Brian Garrison, MA, LMHCA
Psychotherapist
(he/him)
My practice is rooted in a relational psychodynamic approach to therapy. Psychodynamic, sometimes referred to as “depth psychology”, focuses less on changing behaviors and more on what lies behind our behaviors, specifically our unconscious motivations. Behind so much of how we think, what we long for, and how we relate to ourselves and others lies unacknowledged shame, trauma, and the strategies we developed, sometimes very early on, to cope with and hide these realities from ourselves. These make up our implicit memory -- the muscle memory of our emotional worlds -- which cannot easily be recalled or brought into conscious awareness, but determines our lives nonetheless. Psychodynamic therapy aims to cultivate awareness of what lies underneath in disconnected, dissociated ways and provides a space to move through the pain, accept, and integrate the past so that it no longer repeats itself in our lives.
As a student of philosophy, I was enraptured by the personalist thought centered in the face-to-face encounter. This fascination bloomed into a vocation rooted in the incredible capacity that deep relationships have to facilitate liberation and flourishing. I followed this thread from wilderness guiding, to social work with young adults experiencing homelessness in the greater Seattle area, to serving as a chaplain with this very population, where I built theologically formative programs devoted to the upbuilding of human dignity and space to find meaning in the aftermath of trauma and severe economic oppression.
I am now a Licensed Mental Health Counselor trained in relational psychodynamic therapy. I received my Masters in Counseling Psychology from the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, and I have significant experience and expertise working with individuals struggling to live through depression, anxiety disorders, and with survivors of trauma and spiritual abuse.
I work with adolescents, adults, and couples. I enjoy working with folks who identify as queer and trans and of various religious backgrounds and faiths. I have unique experience working with those who identify with Christianity, and those who have experienced religious trauma and spiritual abuse.
Areas of Focus
I have professional experience in the areas of:
Sexual Abuse
Depression
Anxiety disorders
Early emotional trauma
Grief and loss
Sexuality related addictions
Sexuality issues
Substance use
Complex PTSD
Self-destructive emotional and/or behavioral patterns
Men’s Issues
Relationship issues
LGBTQ related issues
Spirituality & Faith
Fees
$160 per 50 minute session
Payable by debit/credit card at time of service.
Sliding scale is available for those facing financial challenges, subject to availability.
Insurance
I am able to provide super-bills for those wishing to seek out of network reimbursement.
Location
I provide in-person sessions out of my office in Fremont. I also offer telehealth sessions for anyone in Washington state.
Scheduling Information
To schedule and intake or consultation, reach out via my website: https://www.briangarrisoncounseling.com
Or email me at brian@briangarrisoncounseling.com.
"Healing is impossible in loneliness; it is the opposite of loneliness.”
— Wendell Berry