MENUAlissa Parker, LICSWA
Alissa Parker Therapist Disclosure Statement <<< (Clickable)
My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that real change happens within a safe, trusting relationship. I aim to create a space where you feel genuinely seen, heard, and supported as you make sense of your experiences and move toward the life you want.
I work with older adolescents through older adults and have a special interest in supporting people navigating trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. I also enjoy working with couples and families who want to strengthen connection, improve communication, and better understand one another.
My work is informed by relational psychotherapy, attachment theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, the Gottman Method for Couples Therapy, and trauma-informed care. Rather than focusing only on symptoms or diagnoses, I take a whole-person approach—honoring your story, your strengths, and the ways you’ve learned to cope and survive. I also integrate practical tools and strategies to support healing and day-to-day well-being.
I believe therapy is a partnership. Together, we create a space where you can safely explore difficult emotions and experiences with curiosity and compassion. Over time, this process can help you feel more grounded, build emotional resilience, shift unhelpful patterns in relationships, and deepen your connection with yourself and others.
Reaching out for therapy takes courage. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, stuck in painful relationship dynamics, grieving a loss, or struggling with anxiety or depression, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Therapy offers a place to slow down, reflect, and begin to understand what’s beneath the surface—opening the door to meaningful and lasting change.
I earned my Master of Social Work from Arizona State University and am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate. I am currently pursuing advanced trauma training through the Internal Family Systems Institute. My goal is to meet you with compassion and respect, and to support you in building a life that feels more connected, balanced, and fulfilling.
In my free time, I enjoy time with my husband and I stay busy raising our two children. I enjoy photography, hiking, cycling, reading, traveling, and trying new foods. I have lived in many different parts of the country, but have found my home in Washington.
Specialties and Areas of Focus
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Grief/loss
- Trauma
- Self-esteem
- ADHD
- Autism
- Relationship issues
- EMDR
- IFS
- Women’s Issues
- Teens
- Couples
- Christian perspective
Q&A
Some therapists are more comfortable addressing the immediate problem, while others want to focus on the deeper issue. Which are you?
I would take a both/and approach. In the beginning of therapy, I believe it is important to address the concerns that are most immediate and pressing for a client, while also remaining curious about what may be beneath the surface. As trust develops and the client feels more grounded, I often begin exploring the deeper patterns, experiences, and relationships that may be contributing to their current struggles. My goal is not simply to alleviate symptoms, but to help clients develop insight and lasting change by addressing the underlying issues that can make true healing possible.
Do you tend to lead the session, or follow my lead?
I believe therapy works best as a collaborative process. I provide structure, guidance, and professional support to help create a purposeful session, while also following the client’s lead and prioritizing what feels most important to them. I want clients to have a sense of agency in their therapy and to feel that their concerns, needs, and goals are guiding our work together. When helpful, I may gently redirect or introduce a different perspective, but I see my role as walking alongside the client rather than directing the process for them.
What are your strengths as a therapist?
One of my strengths as a therapist is the combination of life experience, curiosity, empathy, and openness that I bring to the therapeutic relationship. I approach each client with genuine interest and without judgment, seeking to understand their unique experiences, perspectives, and needs.
I also bring personal experience with several trauma-informed therapeutic approaches, which has deepened my appreciation for the complexity of healing and the importance of finding an approach that fits each individual. I believe curiosity allows me to look beyond symptoms and explore the deeper meaning behind a client’s experiences, while empathy and openness help me create a space where clients can feel safe, understood, and accepted.
Ultimately, I believe my greatest strength is my ability to meet clients where they are, remain genuinely present with them, and walk alongside them as they move toward greater understanding, resilience, and healing.
If you had one superpower, what would it be and why?
If I could have one superpower, I would choose the ability to fly—and, naturally, to never be cold while doing it! Traveling is one of my favorite things, and I love the idea of being able to experience the world from above, taking in landscapes and places from an entirely different perspective. And since I’m not a fan of being cold, the ability to stay warm and comfortable would definitely need to be part of the package!
What makes you laugh?
My children have a wonderful way of making me laugh. They seem to know exactly when I need a little humor and how to bring it out in me—although, according to them, it’s usually completely accidental! I love the spontaneity and humor they bring to everyday life, and I’m grateful for the many moments of laughter they create.
Who would you have dinner with, dead or alive?
I would choose my dad, who passed away several years ago following an accident. He was someone I could always turn to for perspective and advice, and he had a remarkable ability to make me feel stronger, more capable, and confident in myself. I would love the chance to sit across from him again, share a meal, hear his stories, and have one more conversation with someone whose wisdom and encouragement have stayed with me throughout my life.
