Authentic Growth For Every Season
Therapy for Couples & Men in Seattle and WA State
Life moves through seasons; some are heavy, and some are full of change. If you’ve been running on empty, whether at work, in your relationship, or within yourself, it might be time to pause and reconnect. I help couples and men work through burnout, people-pleasing, and disconnection so they can rediscover an authentic life that lasts.
Hi, I’m Karsten, LMFTA
My work centers on supporting couples and men through burnout, stress, and tough seasons in their relationships and lives. If what you read here sounds familiar to your experience, I invite you to reach out so we can see if working together feels right for you.
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I don’t follow a rigid method. I tailor my approach to what helps men and couples navigate life’s seasons. Sometimes that means slowing down to make sense of the story you’ve been carrying and noticing patterns that no longer serve you. Other times, it’s about building safer connections, practicing clearer communication, trying tools to ease anxiety, or creating space for emotions you’ve been holding alone.
I also keep the bigger picture in mind, your relationships, communities, and environment, so our work fits the life you’re actually living. Everything we do is aimed at helping you find clarity and authenticity that lasts.
The common thread is that therapy should feel useful and relevant to who you are—not a set of techniques that don’t fit your life.
If seeing the more technical modalities helps, I blend:
Emotionally focused therapy (EFT)
Narrative Therapy
Family Systems Therapy
Solution-focused-brief-therapy (SFBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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I walk alongside emerging adults, men, and couples navigating meaningful seasons of growth and change:
Emerging Adults (17–29) – I support young adults stepping into independence, career transitions, and adult responsibilities, helping them manage stress, anxiety, identity questions, and the challenges of navigating relationships and life decisions.
Couples – Whether you’re preparing for marriage, working through conflict, or wanting to strengthen your connection, I help couples build trust, improve communication, and create a relationship that feels steady and fulfilling.
Men – Many men in there carry stress, anxiety, or unspoken struggles alone. I work with men facing life transitions, relationship challenges, sexual health concerns, or the pressure to “have it all together,” helping them find clarity, confidence, and balance.
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I’m originally from the Midwest, but Washington is home now. I studied psychology at Hope College and earned my M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy at Seattle Pacific University. I am an Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in WA state.
I’ve worked in emergency shelters, schools, and community mental health centers, supporting individuals, couples, and families through challenges like anxiety, societal pressures, and life transitions.
I’ve also faced my own challenges and supported many others through theirs, so I know firsthand how chaotic, uncertain, and full of doubt this time in life can feel. I bring that understanding into a space where men and couples can feel supported and challenged as they navigate their own seasons of change.
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When I’m not working, I love being outdoors—hiking, running, cycling, lifting, or playing volleyball. I also enjoy spending time with loved ones (and dogs) and reading. These things keep me grounded, curious, and energized, and I bring that same balance and perspective into the therapy room.
Types of Therapy I offer
Couples Therapy
Maybe you’ve been arguing about the same things, or maybe there’s barely any arguing at all, just distance. You might feel more like roommates than partners, or wonder if you’re even on the same page about your future. Couples therapy is a space to slow down the cycle, learn how to really hear each other, and strengthen a connection.
Here are some of the concerns I often work with in couples therapy:
Communication breakdowns and frequent conflict
Feeling emotionally distant or disconnected
Struggles with intimacy or sexual closeness
Preparing for marriage or navigating premarital concerns
Adjusting to parenthood or other major life transitions
Rebuilding trust after betrayal or broken agreements
Balancing career, family, and relationship demands
Unspoken tension or unresolved resentments
Parenting concerns or new parent discussions
Individual Men
A lot of men carry stress quietly, the pressure to ‘have it all figured out, ’ but no safe place to talk about it. You might feel stuck, restless, or disconnected, even when things ‘look fine’ on the outside. Therapy doesn’t mean you’re weak. It’s a way to build resilience and a life that feels authentic, not just what’s expected of you.
Here are some of the concerns I often work with men on in therapy:
Anxiety, worry, or overthinking that feels hard to manage
Depression, burnout, or feeling weighed down emotionally
Low self-esteem, self-doubt, or struggles with confidence
Adjusting to life transitions like school, career, or parenthood
Trauma and the lasting impact of past experiences
Relationship stress or difficulty setting healthy boundaries
Athletes and the pressure to meet expectations/perform
Sexual health and porn addiction
Feeling disconnected, isolated, or alone
FAQ’s
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Yes. I am an in-network provider with Premera Blue Cross and LifeWise. I also accept some BCBS BlueCard Plans (this includes carriers such as Anthem).
For all other insurance plans, I am considered an out-of-network (OON) provider and can provide a superbill for you to submit directly to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. To confirm your out-of-network mental health benefits, I encourage you to call your insurance company.
Couples therapy is offered as a private pay service and is not billable to insurance. Because insurance companies generally do not consider couples counseling a medically necessary covered service, I don’t submit these claims. However, I am able to provide a superbill that you may submit to your insurance company to check if any out-of-network reimbursement is available.
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I currently provide services via Telehealth and In-Person.
Telehealth sessions offered Monday - Friday
In-person sessions offered Monday - Friday in Fremont/Seattle
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My standard private pay fees are as follows:
Individual & Couples Therapy
Intake Session (60 minutes): $200
Standard session (53-60 minutes): $175
Extended session (90 minutes): $225
I accept cash, Zelle, check, and major credit/debit cards for both individual and couples therapy. For individual therapy I can also accept Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards. To make this process seamless, I securely save credit/debit cards, as well as HSA and FSA cards, on file and charge them after each session.
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There is a 48-hour cancelation and reschedule policy. If you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment, please do so before the 48-hour window. Otherwise, I charge the full fee for late cancelations and no-shows.
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The first session is where we get to know each other and begin building a sense of trust. We will talk about what brings you to therapy, your goals, and what feels most important to you. There’s no pressure to share everything at once, this is your space, and we’ll move at your pace. I will also explain things like confidentiality and answer any questions you have.
