What You Might Like To Know About Me Before We Work Together:)

Sue Bates M. Ed.

1. Therapy & Consultation.

I have done 30,000 client hrs. in my years of work. (really, that is not an exageration) I have found that some people don’t really need THERAPY and some do.I offer both.

Sometimes clients need someone who can give them really good advise and education about what works well in life. Sometimes we just don’t have the information we need!

We ALL need someone on our side that is supportive and there for us! That can root for us while we are making changes in our lives. Give us encouragement when we are scared and Woo hoo’s when we get what we want and are proud of our accomplishment.

Many of my clients have gotten really good results working with me and they have friends or family that live far away and they would like to be able to refer them to me.

I will still do therapy in my office in Seattle, but like I said, sometimes people don’t need therapy. That’s why I am adding Consulting.

2. Why I work with Women and Power

As with everything, we work with what we need to learn or have learned. When I was 21 or so, I remember sitting on the side of my bed listening to music. (probably I Am Woman:) after all, it was the early 70′s. I just knew I wanted to help women have better self esteem. But I was sooo shy I didn’t know how I was going to do that! Now, you can’t shut me up.

When I was 17 I lost my mom. And she was one of the really good ones. My dad was an alcoholic and batterer and I had little contact with him after I was 6. So I was really out there on my own at an early age. I married young, and of course that didn’t t work out. I didn’t know anything about how to be in a relationship or what they are for. He was a good guy, but I was a mess.

So I had to learn sooo much on my own! Along the way I found therapists and a couple of really good, wise women who helped me grow up. I learned to be my authentic self, have a voice, find only good relationships, be happy on my own, do what I love, enjoy each day. AND THAT IS POWER.

Underlying all the work I have done for 36 years with my women clients some who have eating disorders and body issues has been about teaching women to have their own power. To be kind and good to themselves, to learn to self soothe, to make choices that work for them in their life, to trust their intuition. I am so honored to be able to do this work and I often hear from former clients about how they are doing and what they learned which really warms my heart.

There is a new women’s movement going on, we have to have our personal power in order to make the changes in the world we want. We have to be powerful to teach our daughters how to be their best and have a good life. I have a lot to say about women and our society which I do from my blog and FaceBook PAGE. So join me and let’s use our voices!

I get so JAZZED up doing this, It is truly my life’s work.

3. I just love seeing people move forward.

Sometimes people are just READY. They want a no- nonsense, but safe and kind, person to help them MOVE ON and change things. I use much humor and a lot of practicality. I give homework, books to read, things to think about. In either Therapy or Consulting, I don’t just sit and listen.

4. I take my dog Cody to work with me everyday.

He is a great therapy dog. When people are upset or cry, he goes over and sees if they are ok. And then he gets lots of pats, it’s a win – win!

5. I always have a dream.

I love stretching and growing and learning. The dream I am working on now is doing my work from places all over the world.

They have to be cool weather places cause I hate heat, which is why I am in Seattle:)

What is your dream?

6. Ok, the professional stuff.

I am a licensed therapist in the State of Washington. I do therapy, consulting and education. I’m so passionate about helping my clients through therapy, education, consulting and support programs. I have a Masters degree in counseling, psychology from North Texas State University. I am trained in and work with Imago Relationship Therapy developed by Harvelle Hendrix. Oprah Winfrey has said he is her favorite couple’s therapist. I also use John Gottman’s research and the work of Michelle Weiner-Davis and Dr Pat Love and Terry Real.

During my career, I have worked in several settings, at the Swedish/Ballard Hospital in Seattle as a therapist in their eating disorder unit; taught eating disorders to masters level counseling students at Antioch University; Worked at a shelter for battered women and children; and at a mental health center in Denver working with children. I also worked in public schools as a therapist in a special education classroom.

I have learned through the years, everyone knows what they want and how they want to live; they just have beliefs and ideas that stop them. For some, learning to develop the ability to listen to their intuition and follow through, while not listening to what others tell them they should be or do is key to their transformation. When you can trust your intuitions, you are better able to contribute to the world.

Sue Bates, M.Ed., LMHC

Contact me for a free 10-15  minute phone consult: sue@suebates.com