Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Gig Harbor, WA covered by Aetna

¡Hola! I'm Leidy, a bilingual (English and Spanish) therapist. I work with adults navigating major life transitions, grief and loss, fertility issues, anxiety, depression, PTSD, family transitions and more. Many of the people I work with are in the middle of something big, whether that's a loss, a shift in their family, a fertility journey, or simply a season of life that feels heavier than expected, and they're looking for a space where they can finally exhale.

I'm originally from the Dominican Republic, and Spanish is my first language. As an immigrant myself, I understand what it's like to navigate multiple worlds, identities, and expectations. I'm also the proud parent of a son with autism, so I know firsthand what it's like to walk through major life transitions, advocate for your family, and find strength you didn't know you had. These experiences shape the way I show up for my clients every day.

My background is rooted in community work. I spent years in non-profit organizations supporting diverse communities, and that experience taught me the importance of meeting people where they are, honoring their culture, language, strengths, and identities. I believe in creating individualized treatment plans that reflect the whole of who you are.

I'm a therapist working in the Tacoma area. I work with people who have anxiety, depression, and trauma. A few areas of focus for me are relationships, shame, anger, life changes, and identity, though this is by no means a comprehensive list.

If you would like to contact me directly, you may do so here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1786232

I believe therapy should feel safe, human, and supportive—not cold or clinical. I’m a licensed therapist who genuinely cares about the people I work with, and I see you as a whole person, not just a diagnosis or a problem to fix. Whether you’re coming in feeling overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected in your relationship, or unsure where to start, you’re welcome here exactly as you are. I work with teens (13+) and adults, individuals and couples, and I value honesty, compassion, and real connection in the therapy space. My goal is to help you feel understood, supported, and empowered in your growth.

Starla is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner based in Washington who is passionate about partnering with individuals of all ages on their journey toward greater mental health wellness. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Gonzaga University with the goal of addressing the growing need for accessible, compassionate mental health services in her surrounding communities. Starla's services include initial psychiatric evaluations, follow-up psychiatric evaluations, and medication management. She treats clients 6 years and older. Starla specializes in anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorders, and PTSD.

Therapy should be a place where you can talk honestly about the things that are difficult to say out loud without being judged or reduced to a diagnosis—or to the hardest chapter of your life.

I work with adults and couples experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, suicidal thoughts, sexual trauma, intimacy and sexual-health concerns, grief, life transitions, military and veteran concerns, first-responder stress, and relational distress. Relational distress can include communication breakdown, recurring conflict, loss of trust, emotional distance, intimacy concerns, separation or divorce-related stress, changes within a family, parenting-related strain, or simply reaching a point where you are unsure how to move forward.

My role in therapy is to help you understand what is happening, identify what you want to change, strengthen your ability to respond differently, and work toward healthier functioning and relationships. My clinical style is direct, collaborative, trauma-informed, practical, and shame-free.

I am independently licensed for clinical social-work practice in Washington, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Florida; EMDR-trained; a Certified Psychosexual Assessment Specialist (CPAS); a Board-Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator (CFMHE); a Board-Certified Forensic Psychometrist (CFP); and a U.S. Army veteran.

My broader professional practice includes forensic mental-health evaluation and consultation. Those services are separate from psychotherapy. Once I am retained as your treating therapist and a clinical treatment relationship has been established, I cannot also serve as your forensic evaluator, expert witness, or child-custody evaluator in the same matter. Therapy is treatment-focused and is intended to support your clinical needs—not to generate an independent forensic opinion for litigation.

Welcome! and thank you for taking the time to do this step for yourself. As a psychiatric provider, I am committed to working with you and your family on your journey to healing and discovering your best self throughout this process. I am a board certified Adult Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), currently licensed in Washington State and Massachusetts. I have been working in the healthcare industry for over two decades, treating adults age 18+ with chronic severe anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, trauma, personality disorders, substance abuse disorders, and co-occurring disorders.

I believe the best mental health care begins with listening. I provide compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric evaluations and medication management for children, adolescents, and adults experiencing ADHD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, behavioral concerns, and life stressors. My approach is collaborative and personalized, taking time to understand the whole person, not just their symptoms.

Together, we'll develop a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs, which may include medication management, education, lifestyle recommendations, and brief supportive therapy during medication management visits. While I incorporate therapeutic techniques into our appointments to help you build coping skills and achieve your treatment goals, I do not provide ongoing individual psychotherapy. If more intensive or regular therapy would benefit you, I'm happy to coordinate care with your therapist or help connect you with one.

My goal is to create a welcoming, judgment-free space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to make meaningful, lasting progress.

I'm Dr. Jason Johnson, a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Washington State University. I have over 15 years of experience in mental health, starting as a counselor before advancing into psychiatry. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and weight-related mental health concerns, using a comprehensive approach that includes therapy, medications, nutrition, and hormone support. My goal is to create a supportive, judgment-free environment where we work together to help you feel your best.