MS, LMHC, NCC-
What kinds of conditions do I treat?
Addictions of all kinds
I am a mental health counselor able to work with dual diagnosed conditions of various kinds. I have many years of experience treating alcoholism and drug addiction as well as other addictive behaviors. Sometimes individuals feel that individual therapy for their addiction is more helpful than group situations, or a combination of both.
Relationships of all kinds
Helping couples, parents and children and larger family groups, to break negative patterns of communication and find better ways to express themselves and listen to one another is something I love to do and find very rewarding.
Trauma Recovery
Recovery from trauma is a 3 stage process. First a therapeutic alliance needs to be created. Trust is the most important foundation between therapist and client and is necessary for the work of healing. Next, when the time is right, comes the process of working through the past experiences. Finally, comes the period of making new connections with the community and the world as one is able.
Loss and Grief
Sometimes the loss and grief that results from a death or other loss is overwhelming and debilitating. Therapy can help one to work through all the thoughts and feelings and find a way to survive without what we have lost. Sharing our loss in this way with the therapist, helps to resolve the experience and find new ways to cope and go on with our lives.
Meaninglessness
This is the underlying cause of depression. Life can sometimes become unlivable because we have lost our way and do not know the way forward. We can lose our belief in ourselves, in others and in life itself. When this occurs, spending time understanding our deeper thoughts and beliefs can help to uncover things about ourselves that we might not be aware of. Therapy can help to open up a dialogue with the therapist and with ourselves so that we can discover how we have arrived in this situation and then hopefully a way forward will open up.
Other things
There are other conditions too. Like anxiety, employment and career issues, religious issues, or some topic that does not fit nicely under a heading. Some issues are interconnected. In any case, therapy can help to untangle and understand ourselves and our connections to others.
What kinds of conditions do I treat?
Addictions of all kinds
I am a mental health counselor able to work with dual diagnosed conditions of various kinds. I have many years of experience treating alcoholism and drug addiction as well as other addictive behaviors. Sometimes individuals feel that individual therapy for their addiction is more helpful than group situations, or a combination of both.
Relationships of all kinds
Helping couples, parents and children and larger family groups, to break negative patterns of communication and find better ways to express themselves and listen to one another is something I love to do and find very rewarding.
Trauma Recovery
Recovery from trauma is a 3 stage process. First a therapeutic alliance needs to be created. Trust is the most important foundation between therapist and client and is necessary for the work of healing. Next, when the time is right, comes the process of working through the past experiences. Finally, comes the period of making new connections with the community and the world as one is able.
Loss and Grief
Sometimes the loss and grief that results from a death or other loss is overwhelming and debilitating. Therapy can help one to work through all the thoughts and feelings and find a way to survive without what we have lost. Sharing our loss in this way with the therapist, helps to resolve the experience and find new ways to cope and go on with our lives.
Meaninglessness
This is the underlying cause of depression. Life can sometimes become unlivable because we have lost our way and do not know the way forward. We can lose our belief in ourselves, in others and in life itself. When this occurs, spending time understanding our deeper thoughts and beliefs can help to uncover things about ourselves that we might not be aware of. Therapy can help to open up a dialogue with the therapist and with ourselves so that we can discover how we have arrived in this situation and then hopefully a way forward will open up.
Other things
There are other conditions too. Like anxiety, employment and career issues, religious issues, or some topic that does not fit nicely under a heading. Some issues are interconnected. In any case, therapy can help to untangle and understand ourselves and our connections to others.
This life is our adventure. Only the truly courageous set upon the journey of self improvement.
Welcome to Claire E. Mannino Counseling Services in
Bellingham, Washington.
A unique counseling experience.
Claire offers telehealth therapy only at this time. Claire practices with an ICATH Informed Consent for Access to Trans Health lens.
Specializing in teen and
young adult counseling,
Gender Identity counseling,
and LGBTQI counseling.
EMAIL
bhamcounseling@gmail.com
Claire's office is located in the historic Bellingham Clover Building. Stop by and take a look! This building is cool! Best of Bellingham, gay, pride, queer, young adult, teen, couples, relationship, individual, transitions, counseling, therapy, psychotherapy, washington, depression, anxiety, addiction, lgbt, fears, phobias, trauma, sex-positive counseling.
depression, anxiety, or overwhelming stress
addiction issues or other compulsive patterns of behavior
relationship conflicts, divorce, or divorce recovery
shyness, low self-esteem, social anxiety
anger management or persistent sadness
mourning the loss of someone
stage of life challenges (adolescence, mid-life, elder years)
sense of dissatisfaction with life, loss of meaning
feelings of being stuck or confused
a spiritual or identity crisis
nightmares or insomnia
chronic pain or illness
I offer you counseling and psychotherapy that is:
friendly, curious, and caring
unconditionally supportive and non-judgmental
open to discovering your unique individuality
actively engaging
willing to utilize varied resources (dreams, journaling, active imagination)
dedicated to discovering ways you can achieve the change you want
Who I serve:
individual adults, couples, teens and parents
folks from a wide spectrum of ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds
different educational and income levels
individuals with diverse sexual and gender identities
artists, musicians, writers, dancers, and actors
other clinicians