What to Expect
Every individual deserves to find a therapist that feels like the best fit for their needs. The first step in the process is to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. When we chat, I'll ask you some questions to gain a better understanding about what brings you to counseling. I will tell you about my qualifications, inform you about scheduling availability, and we will discuss the next steps. If for some reason we aren't able to work together, I would be more than happy to provide you with additional referrals.
Whether you are excited or nervous for our first appointment together, I will do my best to make the experience as comfortable as possible. Before our first session, you'll receive some forms to complete prior to the intake. It is recommended you arrive ten minutes before the start of your appointment, and you will check-in using an easy electronic system that notifies me you've made it. Feel free to grab tea or coffee as you sit in the waiting room, and I'll be out to get you at the time of our appointment. We will spend the hour reviewing the intake forms, gathering history, and start building a therapeutic relationship.
You can expect that we will continue to strengthen our therapeutic relationship, build trust, explore ideas, and engage in new experiences for each session. When the time feels right, we will discuss graduation from counseling, reflect on all your success, and celebrate your progress.
View the Space
Therapy Office
Therapy Office
Therapy Office
Waiting Room
Waiting Room
Check-In Tablet
Evidence-Based Treatment and Trauma Informed Care
Heartsong Counseling offers evidence-based treatment from a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Heartsong Counseling also adopts a trauma-informed approach in treatment. Learn more about treatment options below.
Most therapists are exposed to working with trauma diagnoses in their practice, but not all therapists adopt a trauma-informed approach. Therapists who are trauma-informed will be able to recognize trauma symptoms and have a sound comprehension of how it impacts an individual's physical health, relationships, and overall quality of life.
Therapists who are trauma-informed also incorporate additional practices such as taking extra care and consideration in providing clients knowledge of what to expect in treatment, familiarity with the counseling environment, empowerment and control in treatment, and more.
When a disturbing or difficult event happens, it can get locked away in the brain along with images, thoughts, emotions, and body sensations.
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, or EMDR, helps you revisit one memory at a time while in a safe environment and reprocess it so that it is less overwhelming or distressing. It also helps reduce the intensity of triggers you may encounter in your daily life.
A common type of bilateral stimulation is eye movement, where you follow your therapist's fingers back and forth with your eyes. Other forms of bilateral stimulation include using tappers that gently vibrate in your hands. Bilateral stimulation helps speed up your brain's ability to process and heal troubling memories, thoughts, or feelings.
EMDR is clinically proven to be helpful in treating a wide variety of issues including:
- Trauma and other stressful events
- Anxiety and phobias
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Grief
- Self-esteem
EMDR may not be as conversational as traditional talk therapy, but it is still highly effective. EMDR follows a specific protocol that helps your brain to process the memories or target. You are in control the entire time. Your therapist will help guide you through the process and can provide support if you get stuck along the way.
Emotionally Focused Therapy, or EFT, is an evidence-based model of counseling based on attachment theory. EFT operates from the belief that humans are wired for connection and that everyone craves belonging, bonding, and acceptance. Emotionally Focused Therapy can be used with individuals, couples, and families.
EFT helps clients have new emotional experiences, offers transformative moments, and assists in moving clients from rigidity into flexibility.
The client and therapist work together to identify negative patterns that the individual may be repeating and helps to update these patterns so that stable and long-lasting change can occur.
Frequently Asked Questions
I take a special interest in working with survivors of sexual assault and individuals who have experienced any type of trauma. I have experience seeing clients who are experiencing anxiety, depression, or relational struggles. I'm also a LGBTQ+ ally and believe everyone deserves a safe space to be their authentic self.
While I have experience working with all age groups, I am currently only accepting adult clients who are age 18 and over at this time.
I have my master's degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Gonzaga University. I hope to offer counseling services for families or couples in the future, and at this time I am only accepting individual clients.
I believe that creating a strong therapeutic relationship is crucial to the counseling experience. I prefer to build this relationship by meeting with clients in person. I do occasionally offer telehealth sessions depending on the circumstances.
I currently accept the following insurances:
- Aetna
- Asuris
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- First Choice Health
- Kaiser
- LifeWise
- Optum
- Premera
- Providence
- Regence
- United Healthcare
When you arrive to the office, you will find an iPad with several therapists listed. Simply select "Kendall Watson" to check in. I'll receive a notification that you have arrived. While you wait, please make yourself comfortable and grab a cup of tea or coffee.
I am at the Rockpointe Building at 316 W Boone Ave, Spokane WA, 99201. My office is Suite 850 located in the building labeled "Rock Pointe Tower".
When you enter the main building lobby, take the elevator up to the 8th floor and you'll find the waiting room with the check-in tablet.
Free parking is located immediately outside the building. The best entrance to the parking lot is located at 1212 N Washington Street, Spokane WA, 99201.