Melanie K. Lindell
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) · Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology · The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, 2013.
It is my deepest belief that we were all created for relationship — that we want to be known and loved, and have the ability to freely know and love others.
As a therapist, I consider it a profound privilege to walk with you into the sacred places of your life. My theoretical orientation is primarily rooted in psychodynamic theory, which means we look at early life experiences with the purpose of increasing awareness of how past trauma is impacting current quality of life. I also borrow from attachment theory, narrative, existential, and family systems.
The experiences we have had and the relationships we have known are intricately tied to who we have become. A strong therapeutic alliance provides the context to co-create a new experience of being seen and heard — and invited to examine the stuck places through honest and caring engagement.
I received my Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Developmental Psychology from Eastern Washington University. While studying for my Master's, I trained as a sexual assault victim advocate, providing first responder care in hospital emergency rooms to survivors of adult sexual assault, child sexual assault, and child abuse.
In my final year of graduate school I moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand for my internship, providing counseling for expatriates living all over the world. I received my Master's of Arts in Counseling Psychology from The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology in 2013.
I continued my training in the areas of trauma and abuse as part of the training team for The Allender Center, founded by Dr. Dan B. Allender, where I facilitated workshops, recovery weeks for survivors of past sexual abuse, and story groups from 2013–2022.
- SpecialtiesTrauma & abuse recovery · grief · spirituality · relationship & attachment · cross-cultural issues
- ApproachPsychodynamic · attachment · narrative · existential · family systems
- SeesIndividuals, couples, children & adolescents
“Melanie is a highly skilled and experienced licensed therapist who has demonstrated warmth, genuineness and care to personnel of AGWM. Melanie has our appreciation and respect for her professionalism and care, as well as her collaboration with AGWM.”
“Melanie is an excellent clinician. She listens well. Her outstanding gift is her capacity to contain and understand trauma and its sequelae. She understands the process of healing that takes time and careful attention. She will give you that experience.”
“When I consider a referral I always think in terms of someone I deeply love and then ask: who would I want to send them to see as a therapist? Melanie Lindell is a therapist that holds my deepest respect and trust. She is kind, wise, and knows what it is to walk in the valley of the shadow of death and taste the goodness of God. What I trust most about her is she knows how to invite the heart to truth with kindness. She is a resource well worth engaging your life.”
“I've been with Melanie for over two years; during that time, I have been supported, challenged, encouraged and stretched in all the ways I have loved and hated. Melanie listens intently and then provides genuine, straightforward connections. After each session, I walk away with a focus on what to appreciate and what to emphasize within my own journey. I am honored and deeply appreciative of Melanie's contribution to my mind, heart and life.”
“Having spent decades in dutiful ministry, fueled primarily by a warped view of God, my heart was dead. I may never forget the day she nodded her head and spoke a simple “uh-huh” of understanding after I cautiously voiced a deeply personal struggle. In her calm, grace-filled acceptance of my humanity my healing began. Her piercing insights into how I relate to God, myself, and others have set me on a path to real life.”
“I have known Melanie as a facilitator, mentor and friend over a period of three years. As I have shared very vulnerable parts of my story, she has listened deeply and attended well to my heart. She does not shy away from asking me to face hard things and then provides the support and presence to sustain me as I step out into unknown terrain. I would not be where I am in my journey without Melanie's involvement.”