Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Kent, WA

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’m passionate about guiding individuals on their journey to healing and personal growth. Trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), I specialize in helping clients release past traumas, lighten their emotional burdens, and create space for a more fulfilling present. I believe in the power of connection, and I strive to create a supportive, empathetic environment where you can feel heard, understood, and empowered. Together, we’ll work on building a life that reflects your best self, free from the weight of the past and focused on living fully in the now.

I also love the outdoors and use experiential therapy techniques in nature to help guide clients through their own mental roadblocks, current and past trauma, and self doubt.

With nearly 15 years of practice, I support women, immigrants, and multiracial clients through the complexities of relationships, work, identity, pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood. I offer specialized support for adult TCKs (Third Culture Kids) navigating identity fragmentation, assimilation, and belonging, and am also a Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) provider.

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

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.

As a late diagnosed ADHD woman, I understand the struggles of perfectionism, anxiety and disordered eating and strive to provide neuro-affirming care. You deserve to feel good about yourself and I am confident we can get you there.

I have a Nursing Doctorate, an MSN in Psychiatric Nursing and BA in Latin American Studies. I am a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and certified in perinatal mental health. I believe in treating the whole person, not just prescribing medication. I work with nutrition, movement, sleep, time in nature, intentional socialization. I use supportive therapy with medication visits. I truly love what I do.

I am a licensed mental health counselor. I work adult clients in private practice setting

I am a trans masc, trauma informed therapist with a spiritual and holistic approach to healing. Guided by a deep belief in love and compassion for all living beings, I create a welcoming and affirming space for individuals from all walks of life. With many years of experience supporting diverse populations, I am committed to fostering connection, understanding, and growth in every therapeutic relationship.