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Kim Dean, MA, JD, LMFTA

Kim is no longer employed at Mettarel.  She is pursuing her own practice in Mill Creek.  Please feel free to explore our other therapists at www.mettarel.com/staff or contact Kim directly at kimdeancounselingandmediation.com

 

Bio:

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My work is highly informed by my training in the following:

  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy (GMCT)

  • Sue Johnson's Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I work with individuals and couples to create thriving and vibrant relationships with themselves and the important people in their lives. 

 

I bring years of experience working with families and have a deep understanding of the complexity of adult relationships. I used to believe that if my relationships weren’t easy, something was wrong. My experience and training have disabused me of that notion and I use this knowledge to help clients understand what gets in the way of creating and maintaining nourishing relationships. My work is grounded in attachment theory which establishes that we are relational beings wired for connection and belonging. 

 

I am passionate about guiding individuals and couples toward relationship health, healing, decision making, and when inevitable, toward intentional uncoupling. Modern relationships have enormous, unprecedented expectations in our increasingly fast-paced lives. The demands
of modern life are seemingly incompatible with a thriving relationship and we have few skills to draw upon to face these new challenges.


I have been a practicing family law attorney for the past ten years and witnessed the destruction of the litigation process. While dismantling marriages for the last decade, I witnessed many couples who made the decision to divorce without support in making the decision. I guide individuals and couples to gain clarity about the relationship and whether to work to revitalize the marriage, move toward divorce, or take a time out and shelve the decision for the time being.


When divorce is unavoidable, I help individuals and couples to navigate the process before, during and after the divorce. Ending a relationship is a journey of emotional healing and it is also a time when one is forced to make critical life decisions that can feel overwhelming. I help
clients uncouple with integrity. In addition, I am a trained co-parent coach helping families to develop child-centered parenting plans.

 

I work with individuals and couples to revitalize a relationship that has become tired, stale, and disconnected or who are navigating life-cycle transitions that disrupt the status quo. I am highly skilled in working with couples who are in the midst of a crisis that has shattered the
sacred bond and are on the brink of divorce. I offer healing, insight, deep reflection, rebuilding, and relationship skills.


As a continuous learner and student of life, I am committed to ongoing study and integration of
the latest research and evidence based practices in relationship theory and personal growth. 

My services include:

Kim's Fee is $120 / 50 minute session (prorated by the minute)

CREDENTIALS

Licenses, Certifications and Professional Memberships:
 

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate - MG60828289- State of Washington DOH

WSBA - Member of Washington State Bar Association, Bar #40709

ICEEFT - International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy

AAMFT - American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (pre-clinical fellow)

WAMFT - Washington Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

 

Education (Degrees Earned):

 

MA - Clinical Psychology

Saybrook University/Leadership Institute of Seattle (LIOS)

 

Juris Doctor - Seattle University, Seattle, WA

BA - Interdisciplinary Global Studies, University of Washington, Seattle WA

Certifications and Trainings:

2009: Informed Advocacy in Parenting Plan Cases, AAML
2009: Professional Mediation Skills Training, University of Washington School of Law
2012: Systemic Solutions for Families in Crisis, WA-AFCC
2017: The Essentials of Co-Parent Coaching, Karen Bonnell
2017: LGBTQ Cultivating an Inclusive Practice
2017-2018: Hakomi Level 1 & 2 – Seattle Hakomi Education Network
2017-2018: Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level 1&2), The Gottman Institute
2017: Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals, ICEEFT
2017: Relational Life Therapy, (Foundations, Level 1, Couples Intensive), Relational Life Institute
2018: Discernment Counseling, Doherty Relationship Institute
2018: Helping Couples in Crisis, PESI

Kim Dean
SchduleKim
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