturing and safe environment where clients can heal and build resilience. I specialize in attachment and relationship-focused therapy, utilizing evidence-based modalities and the PACE model (playfulness, acceptance, curiosity, empathy), as well as integrating innovative practices like psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. My collaborative style empowers individuals to overcome trauma, grief, anxiety, and relationship challenges, honoring each client’s unique strengths and journey. I am dedicated to supporting you with compassion and positivity as you embark on your path toward healing and transformation.

You may be someone who feels deeply and reflects carefully about the world around you. On the outside, you may appear capable and composed while internally feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in survival mode. Many of my clients identify as highly sensitive, emotionally perceptive, or "deep feelers" seeking a trauma-informed therapy experience that honors depth, reflection, nervous system awareness, and authentic connection. Maybe you've been carrying something for a long time—grief that hasn't fully moved, emotional pain that still catches in your chest, or a quiet sense of being "too much" or "not enough," depending on the day. You may have tried to think your way through it, talk it out, or push it down—but your body still remembers. I'm Laurel, and I work with deep feelers, survivors, and sensitive, introspective adults who want to better understand themselves and the patterns they've learned to carry. In our work together, we'll slow things down and become curious about what's happening beneath the surface—your emotions, nervous system responses, relationships, and protective patterns. My approach is integrative, trauma-informed, somatic, and relational. Rather than asking you to push past your responses, we'll listen to them. Together, we'll explore how your experiences have shaped your internal landscape and create space for greater self-understanding, connection, and trust in yourself. For clients who are drawn to spirituality or intuition, there is also space to explore these experiences with curiosity, discernment, and care. If you're navigating trauma, grief, relationship challenges, anxiety, burnout, or major life transitions—and are looking for something deeper than traditional talk therapy—I invite you to reach out. I provide virtual therapy for adults throughout California and Washington.

Life brings moments of anxiety, sadness, anger, and grief — experiences that can leave you feeling unsteady or unsure of yourself. I don’t view these emotions as signs that something is wrong with you. Instead, I see them as part of being human and as meaningful openings to understand yourself more deeply. In our work, we slow down, meet your experience with gentleness, and explore it with mindfulness, compassion, and curiosity. I support adults in midlife and beyond who want a healthier, more grounded relationship with their emotions and who feel drawn to exploring meaning through Buddhist‑informed perspectives. My approach is also shaped by Gestalt Therapy, which emphasizes present‑moment awareness, authentic contact, and understanding how your patterns of thinking, feeling, and relating show up in the here and now. Together, we look at the emotional and cognitive habits that may be keeping you stuck. Rather than trying to “fix” who you are, we focus on cultivating steadier, more productive ways of thinking while deepening your capacity to relate to your emotions with compassion and clarity. This process can help you feel more connected to yourself, more grounded in your choices, and more able to navigate life’s transitions with intention. Therapy with me is collaborative and shaped by your goals, honoring your lived experience and the unique ways you’ve learned to move through the world. I walk alongside you as you make sense of what life has brought you and cultivate a more spacious, steady way of being. If this approach resonates, I welcome you to reach out.

There is a way to find acceptance within yourself and from the people around you. There is a way to effectively manage your thoughts, feelings, and actions, and to believe in yourself again. I know there is a way because I have seen my clients achieve these goals in therapy, and I have experienced it myself. I have over a decade of experience treating individuals with intense emotion dysregulation. I work with people struggling with suicidal ideation, rapid mood swings, panic attacks, social isolation, identity disturbances, uncontrollable anger, or other extreme reactions, so they can regain control over their lives, repair their relationships, and reconnect with the world. You don't have to suffer alone.

(712015 Update: My practice is currently full. I AM CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW INTERNS.) Counseling, and the counseling relationship, can create a safe forum for deep and lasting change. For the last 20 years I've enjoyed working with a diverse population, primarily individuals, and find that people who are motivated to understand themselves better and apply the tools learned in our work together have the greatest chance to empower real change in their lives. Most people come into my office frustrated by persistent patterns that they tried to change, often through years of therapy, and to no avail. Self-criticism, fearfulness, procrastination, self-doubt, loneliness, insomnia, panic, conflictual relationships, etc. Some of these problems may seem to develop slowly over time, and some problems come about from recent loss or trauma. Most of us only skim the surface of what we know about ourselves and our inner resources, especially with regard to our capacity for emotional healing. I hold an integrated perspective about human growth and healing that takes into consideration social, biological, and cultural influences that may be out of balance. My approach is ultimately tailored to a particular person's issues and needs, though I hold great respect for time spent exploring internal thoughts and reactions, untangling inner conflicts and releasing a greater capacity for calmness, contentedness, clarity and balance. These resources are in every one of us.

I help adults navigate a variety of challenges, including life transitions, career concerns, financial difficulties, relationship concerns, depression, and anxiety. My work blends practical guidance with education and problem-solving. I embrace a collaborative approach to therapy. We partner together to gain insight into your unwanted emotional, behavioral, and relationship patterns. That knowledge helps us develop strategies that get you unstuck, so you can move forward with your life. I serve as a caring, confidential partner who helps you privately address your concerns. Your goals guide the process from the beginning. Our work together can help you build your strengths and resources, enabling you to find long-lasting and effective solutions.

Olivia Ramey has a Master of Arts in counseling from Western Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts in sociology, including minors in Spanish and student ministry, from Geneva College. With 10 years of experience working in church ministry and nonprofit youth ministry, Olivia enjoys counseling individuals of all ages, particularly young adults and older teens, as well as couples. She has experience in sitting with those facing life transitions, spiritual abuse, trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and loss. Olivia operates in a simple person-centered fashion, incorporating elements of parts work, internal family systems, emotionally focused therapy, and narrative therapy. She has also completed Level 2 of the Gottman Method couples therapy. She cares deeply about relationships and sitting with others weathering the ups and downs of singleness, friendship, dating, marriage, and family relationships. Olivia counts it a privilege to collaborate with and encourage others in the deep, healing work of counseling. She seeks to create an environment of warmth, safety, and even fun. A self-identified “friendly introvert,” Olivia enjoys being active outdoors, cooking a good meal to share, and having quiet mornings at home.

I love relationships, connection, and the feeling you get when you are able to truly connect with others. This passion has driven me to form a practice where I specialize in working with individuals, couples, and families on relationship issues. If you are struggling in your marriage, wanting more connection with others, or finding yourself constantly arguing with loved ones, I can help. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, specializing in couples and relationships. I have completed Level One Gottman Method Couples Therapy and an Externship in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. I have 13 years of experience working in multiple settings including private practice, out-patient substance abuse clinics, schools, and various centers. I provide a free 20 minute phone consultation for us to get to know one another, discuss your current concerns, and make sure we are the best fit for one another. Feel free to call to get your free 20 minute consultation today.

I provide therapy that will help you develop skills, face challenges, and build on your strengths to make life changes. This includes brief therapy to help you get unstuck and assertiveness training to help you listen and be heard, love and be loved. I can help you strengthen your communication skills, improve your connections with others, and strengthen your boundaries. I can help you free yourself from addictive and compulsive behaviors such as alcohol abuse, compulsive shopping, compulsive sexuality, emotional eating, obsessive self-doubt, and rumination. I can help you work through the difficulties of grief, abuse, loss, accidents, illness, and life transitions. I can help release you from unhealthy patterns of anxiety, anger, and depression, and heal you of the emotional reactivity that wounds those you love and destroys relationships. I have experience with Prolonged Exposure therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Somatic Experiencing, and ego-state therapies that promote mindbody awareness using movement, breath, and visualization, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Jungian Active Imagination, and Kundaline Yoga therapy.

I have been counseling individuals and couples for over 25 years. Marriage and Couples Counseling: communication, infidelity, parenting, empty-nesting, enhancing trust and intimacy, etc. Compulsive Sexual Behavior: a personalized roadmap for lasting sobriety, exploration of origins, your struggle and the consequences, etc. Individual Counseling: post-divorce, grief and loss, codependency, anger-management, trauma resolution, work and career challenges, etc. Let's make this a turning point after which negative cycles and patterns become a thing of the past. Please take a moment to explore my website and learn more about my fees, hours and the individual and couples counseling services that I provide in-person and virtually for Oregon residents.