Women therapists in Hazel Dell, WA

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.  

Currently accepting clients! My approach is grounded in 25+yrs of experience as a psychotherapist and community educator. I’m passionate about helping people grow through the tough stuff – and also thrive during messy or dark life seasons, with interventions drawn from the research-supported "third wave" of cognitive-behavioral therapy, which includes mindfulness and acceptance approaches, in addition to existential therapy, positive psychology, and nature prescriptions. Expect invitations for behavioral "experiments," culturally-relevant self-help resources, and client-centered compassionate care. Schedule a free 15 minute consultation to discuss your needs today.  

Welcome to Avena Psychological Services, where your journey to a more balanced and fulfilling life begins with the compassion and expertise of our team of dedicated therapists. We are committed to providing a supportive and non-judgmental space where our clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, struggles, and experiences with professionals who genuinely care and appreciate the privilege of being part of that journey. With a focus on creating collaborative and empathetic therapeutic relationships, our therapists will work alongside you to develop strategies and insights that empower you to navigate life's challenges. Avena Psychological Services is committed to helping our clients build resilience, gain clarity, and achieve their personal goals. Together, we will uncover your strengths and explore pathways to a more meaningful and satisfying life.  

Creating lasting change is hard but you don't have to figure it out alone. After our first session, we will have a clear plan for our work together and identify practical ways to start moving forward. I bring nearly 10 years of mental health experience to our work together and am always engaged in ongoing continuing education. Whether you're looking for individual or couple's therapy, there are options to improve your situation and meet your needs.  

Bonnie started Bonfire Healing, an insurance based private practice, in 2021 and has unlimited excitement and passion for healing the impacts of trauma, particularly developmental trauma, through utilizing evidenced based bottom up modalities. Bonnie’s Current Completed Trainings: Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 2 trained through the IFS institute Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) certified therapist through EMDRIA. Somatic Experiencing (SE) Beginning 1-3, Intermediate 1-3, and Advanced 1 completed through Somatic Experiencing International. Bonnie graduated in 2011 from Bastyr University with a MS in Nutrition and Clinical Health Psychology. The first decade of her career was spent in inpatient and outpatient eating disorder, addiction, and mental health treatment centers and with transgender females within a male prison system which has emphasized the need for social justice oriented inclusive therapy and the need for not only trauma informed care, but trauma treatment within mental health, addiction, and eating disorder treatments. Bonnie's clinical focus areas: Complex Trauma and resulting Panic/Anxiety, Mood Disorders, BPD, Addiction, Eating Disorders, and Chronic Illness. Loss of control when eating in adults and adolescents including Binge Eating, Bulimia, and Emotional Eating LGBTQ+ including Gender Affirming Transitions Nuerodiversity and the connection to developmental trauma Addiction Recovery and Chronic Relapse Chronic Illness & Autoimmune Issues Fertility Issues & PCOS Therapy for Therapists