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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
