Jill Stenerson

Jill has been in the counseling field for over 15 years, working in private practice in tribal community mental health and in a private practice consortium. She is a licensed mental health counselor in the State of Washington, a Certified Problem Gambling Counselor, a certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), and a Certified Multiple Addiction Therapist (CMAT). Much of her work has been with victims of complex trauma, sexual abuse, those struggling with process addictions (sex, porn, gambling), and couples navigating repair from addiction or betrayal trauma and abuse.

Jill believes that issues of addiction and abuse require a rigorous commitment to personal responsibility, which begins by staring squarely at the problematic behaviors and the impact they have on those around us. The impact of abuse and trauma on a survivor also requires the same level of focus on reality. In order to heal from the impact of trauma, we must identify what happened, establish emotional, spiritual, physical, and sexual safety, face the ways in which the trauma has shaped our way of relating to the world and others, and develop new skills to engage life from a stance of empowerment, as opposed to fear.

Jill’s style of therapy is directive, supportive, and challenging. She believes clients are capable of hearing difficult things and rising to the challenge and that this is why most people seek therapy. Additionally, she believes that part of her job is to give feedback when progress is not being made and to be transparent about that with clients. Most change takes place outside of the counseling office, so Jill believes clients are best served when they practice skills, reflect outside of sessions, and complete assigned homework.