Improving access to therapy in Seattle
This past weekend The Seattle Times reported on why it is so difficult to find a therapist. The author, Hannah Furfaro, paints the picture of how more people than ever are looking for mental health support; this due to the normalizing of therapy and reduction of stigma, the intensifying effects of the pandemic on mental health, and an increasing understanding of how mental health and physical health are intrinsically linked. Unfortunately many people struggle to find a therapist with availability they can afford and who feels like a cultural and relational fit.
When we founded Self Space, it was exactly these issues that we intended to address and have been focused on solving since we opened our office doors in 2018. The foundation lies in the way we care for our therapists, who are historically underpaid and overworked, as seen in the high turnover and burnout rate in the field. We believe that excellent mental health care starts with a well-supported therapist in an environment that nurtures their own holistic well-being. We hire therapists who have tended to their own healing journeys, who desire to work in a collaborative community, and who are committed to continue to learn and grow--living out the health we encourage in our clients.
When it comes to client care, we believe it starts from the moment a client reaches out to us. By the time most people contact us for therapy, they have needed support for some time, likely googled their symptoms for months, talked to friends, and reached a crossroads moment. With immense respect for each journey that led someone to reach out, we wanted to make the entire process therapeutic -- safe, compassionate, and inviting. This starts with a quick and warm response to any inquiries: clients will hear back from us within a day. Knowing that finding the right therapeutic “fit” is critical to therapy being successful, our intake coordinator helps clients find a therapist who fits the presenting diagnosis or symptoms, specific goals, or a racial, cultural or gender identity that matters most. As a company that intends to continue to grow, we also have continued to hire at a pace that leaves us able to see clients within a short period of time, if not immediately.
Knowing that the cost of therapy can be prohibitive for some, we also support a Sliding Scale Therapy program. Our low-cost therapy program is run via our clinical internship program that trains advanced graduate students who are then able to provide services at a lower cost. We created this program because we believe every person should have access to a quality and trustworthy experience in therapy. Offering low-cost therapy services allows us to support traditionally underserved populations with the hope of creating space for healing, connection, and empowerment.
Self Space was born out of our own personal experiences in therapy that led us toward feeling more whole, safe, connected, and free. It is clear to us that addressing mental health shouldn’t just be something addressed when someone has reached “rock bottom,” but should be an accessible part of everyone’s health routine. Although we know we can’t meet every mental health need in the city, we are committed to continuing to address the barriers that arise when people look for help.
Rachel Lund started Self Space out of the deep belief in the power of therapy to change people’s lives from the inside out. Her hope is to help people find more safety, care and love in their lives. Rachel is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Clinical Supervisor in Washington state, and focuses on treating clients through a neuropsychotherapy approach to therapy that connects mind+body.