Collette Bishop

Seattle & Tacoma

Counseling Philosophy

Common to the human experience are periods of sadness, fear, anxiety, harm, and loss. Various factors may be deriving this pain, such as our most significant relationships, the ways we have learned to relate to others, and oppressive societal and cultural systems in which we live.  

Although relationships are often the source of our deepest wounds, they also hold the possibility for our greatest healing and transformation. Therapy is a place to explore our life's story within a safe and secure relationship. It is a courageous act to begin therapy and enter onto a path towards fulfillment, freedom, and wholeness.

I have known deep healing and been profoundly changed by my experience as a psychotherapy client; this personal transformation is evident in my work as a clinician and in my life outside of the office.  I hope for you to know the same.

Areas of Focus

  • anxiety & depression
  • grief & loss
  • traumatic experiences & relationships
  • identity formation
  • self esteem 
  • sexual, physical, emotional & spiritual abuse
  • relationship and domestic violence
  • codependency
  • eating disorder recovery
  • pregnancy and postpartum
  • infertility & pregnancy loss
  • adult children of parents with mental illness 

Therapeutic Approach

As deeply relational and inherently connected, I believe human beings are less like individual islands and more like intertwined bodies of water.  The beauty and mystery of the therapeutic relationship is indicative of how profoundly we impact one another.

As we sit together, I will recognize you as the ultimate expert on you.  My role in our relationship is to come alongside you on your journey- to be a witness and support as you explore where you have come from and where you are going, as well as who you have been and who you would like to become.

I primarily work from a relational psychodynamic therapeutic approach with emphasis on family of origin, personal beliefs, mind/body/spirit connection, and attachment styles.  My practice is informed by critical social theories, feminist, queer, postcolonial and critical race theories.  I am a LGBTQ+ affirming counselor.

Education & Experience

 I have been in private practice since 2015.  In addition, I worked for over a decade in a variety of contexts (case management, advocacy, and volunteerism - locally, nationally, and internationally) within marginalized communities serving clients from diverse backgrounds and social identities. I most recently held a faculty counselor position at Edmonds Community College, specializing in serving students who have experienced domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

I received my Master of Social Work degree from the University of Washington. I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the State of Washington (#SC60589133).

My Rates

  • 50-minute individual session: $150
Schedule Initial Appointment