MENUMakena Andersen, LMHCA
Makena Andersen Therapist Disclosure Statement <<< (Clickable)
I believe therapy is a space where people can slow down, feel genuinely heard, and begin to make sense of the stories they carry about themselves and their lives.
As a therapist, I see my role as a guide who walks alongside clients through difficult seasons of life rather than someone who claims to have all the answers. Therapy is a collaborative process, and I strive to create an environment where clients feel safe enough to be honest, vulnerable, and fully human. My hope is that clients leave sessions feeling not only supported, but also more empowered to reconnect with their values, strengths, relationships, and sense of self.
My approach is grounded in narrative and existential theories, which means I view each person as more than a diagnosis or a set of symptoms. I believe our experiences, relationships, culture, and personal histories shape the way we understand ourselves, and sometimes those stories can begin to feel limiting, painful, or disconnected from who we truly are. In therapy, we work together to explore those narratives with curiosity and compassion, making room for greater self-understanding, meaning, and possibility.
I also draw from existential therapy, which invites deeper reflection on questions of identity, purpose, freedom, belonging, and what it means to live authentically. Life can bring uncertainty, grief, transitions, loneliness, anxiety, and moments where we feel stuck or disconnected from ourselves. Rather than trying to rush past those experiences, I believe there can be value in thoughtfully exploring them together in a supportive and nonjudgmental space.
I work with clients navigating a variety of concerns, including anxiety, OCD, depression, life transitions, identity exploration, self-esteem, stress, and feelings of overwhelm or disconnection. I value authenticity, warmth, and curiosity in the therapeutic relationship, and I believe healing often begins when people feel truly seen and accepted without judgment.
I earned my Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from George Fox University and am currently practicing as an Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate in Washington state. My education and clinical experience have deepened my belief that meaningful change happens through connection, reflection, and the courage to engage honestly with ourselves and our experiences.
Outside of the therapy room, I enjoy curling up on the couch to read a romantasy with my two cats. I also take the time to engage in hobbies of baking, cooking, painting, and puzzling. These parts of my life help shape the way I show up in my work with warmth, authenticity, and care.
Specialties and Areas of Focus
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Obsessive Behaviors/Compulsions
- Neurodivergence
- Trauma
- Stress
- Life Transitions
- LGBTQIA+
- Narrative Therapy
- Existential Therapy
- Exposure Response Prevention
Q&A
Some therapists are more comfortable addressing the immediate problem, while others want to focus on the deeper issue. Which are you?
I address the immediate needs of the client first, but as we get deeper I tend to link deeper issues with the patient’s immediate needs.
Do you tend to lead the session, or follow my lead?
I’ve done both and can do both. I tend to follow the role that the client suggests I have.
What are your strengths as a therapist?
I am super warm in the counseling room, and the relationships I develop with my clients are the beginning avenues to their healing. I am able to be directive as needed, and guide the client towards their goals.
If you had one superpower, what would it be and why?
I would want a magic wand that solves all of my clients’ problems with a single wave. I’m sure I’d have no clients at the end of it, but knowing that my clients’ lives get better without me seeing it makes me really happy.
What makes you laugh?
Literally anything and everything. I find life to be funny in general. I’m huge for memes and jokes that come about in daily life.
Who would you have dinner with, dead or alive?
Taylor Swift. She just seems so down to earth, and I’ve really felt like a lot of her music captures what it’s like to try and succeed and fail.
