Merilee Lovejoy M.A. Ed.
Counselor

I'm in a doctoral program in Clinical Psychology, studying to be a psychologist. I anticipate graduating this Fall, and am looking forward to what the future may hold!

I enjoy working in both inpatient hospital and outpatient clinic settings with individuals dealing with a wide-range of issues.

I see myself as an educator, counselor, team-player, writer and consultant.

I have a compelling desire to share what I have learned, to mentor others, whether through one-on-one counseling, group facilitation/counseling, teaching, or writing. Sources of inspiration seem to multiply... as I get older... Music, the arts, good lectures, time spent with people I care about, good books, spirituality~ keep my creative juices flowing. I am intuitive, so use my body/awareness, experiencing the here-and-now, being present/transparent as tools while working with people. I see my work with individuals as sacred, and am honored when people share what is on their hearts and minds during our time together.

I am interested in counselees' stories, and am committed to walking with them along their paths, helping them clear any cobwebs that may be getting in the way of leading a more fulfilling life with regard to relationships, career, play, purpose in life, destiny. My intention is to help people become more integrated as persons. I see my role when working with people as one of coach, facilitator, a type-of-friend/mentor, one who sees hidden, buried, undeveloped or underdeveloped potential, and who sometimes serves as a kind of beacon of hope!

I believe that individuals, through their work with me, are likely to feel supported, cared about, challenged, (sometimes confronted), informed, guided, and that they will grow in terms of their knowledge of ways to heal, to have better self-care, to get their legitimate, legitimate, legitimate needs (yes, writing the word legitimate three times was deliberate on my part) met in healthy ways. I also believe that they will learn practical ways to grow in self-acceptance, self-responsibility, and will be empowered to move toward greater freedom, fulfillment, and inner alignment (alignment with who they are and the self they try to present to the world). I believe that through their work with me people will become better integrated as personalities, and if interested, more in tune with Spirit.

I enjoy working with people of all ages, from young children, to adolescents, to adults. In my therapeutic work with children I often work closely with at least one parent, with my end-goal typically being to help facilitate the child/parent bond and communication. I realize that although I can develop a good therapeutic bond with a young person in the therapy room, which can be quite healing and growth promoting, ultimately, the child returns to the family environment and relationships, and often both the child and parents need support as they negotiate their relationships. I believe that we do not have the capacity to offer to others what we haven't yet received ourselves. I'm a firm believer that parents sometimes need support/healing/certain parenting skills so that they can provide a nurturing, compassionate, grace-filled environment, while setting clear and consistent boundaries for their children. I utilize play therapy techniques, solution-focused brief therapy techniques, and draw from family therapy models in my work with families.

I just registerd my URL for my fan page on facebook today. My new URL is: http://www.facebook.com/HopeIncorporated

I welcome you to check out my page, and become a fan if you would like! I plan on offering promotions, tips for successful living, links to the field of psychology/counseling, info. on women's and men's issues, depression/anxiety, and the social-emotional development of children/parenting. I look forward to seeing you there! :>

Currently working on my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology

In 1998, I received my Masters of Education in School Counseling, from Seattle Pacific University. I worked for a couple of years as a school counselor in two school districts, before deciding to return to graduate school to pursue a different career path.

B.A. in Psychology, University of Washington (2003)

Pacific Lutheran University (1989-2002)

During my internship year (2007-2008), I helped manage a three-week long intensive day outpatient treatment program designed for clients who needed to be in a less restrictive environment than a psychiatric hospital setting could provide, but who needed more intensive counseling than is available through once or twice-a-week counseling. As a doctoral intern I worked under the supervision of a licensed psychologist, and as part of a treatment team including other therapists, the head psychologist and a psychiatrist. My responsibilities included: teaching lessons to group members, leading counseling groups, and providing individual counseling to individuals of all ages, from adolescents to older adults. Issues I dealt with included: anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, life transitions, marital problems, boundary issues, sexual and physical abuse, anorexia/bulimia, women's issues, identity issues, codependency, drug/alcohol addiction.

Graduate Student Therapist (9/2004- 11/2005) Western State Hospital, Tacoma

Worked in the Center for Adult Services (CAS) on three wards: an admission ward, a ward with individuals dealing with chronic mental illness, and a ward with civilly committed mentally ill individuals with histories of sexual offending. Co-facilitated a relapse prevention group and another treatment group, provided psychotherapy for selected patients, conducted psychological assessments, and worked in collaboration with a treatment team consisting of a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a social worker, a physician, RNs, LPNs, a pharmacist, recreation and occupational therapists, as well as other nursing support personnel with the purpose of providing quality care to patients, and evaluating patients to determine inpatient treatment needs.

Graduate Student Therapist 8/2002 - 6/2003

Provided individual therapy and psychological testing for children, adolescents, and adults at outpatient clinic. Participated in medical and staff treatment team meetings. Provided counseling for individuals with diagnoses such as bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, borderline personality disorder, and adjustment disorder. Counseling issues included: grief, marital problems, parenting challenges, social adjustment, and sexual and physical abuse.

As a school counselor (1998-2000), I managed the comprehensive developmental guidance programs for two elementary schools. I provided individual counseling to selected students, led counseling groups, taught guidance lessons, and collaborated with and provided consultation to administration, teachers, parents. I also served on a multi-disciplinary treatment team with the school psychologist, principal, special education teachers, and regular education teachers to discuss children's progress and design individualized educational plans that would effectively meet their needs.