RALEIGH M. DAVIS
MA, LMHC-A
Telehealth Therapy and Online Counseling seeing individuals and couples in Washington State
Serving clients in Bremerton, Seattle, Bellingham and more!
Take the first step towards your next chapter!
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Become the new you!
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Take the first step towards your next chapter! 〰️ Become the new you! 〰️
Let’s be real…
Hi, I’m Raleigh! I promise to always be up front and honest with you so let’s get a tough conversation out of the way… Therapy is hard work. You probably found your way here because you feel stuck, alone, confused or afraid and if you’ve seen commercials or pop psychology selling you the latest quick path to eternal happiness then you might start to wonder if you are the problem… I hate to break the illusion but those easy solutions do not exist. Even the most talented therapist can’t help you to insight without time and the most important part of the puzzle: Your inner world and commitment to trying something new. Life is an ebb and flow of good times and tough times. Can we maximize your happiness? Absolutely — But can we become so enlightened that we never have to experience hardship, suffering, loneliness, heartbreak or grief ever again?
Unfortunately not…
That’s the bad news but let’s get to the good news: We can learn to ride the ebbs and flows of life — and just as happiness can teach us depths of feelings that we never knew existed, pain can also be a teacher if we can find the bravery to face it head on. That’s where I come in! I can’t promise it will be easy but I can promise that you won’t have to do it alone. If you can find it in yourself to do the work then I will be with you every step of the way with my knowledge, expertise, curiosity, understanding and toolkit of evidence-based and holistic therapeutic techniques. Together we can work to create the individualized therapy to empower you to build the authentic and fulfilling life that YOU want… It all sounds a little bittersweet doesn’t it?
Well the only way out is through — but the juice is worth the squeeze, I promise.
My approach to Therapy
I strongly believe that therapy is co-created between client and therapist. While I am trained in the process of counseling, the client is the expert in their own experiences. I believe that the combining of this expertise is what creates meaningful therapy and lasting change.
I am passionate about creating an environment where my clients feel safe to be their most authentic self and know that their experiences are truly heard. Therapy can already be such an intimidating and overwhelming undertaking – so I strive to show cultural humility and provide a non-judgmental space where we can focus on the true issues at hand.
The foundation of my approach is Person-Centered Therapy — which involves putting high importance on building a trusting, understanding and safe therapeutic relationship and empowering the client to finding their own answers in the way that feels most natural to them. I also have experience with various evidence-based therapeutic modalities such as Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), The Gottman Method (Level 2), Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy and Non-Violent Communication (NVC). Ultimately though, I believe that the best therapy is tailored to a clients unique needs and I am happy to work to the best of my abilities to give my clients the therapy experience they are looking for.
I think that there is nothing more powerful than being able to set down the masks we make for ourselves and be comfortable with our identity in its most authentic form. Whether our problems feel big or small they are our own – and everyone deserves someone in their corner. I just happen to be trained in ways to empower you to work through issues and make decisions in the ways that feel the most helpful and authentic to you.
Life is strange and uncertain, filled with the highest of highs and lowest of lows. I believe that no one should have to walk this path alone, and I would be happy to come along.
My therapy space is dedicated to being BIPOC, LGBTQ, Kink, and Ethical Non-Monogamy/Polyamory allied.
About me…
I am a born and raised Washingtonian and received my Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Behavioral Neuroscience in 2016 from Western Washington University. Since then, I have worked in various capacities in the neuroscience research and medical fields including coordinating research at the University of Washington’s Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences (ILABS) and providing treatments for medication-resistant mental illness such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and ketamine infusions. These experiences confirmed my lifelong passion to be a source of support and understanding in other’s lives. This led me to a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and Wellness from New York University in 2022. I am currently a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate.
I believe my background in various realms of the mental health world gives me a unique, holistic and integrative approach to viewing mental health issues. This allows me the ability to meet clients where they are at more fully and provide tailored care. At the end of the day though, I am just passionate about helping and understanding the people in my community and feel privileged to be able to hear their stories evolve and change.
Outside the therapy room I enjoy playing and composing music and have played guitar for over 20 years. I have a passion for passion and enjoy art that evokes emotion in any form. I enjoy reading fantasy and sci-fi novels (when I am not keeping up to date on the latest literature in therapy), playing difficult video games and I have a lifelong love for film and television. When I don’t have my guitar or a book in my hand you can find me going for a mental health walk, spending time in nature, or watching live music!
Education and Certifications
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Western Washington University
Bachelor of Science
Behavioral Neuroscience
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New York University
Master of Arts
Mental Health Counseling and Wellness
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The Gottman Institute
The Gottman Method
Level Two Training
MY SERVICES
Individual Therapy
Whether you are looking to explore and process experiences relating to your inner-world, your mental health, your environment, or your relationships there is a lot of positive change that can come from therapy on the individual level. I practice from a place of human-centered therapy which values building a trusting relationship between client and therapist. Ultimately though, I look to treat my clients as the experts in their experience which we will honor and acknowledge to create a therapeutic experience tailored to you.
I have experience working with individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life and I am aim to provide services and support from a place of cultural humility. I am proud to feature evidence based therapies in my toolkit such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Non-Violent Communication (NVC), and Narrative Therapy.
Couples Counseling
Relationships are often a fact of life for many of us — and while they can bring us joy and growth a relationship in dysfunction can throw us off balance and drain our precious energy. That is why I offer non-judgmental, individualized, and inclusive couples therapy to aid those in need of aid reconnecting with those they love the most. My therapy toolkit includes evidence based therapies such as The Gottman Method (Level 2 Trained), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Non-Violent Communication (NVC), and Internal Family Systems (IFS).
Bittersweet Psychotherapy is dedicated to creating safe, affirming, and non-judgmental spaces and thus will always be a friend to all walks of life and relationship types including LGBTQ, Kink, Polyamory, and Ethical Non-Monogamy communities. Whether you would like to work on issues like communication, infidelity, trust, emotional connection, intimacy or something unique all your own you will find a supportive environment at Bittersweet.
Grief Counseling
No matter where your grief is stemming from it can be an overwhelming feeling to face. Whether it be the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a friend, a family member or something more abstract — it can be a complex and confusing experience. Everyone grieves in their own way and that fact alone can make it an isolating experience to work through… where even your loved ones best attempts at comfort may miss the mark.
That is why therapy can be such a transformative place where you don’t have to walk this uncertain path alone. Bittersweet Psychotherapy is dedicated to creating non-judgmental and individualized services that allow you a safe and support space to explore your grief in a way that makes sense to you and begin your journey towards a way forward.
Burnout & Life Balance
Burnout is an unfortunate reality that is becoming more and more common in our current capitalist society. Burnout can rob us of our passions, our hobbies, our emotions and leave us with no boundaries between what we do to survive (or support those we love) and who we actually are underneath all of the expectation and pressure — the personal goals we have for ourselves beyond the status quo.
It can be easy to feel stuck in an endless cycle that drains our energy more than it replenishes it… and it can be hard to break that cycle without some rock-solid support. That’s why I offer holistic support (with a focus on wellness) to help you take back your power and build the life that serves you rather than you serving it. Finding the right balance in your life can take some experimentation and some trial and error but it does exist for you!
Men’s Issues
If you are a man and you’ve made it this far then you may agree with me that more men need therapy! We live in a society that values an emotionally-detached man who lives for logic and never lets his feelings get the better of him… While that may make a compelling main character for a spy novel that you buy at the airport, it hardly makes for a fully realized life.
The truth is that only when we can merge our logical and emotional minds can we truly access the full depth of our experiences. The world may be selling the idea that the strongest man has the ability to pick themselves up and “just move on” through any hardship but I am here to tell you that processing our difficult emotions allows us to grow and evolve into the best versions of ourselves and achieve the relationships that we desire. The only way out is through! I am dedicated to giving providing space to do just that.
Anxiety & Depression
While anxiety and depression can be normal states that we all feel from time to time, anyone who is struggling can tell you how insidious and difficult it can be to manage. It can often feel like we are only passengers in our own life and our mental burdens have taken the wheel. Left unchecked, anxiety and depression can ravage everything we hold dear including our goals, relationships and even our self-worth.
If you have ever feel like your anxiety or depression has been keeping you from living the life you would like to live, then you’ve come to the right place. I have extensive experience crafting individualized, holistic therapy plans for those struggling with anxiety, depression or a combination of the two. Together we can develop strategies to help foster agency in your life once again and create a toolkit to aid you in future struggles. I would be happy to support and help empower you to take back your life from the grips of anxiety and depression!
Autism Spectrum (ASD)
I have a passion (and extensive experience) working with the Autism community and I respect and value the unique perspectives that those with ASD bring to the world. I work hard to create spaces that make those on the Autism Spectrum feel safe to be their true, authentic self and achieve the goals they want in life without compromising that.
I am committed to meeting all of my clients where they are at and know this this is especially important for those in the Autism community. I work with my clients to create unique and inventive ways to engage with therapy to ensure that there is room for all of my clients identities. Whether you would like to work on goals specific to ASD (such as building emotional fluency and regulation, working on social skills, or executive functioning strategies) or would just like a therapist who is knowledgeable about the ASD experience — I am here to support you in your needs!
Life Changes, Adjustments & Transitions
Change is a constant in life and can often lead to positive momentum — but it is never easy. Sometimes new changes bring new challenges that our previous life strategies and coping mechanisms are not quite equipped to handle yet. It can be these changes and transitions shake the very foundation of our daily lives and routines. Those around us can go about their day-to-day lives as “business as usual” while you may be feeling a distinct lack of support… or that something is missing from your equation.
Adjustments like these can bring up difficult and complex emotions both new and old. That is why developing a trusting relationship and a safe and nonjudgmental space can be so beneficial. I can provide aid and support in processing, reorienting and rebuilding a new relationship to life and it’s challenges. Change can be hard, but together we can build strategies to help you meet change more confidently in the future.
INSURANCE〰️ PAYMENT 〰️CONTACT 〰️INFORMATION 〰️
INSURANCE〰️ PAYMENT 〰️CONTACT 〰️INFORMATION 〰️
I AM AN OUT OF NETWORK PROVIDER. I DO NOT ACCEPT INSURANCE — BUT I CAN OFFER A SUPERBILL TO AID YOU IN GETTING REIMBURSED FROM YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY.
CURRENTLY ONLY ACCEPTING CLIENTS AGES 18+
CURRENTLY ONLY ACCEPTING CLIENTS IN WASHINGTON STATE!
Telehealth therapy can only be done while the client is physically IN Washington State.
MY RATES:
$150 - 53 minute Therapy Session
Receiving services requires that you have a card on file that will be charged the morning of your appointment.
Cancellation Policy:
Bittersweet Psychotherapy requires at least 24 hours notice for appointment cancellations or else you may be subject to the full charge of your missed appointment.
Affordable Therapy:
I offer therapy on a sliding scale to aid in making therapy more accessible for those that qualify! I have limited openings each month which are filled on a first come first serve basis. Inquire during your consult whether this option is available for you!
MY HOURS
TUESDAY 10am-6pm
WEDNESDAY 10am-6pm
THURSDAY 10am-6pm
FRIDAY 9am-5am
CONTACT ME:
bittersweetpsychotherapy@gmail.com
1-744-855-9517
bittersweetpsychotherapy.com
MY SUPERVISOR:
Christina Malecka, MA, LMHC (LH60123241)
christina@christinamalecka.com
