Stories hold power. The stories told to us and the stories we tell ourselves. Life doesn’t have to feel like a struggle. You don’t need to live with anxiety, self-doubt, or unhealthy behaviors.
You want your life and your relationships to be better than they are now. You want to be able to handle challenges feeling calm, connected, confident, and clear.
You want help understanding why you’re feeling stuck, hopeless, lonely, sad, confused, or why you seem to be overthinking everything.
Everyone deserves the support of a guide who can help them get a better understanding of themselves and their relationships as they navigate their on-going story.
I’ll be right beside you on this shared journey of discovery. You don’t have to work through your problems on your own. You can learn to overcome your emotional and situational challenges—so you can thrive now and in the future.
I’ve got experience helping many others gain a better understanding of themselves and their relationships to envision a way of living into a new story.
I’m Jeff Fickes, LMHCA
I have spent much of my life dwelling among the great stories and storytellers. Personal stories can tell us what may have happened, but do not predict the future. When we are aware of our stories, we get to determine the next chapter.
As a licensed psychotherapist, I understand the importance of listening and working collaboratively, so you can overcome the challenges you face. My approach is direct, accepting, and non-judgmental.
Let’s explore your story together to help you on the road to more clarity, confidence, and connectedness.
Click the button below to schedule your free 15-minute phone or video consultation.
You should choose a counselor who suits you. We’ll talk about your specific needs and what you hope to get out of therapy. Together, we will create a path to work towards achieving them.
Feel more confident navigating the hard moments in life, experience healing and growth, and enjoy improved relationships and well-being.
“Everything is held together with stories. That is all that is holding us together, stories and compassion.”
For your convenience, here are some frequently asked questions. If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
I am licensed by the State of Washington as a mental health counselor, so many of my clients are able to receive reimbursement from their insurance company or employee health spending accounts for my services as an out-of-network provider.
Because I do not bill insurance directly, I am able to provide my clients with several benefits:
After an initial consultation and we determine if we’re a good fit as client and therapist, we’ll schedule a first appointment. Appointments generally happen on a routine basis, typically weekly or bi-weekly, on the same day of the week and at the same time of day. Scheduled times will be held for you, and it is your responsibility to attend the scheduled sessions or request a schedule change if possible.
Therapy sessions may be held via a computer rather than in-person at an office. Saga Life Counseling uses the HIPAA compliant platform Simple Practice. Please make sure you are in a private and safe place, with a strong Wi-Fi connection, for your therapy session. You will receive a unique link and you will need to enter your name before joining the video call.
A number of benefits are possible from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
I do not prescribe any medications as a therapist. Psychotropic medication is prescribed by Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, the designations are MD and ARNP respectively. I am familiar with medications, but am not able to give guidance or tell another practitioner what to prescribe to you. I will communicate with medication prescribers if you request to do so to help them better help you.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you’ve faced, there’s nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you’re at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you tools to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts, and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide some much-needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life. In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.
Knowing if therapy is right for you can take some time and some self-reflection. You can talk to your therapist if you have any concerns about your reaction to therapy. It is important to be open with your therapist and give honest feedback on your experience so that your therapist is aware and can help make things right or even refer you to different therapist who can give you the experience you are looking for
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions (usually weekly).
It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn and/or discover in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process – such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives, and are ready take responsibility for their lives.
