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LMHC

Richard West, LMHC

  • Experience9 years
  • LocationWashington
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Addictions, and Trauma and abuse
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Client-Centered Therapy
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About Richard

Richard West is a Washington-licensed mental health counselor who focuses on practical support for people facing stress, anxiety, addiction concerns, trauma, anger, and depression.

Background and approach

With nine years of professional experience, he works to create an individualized plan that meets each person’s specific needs, offering steady guidance while respecting clients’ pace and priorities. He emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion as cornerstones of his work, aiming to empower people to take steps toward a more satisfying life.

Drawing on a mix of therapeutic tools, he adapts conversations and interventions to the situation at hand, blending evidence-informed strategies with a collaborative attitude. Richard’s practice includes attention to relationship and family challenges, grief and intimacy-related issues, parenting and career transitions, and complex presentations such as bipolar disorder and co-occurring conditions.

He also addresses concerns tied to adoption and foster care, aging issues, chronic illness, and communication or control struggles. Clients who want a thoughtful, tailored approach that balances practical skills and deeper emotional exploration may find his style a good fit.

Integrating therapeutic approaches in online care



Internal Family Systems offers a way to explore the range of internal parts people experience, helping individuals relate to their worries, defenses, or inner critics with curiosity instead of judgment; this approach can be useful for trauma responses, anxiety, and patterns that feel stuck. Client-Centered Therapy centers the client's perspective and prioritizes empathy, active listening, and acceptance to support self-directed growth and resilience in the face of life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, equipping people with practical tools to manage symptoms related to anxiety, depression, and stress.

Finding the best approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work together with each client to assess goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful, combining elements from different modalities when appropriate to meet individual needs. This shared exploration helps shape a treatment plan that reflects both the client’s priorities and clinical judgment.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it easier to fit care into busy schedules and to continue work during transitions. These options allow for ongoing therapeutic momentum even when in-person meetings aren’t possible, while supporting varied communication styles and daily rhythms.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does this therapist address?
Richard works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, anger, depression, relationship and family concerns, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting, self-esteem, career transitions, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes.
What is the therapeutic style and approach?
He blends client-centered listening with practical interventions from approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Emotionally-Focused Therapy, tailoring methods to fit each person’s needs and goals.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has nine years of professional experience working with people across a variety of mental health and life challenges.
What are his credentials and where is he licensed?
He holds the credential LMHC and is licensed in Washington with licence number WA LMHC LH 60953703.
Does he work with non-English speakers or international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and he is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available for remote care?
He offers a range of online session formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences.
How are session costs handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy with him?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoaching

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingInternal Family Systems

Experience

9+ years

Licensed

Washington

Languages

English