Courtney Palmer
Pronouns: she/her
INDIVIDUAL & ADOLESCENT THERAPY
$90 / 50-minute session
Intern Therapist
I believe we all naturally strive for positive, personal growth. Our lives, however, do not always provide us with optimal conditions for that growth. We face societal oppression, family of origin issues, and relational difficulties that may be working against our efforts to move in the direction of our values and life goals. As a result, we can feel anxious or depressed or experience other forms of emotional distress.
I primarily work with adolescents and adults who are experiencing depression, anxiety, life transitions, grief and loss, trauma, and women’s issues. If you are someone struggling with issues of purpose, meaning, and identity, we may be a good fit.
Together, we will investigate what your experiences of grief, loneliness, isolation, and anxiety may be trying to tell you about your life and where it may be possible to change these conditions. We will explore larger questions about what it means to be human, including where you find joy, love, and meaning. I believe that the therapeutic relationship encourages exploration, growth, and change. I seek to create a safe, relational space where you can feel seen, heard, and understood so that you can have the courage to look inward and discover what may be holding you back from the person you want to become.
I see clients as the experts of their own lives. You bring an entire life story to therapy, with experiences of love, loss, disappointment, and success and experiences of both beautiful relationships and perhaps damaging situations that you are still trying to heal from. Therapy requires emotional vulnerability, which at times can be extremely challenging. I admire all those who choose to engage in it despite the discomfort. It is an honor to hear your life story and be part of the process of new discovery.
My approach is shaped by relational psychodynamic, attachment, and somatic theories, as well as humanistic and existential phenomenological approaches to therapy. Each of these therapeutic modalities value your life experiences, the therapeutic relationship and experience, as well as how you experience and hold things within your body and nervous system. In our sessions, we will pay attention to your past and present, including how you experience our relationship, and may also include breathwork, mindfulness, and light movement as ways to help ground you and settle your nervous system.
I was born and raised in Michigan but have called Seattle home for the last 20 years. I have a bachelor’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science and am a Master of Psychology Candidate at Seattle University. I am a yoga teacher and practitioner and credit the practice of yoga with helping change my direction in life, leading me to this work. I am also a lover of dance, and you can find me dancing to loud music in safe spaces with large groups of extraordinary people most weekends. I love connecting with people and trying new things.
INDIVIDUAL, ADOLESCENT & COUPLES THERAPY
$90 / 50-minute session
courtney@selfspaceseattle.com