A Season of Lent

…daily in this Lenten activity of “getting real.” It is in a sense our life’s work. We embrace the necessity of facing squarely, honestly, and lovingly the realities of our conflicts—internal and external—and grip that past hurts, fear, and anger can have in our hearts. In the hope of Easter joy, in the hope of deliverance from the darkness of these times, we remain committed to doing our small part in the healing and transformation of our community—one life, one relationship, at a time. true 1712121121:13 12 default 1 default…

Give Big 2022 – Washington Gives!

Thank you for joining us for the annual Washington Gives and GiveBig fundraising campaign! You can still DONATE HERE! What is Washington Gives? Washington Gives is an online giving platform that helps individuals, groups, and businesses to discover and donate to nonprofits headquartered or serving Washington State. GiveBIG: A Washington-focused campaign that kicks off April 19 and culminates on May 3-4! Your contribution makes the mission of Samaritan Center of Puget Sound possible! As an expression of God’s love and compassion, we seek to restore hope, reconcile relationships and participate…

Therapist’s Corner #1: Right Time for Couples Therapy

…who identify their fighting as a problem, the right time to start is, well, before it’s too late. That sounds glib, and it is, but it is also completely true. Therapy generally proves useful in identifying deeply ingrained patterns that have a way of taking over a couple’s interactions. Each partner can benefit from seeing the patterns clearly on their many levels: behavioral, perceptual, and emotional. With help from the therapist, partners can explore their contributions to these patterns and can support one another in their growth and change. So…

John Baumann

…and reclaim the relationship you desire. Chronic Illness: A chronic illness typically says “no” to what used to be possible. It can be experienced as defining who we are. Finding the way to still claim who we are is a way to say to “no” to the illness and “yes” to us. Spirituality: Spiritual companioning, many times called spiritual direction, is simply joining someone on their faith journey and reflecting back to them what I see, hear, and experience in them. Marriage Preparation: The decision to say yes to another…

I Will Not Give Up

…and hardy. Upon close investigation, however, it was found that these were not ordinary shrubs. The formation of needles, etc., was identical with that of the trees farther down; as a matter of fact, they looked like branches of the other trees. When one actually examined them, the astounding revelation was that they were branches. For, hugging the ground, following the shape of the terrain, were trees that could not grow upright, following the pattern of their kind. Instead, they were growing as vines grow along the ground, and what…

Employment Opportunities

…Engage in PR or client-generating activity for Samaritan, such as networking and referral source follow-up. Concur with the Mission Statement of Samaritan Center of Puget Sound: “As an expression of God’s love and compassion, we seek to restore hope, reconcile relationships and participate in the transformation of lives. We provide counseling, education, consultation, mediation and other services for individuals, families, congregations and organizations.” Benefits Offered: Medical, dental, long-term disability, and vision 403B plan Employer-paid FICA Credentialing and empanelment with major insurance companies Administrative support staff/insurance billing Client referrals Website and…

Deb Thomas

…Couple and family therapy Spirituality and faith Intimacy and sex therapy Marriage Preparation Course Facilitator Parenting issues: discipline, behavior modification, parents’ needs M.S., Marriage and Family Therapy; Seattle Pacific University B.A., English Literature, Seattle Pacific University Advanced training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT, EFCT) Advanced training in sex therapy (AASECT Certified Sex Therapist) NWIOI Certified Integrated Intimacy Professional (CIIP) AAMFT member ICEEFT member Available for trainings in business & churches on variety of mental and sexual health topics Podcast Links: Anatomy of Marriage https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sex-therapy-deb-thomas-part-1-how-to-prepare-for-better/id1153787018?i=1000412772636&mt=2 Nosmallthing: Anxiety https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/013-anxiety/id1383401997?i=1000419439731&mt=2 Samaritan Center…

Common Questions

…suitability of moving forward together. What if I am not connecting well with my therapist? The first few sessions can serve as an “onramp” to see whether a good working relationship develops between you and the therapist. You can then, without prejudice, bring up your concerns to see whether your therapist can adjust effectively. At any point, you can decide to discontinue. If you talk over your decision with your therapist, she or he can usually offer some referral suggestions, should you request them. true 1 1530224411:3 default 1 default…

We Can Only Be Human Together

…and our spirit? Ubuntu tells us that, as individuals and in community, we can choose to intentionally express to one another respect, dignity, reciprocity, compassion, and mutuality. When we feel overwhelmed by circumstances, it’s hard to know what that would look like. What can just one person do? Mindfulness suggests that, first of all, we should simply pause, taking time to acknowledge what we’re thinking and feeling. As we’re able to accept and calm our anxiety, we will see the situation more clearly. We’ll see the possibilities, where we have…

Change Your Mind

A friend recently shared with me their copy of Nikita Gill’s book, Where Hope Comes From. The first poem, entitled “And a Message from the Universe,” goes like this: In every moment of your existence, Several realities Are bursting across the cosmos. Planets explode. Stars burst. Solar systems dissolve Or welcome a new planet Into the orbit of their own Sun-like star. The universe gives them life And says, Now help me live. Listen. I am saying that if you change your thoughts, You, too, can change your universe. As…