Business Details
Your Trusted Child & Family Mental Health Partner in Bellingham
Alpen Counseling is a dedicated mental health practice specializing in child, teen, and family therapy. With over 30 years of experience in diverse settings including schools, crisis centers, and wilderness therapy programs, our practice combines relational, warm, and collaborative approaches to support clients through life's challenges. We utilize evidence-based methods informed by neurobiology, attachment theory, and mindfulness to address issues such as anxiety, depression, behavioral concerns, and trauma.Our services extend to parent coaching, helping caregivers develop effective strategies for fostering healthy family dynamics. The practice emphasizes creating safe, nonjudgmental spaces for emotional growth and resilience-building through expressive therapies like art and play. As a licensed mental health counselor, we maintain a commitment to inclusivity and personalized care for all clients.
Services
Child Counseling
Family Therapy
Parent Coaching
Play Therapy
Trauma Support
Emotional Regulation
Behavioral Intervention
Adolescent Mental Health
LGBTQ+ Support
Grief Counseling
Highlights and features
- 30+ years of specialized experience with children and families
- Evidence-based interventions informed by neurobiology and attachment theory
- Parent coaching for improved family dynamics
- Inclusive, nonjudgmental therapeutic environment
- Expressive therapies using art and play modalities
Services
Child Counseling
Specialized mental health support for children aged 10 and up addressing emotional regulation, behavioral challenges, and social skills development. Our relational approach combines play therapy and art therapy to help children process difficult emotions and build resilience. Services focus on creating safe spaces for self-expression while addressing issues like anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Family Therapy
Comprehensive family systems approach addressing relationship dynamics and communication patterns. We help families navigate challenges through collaborative sessions that promote understanding and connection. Our practice integrates evidence-based interventions to strengthen family bonds while respecting individual needs and developmental stages.
Parent Coaching
Solution-focused guidance for caregivers seeking to improve parenting strategies and reduce family stress. Short-term coaching sessions help parents develop practical tools for behavior management and emotional support. We work with diverse family structures to build confidence in navigating modern parenting challenges.
Play Therapy
Developmentally appropriate intervention using play to help children communicate emotions and process experiences. This evidence-based method creates safe therapeutic environments for emotional exploration. Techniques include art materials, toys, and structured activities to facilitate healing and self-discovery.
Trauma Support
Specialized services addressing trauma impacts through neurobiology-informed approaches. We help clients develop coping strategies for trauma-related symptoms while maintaining safe therapeutic environments. Interventions focus on restoring emotional regulation and rebuilding trust in relationships through gradual, supportive processes.
People
Kirke Mahy Hestad
Child and Family Mental Health Therapist
Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 30+ years of experience working with children and families in diverse settings including schools, crisis centers, and wilderness therapy programs. Combines clinical expertise with personal parenting experience to support family systems through relational therapy approaches.
Questions
What age groups do you work with?
We specialize in working with children aged 10 and up, teens, young adults, and their families through individual and family therapy sessions.
Do you accept insurance?
As an out-of-network provider, we do not directly accept insurance but can provide receipts for potential reimbursement. Clients should verify their insurance coverage for out-of-network mental health services.
What therapeutic approaches do you use?
Our practice integrates evidence-based methods including play therapy, art therapy, attachment theory, and neurobiology-informed interventions tailored to each client's specific needs and developmental stage.
Are parent coaching sessions available?
Yes, we offer parent coaching as short-term, solution-focused sessions to help caregivers develop effective strategies for family challenges and improve parent-child relationships.
What are your payment options?
We accept cash, check, and major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) through our secure Square payment platform for services rendered.
