# Ampersand Counseling Collective

> Therapy for people who want more


## Posts

- [The Problem with “New Year, New You!”](https://ampersandcollective.net/new-year-new-you/): Every January, the phrase “New Year, New You” floods social media, advertisements, and conversations. It embraces the idea of starting with a clean slate and beckons a chance to reinvent oneself. It sounds inspiring, and while I do think that there is some wisdom in new beginnings, I think it’s important to recognize that we never truly start over. Why It’s Not Helpful Illusion of Erasure The truth is that our past always influences our present in both ways we are aware of and in ways we are not. “New Year, New You” implies that we are somehow able to […]
- [Real Talk, Work Edition: Are You Stressed or Burnt Out?](https://ampersandcollective.net/stress-vs-burnt-out/): Are you feeling exhausted or overwhelmed at work? How can you tell the difference between experiencing general stress vs total burnout? And what, if anything, can we do about it? The following is for informational purposes only. For an official diagnosis or medical advice, please consult with a medical professional or mental health counselor regarding your particular circumstances. Stress vs. Burnout: Key Differences I asked AI to summarize the key differences between stress and burnout and it identified three areas to consider when you are you are reflecting on whether you’re experiencing work-related stress or burn-out. Engagement Experience: Stress is […]
- [Five Ways to Ground Yourself When You Feel Overwhelmed](https://ampersandcollective.net/five-ways-to-ground-yourself/): These small practices can help bring you back into the present moment and help you feel your body and physical surroundings. In turn you feel calmer and gain access to the ability to respond more intentionally to whatever is going on in the moment. Then, later with your therapist or when the situational context is right, you can explore what is happening deeper, beneath the surface.
- [Navigating Holidays with Family](https://ampersandcollective.net/navigating-holidays-with-family/): With the holidays rapidly approaching in the U.S., they can bring with them their own special cocktail of celebration and dread. For some, the pressure of hosting, or even attending, family gatherings can loom over like a wet blanket, dampening holiday cheer and adding additional strain or stress. A few of the most common issues people navigate with their families during the holidays often stem from a combination of heightened stress, unmet expectations, and the resurfacing of old tensions. Things such as longing-standing grievances and unresolved past conflicts, unmet or unrealistic expectations, shifting family dynamics, grief and loss, financial strain, differing […]
- [What to Expect in Your First Therapy Session](https://ampersandcollective.net/what-to-expect-in-your-first-therapy-session/): Starting therapy can feel like stepping into the unknown, especially if it’s your first time. Whether you’re meeting with a therapist online or in person, it’s completely normal to feel a mix of curiosity, nervousness, and hope. At Ampersand Counseling Collective we know that even taking the first step to schedule an appointment can feel daunting, so here’s a brief overview of what you can expect during an initial session. A Warm, Connected Start At the beginning of each session we’ll work to help you settle in, whether that’s in a cozy office or through a secure video platform, our […]
- [Play, Paradox, and Psychotherapy: Reflections on the Transformative Potential of Therapy](https://ampersandcollective.net/play-paradox-and-psychotherapy/): Recently, I’ve been playing the solo board game Tin Helm — a small dungeon crawler that is packaged inside of a mint tin. The game consists of delving into a dungeon in search of three gems, battling monsters along the way. It relies on an interesting mechanic — do I choose to visit the location card in front of me, knowing what will be inside? Or, do I take my chances and flip the next card over, forcing myself to visit an unknown location (possibly facing a monster, finding a gem, or picking up a helpful item)? What I’ve noticed while playing […]
- [Is Therapy Right for You?](https://ampersandcollective.net/is-therapy-right-for-you/): Do I really need therapy?Are my problems “big enough”?What if I don’t know what I’d talk about? If you’ve found yourself asking these questions, you’re not alone. Many people struggle to determine if therapy is the right next step for them and even the process of deciding can illicit feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, and fear. It can also feel hopeful, like something that has felt just out of reach for so long, might finally be obtainable. Whichever way you might feel, it’s probably a lot like standing at the edge a dock, trying to decide if you really want to […]
- [What's the Deal with "Self Care"?](https://ampersandcollective.net/whats-the-deal-with-self-care/): There sure is a lot of buzz out there about self-care: what it is, why we should do it, and a host of ideas for self care practices. Some people find the idea to be cringy! Self-care is so broad that it encompasses everything from the “treat-your-self” mentality of indulging and pampering yourself with luxury (think back to Parks and Rec), to the more recent holistic and natural approach of “digital detoxes” and reconnecting mind and body. I decided to asked AI what some of the trending self-care practices are for 2025 and here’s what AI found: “Key trending self-care […]
- [How Play Therapy Helps Children Heal and Grow](https://ampersandcollective.net/how-play-therapy-helps-children-heal-and-grow/): When children struggle to express their thoughts or feelings, adults often turn to conversation to help. But for many children, especially our youngest kiddos, words aren’t the easiest or most natural way to communicate. That’s where play therapy comes in. What is Play Therapy? Play therapy is a form of counseling designed specifically for children, using play as the language and toys as the words. Through play, children are able to explore their emotions, practice problem-solving, express fears, and work through experiences that may be too big or confusing to articulate. A play therapist provides a safe, supportive environment where […]
- [Introducing Jake Johnson](https://ampersandcollective.net/introducing-jake-johnson/): Ann and I are thrilled to announce our newest member of the Ampersand Counseling Collective: Jake Johnson! We met Jake through our therapist training at the Seattle School and are excited to continue working together ‘out in the real world.’ In light of our “Why Your Therapist Matters” series, we’ve asked Jake to introduce himself by sharing about his theoretic orientation, how he views health and how that shapes the work he does with his patients. Q: What is your approach to therapy? My approach to therapy is relationally and psychodynamically oriented, with some influence from existential theories and modalities. […]
- [Why Your Therapist Matters - Part III](https://ampersandcollective.net/why-your-therapist-matters-part-iii/): Last week, Maggie shared about her therapeutic orientation, building on my post from two weeks ago that explained what a therapeutic alliance is and why it’s important. This week, I’ll share about my own orientation and how it guides the work I do. Radical Self-Love in Therapy: How I Approach Healing and Growth At the heart of my decision to become a therapist is my belief that everyone deserves to feel their inherent value and know without reservation that they are loved and belong. People often hear this and think it’s just about being accepted and loved by others, and […]
- [Why Your Therapist Matters - Part II](https://ampersandcollective.net/why-your-therapist-matters-part-ii/): Last week, Ann wrote about the therapeutic alliance and why it is important to have a strong relationship of trust and safety in order for psychotherapy to be successful. Building on this “relational fit,” I want to continue the conversation on why your therapist matters by looking at your therapist’s training and theoretical orientation as additional important factors when choosing your therapist. Not All Therapists Are Created Equally When selecting a therapist, it is important to look at their training as this will set the tone and backdrop for your work together and will likely inform the types of interventions […]
- [Why Your Therapist Matters](https://ampersandcollective.net/why-your-therapist-matters/): Every time I meet with a prospective patient, I share a critical piece of information: Our relational “fit” is critical to the success of their therapy. Therapeutic Alliance We call this the therapeutic alliance, and it is essential for good psychotherapy. This “fit” or “alliance” isn’t just about getting along with each other, it’s about establishing trust, safety, and respect, so that therapist and patient can be authentic in their interactions with each other. Without this alliance, the collaborative work of therapy falls flat and becomes a performance. There must be a genuine connection for progress to be made. Now, […]
- [Resource Round Up](https://ampersandcollective.net/resource-round-up/): This week Ann and I wanted to share some of our favorite resources for the various areas of focus we work in within our counseling practice: What are some of your favorite resources? Drop them in the comments!
- [What is Religious Trauma and Spiritual Abuse?](https://ampersandcollective.net/what-is-religious-trauma-and-spiritual-abuse/): Experiences of religious or spiritual trauma/abuse/harm can be hard to succinctly describe, which is evidenced by the fact that it doesn’t yet have one universal name or description. The Religious Trauma Institute uses the term religious trauma and describes it as “the physical, emotional, or psychological response to religious beliefs, practices, or structures that is experienced by an individual as overwhelming or disruptive and has lasting adverse effects on a person’s physical, mental, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.” The Reclamation Collective, a non-profit organization created to support the healing journey of survivors of religious trauma and spiritual abuse, uses three […]
- [Healing Through Story](https://ampersandcollective.net/healing-through-story/): The Importance of Story in Healing Work It was often said during my training at the Allender Center that “we do not heal in generalities, but in the particularities of our story.” Simply put, our stories matter; the details of our experiences of harm and heartache are the pathway towards healing. Our stories of past pain and suffering are not meant to be “resolved” or “fixed;” they are meant to be heard and engaged in the presence of an attuned and kind other. Our stories need to be told. This is what is at the heart of Narrative Focused Trauma […]
- [Flipping Our Lids](https://ampersandcollective.net/flipping-our-lids/): Why It’s Hard to Regulate Big Feelings Becoming a parent is a life changing experience. It’s full of love and joyful moments, and it’s also really difficult work. Most parents would do anything for their child and yet, it can feel impossible to do anything when their child is upset and expressing big emotions that they cannot understand (or think have gone on long enough). As adults we can easily see that our child is overreacting, not thinking about the bigger picture, or taking things too seriously. Age gives us perspective, but it also creates distance from our own emotions. […]
- [Psychoanalytic Theory through Board Games](https://ampersandcollective.net/psychoanalytic-theory-through-board-games/): We’re excited to share that this month Maggie had an essay published in the Board Game Academics online journal Victory Points! In her essay titled Something More: Nested Realities & Desire in Veiled Fate, Maggie explored Lacanian psychoanalytic theory around desire and ‘nested realities’ through her time playing a game of Veiled Fate. Here’s an excerpt from the essay: You can read the whole article HERE
- [Why Psychotherapy](https://ampersandcollective.net/why-psychotherapy/): We are often asked: What’s the difference between counseling and psychotherapy? Counseling is often short-term and solutions focused around particular issue or issues. These are things that can be “resolved” within a few weeks or months. The work of psychotherapy is deeper and longer, taking many months and even years. Psychotherapy looks at what’s under a person’s thoughts, emotions and behaviors in an attempt to understand the unconscious processes at play and the patterns that have formed over time. In psychotherapy, we looking for the root causes, not just symptom reduction. Both counseling and psychotherapy are helpful and one is […]
- [Meet the Team](https://ampersandcollective.net/meet-the-team/): Hello! We are excited to introduce our current team of psychotherapists: Meet Ann and Maggie. Described as steady, engaged, and insight-oriented by her patients, Ann helps others feel understood while encouraging deeper self-exploration. Her areas of focus include: spiritual issues, life transitions, child-centered play therapy and parental support. Ann is currently accepting new patients online and in-person (Issaquah, WA) Read more about Ann or schedule a free consultation: www.ampersandcollective.net/annplana Maggie Hemphill, LMHCA is described as a highly attuned and anchoring presence. Maggie helps others feel seen and heard while encouraging deeper curiosity and self-reflection. Maggie’s areas of focus include: processing […]
- [What is the Ampersand Counseling Collective?](https://ampersandcollective.net/what-is-the-ampersand-counseling-collective/): We are the Ampersand Counseling Collective, a compassionate space offering in-person and online psychotherapy across Washington State—from Issaquah to Bainbridge Island. Rooted in depth-oriented psychodynamic care, we help individuals, couples, and families with curiosity, openness and intention. Here you can feel supported, seen, and held in your journey toward healing and authentic connection. We chose the name Ampersand because it reflects how we see the therapeutic process — never linear, never final. The “&” reminds us that healing is layered, ongoing, and symbolic. It holds space for complexity, ambiguity, and the truths that can live side by side. In a […]

## Pages

- [Jake Johnson](https://ampersandcollective.net/jakejohnson/): Jake Johnson, MA, LMHCA jake@ampersandcollective.net | 206-451-7432 | he/him/his Hey there! I am a relational psychodynamic therapist and offer telehealth sessions to anyone residing in Washington State. In my work, I am drawn to helping others discover more of themselves – to be curious about their choices, desires, and feelings, and perhaps especially their ambivalence. I believe that all of us have multiple parts to who we are, and that it is in getting to know ourselves more deeply that we may engage with ourselves and others more fully. While psychotherapy often involves exploring and reflecting on current and past […]
- [CPRT](https://ampersandcollective.net/services/cprt/): “Taking the CPRT class gave me a whole new lens for how I interact with my child. I learned the power of letting them lead during play, and how that simple shift builds connection, confidence, and trust. It’s helped me slow down and really see my child—not just guide or teach, but follow their lead and enjoy who they are.” Mother of two children ages 3 and 5 “I absolutely loved learning from other parents. Hearing their stories, challenges, and wins made me feel supported. The community aspect of this class was so grounding—there’s something really special about growing together […]
- [Contact](https://ampersandcollective.net/contact/): Get in Touch! We would love to connect with you and learn more about the particulars of your situation. Email Address care@ampersandcollective.net Phone Number +1 (425) 340-5317 Work With Us Fill out the form below to be matched with a therapist or email us at care@ampersandcollective.net.
- [About](https://ampersandcollective.net/about/): A Counseling Collective Members of the Ampersand Counseling Collective are independently licensed mental health professionals. Each therapist maintains their own individual business but operate together in the spirit of collaboration, participating in weekly consults and share business resources. Our Therapists We believe there is always more—more to say, more to uncover, and more to experience.We’re here to listen closely, ask the hard questions, and stay with you as things unfold.Not to fix you, but to be with you as you grow. Ann Plana, LMHCA Online & Issaquah Maggie Hemphill, LMHCA Online & Bainbridge Island Jake Johnson, LMHCA Online The Ampersand […]
- [Resources](https://ampersandcollective.net/resources/): Resources
- [Maggie Hemphill](https://ampersandcollective.net/maggiehemphill/): Maggie Hemphill, MA, LMHCA maggie@ampersandcollective.net | 206-414-9019 | she/her/hers Hello & Welcome! I am a relational psychodynamic therapist and narrative focused trauma care practitioner living and working in Kitsap County, WA. In my practice, I offer psychotherapy in-person on Bainbridge Island or via telehealth to anyone residing in Washington State. Story Work is open to anyone worldwide. I fundamentally believe that we are made for connection and as such, healing happens through relationship. Together we can explore the deeper processes that silently and unconsciously shape and drive your thoughts, emotions, behaviors and desires. ​ Psychotherapy is the deep and oftentimes […]
- [Ann Plana](https://ampersandcollective.net/annplana/): Ann Plana, MA, LMHCA ann@ampersandcollective.net | 425-340-5317 | she/her/hers Hello — I’m so glad you are here. You may be here because something in your life isn’t working the way it used to. Maybe you feel stuck in old patterns, disconnected from yourself or others, or you are unsure how to make sense of your feelings. You’ve probably tried to manage this on your own, but now you’re realizing you might want something deeper: understanding, change, relief. I’m a psychodynamic therapist who helps people slow down and make sense of their inner world. I can help you look with curiosity, […]
- [Services](https://ampersandcollective.net/services/): Passion & Experience Our therapists are equipped to provide services across many areas of focus but have particular passions & expertise in the following forms of care. Trauma & Abuse Childhood trauma impacts us long after we have grown and left our family of origins. It shows up in how we relate to others, how we view ourselves, patterns of thinking and behaving, and the kinds of relationships we choose to engage in. It is courageous work to enter into the pain of the past in order to gain more freedom to live in the present. Religious & Spiritual Issues […]
- [Ampersand Counseling Collective - Therapy in Washington State](https://ampersandcollective.net/): You Are Not Alone Ampersand Counseling Collective is built on the idea that we are better together. We believe growth happens when we feel seen, supported, and held with care. We are an inclusive and fully affirming space that welcomes people of all cultures, race, religions, genders, and sexual orientations. Our Therapists Our therapists are independently licensed in Washington State, and are committed to depth-oriented theory and practice. We believe there is always more—more to say, more to uncover, and more to experience.We’re here to listen closely, ask the hard questions, and stay with you as things unfold.Not to fix […]


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