We all have a story.
I’d love to hear yours.
Kelsey Laulainen, LMHC (she/her)
Therapist and Clinical Supervisor
Therapy that’s rooted in compassion, connection, and in-depth healing.
I offer a therapeutic space that’s grounded in kindness, compassion, and nonjudgment. We’ve all struggled, and healing begins when we feel safe enough to explore the parts of ourselves that have been dismissed, silenced, or hurt.
If you’re seeking specialized support for religious trauma therapy in Seattle or a faith deconstruction therapist in Arizona, you’ve come to the right place. I create an affirming environment where all parts of you are welcome, without shame or judgment.
I specialize in supporting cis and trans women and non-binary individuals navigating:
Religious trauma and Religious Trauma Syndrome (RTS)
Spiritual abuse in high-control religious communities
Cult deprogramming and reconstruction
Physical, emotional, and/or sexual trauma
Codependency and toxic relationship patterns
Anxiety, depression, and life transitions
As a queer therapist, I am LGBTQIA+ affirming, kink-friendly, and poly/non-monogamous positive.
My work is relationally focused, and I use a Psychodynamic therapy model, with deep respect for each client’s story. I also draw from Internal Family Systems (IFS), DBT, attachment theory, and client-centered approaches to help you:
Reconnect with your mind and body
Understand your relational patterns
Develop compassion towards yourself and your emotions
Build insight into how early relationships shaped your self-worth
Move toward healing, self-trust, and meaningful change
We move at your pace. Together, we’ll explore your story with curiosity and non-judgment, so you can rediscover your strength, find clarity, and feel more whole.
*I am also a Certified Clinical Supervisor in Washington, which allows me to support other therapists as they develop their new skills. If you are interested in Clinical Supervision or Consultation, click here to learn more.
My Story.
From the suburbs of Phoenix, Arizona, to city life in Seattle, Washington.
I grew up as an Evangelical Christian in a conservative Mormon community, and spent much of my early adulthood wrestling with identity, faith, and my power as a woman. After earning my undergraduate degree at Concordia University in California, I began my career as a youth pastor in a conservative Lutheran church just outside Sacramento. During those three years in full-time ministry, I felt increasingly torn between the rigid religious structures I had inherited and the empathic, open, loving person I knew myself to be.
Eventually, love won, and I chose to leave both my denomination and my professional calling, beginning the slow, brave work of rebuilding a new faith and spirituality on my own terms.
For years after, I wandered through different careers and life paths, always finding myself pulled toward people’s stories. On lunch breaks, I was the one asking coworkers about their heartbreaks, their stress, and their families. Even in my corporate marketing job, I was more interested in what shaped a person than in what they were selling. That deep curiosity and reverence for the human experience eventually led me to The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, where I pursued my Master’s in Counseling Psychology.
I moved to Seattle in 2014, trading the desert for a view of Mt. Rainier and a city that gave me space to grow. Over a decade later, I’ve built a life rooted in healing, meaning, and connection. I spend my days traveling with my family, enjoying good food and wine, and continuing my own journey of growth.
It’s from this lived experience – my own trauma, spiritual deconstruction, anxiety, and ongoing healing – that I do this work in religious trauma counseling. I know what it’s like to feel lost in your identity, to carry the weight of spiritual pain, and to slowly reclaim yourself.
My hope is to walk alongside you as you do the same.