Missy Neill, M.Ed, LMHC, CSAT
Licensed Counselor
(206) 607-9699 | [email protected]
I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, passionate about helping individuals and couples find healing and peace for their lives and relationships. If you struggle with issues like anxiety and depression, grief and loss, relationship issues, or sexual addiction, I’m here to offer you compassionate support and tools for recovery. I look forward to working with you.
Federal Way – Mon, Tue & Wed
Kent – Thu & Fri
My Goal as a Christian Counselor
As a Christian counselor, I strive to build a trusting relationship with my clients, so they can feel safe while working to address their struggles. You are unique, and so are your battles. You need someone who can relate to what you’re going through, while providing you with an individualized approach towards healing. That’s my ultimate goal. To connect with my clients, so I can help them through their situation while preserving their values and sense of self.
What I Offer in Christian Counseling
The Christian journey is full of ups and downs. As Christians, we often beat ourselves up over our shortcomings. It’s important to understand that although we strive to do things that please God, we all have sin to overcome, and we all experience times of doubt, guilt, and sadness. Like most people, I’ve had my share of struggles and loss. I lost my mother unexpectedly in my twenties. While the grief overwhelmed me at times, it taught me a lot about life, faith, and about myself. I can now look back and appreciate the time I had with my mother, and use what I learned about loss to help others who feel overcome by grief. Your experiences and your pain are real, and deserve attention and support. Although it might not seems so now, your trials can help you grow in ways you never imagined. I offer you my mind, my experiences, new perspectives, and a non-judgmental space where you can talk freely and get to the root of the matter. Don’t continue to struggle on your own with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and grief. Through counseling, you can work towards building a happier and healthier future.
My Approach to Christian Counseling
When faced with troubles, it’s natural to try to minimize your pain, or even hide it. Together, we will build trust, and a comfortable place for you to explore your emotions at a pace that works for you. When it comes to counseling, I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Your needs and belief systems are respected, and become an integral part of my counseling process.
Together, we’ll talk about where you are now, and where you want to be. During our time together, we’ll focus on present issues and concerns, while exploring tools that will help you reach your personal goals. I welcome exploration of the Bible and use of prayer during our sessions. We can talk about what prayer means for you, and how to utilize prayer to help you find strength, peace, and guidance in difficult times. If you view prayer and study as a private matter, then I respect that too. My aim is to help you feel empowered, while preserving your true self. I’m here for you, and offer support in whatever way I can.
On a Personal Note
Like most people, my struggles have made me who I am today. I grew up in an unhealthy family, but I was lucky to have been exposed to faith through my extended family. I learned a lot from my family about relationships, and I use that to relate to the relationship problems and dynamics my clients face. I’ve experienced a fair share of negative and positive experiences, all of which allowed me to grow and strengthen my faith in Jesus Christ. Like most, I experienced times of doubt, anxiety, and sadness, but my faith saw me through the hard times. Throughout my life, I have been passionate about learning, and driven to better myself. I put myself through college, and I continue to learn and grow as I strive to become all God intends me to be.
Qualifications and Experience
I received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Seattle Pacific University in 2007, and a Master’s of Education (Counseling) from the University of Puget Sound in 2009. I began a private practice immediately after graduating in 2009. At Seattle Christian Counseling, I’m blessed with the opportunity to help fellow Christians overcome life’s obstacles. Throughout my counseling career, I have helped individuals, families, and couples overcome a variety of issues by developing a customized counseling approach geared toward their unique needs and beliefs.
My Call to Christian Counseling
I became a Christian counselor so I can draw from the gifts God has given me, and use them to help others on their journey towards healing and personal fulfillment. Incorporating faith-based principles into your sessions can be very beneficial. Faith provides hope and peace during difficult times. God promises that the hardships you’re experiencing won’t last forever. Through faith, we can use your present situation to help you grow, and better understand the plan God has for you. Whatever you’re going through, I’m here to offer support, experience, and an objective perspective to help you move from areas of darkness into light.
More About Me
Since I value building a rapport with clients, I’d like to share a little about myself. I love life. When I’m not counseling, I enjoy surfing and spending time with family, friends, and my dog, Brody. My favorite past time is participating in horse shows with my nieces. I have been involved in ministry throughout my life (currently youth ministries). I love to travel, and live for the small things that make life wonderful.
Specialties
- Marriage and Couples Counseling
- Sexual Addiction
- Sex Therapy
- Depression and Anxiety
- Grief and Loss
- Life Transitions
Marriage and Couples Counseling
Relationship struggles can be frustrating, fearful, and overwhelming. I have worked with couples for several years, helping them overcome issues such as mistrust, guilt, intimacy problems, infidelity and poor communication. I’m not here to judge you or your partner, but to help you both explore each other’s needs and concerns, while working to rid yourselves of unhealthy behaviour patterns that damage your relationship. It’s never too late for God to work in your life, and mend even the most deeply rooted and painful issues. Whatever you’re going through, I’m here to provide an objective perspective on your relationships, to help you and your loved one grow together and build a loving bond rooted in Christ.
Sexual Addiction
Battling addiction of any sort is hard. Sexual addiction can be particularly burdensome because of the feelings of guilt and desperation that often go along with it. Sex addiction is usually not an addiction to sex alone, but rather sexual acts and behaviors. Men and women who struggle with use of pornography, masturbation, uncontrollable sexual thoughts or fantasies, and emotional affairs can benefit from sex addiction counseling. Sexual addiction can be caused by many things, and is often used as a way to cope with an underlying issue. Together, we will develop a unique plan for treatment by identifying your triggers and areas of weakness.
Sex Therapy
If you are experiencing concerns about the health of your sexual relationship with your spouse, you might benefit from sex therapy. Sex therapy focuses on addressing concerns about sexual performance and feelings, either in individual therapy or in joint therapy with your spouse. Things we can address include concerns about sexual desire or arousal, sexual interest, compulsive sexual behaviors, erectile dysfunction, trouble reaching orgasm, intimacy issues related to health conditions, and issues resulting from past sexual trauma. I understand that talking about these things can make some people uneasy. Be assured that I am trained to provide you with an atmosphere that promotes safe exploration of your most private sexual concerns. Sex is a healthy, normal part of your relationship. Through sex therapy, you can better understand your own sexual needs, and those of your partner.
Anxiety and Depression
Life can be difficult, and full of unexpected obstacles. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or unsure about your future, know that you can persevere. There is hope in faith. Sometimes a person needs help from someone who can empathize with them, while offering unbiased counseling and a reminder that they’re not alone in their struggles. I love to see the positive changes God can create in those who are overcome with burdens and stress. No one should settle for a life riddled with anxiety or depression. You can have the life you want. A life filled with happiness and hope for the future.
Grief and Loss
Loss of a loved one is one of the most difficult things we face. During this time, it’s helpful to talk with someone who can help you cope with your overwhelming emotions. As someone who has experienced loss, I understand the emotional toll losing a loved one can have on a person. You might be experiencing a range of emotions including sadness, desperation, anger, or even guilt and regret. I’m here to help you process these emotions at a time when you feel unable to bear them alone. Everyone grieves differently. I will help you understand your emotions, and guide you toward a path of healing. Starting a new life without people you love is a challenge. Together we can talk about the memories you share with your loved one, and how these memories can help you through the tough times. Living with grief can seem unbearable, but rest assured that the extreme emotions you feel won’t last forever. Research has shown that it speeds up the process of reducing intense feelings when we are supported during our grief. My goal is to to offer you support, prayer, and anything you might need to get through this difficult time.
Life Transitions
Life is a journey, full of unexpected changes. Sometimes these changes can be overwhelming, and it helps to have someone outside of the matter to talk to. It’s perfectly normal to feel stressed, overwhelmed, and even fearful during times of great change. Life-changing transitions like moving, having children, and changing careers can be hard to adapt to. If you’re struggling with making a smooth transition into a new chapter of your life, we’ll discuss how you can better cope with the stress. Sometimes understanding that everything that happens in your life is part of God’s plan can help you find peace in these times. The changes you are experiencing are making you into the person you are intended to be. I’ll provide you with support each step of the way until you are comfortable with where your life is heading.
Availability (by office location):
- Federal Way – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
- Kent – Thursday and Friday
Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for Individuals and Couples 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 (LMHC) a majority of 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 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 3.7% plus $0.15 per transaction will be added for credit card payments.
Focus Areas
Testimonials
I’ve been seeing Missy for three years now and our visits have very literally changed my life. I have always felt safe to be completely open with her and she has helped me to reframe unhealthy mindsets and coping mechanisms I’d always had and I can finally say I’m finding freedom from them. She has been a lifeline after I had a traumatic event happen and struggled with PTSD. She has always worked with my wildly varying schedule. I can’t recommend her enough, she is absolutely wonderful.
Rachel Burton
Google Review
Missy is a great counselor who has been easy to talk with about matters happening with our daughter. She is great with our daughter. Our daughter doesn’t want to go but once she has spent a session with Missy she cant stop talking about how she enjoyed talking with Missy.
Tim Stoudt
Google Review
I was blessed with the opportunity to have had Missy Neill as my counselor. She help me cope after the loss of my husband. She provided me with tools to get my life going again. She is kind, caring and a great listener. I would highly recommend Missy and Kent Christian Counseling to others.
Tasha Lindsey
Google Review