John Baumann, MDiv, LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Works with Individuals and Teletherapy
WA License #LH60515341

My approach to counseling

I believe that therapy is about discovering what is already within you that can help with this healing process. Each person or couple brings certain and specific strengths and talents that can be rediscovered to sustain healing.
There is a reflective nature to this work in terms of identifying what has happened, recognizing how this relates to other experiences, and letting it shape the changes and healing you are seeking. I may draw from several therapeutic methods to assist in this work, including cognitive behavioral and narrative therapies.
Should you wish to draw from or incorporate practices or teachings from a particular spiritual, religious, or philosophical tradition, we can weave this into our work together.

I have experience in working with

Individuals: Working through experiences and stressors that make room for depression, anxiety, grief, or anger to enter. These experiences may include trauma, loss, relational problems and transitions.
Couples: Deepening relationships that may have become frayed. Exploring ways to rebuild 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 person through marriage is filled with wonder and excitement. Marriage preparation can help identify the strengths and skills that each of you bring to marriage and draw on them to blend your individual and unique styles. It is also safe place to explore any areas of relationship that might need more attention. Click here for more information.

Education

Certificate in Post-Masters Studies in Pastoral Counseling, Seattle University
Master of Divinity, Seattle University
BS in Education, Indiana University

Professional Experience

Samaritan Center since 2015
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Seattle, (Externship) 2010 – 2015
Anam Curam Counseling, Kent (Externship) 2009

Insurance Accepted

Aetna, Blue Cross / Blue Shield Plans, First Choice Health Network, Premera (Lifewise), Regence, and Uniform Medical

Make an Appointment

Samaritan Center uses an Electronic Health Records (EHR) system developed by Valant for client intake and subsequent health records management. To set up your account and schedule your appointment, follow these steps, as directed by your therapist and prompted by Valant:

1. To begin the process, first contact the therapist by email or phone (listed on this page above) to schedule an initial conversation about fit.
2. When prompted by an email from Valant, set up your patient portal account using a validation code provided by your therapist.
3. Fill out your demographic/insurance information in Valant. Let your therapist know when this is complete.
4. When prompted by an email from Valant, complete our eSignature intake packet.

NOTE: All the above steps must be completed before your first session with your therapist.

Having trouble? Read Valant's detailed instructions for setting up and using your patient portal.
For additional assistance, email patientportalhelp@samaritanps.org.
Existing client? After your patient portal is set up, you can log in here.
First telehealth session? Read Valant's detailed instructions for Teletherapy.