Jennifer Luxton / The Seattle Times

 

By Michelle Baruchman 

#SeattleTimes #MentalHealthProject engagement editor

The #MentalHealthProject is a #SeattleTimes initiative focused on covering mental and #behavioralhealthissues. It is funded by Ballmer Group, a national organization focused on economic mobility for #children and families. The #SeattleTimes maintains editorial control over work produced by this team.

Finding a therapist can be hard.

Where do you look? What do you do if you don’t have insurance? And how can you trust that someone understands your identity and background?

#Washington, like other states nationwide, is facing a crisis in providing #mentalhealthcare: a surge in demand amid the #COVID-19 #pandemic, compounded by a staggering shortage of clinicians, all as preexisting problems continue to rage.

If you’re among those who have had trouble finding #mentalhealthcare, The #SeattleTimes #MentalHealthProject is offering an opportunity to learn tips for navigating the system, directly from four local #mentalhealthproviders. Join us for an hourlong conversation over Zoom at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16. To register for the free online event, please visit st.news/AccessEvent.

The #SeattleTimes has also compiled a list of resources for directories of therapists, specifically those who specialize in serving #LGBTQ people and #peopleofcolor. There are also tips on asking questions to determine whether a therapist serves your needs, and links to other organizations and groups providing communal support.

Many therapists and #mentalhealthprofessionals are willing to offer free consultation sessions, reduced rates for clients in need and referrals to other trusted providers.

#JamesDonaldson notes:

Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.

Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.

Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle

The panelists for the Feb. 16 event are:

Courtesy of Ash Choi

Ash Choi is a #mentalhealththerapist and consultant who works with people ages 11 years and up in their Seattle-based private practice. They specialize in gender identity development, the spectrum of food and body issues, and often, the intersection of gender dysphoria and food and body issues. Ash’s theoretical orientations are primarily influenced by relational and psychodynamic #psychology. They approach their work through a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive lens, acknowledging and addressing the ways in which intersectional systems of oppression affect the lives and livelihoods of marginalized groups.

Courtesy of Lesli Desai

Lesli Desai is a licensed independent clinical social worker in West #Seattle with a focus on reproductive #mentalhealth, from preconception, infertility and pregnancy to pregnancy loss and the transition to parenthood, including nontraditional paths such as adoption, donor gametes, and child-free not-by-choice. In 2021, she attained the perinatal #mentalhealth certificate, becoming roughly the 40th clinician in the state of #Washington with the credential, and currently co-facilitates several perinatal-focused groups in the Greater #Seattle area. Before private practice, Lesli was a founding clinician at Swedish Medical Center’s outpatient maternal #mentalhealthprogram and perinatal partial hospitalization program.

Courtesy of Geralyn Peterson

Geralyn Peterson is a master’s level therapist with an emphasis on child, couples and family therapy, and specialties in #child and geriatric #mentalhealth. She also has experience in #mentalhealth emergency and crisis work. With over 20 years’ experience, she works in Puyallup for Umbrella Counseling and Wellness providing cognitive-behavioral, narrative and family systems therapy; groups in parenting, #depression and #anxiety management; as well as supervision. She is the author of “The Up and Up on Parenting: Reframing our Children’s Mistakes as Teaching Moments.” 

Courtesy of Gregory Whiting

Gregory Whiting is a clinical social worker, equity and inclusion consultant, and experienced educator. He is the director of equity and inclusion for Food Lifeline, a food bank serving Western #Washington. He has independent clinical licensure in the states of California and #Washington. Gregory’s clinical social work has enabled him to serve the complex needs of a variety of #KingCounty residents such as people experiencing #homelessness, #youth in #schools, incarcerated people and medical #patients with complex treatment needs.

Do you have a question for the #mentalhealthproviders that you think the event’s audience would benefit from? Ask us in the form below, and we may ask it at the event.
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8865