Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Gig Harbor, WA

I'm a seasoned dually licensed therapist with over 10 years of clinical experience. I have worked with individuals who specifically suffer from addiction, borderline personality disorder, relationship issues, trauma, depression, anxiety, previously incarcerated and those in crisis. Iv also observed and supervised individuals in gaining their hours for licensure as well.

Hello! I'm Lauren Salerno (she/her), a licensed mental health therapist in Washington! I am also trained in art therapy, and love to incorporate creativity into my work with people. My typical client is neurodivergent, creative, and looking for healthy coping skills to learn when to adapt and when to advocate for themselves. I work with adults 18+ and sometimes with groups. Nice to meet you!

The clients I serve are teens and adults 13-65 who come for help addressing various needs and goals, ranging from: anxiety, depression, suicidal thinking, behavioral problems, sibling rivalry, adjusting to changes in the family composition, parental separation and divorce , LGBTQI+ concerns, gender identity issues, trauma, and more. Clients and families seek relief, increased family harmony, improved school performance and behavior, and a return to healthy behavior, thinking, and feeling through the acquisition and development of strategies and tools tailored to meet individual needs.

I have 11 years of experience as a high school teacher, and more than 15 years of combined experience working at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Devereux Residential Treatment Center for Adolescent Girls, a private inpatient psychiatric hospital for teens and children, as well as extensive experience in outpatient medical clinics.

In my careers as teacher and now psychotherapist I have worked with more than 3000 children and teens, and their families, in many different settings in Canada, New York City, Philadelphiaia, and Seattle. I understand their experiences, but see each as an individual with unique strengths and needs. I see each as a person-first, capable of change, and inherent worthy of support.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I approach therapy as a collaborative, relational process grounded in authenticity, trust, and respect. I believe meaningful change happens when individuals feel genuinely seen, understood, and supported, and I strive to create a space where clients can explore their experiences openly without fear of judgment. My work is informed not only by clinical training, but also by lived experience, which allows me to connect with clients in a way that is both empathetic and deeply human.

My therapeutic style is engaged, flexible, and tailored to each individual. I integrate evidence-based modalities including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Through EMDR, I help clients process and resolve trauma and distressing life experiences. In Ketamine-Assisted Therapy, I support clients in accessing new perspectives and reducing symptoms that may feel stuck or resistant to traditional approaches. With DBT, I focus on building concrete skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. I aim to balance insight-oriented work with practical tools that clients can apply in their daily lives.

I believe therapy does not have to feel overly clinical or rigid to be effective. I intentionally incorporate humor, warmth, and relatability into my work, recognizing that moments of lightness can be incredibly grounding and healing. Humor can create connection, reduce shame, and make difficult conversations feel more approachable, while still honoring the depth and seriousness of each person’s experience.

Hello,

Welcome to recovery and to getting back into the flow. Healing and growth are possible.

I have many years of experience as a counselor.

Are you ready for something different?

I’m a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner providing care to adolescents and adults across Washington State. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma/PTSD, mood disorders, and stress-related concerns. My services include comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and therapy. I use evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and supportive therapy to tailor care to each person’s needs.

I'm a social worker by nature and a therapist by trade. Within my work in different social services, I found my passion for therapy (for over 9 years now!) My areas of focus include LGBTQIAA+ issues, intersectional identities, intimate partner violence, processing trauma, substance use, and managing mood disorders. My practice is sex-positive, identity-affirming, and based in concepts of social justice.

The therapeutic process is enhanced through safety and relationship. I work to build a rapport with my clients that is grounded in safety, security, and trust.

I am a dual-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner. This means I am trained to treat both physical health and mental health. WIN-WIN! I started off as a combat medic in the Army and after my enlistment went back to school for nursing. I have been in the nursing field for nearly 20 years, a nurse practitioner for six years and working in addiction medicine and mental health, specifically, for over the last two years. This is my PASSION and I feel like I am saving people’s lives while also treating them with kindness and compassion.