Business Details
Trusted Mental Health Counseling for Families in Bellingham
At Alpen Counseling, we specialize in child and family mental health therapy, offering a relational, warm, and collaborative approach to support individuals navigating life's challenges. With over 30 years of experience working with children, teens, and families in diverse settingsfrom public schools to wilderness therapy programswe bring deep expertise in developmental needs, emotional regulation, and family dynamics. Our practice integrates evidence-based methods such as expressive therapies, neurobiology, and mindfulness to foster resilience and lasting change.We provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for children (ages 10+), young adults, and parents seeking guidance through anxiety, trauma, behavioral challenges, or family transitions. Located in Bellingham, Washington, our mission is to empower clients through compassionate care that honors individuality and strengthens family systems.
Services
Child Counseling
Teen Therapy
Parent Coaching
Family Therapy
Play Therapy
Trauma Counseling
Emotional Regulation Support
LGBTQ+ Affirmative Care
Adoption Support
Social Skills Development
Highlights and features
- 30+ years of experience in child and family mental health
- Specialized in evidence-based therapies for emotional and behavioral challenges
- Offers parent coaching to strengthen family dynamics
- Inclusive practice welcoming diverse family structures
- Integrates expressive therapies like art and play for child engagement
Services
Child Counseling
Specialized mental health support for children aged 10 and older facing emotional, behavioral, or developmental challenges. Our therapists use play and expressive therapies to help children process trauma, manage anxiety, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Sessions focus on creating safe spaces for self-expression while addressing academic, social, and family-related stressors through evidence-based techniques.
Parent Coaching
Structured coaching sessions for parents and guardians seeking to improve family dynamics. We provide practical strategies for managing stress, enhancing communication, and implementing consistent parenting approaches. This service supports diverse family structures through short-term, solution-focused guidance to help caregivers build confidence and create positive home environments that foster child development.
Trauma Counseling
Specialized therapy for individuals and families processing traumatic experiences. Our approach integrates neurobiology research and mindfulness techniques to address trauma's impact on emotional regulation and relationships. Therapists work collaboratively with clients to develop personalized recovery plans that promote resilience while respecting each family's unique healing timeline and cultural context.
Play Therapy
Therapeutic intervention using art, play, and creative activities to help children communicate complex emotions. This developmentally appropriate approach enables young clients to explore feelings safely while building emotional regulation skills. Therapists guide children through structured play activities that foster self-awareness, improve social skills, and support processing of challenging life experiences.
Family Therapy
Holistic mental health support addressing family system dynamics and interpersonal relationships. Sessions focus on improving communication patterns, resolving conflicts, and strengthening emotional connections across generations. Our therapists work with diverse family structures to address challenges related to parenting, life transitions, and collective trauma while promoting mutual understanding and collaborative problem-solving.
People
Kirke Mahy Hestad
Child and Family Mental Health Therapist
With over 30 years of experience in child and family mental health, Kirke Mahy Hestad specializes in therapeutic interventions for developmental challenges, trauma, and family dynamics. Her practice integrates expressive therapies, neurobiology research, and attachment theory to support clients in Bellingham, WA.
Questions
What age groups do you work with?
We specialize in working with children aged 10+, teens, young adults, and their families through individual and family therapy sessions.
Do you accept insurance?
We operate as an out-of-network provider and provide receipts for potential insurance reimbursement. Payment is due at the time of service through Square.
What therapeutic approaches do you use?
Our practice integrates evidence-based methods including play therapy, neurobiology-informed interventions, mindfulness techniques, and attachment-focused strategies tailored to each client's needs.
Is parent involvement required?
We encourage collaborative care through parent coaching sessions that complement child therapy, but involvement level is determined based on each family's specific needs and goals.
How do you address LGBTQ+ needs?
Our practice maintains an inclusive environment with affirming care for LGBTQ+ youth and families, focusing on creating safe spaces for self-expression and identity exploration.
What are your office hours?
Please contact us directly for scheduling information, as our availability is designed to accommodate individual client needs while maintaining therapeutic boundaries.
