Laurie Zylstra-Haagsma BA

Hi, my name is Laurie Zylstra-Haagsma. 

I think that everyone has access to a deep reservoir of knowledge and vitality that can be accessed even if it has been buried for a long period as a result of trauma. My aim as a therapist is to aid you in discovering this wellspring and regaining your innate strength and energy. I’m passionate about helping people who are experiencing a loss in their lives. Have you lost a loved one, a job? Did you recently find out that your child has autism? Do you have a dream you’ve been pursuing, and you feel like you’ll never be able to make it come true? I would love to work with you. I’m also passionate about helping people who are in the middle of a transition. Are you struggling adjusting to a new school, a new job? Is there a big transition happening in your family? Transitions can induce despair and anxiety, and I can find a strategy to help you cope with the events in your life.
 

In therapy, we will work cooperatively to help you find your voice and undo the knots of old limiting beliefs and habits that have held you back. I love to help people overcome the obstacles they face, and I do so in a non-judgmental way using a human-centered, narrative approach, while keeping their objectives and needs in mind. Each client’s sessions with me will be individualized. The techniques I use are based on tried-and-true approaches that have worked for others, but I tailer them to meet the needs of the client, and together we develop a plan to help them have victory in their daily life. If you would like me to, I can also give you a biblical Christian perspective in our sessions.
 

I bring a wide range of experiences to my work. I hold two bachelor's degrees from Western Washington University in General Home Economics with a concentration in Child Development and Family Relations (1987) and Multidisciplinary Social Sciences (2018). I am currently pursuing an online master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Colorado Christian University while interning at Hope and Thrive Counseling. To book an an appointment with me call 360.383.8682 ex 0 and the office manager will connect us. Thank you.

More about me:
When I was a kid, I lived on a farm in Whatcom County and enjoyed its beautiful beaches, wonderful mountains, and numerous parks and lakes. For fun I like to work on my farm and be around loved ones. My spouse passed away 24 years ago, and I have three adult children, two of whom are on the autism spectrum. I have three others who I consider my “step-children” (my fiancé’s children). And I have a close relationship with their families.

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