Bipolar disorder therapists & psychiatrists in Bellevue, WA

You can’t break out of a cage you’re still trying to decorate. I’ve been many people’s 4th/5th/8th/9th therapist and been told they felt like something finally clicked for them. I care about it clicking. My approach is based on self-compassion and living an integrated life. Even if you’re motivated to change, it’s still hard because negative events can shape beliefs about the world and ourselves that we often don’t even realize we hold. So we start with self-compassion, and then work on trying to bring our actions into alignment with our goals. I’ve been a therapist for over a decade now, and I promise – self-compassion is the move.

Depression, anxiety, and trauma don't always respond to standard treatments and if you're here, there's a good chance you've tried an approach that hasn't worked. I'm a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over 14 years of clinical experience, and my practice is built specifically around patients who need more than a first-line approach. I trained at UCLA & UCSF, and before specializing in psychiatry, I spent years working in critical care which taught me to read the body's systems as interconnected, not siloed. I bring that same lens to psychiatric care with emphasis on the mind/body as one.

Life’s challenges can feel overwhelming at any stage—whether you’re navigating adolescence, adulthood, relationships, parenting, or the transitions that come with aging. Anxiety, depression, grief, and life changes can disrupt how you think, feel, and connect with others. Therapy offers a supportive place to slow down, feel understood, and develop effective tools to move forward with greater clarity, balance, and confidence.

Life doesn’t come with a roadmap—and when stress, anxiety, grief, or major changes pile up, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or alone. Therapy offers a place to slow down, feel understood, and begin finding your way forward with clarity and confidence.

I provide a compassionate, supportive space where you can explore what’s holding you back, build resilience, and reconnect with your inner strength. Together, we’ll work toward meaningful change so you can feel more confident, grounded, and at peace.

Who I Work With

I work with individuals across the lifespan, including:

• Teenagers and young adults
• Adults experiencing anxiety, depression, or life transitions
• Women and single mothers
• Men facing male-specific challenges
• Older adults navigating aging-related concerns

I also work with couples, parents, and business partners, helping strengthen communication, emotional understanding, and connection.

• Outstanding Patient Reviews - Google reviews (Access Psych Meds)
• Experienced Mental Health Provider (13 years) assisting clients with ADHD (adult) Anxiety Depression Chronic Pain Chronic Sleep problems Mood disorder PTSD: Military combat, childhood & sexual trauma Alcohol Use Disorder
• Dual Master’s Prepared
• ANCC Dual Board Certified - Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Veteran 22 yrs retired US Navy Commander/O-5
• Licensed in 5 States - AZ, CA, OR, MD, WA

I'm a LMHC, Q.S. and MCAP for Florida and Washington State. I use a plethora of modalities, techniques and interventions during treatment. I've worked in residential settings, outpatient clinics, detox facilities, mobile crisis units, hospital settings as well as community and private office settings over 28 years. Crisis stabilization, shifting perspectives, addictions, infidelity, life transitions and mood disorder are a few specialties of mine.

My name is Steven Hightower, and I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with 17 years of experience providing behavioral health services. I specialize in supporting individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, and PTSD. I am passionate about helping people navigate life’s challenges, develop healthy coping strategies, and work toward greater emotional well-being and a more fulfilling life.

I'm Dr. Kara Hokes, a licensed clinical psychologist who offers telehealth therapy to adolescents and adults in Washington state. I have many years of training and experience focusing on trauma, anxiety, depression, anger, and emotion dysregulation. In the past, I have worked extensively with first responders and military affiliated individuals.