LGBTQ+ therapists in Freeland, Washington WA

My therapeutic roots are in attachment and complex trauma, the relational wounds that shape how we move through the world and who we let close. I work with anyone navigating the layered terrain of identity and connection. For couples, I specialize in ENM and polyamorous relationships, interracial and cross-cultural partnerships, and discernment counseling for couples weighing whether to stay or go. I also work with individuals carrying complex childhood or relational trauma—the kind that doesn’t just affect how you feel, but how you attach, trust, and show up in relationships. My clients often feel caught between worlds, wanting to feel seen and understood without having to explain everything. In our work, we slow down, explore what’s happening underneath the surface, and create room for healing and growth.  

Dr. Nicole Montes is a licensed clinical psychologist who offers person-centered psychotherapy from a feminist lens, diversity informed lens. She specializes perinatal mental health certified (PMH-C) and specializes in chronic pain/disability & trauma. She stands for reproductive freedom, racial justice and the rights of trans and non-binary people and weaves these values into her work as a psychologist.  

You might find yourself caught in cycles of self-doubt or feeling unsure how to move toward the life you want. Past experiences—such as trauma, relational pain, or unmet needs—can linger, shaping how you see yourself and make sense of the world. You may also notice a tendency to judge your emotions harshly, turning frustration or blame inward and carrying a quiet sense of loneliness or disconnection. Whether you’re navigating life transitions, exploring identity, or longing for deeper connection in your relationships, I believe therapy can illuminate paths forward. My approach is warm, compassionate, and collaborative. Together, we’ll work at a pace that feels right for you, supporting the growth of self-trust and opening possibilities for healing, meaning, and more authentic connection.  

At times, we may lose our ability to trust our intuition. We may feel like imposters in our relationships, jobs or within ourselves. Therapy can offer a bridge back to understanding your authentic needs. I work with adults of all genders, races and sexual orientations experiencing anxiety, self-doubt and perfectionism. Symptoms related to these issues can manifest as feeling cut off from emotions, overwhelm, stress and burnout. I also provide services to athletes and performing artists who may be experiencing life transitions, performance anxiety or injury. My own journey as a member of the LGBTQ+ population and professional ballet dancer led me to the field of mental health. My approach is client-centered and strengths-based. I believe everyone has the wisdom to know what is best for their own growth. I am here to guide individuals in uncovering new skills and untangling unhelpful narratives and core beliefs. Together, we will develop an understanding of structures at play in your life that uphold self-doubt by laying the framework to trust your intuition and Self. We will also stretch your mind through self-compassion, curiosity, resilience, creativity, and adaptability. If you are interested in meeting with me, please reach out to see if we are a good fit. I look forward to hearing from you!  

Beginning therapy can feel like adding another task to an already overloaded life. Reaching out takes intention and vulnerability. You don’t have to untangle this on your own, and you don’t have to accept feeling disconnected as the cost of staying together.  

I specialize in helping young adults and millennials grappling with anxiety, perfectionism, low self-esteem, trauma, unfulfilling/unhealthy relationships, and life transitions. Whether you're wrestling with racing thoughts, the weight of self-doubt, grappling with the aftermath of trauma, or feeling lost in the midst of life's changes, I am here to support you. I am committed to creating a safe and compassionate space where you feel heard, understood, and accepted so that you can openly explore your thoughts and emotions.  

My counseling philosophy is simple yet profound: to build a genuine therapeutic relationship where you feel understood, supported, and empowered. I am committed to equipping you with the tools and strategies to navigate life’s challenges and create lasting change and renewed purpose."  

ADHD Testing and treatment available: New patients seen the same week. Are you struggling with ADHD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, insomnia, or other mental health challenges? You do not have to face them alone. I have over 8 years of medical experience caring for adolescents and adults across a variety of mental health settings. I am a board-certified Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and I see patients ages 10-65.  

Hi, I’m Ryan. I became a therapist because I know how powerful it can be to have someone genuinely in your corner. Someone who sees the good in you when you’re struggling to see it yourself, who stays grounded when life feels overwhelming, and who believes that your current circumstances do not have to define your future. I believe people are capable of meaningful change, even after years of feeling stuck, lonely, anxious, disconnected, or shaped by painful experiences. Sometimes we simply need a relationship in which we feel safe enough to be honest, supported enough to take risks, and gently challenged enough to begin doing things differently. I hope to offer that kind of relationship to my clients. My path to becoming a therapist has not been entirely conventional. I grew up in Bellingham, Washington, earned degrees abroad in Italy and Spain, and previously worked as both a marketer and a psychometrist before entering the counseling profession. Living in different countries and moving through several professional worlds taught me to be curious about people. Their stories, cultures, relationships, contradictions, and the experiences that shape how they see themselves. In therapy, I want to know the person behind the symptoms. I want to understand what you long for, what keeps getting in the way, what you learned about yourself growing up, and who you might become if fear, shame, trauma, or self-doubt were no longer making so many of your decisions. You do not need to arrive with the perfect explanation for what is wrong. You may simply know that you feel lonely, overwhelmed, disconnected from yourself, haunted by the past, or tired of repeating the same relationship patterns. You may be outwardly successful while privately feeling insecure or lost. You may want deeper relationships but find yourself withdrawing, avoiding vulnerability, choosing unavailable partners, or questioning whether anyone could truly understand you. Whatever brings you here, you do not have to perform or pretend with me. I aim to create a space where you can speak honestly. Even about the thoughts, experiences, desires, fears, and parts of yourself that feel difficult to share elsewhere. My style is warm, grounded, direct, and deeply human. I will listen without judgment, but I will not simply nod along with everything you say. When helpful, I will gently challenge the beliefs or patterns that may be keeping you stuck. I believe we can be compassionate toward ourselves while also taking responsibility for creating change. Therapy with me is both insight-oriented and action-oriented. We will explore how early relationships, childhood experiences, unconscious beliefs, and protective behaviors may still influence your life today. I take an Adlerian and psychodynamic approach, meaning I am interested in the deeper story beneath your current struggles. However, I do not believe your past permanently determines who you are. Awareness gives us choices. Once we understand why a pattern developed and what purpose it once served, we can begin deciding whether it still belongs in the life you want today. Insight is important, but I also want therapy to extend beyond the hour we spend together. Depending on your goals, I may suggest small behavioral challenges (what I sometimes call “missions”) to help you practice new ways of relating to yourself and others. That might involve initiating an uncomfortable conversation, setting a boundary, reaching out to someone instead of isolating, tolerating the possibility of rejection, making eye contact, expressing a need, or interrupting a pattern of avoidance. These challenges are collaborative and paced carefully. The goal is not to overwhelm you or push you before you are ready. Instead, we gradually build your capacity to do things that once felt impossible. Little by little, you begin gathering evidence that you can survive discomfort, respond differently, and become more secure in yourself. I also use evidence-based approaches such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, or EMDR, as well as Cognitive Processing Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. These approaches can be especially helpful when painful memories, traumatic experiences, intrusive thoughts, or deeply rooted negative beliefs continue to affect your relationships and daily life. We can discuss these options together and determine what feels most appropriate for you. Therapy is not one-size-fits-all, and I want you to understand and feel comfortable with the work we are doing. Many of the people who feel drawn to my practice are young adults, members of Gen Z and the millennial generation, and people who want to build more meaningful relationships. I often work with men experiencing loneliness, insecurity, relationship difficulties, or questions related to sexual identity. I particularly value working with gay and bisexual men and hope to provide a space where you can explore identity, dating, intimacy, coming out, attachment, and relationship dynamics without having to explain or defend who you are. I also enjoy working with women navigating attachment concerns, dating patterns, motherhood, single parenthood, major transitions, and the desire to form healthier, more secure relationships. Across identities, I tend to connect well with people who are introspective, curious about themselves, and ready to move toward a life that feels more authentic, even if they are not yet sure how to get there. My goal is not for therapy to become the only place where you feel known and supported. I want the trust we build together to ripple outward into the rest of your life. Over time, I hope you become more comfortable expressing yourself, navigating conflict, forming close relationships, recovering from setbacks, and allowing others to truly know you. Ultimately, my goal is to help you build a life so full, secure, and meaningful that you no longer need therapy in the same way. Outside of my work, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé, family, and friends. I love being outdoors, walking through neighborhoods and cities, riding my bike, growing food, and working on DIY and home-renovation projects. I also practice Vipassana meditation, although, like many people, not quite as consistently as I would like. These parts of my life help me stay curious, grounded, and connected to the ordinary moments that make life feel meaningful. Choosing a therapist is deeply personal. Training and therapeutic methods matter, but so does the feeling you have when you speak with someone. You deserve a therapist with whom you can gradually lower your guard and feel more like yourself. A free consultation is an opportunity for us to talk, for you to ask questions, and for you to get a sense of my personality and approach without pressure. You do not need to commit before knowing whether the connection feels right. I would be honored to meet you, hear what has been happening in your life, and explore whether I might be the person to walk alongside you as you begin creating something different.  

In our work together, we'll focus on identifying your inner strengths, building coping tools rooted in your values, and creating a meaningful, realistic path toward healing. Emotional pain is something we often try to avoid, but real growth begins when we allow ourselves to fully experience and understand those feelings. My approach centers around shifting from emotional avoidance to emotional acceptance. I work through an attachment-based lens, recognizing how early experiences shape our current relationships and emotional patterns. I also frequently incorporate self-compassion practices to help you relate to yourself with more kindness and care.