Rayme Mkwananzi, LICSW

Rayme Mkwananzi’s Therapist Disclosure Statement <<< (Clickable)

I am passionate about helping people, how may I help you?

I moved from Missoula, Montana to Vancouver, Washington 19 years ago. I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work, while living in Missoula. I have 4 beautiful children that I have raised as a single parent and could not be more proud of each one of them.

At my core, I define myself as a Christain and spiritual; I enjoy attending church on a regular basis. Although my faith is a significant part of my life, I also understand and respect other’s core values and will meet you wherever you’re at on your life’s journey!

A good portion of my background has been spent as a School Social Worker/School Counselor in the Evergreen School District here in Vancouver, WA. However, the last several years I have honed my craft by working primarily as a Child and Family Therapist in a private practice setting. I found both types of work to be incredibly rewarding.

My ultimate goal as a therapist is to provide a safe and positive environment in which clients and I can collaboratively work on identified goals. I focus on a person’s strengths and look at them through the lens of their current environment. My approach is to work with you, to create the best version of yourself. I really enjoy laughter and try to include that in our work together. I believe we all need more joy and laughter in our daily lives.

I approach clients using a blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) techniques all while focusing on the individual in their natural environment. I am an advocate of giving homework as I feel that if one isn’t practicing what is being discussed in therapy, it tends to make it that much harder to make sustainable change. I want to be able to support you in the best way that I can and provide guidance along the way.

Specialties and areas of focus

Individuals
Families
Kids/Teens (10+)
Anxiety
Grief/Loss
Depression
Self-esteem
Adjustments
School issues
Women’s issues
Life transitions
Relational issues
Mood disorders, including Bi-polar

Q&A with Rayme

1.) Some therapists are more comfortable addressing the immediate problem, while others want to focus on the deeper issue. Which are you?

I am comfortable with either. I generally defer to the comfort level and preference of the client.

2.) Do you tend to lead the session, or follow my lead?

I find a blend of the two works best for me.

3.) What are your strengths as a therapist?

I think my biggest strength as a therapist is being able to truly see people for who they are and being comfortable being my genuine self.

4.) If you had one superpower, what would it be and why?

If I had a superpower it would be to fly. It just seems so freeing to me and you can get a very different perspective, which I would appreciate.

5.) What makes you laugh?

I am a fairly sarcastic person so that type of humor makes me laugh. Babies doing cute things always makes me laugh too. I definitely enjoy the lighter side of things and will use humor in session at times.

6.) Who would you have dinner with, dead or alive?

I would love to have dinner with my mom since I don’t see her very often and I miss her terribly.