Mental Health Counseling
Support that starts with you
You don’t have to have everything figured out before reaching out. At Clarity Mental Health & Recovery in Bellingham, counseling begins with a conversation about what you’re experiencing and what you want to change. You may be looking for relief from a specific concern, support through a difficult season, or a place to better understand yourself.
Mental health counseling offers space to explore your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and patterns with someone who listens without judgment. Together, you and your counselor can identify what matters to you, understand what gets in the way, and practice skills that support meaningful changes in daily life.
What we can work on together
Our counselors support people navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, stress, identity development, and life transitions. Counseling can also help with relationship difficulties, boundaries, self-criticism, emotional overwhelm, and the impact of past experiences. You don’t need to wait until things feel unmanageable to ask for support.
Your goals might include responding differently to stress, communicating more clearly, feeling more connected, or making decisions that reflect your values. We look at your strengths as well as your challenges, and work at a pace that respects your readiness and needs.
What to expect from counseling
Early conversations help your counselor understand what brings you in, relevant parts of your history, and what you hope will be different. You can ask questions about their approach and discuss what helps you feel comfortable. From there, you develop goals together and revisit them as your needs change.
Sessions may combine reflection, learning practical coping skills, and trying new ways to respond to familiar situations. Different counselors bring different training and approaches; finding a good fit is part of the process. You have a voice in your care, including what you want to focus on and when you need to slow down.
A collaborative approach to care
Your experiences, preferences, and goals matter. We work with you to explore the support that fits your needs, which may include individual counseling, group counseling, EMDR therapy, or coordination with our psychiatry team. For people experiencing both mental health and substance use concerns, we can discuss how these areas connect and what support may help.
Mental health counseling in Bellingham and across Washington
We welcome inquiries from throughout Washington State. Contact our team about current counselor availability, in-person appointments in Bellingham, and telehealth options for your location. Our team can also help you check accepted insurance and next steps.
Explore the counselors below, complete our new patient application, or call (360) 676-4485 for help getting started.
Meet our mental health counseling team
Kelly Frost
MS, LMHC, SUDP, DVIC
Kelly combines a compassionate, nonjudgmental approach with mindfulness, EMDR, and IFS-informed care for trauma, mental health, and co-occurring concerns.
Dr. Chris Portman
PhD · Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Portman specializes in anxiety, depression, relationships, and addiction, with extensive experience in co-occurring disorders and clinical supervision.
Connie Guy
MS, LMHC, CMHS
Connie supports individuals, couples, and families with anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions, drawing on CBT, DBT, and EMDR.
Crystal Garcia
MS, LMHC · EMDR trained · IFS Level 1
Crystal works with teens and adults, couples and families, with a focus on complex trauma, attachment, and creating more fulfilling relationships.
Dr. Brenda Chase – Kotewa
PhD, LPC, NCC, LMHC
Brenda brings more than two decades of experience supporting clients through anxiety, depression, grief, identity development, and life transitions.
Valerie Klages
MA, LMHCA, SUDPT
Valerie offers a warm, person-centered approach informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and trauma-informed care.
Supervised by Connie Guy, LMHC, CMHS.
Hilary Heard Susnar
MSW, LICSWA
Hilary offers strengths-based, collaborative counseling and an inclusive, affirming space, with a particular interest in supporting LGBTQIA+ clients.
Supervised by Laurie Ellett, LICSW, SUDP, DVIT, and Connie Guy, LMHC, CMHS.
Rebecca Snyder
MSW, LICSWA
Rebecca brings compassionate curiosity and a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach to help clients explore their experiences, values, and goals.
Supervised by Laurie Ellett, LICSW, SUDP, DVIT-S, and Connie Guy, LMHC, CMHS.
Alyne Van Winkle
M.Ed., LMHCA
Alyne offers collaborative, trauma-informed counseling for adolescents ages 16+ and adults. She integrates person-centered therapy, CBT, and mindfulness, with particular interests in trauma, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.
Supervised by Kelly Frost, MS, LMHC, SUDP, DVIC.
Kaitlynn Moody
Counseling Intern · Northwestern University
Kaitlynn brings a collaborative, relationship-focused approach and creates a supportive space for clients to explore challenges, growth, and change.
Supervised by Kelly Frost, MS, LMHC, SUDP, DVIC.
Read full provider biographies or complete our new patient application to get started.
Co-occurring Disorders
Co-occurring disorders means experiencing a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder at the same time. For example, someone may be living with depression and problematic alcohol use, or trauma-related symptoms alongside a substance use disorder.
Understanding the connection
These concerns can influence one another. A person may turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with distress, while substance use can also contribute to mental health symptoms. The relationship is different for everyone, which is why understanding your history and experiences matters.
Support for the whole person
Addressing both concerns together can help create a more complete treatment plan. At Clarity, we work with you to explore how emotional health, substance use, relationships, and daily stress fit together. Your goals guide conversations about individual counseling, substance use support, groups, and psychiatric care when appropriate.
You can start wherever you are
You don’t need to know which concern came first or have the right words to describe what is happening. We begin by listening, then help you explore next steps that fit your needs and readiness for change.
Meet our counselors or call (360) 676-4485 to start a conversation. Based in Bellingham, we welcome inquiries from throughout Washington about available services and appointment options.
