Dafna Chen, LMHC, SUDP, CST, CGP (she\they)

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Substances Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) in the State of WA.

In addition, I am a Certified sex therapist (CST).

I'm also a Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP).

I have a unique and varied background - research, software engineering, university teaching, supervision of therapists, and counseling - all of which shape the way I work with people. I customize my approach to fit your values, goals, and preferred ways of engaging. That might mean offering deep listening, providing guidance when needed, serving as a sounding board, and creating a safe space to explore new possibilities for a life that works better for you.

I offer online therapy for individuals and intimate partners living in Washington State, with a focus on trauma, substance use, relationships and intimacy - physical and otherwise. 

I also lead online process groups for people across the U.S. These groups are a powerful way to connect, grow, and heal—and they’re also a more affordable option.

I work collaboratively with you, meeting you where you are in your journey. 

Change is not a one-time event. It is a process of recognizing what works in our life and what we want and can change. 

 I use and combine various therapies and tools that suit your goals and style, so our work is effective and helpful to your life. Some of the main approaches I use are: Motivational interviewing, Mindfulness, Humanistic and Existential therapies, Attachment based therapies, Relational therapy, Reality therapy, EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy), Gottman, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and more. 

 I specialize in working with people and families who struggle with the consequences of substance use, and life-long traumas. These can show as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, relationship challenges, addictions, challenges in adjustment to life changes and more. My therapeutic work integrates various evidence-based practices. Together, we will explore what works, try tools and skills to evaluate what is effective for you.   

 Relationships can hurt us, they can also heal us. When life-challenges affect our relationships, we might feel threatened, and revert to old patterns of behavior that are not out best selves. Sometimes, we treat the people we love most in the worst ways. The price we pay in our connection can be high. Finding ways to reconnect and reignite our passion is the work we can do together. This is what we do in our therapy sessions as well as in community in the process groups.