Mark Ponce
Pronouns: he/him/his
INDIVIDUAL & COUPLES THERAPY
$170 / 50-minute session
$190 / 50-minute couples session
MA, LMFTA
Therapy is an opportunity for you to gain a fuller perspective about your life, how you fit into the world, and the relationships around you. I am here to lend a helping hand on your journey toward a better and more fulfilling future - helping you discover openly and without judgment exactly what it is you want and walking alongside you as you take steps forward.
I work with people who are struggling to feel emotionally connected to their romantic partner(s), helping them to recognize and manage conflict and communicate effectively. I have experience working with individuals managing grief/loss and the aftermath of traumatic experiences. I also find interest in working with folks who face challenges associated with their identity and worldview and going through life transitions. I work best with clients who are leaders of their own lives, looking to redefine their circumstances. They are open to learning new ways to address their challenges and interested in exploring difficult experiences that may have influenced their view of life and others.
Therapy is not an easy process. As you progress through the therapeutic journey, managing challenges may become harder before it gets easier. This is a result of readjusting long-standing habits and learning new ways to address life’s difficulties. Just beyond these challenges is a connection to your true self, which is the core, compassionate, and wise essence of who you are. Once connected, you may experience higher levels of satisfaction within your relationships as well as an increased sense of safety and peace within yourself.
I work from a humanistic, systems-based approach that takes clients’ social contexts, relationships, and internal dynamics into account throughout the therapeutic process. I value being collaborative, culturally responsive, and strengths-based in every therapeutic relationship. I utilize therapeutic techniques derived from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT/EFIT), and values-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The goal of utilizing these theories is to ultimately lead you to a more fulfilling and meaningful life and to help you achieve greater self-awareness, inner harmony, and personal growth. For romantic partnerships, I utilize techniques from both EFT and the Gottman Method–together, these theories address both the emotional and behavioral aspects of the partnership, increasing the chances of long-term success. All in all, my position as your therapist is to provide you the best care that fits your unique story and to tailor every session to your unique needs. I will walk alongside you as you explore your life, affirm and empower you as we discuss your experiences, and also challenge you when I feel it is pivotal to your growth.
As an Asian American, I experienced firsthand the challenges of being part of a minority cultural background and growing up in the Western world. Early on, I experienced a ton of big emotions and a multitude of issues regarding family and had little resources to manage. This was partially due to the lack of Asian therapists in the mental health field. I joined this profession in order to help those who may have/had similar experiences and would like the space to heal. I went to college in Eastern Washington where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and my Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Whitworth University. Outside of the therapy space, I enjoy spending time with close friends and family, investing in physical activities, and growing in my knowledge associated with cooking and different types of wine! I look forward to meeting you and watching you grow into your fullest self!
INDIVIDUAL & COUPLES THERAPY
$170 / 50-minute session - $190 / 50-minute couples session
mark@selfspaceseattle.com