Professional and Educational Background

Kate Haskell (she/her) received her B.A. in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University in 1988 and her M.A. from Seattle University in 1990.  She is a Washington State Certified Mental Health Counselor, a Child Mental Heath Specialist, and a Nationally Board Certified Counselor.  Kate has extensive training in child and adolescent therapy, trauma-focused treatment techniques, cognitive-behavioral approaches, attachment problems, and depth psychology.  She is Certified in EMDR by Evergreen Certifications (PESI). She providers training in a variety of areas to school districts and other organizations.

Kate has worked with children, adolescents, and adults for over 30 years. She has worked in community mental health, foster care programs, inner-city gang projects, university clinics, and research projects in both large urban environments and rural settings.  Kate has sought out extensive training, deepening her clinical and personal desire to be an ally/supporter of people and/or their families whom identify as LBGTQ.

As a therapist, Kate believes the therapeutic process is a collaborative effort, and that both she and her clients have responsibility for working toward change in the client’s life. She uses a warm, compassionate, and direct style of communication to engage the client in exploring their current experiences of pain. Kate utilizes parent education, communication skill training, relaxation techniques, artwork, journal writing, play therapy, and dream work. Then, acting as a guide, she helps clients to discover their own solutions to the problems in their lives.

Areas of Specialization

Kate works with adults and parents of LBGTQ (children, teens, adults).  The issues she works with include:

• Extistential life questions
• Increasing spiritual/faith practices for self care
• Depression and Anxiety
• Life Change Transitions (divorce, school & job changes, moves, marriage, pregnancy, retirement)
• Complicated grief and Ambiguous loss
• Parenting challenges of childhood and adolescence
• Women’s issues
• Traumatic experiences (physical/sexual/emotional abuse, witnesses/victims of crime)
• Transgender/LGBTQ issues
• Vicarious trauma

EMDR Consultation and Training

I am an EVERGREEN CERTIFICATION EMDR-approved consultant. I provide individual and group consultation groups and use EMDR for complex PTSD and single incident applications.

I also provide 3,4, and 5-Day Intensive Trainings on EMDR for Trauma. These are comprehensive training courses on assessment, Resource Development and modified protocol EMDR.  It allows therapists to deepen their understanding of trauma treatment and see live demonstrations followed by experiential sessions.

Personal Information

Kate and her family live in Bellingham, she loves hiking, kayaking and boating locally.    Kate also enjoys attending theater, dance, and live music performances.

Insurances Accepted

First Choice Network, HMA, Kaiser Permanente, Lifewise of Washington, Premera Blue Cross, Regence Blue Shield and does not accept Medicare.