Trauma Therapy in Washington State (Telehealth)

Treatment for Dissociative Identity Disorder, Complex PTSD,
Religious Trauma, and Narcissistic Abuse

About + Approach

Hi there, I’m Kelsey Tushar (she/her) - welcome to Trauma Recovery Psychotherapy!

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) and Certified Trauma Professional (CTP), and I specialize in the treatment of complex trauma (CPTSD) and severe dissociation (DID and OSDD).

Trauma-Trained

As a trauma-trained clinician, I prioritize trust, safety, and patience in the therapy space. It can take time to develop trust in a new therapist, especially if you have a history of abuse or betrayal, particularly in a mental health setting. My treatment approach is client-led, ensuring that we work at a pace you feel comfortable with, avoiding retraumatization. I hope to provide a calm, welcoming atmosphere where you can feel safe to express yourself without fear of judgment.

Curiosity

My work is rooted in curiosity, and in our sessions together, I will invite you to explore deeper layers of your thoughts, emotions, and relationship dynamics, helping you to gain a better understanding of yourself. I will encourage you to bring your internal and relational experiences to our time together in session, so we can analyze where you may be feeling stuck, confused, frustrated, or overwhelmed. Exploring the inner workings of your mind may feel uncomfortable at first. But over time, this practice helps with identity development, emotional regulation, motivation, and authentic connection to yourself and others.

Flexibility

Each client I work with is different: some prefer to set goals and receive homework, while others prefer a less structured approach. We will explore what works best for you and your particular situation, allowing us to thoughtfully select therapeutic interventions that will be the most helpful to your progress. These preferences can vary widely, so I ensure that I have a variety of evidence-based cognitive and somatic tools to offer clients throughout our work together.

Goals

I work collaboratively to set goals with each client, including many of the following: emotional regulation, ability to stay present, increased capacity for difficult emotions, self-knowledge, self-compassion, self-trust, confidence, healthy intimacy, and skill-building.

Personal

I’ve found that I really connect best with the dark and honest. Those of us who are inexplicably drawn to pain, who entertain thoughts of suicide for the simple relief it offers, who self-harm in order to feel something (anything!), who wonder if there is something evil within them, who wonder if anyone can possibly understand what you’ve been through, let alone help you heal from it. If you are curious and honest, I promise you - I can work with that.

Outside of the therapy space, I live for hiking in the rain, devouring books (psychology, religion, history, and politics), cooking (mangia!), baking, learning to play piano and drums, and enjoying a quiet, middle-aged life with my four children (14, 12, 10 and 8), and our playful dog, Murphy, who loves to join for sessions.

Modalities

  • Psychodynamic, existential, and somatic psychotherapy

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy

  • Culturally and spiritually sensitive

  • Theory: trauma, attachment, interpersonal neurobiology, feminist, queer, anti-racist, decolonial, anti-capitalist, anti-carceral, and disability liberation

trauma therapy in Washington state (telehealth)
therapy for DID in WA

Services + Rates

  • Psychotherapy


    $250 / 60-minute session
    (private pay, superbills available)

    trauma therapy in Washington state (telehealth)
  • EMDR


    $250 / 60-minute session
    (private pay, superbills available)

    EMDR therapy in Washington state (telehealth)
  • Groups


    Price Varies
    (private pay, superbills available)

    trauma groups in Washington state (telehealth)
  • Consultation for Therapists

    $125 / 60-minute consult
    (DID, Indoctrination, Narcissism)

    consultation on DID

Specialties

  • Dissociative Disorders

    I specialize in the treatment of dissociative disorders, particularly Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). It can be unsettling to experience dramatic emotional shifts, memory difficulties, and ongoing internal dialogue. What’s more, it’s exhausting to feel like you have to hide your inner emotional life from those around you, for fear of being invalidated or mistreated.

    My approach is client-directed, so whether you are hoping to achieve more internal cooperation, functional multiplicity, integration, or fusion, you can trust that you will feel supported. Treatment of DID is a cooperative, dynamic process between therapist and client that often takes place over many years. Overall, I promote curiosity, compassion, and collaboration with dissociated parts.

  • Childhood Abuse and Neglect

    Growing up in a chaotic or unpredictable environment can often cause issues that linger into adulthood. You may be experiencing feelings of anxiety, panic, stress, depression, irritability, issues with codependency or inability to trust others, harsh self-talk, or numbing/checking out. You may also suffer from fatigue, nightmares, or sleep issues.

    For those with less dissociative symptoms, incorporating EMDR and somatic exercises into treatment can be tremendously effective to promote the regulation of your nervous system and mitigate feelings of panic or lethargy.

  • Religious Trauma and Cult Indoctrination

    I also work with adults who have experienced harm in religious environments or other high control groups, and are seeking to heal from the damage of indoctrination: persistent feelings of shame and fear, identity confusion, loss of purpose, matters of sexuality/gender, and strained relationships with loved ones.

    Teachings of sinfulness and eternal punishment, the promotion of rigid gender roles and the repression of healthy sexuality, the expectation of conformity, and the fear of exclusion all have lasting psychological consequences that can be explored in therapy.

  • Narcissistic Abuse

    The emotional and psychological impact of narcissistic abuse is far-reaching, eroding your confidence, your ability to trust yourself and others, and your enthusiasm for life. You may be feeling defeated, angry, hopeless, even embarrassed, but certainly disconnected from your authentic self.

    My approach to therapy for narcissistic abuse focuses on healing past trauma, developing coping skills, and rebuilding your sense of self. The goal is to get you back in touch with yourself: your feelings, your interests, your hopes for your relationships, and your goals for the future.

What is trauma?

Trauma is the lasting psychological and physiological imprint of a deeply distressing experience that has overwhelmed our ability to cope. Trauma can be acute (resulting from a one-time event) or chronic (resulting from the ongoing exposure to distressing experiences).

Symptoms of trauma:

  • intrusive, distressing memories (flashbacks, nightmares)

  • hypervigilance, like you are bracing for a threat

  • difficulty trusting others

  • irritability, anger, emotional outbursts

  • difficulty relaxing, physical and/or mentally

  • feelings of hopelessness, shame, despair

  • avoidance behaviors

  • loss of interest in hobbies or socializing

  • reckless or self-destructive behavior

  • difficulty experiencing happiness and satisfaction

    …and more

symptoms of trauma

FAQs

“The mystery of life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.”

— Søren Kierkegaard

Resources

Contact

All therapy sessions are offered via secure telehealth, so you can attend from the comfort and safety of your own space. I work with adults throughout Washington State, with a focus on complex trauma recovery, dissociation, and identity development.