Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Puyallup, WA

My name is Jeffrey W. Danese, MS, MA, LMHC, LPCC, and I am a licensed mental health counselor in Washington State and California, currently based in Sacramento. I bring over 15 years of clinical experience across private practice, inpatient and outpatient mental health settings, and college counseling, along with a an academic background teaching psychology, religious studies, and the history of science in higher education from UCSB, FSU, and 10 years at SJSU to various community colleges in the Puget Sound region and in North Florida and cross-cultural experiences such as living in Taiwan, Zambia, Germany and traveling around the world; I studied Spanish, German, and Chinese language, world history and religions, psychology, evolutionary psychology and the cognitive science of religion; was raised Catholic but ordained as a Buddhist monk in Thailand; and continue to meditate, explore and read broadly. One of my favorite quotes is by the Roman writer, Terence: "I am human and there is nothing human foreign to me." (or, Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto. -- Publius Terentius Afer, 165 BCE)

My goal is that you feel genuinely seen, supported, and understood in our work together. I bring a warm, grounded, and collaborative style to therapy, helping adults who are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship stress, and long‐standing emotional patterns. I pay close attention to the deeper themes beneath the surface—your beliefs, your protective strategies, and the ways you’ve learned to cope—so we can create meaningful, lasting change. My goal is to help you feel safe, empowered, and more connected to yourself from the very beginning.

Kayla, a licensed Clinical Social Worker with a background in community mental health, recognized the profound disparities in access to mental health care within BIPOC communities. Inspired by a vision of creating a space where healing is both inclusive and affordable, she founded Helen’s Project with the belief that everyone deserves access to quality mental health support, regardless of their background or financial situation.​​Helen’s Project operates on the principle that culturally competent and empathetic mental health care is essential for holistic well-being. The organization collaborates with a diverse team of mental health professionals who not only possess clinical expertise but also understand the unique cultural nuances and challenges faced by the BIPOC community.

Florida + Washington residents

Midlife got you spinning? Not feeling yourself? Empty nest blues?

Midlife brings an undercurrent of change that few are completely prepared for. For decades, your time, energy, and identity may have been anchored by familiar roles—running a busy household, climbing a career ladder, or maintaining long-standing family dynamics. When those roles shift by way of an empty nest, career evolution, relationship changes, or retirement, the silence left behind can feel surprisingly heavy.

Many expect to feel a sense of relief or simple pride during this season. Instead, it’s incredibly common to find yourself wrestling with grief, anxiety, or a persistent question: Who am I now?

If you are feeling disconnected from your purpose, uncertain about the future, or struggling to adjust to a new pace of life, you are not alone. You haven’t lost yourself; you are simply navigating the space between who you once were and who you are becoming.

Areas of Focus

• Midlife Transitions & Role Shifts
• Self-Discovery & Identity Reconstruction
• Empty Nest Adjustment
• Grief, Loss, and Navigating Change
• Anxiety, Stress, and Uncertainty About the Future

My goal is to help you reconnect with your core self—not just through the roles you play for others, but as a whole person with your own distinct needs, interests, and dreams. Remember when you had needs? This isn't about starting over from scratch; it’s about reconstructing your life so that it feels deeply meaningful, aligned, and fulfilling for the years ahead.

Service for residents of Florida + Washington state

I provide online individual, couples, relationship, and family therapy through Pinehurst Relationships Seattle. Based out of the Pinehurst neighborhood (98125) of North Seattle—right next door to Northgate and Shoreline—my telehealth services are available to clients throughout all of Washington State.

My approach to therapy is rooted in the belief that our lives and relationships are deeply connected to the world around us. When a family dynamic feels tense, a couple loses their shared intimacy, or a child or teen gets stuck in a repetitive, draining loop, modern macro-stressors, grief, and overwhelm are usually magnifying the strain. I work to help you break the cyclical patterns that leave your relationships running on empty. If your primary bonds feel overwhelmed right now, you don't have to navigate it alone.

Education and experience: I hold a BA from the University of Washington (1985) and an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Antioch Seattle (2022). My clinical roots include a dedicated internship in community mental health in Edmonds and an associate residency at a Seattle group practice. Outside the office, I recharge by gardening, walking with my partner, and heading out on PNW trail adventures with our hiking cat, Jasper.

Are you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or emotionally drained? You're not alone—and you don't have to navigate it alone. With many years in the mental health field, I offer a compassionate and personalized approach to therapy, with a focus on helping individuals manage anxiety, depression and helping with self esteem issues. I began my career in community mental health, where I gained deep insight into the challenges people face and the strength it takes to seek help.