Heather Estep, MS, LMHCA
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
(206) 573-5236 | [email protected]
I am a goal-oriented and progress-driven counselor. As a Christian counselor, my primary goals are to assist you in cultivating your sense of self and strengthening your relationship with God. I will take the time to listen to your concerns and work with you to identify emotions, past traumas, and negative thinking patterns that may be hindering you from living your best life. I have faith that together we can create a plan for generating a lifestyle that allows you to experience your full potential and to live a life of improved happiness and a greater outlook on your overall wellbeing.
Tacoma – Mon, Tue, Thu & Sat
I offer a safe, non-judgmental space for you to be heard. I will listen to you and your story, then work with you to create a treatment plan that will promote your overall health and wellbeing. Through my own life experience, I have learned that what we want for ourselves may not always be the exact plan that God has for our lives. We often need to stop and take a look at where we actually are, consider the life lessons we have learned, and re-assess where we are going. My hope is that through our time together you will be able to identify your strengths as well as weaknesses and learn techniques to overcome life’s challenges.
My Goal as a Christian Counselor
My hope is that as a result of our time together you will find a sympathetic, realistic listener to share your concerns with. As a result of the goals we create together, my desire is that you will have a more positive outlook for your life. My goal is to work with you as an individual to meeting your greatest concerns during each session.
What I Offer in Christian Counseling
I offer an empathetic ear and a calm, supportive atmosphere where you can share your worries, troubles, and ambitions as we explore the reasons that led you to counseling. During our time together, I will follow your lead regarding the direction you would like each session to take. Having said that, I will be right there with you to encourage you and challenge you toward healing and growth.
My Approach to Christian counseling
I take a client-centered approach to counseling. I like to know what impacts and impairs my clients at the onset of each session. Throughout the session I will lead you to focus on your goals, hopes, and dreams for the future. One benefit of a Christian approach to counseling is that both the client and practitioner are coming from the same truth in knowing that we are not alone in our struggles.
“For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” –Psalm 100:5
Qualifications & Experience
I received an MS in Rehabilitation Counseling from West Virginia University in 2004. I am trained in CBT, DBT, and Crisis Incident Management.
I have been counseling professionally since 2004, when I began my career at Western State Hospital. I have worked with individuals in both the Civil and Forensic departments. I operated the Vocational Rehabilitation program for five years in all domains: civil, forensic, older adults, and outpatient residents. While operating the VR program I was able to assist many of the clients in finding hope for their future and planted seeds that are continuing to develop as more prior-residents contact me to relay their successes.
After working at WSH I spent time working in the Pierce County school system, working with emotionally traumatized students and those dealing with other mental health concerns. I then went on to work with Multi-Care and Greater Lakes Mental Health Care to assist clients of various backgrounds including but not limited to mental health and addiction.
My Call to Christian Counseling
Through my own personal journey with a traumatic brain injury at the age of 13, I have found the healing power and love of Christ to be my mainstay and driving force to want to help others. What better way to help others than to encourage them to love themselves the way God our creator loves us.
God’s love is truly unconditional. He never fails us; He just sometimes allows us to have experiences that change us.
“Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens, your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike. O LORD, how precious is Your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of Your wings.” – Psalm 36:5-7
More About Me/On a Personal Note
I enjoy traveling and love seeing the various landscapes of Washington, Oregon, and California. My baby is my fur child (aka Maltese/Yorkie), Emma. Emma loves to take me on walks around the neighborhood and keeps my blood pumping when she heads out on her own adventure to explore without her leash. I am involved in Women’s Resource NW, whose mission is to encourage and support women in business by providing opportunities to grow in business. I also am becoming a healthier person with Arbonne. I am a former member of “Wry Toast” and earned my competent communicator certificate from Toastmasters, a public speaking organization.
Services & Specialties:
- Abandonment & Neglect
- Aging & Geriatric Issues
- Anger Management
- Anxiety
- Coaching
- Counseling for Teens
- Depression
- Greif and Loss
- Individual Counseling
- Personal Development
- PTSD
- Professional Development
- Psychiatric Care Services
- Trauma
- Women’s Issues
Areas of Expertise / Specialties:
Anxiety
“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up” (Proverbs 12:25). Anxiety and depression commonly go hand in hand. Whether you’re sitting at home by yourself consumed by worry, paralyzed by social anxiety when you’re out in public, or stricken with panic attacks at unexpected times, there are ways to overcome. With God’s help and through proven therapeutic techniques, you can experience freedom from anxiety as you practice tools in your everyday life and lean on your faith to trust in Him.
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling is a wonderful time of exploration. It is not uncommon for a client to come with one specific purpose in mind, then find that their focus shifts completely to something unexpected. Trust and empathy within the therapeutic relationship between counselor and client are of utmost importance. I am a listener and love to help people better understand themselves through reflective listening and guided therapeutic activities. Discovering that you can live according to your personal values, belief system, and desires for yourself can help to reduce your stressors and assist you in developing your ability to create a compass for the decisions you make in life.
Personal Development
Through our counseling sessions, I will help you become the best version of yourself. I will help you build your confidence to present yourself to the world without fear. Regardless of your current circumstances such as a bad work environment, a difficult marriage, or nonstop activities revolving around your kids, you probably have dreams and unfulfilled aspirations beyond the realm of weekend chores and fixing the washing machine. I want to be the guide that walks you through the doors of the unknown and leads you to the truest form of understanding who you are in Christ.
Professional Development
Are you at a crossroads professionally? Do you simply want to change course? Are you trying to figure out which career might fit you best? These questions can be really overwhelming and may lead you to wonder how in the world you are going to figure it out. With my experience in the vocational rehabilitation process and through our sessions together, we can find a trajectory that works best for you.
Psychiatric Care Services
Evaluating you own mental health is often burdensome and tiring, which leads many down a road of uncertainty. As a mental health professional, I can offer advice and support to those who struggle with mental and emotional distress. I can help you to understand your feelings, sort through and identify areas that are impacting your mental wellbeing, and learn to develop new coping strategies and means to prevail in these areas of your life.
Availability (by office location):
- Tacoma – Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment the full fee per session is required at the time of service.
Insurance: As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA), some insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals and couples.
Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 4% per transaction will be added for credit card payments.