Welcome
to inside passage Counseling
We are stronger together.
Whether you are in search of individual therapy, couples therapy, or family therapy, Inside Passage Counseling can help.
Welcome
to inside passage Counseling
We are stronger together.
Whether you are in search of individual therapy, couples therapy, or family therapy, Inside Passage Counseling can help.
About Inside Passage Counseling
Licensed Mental Health Counselors in Bellingham, WA.
Now accepting new clients for both in-person and online sessions.
Since 1938, the Harvard Study of Adult Development has been investigating what makes people flourish. It’s the longest in-depth longitudinal study on human life ever done, and from this research comes a simple and profound conclusion: Good relationships lead to health and happiness.
At Inside Passage Relationship Counseling, we know that deep, loving connections–with yourself, and within your closest relationships–lead to vibrant mental, emotional, and physical health. That’s why, since 2006 we’ve been leaders in providing high-quality relationship counseling that can truly strengthen and revitalize your well-being.
Whether you are experiencing problems in your personal, professional or intimate life, Inside Passage Counseling can help you learn to mindfully explore the inner paths of your heart so that you can live a more authentically connected, healthy life.
Our Mission
At Inside Passage Counseling, it is our mission to help clients build secure bonds within themselves and within their most important relationships through empirically and clinically validated therapy methods. Our deepest hope is to act as a beacon that guides our clients toward the well-being that comes with deep, authentic connection.
Inside Passage Counseling Services
Inside Passage Relationship Counseling is a collective of independent therapists focused on providing the highest quality counseling services to individuals, couples, and families. Our specialty focus is supporting healthy, healing relationships with one’s self (emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and body), and with one’s most important primary relationships (partner, spouse, children, parents, and family).
Therapy for:
Couples and
Marriages
- Communication
- Emotional Connection
- Sexual Connection
- Infidelity and Betrayal
- Trust Issues
- Pre-Marital Counseling
- Fertility, Preparing for Childbirth, and the Postpartum Period
- Life Transitions
- Remarriage
Adult
Individuals
- Low Self-Esteem
- Anxiety and Depression
- Pain Reprocessing
- Trauma and PTSD
- Grief
- Postpartum Depression or Anxiety
- Life transitions
- Sexuality
- Self-Identity
- Relationship Issues
- Boundaries
- Addiction Recovery
- Codependency
- Emotional Regulation
Families
- Parenting support
- Transitions
- Adjusting to divorce
- Communication
- Boundaries
- Attachment issues
- Family support for children and teens
Inside Passage Therapists strive to:
- Create a safe, non-judgmental space for you to share your feelings
- Inspire you to see new perspectives
- Help you focus your attention on what is going to help you heal
- Guide you to practice new ways of relating that can lead to positive outcomes
- Encourage you to show up, be honest, and stay open-minded
- Motivate you to persevere when you inevitably have a difficult session
- Hold space for you to share your hopes, challenges, and feelings about your sessions
- Express praise for your positive results
Meet Our Collective of Independent Therapists
Therapists are listed in alphabetical order.
Inside Passage Relationship Counseling is the practice umbrella for a collective of WA State licensed counselors and therapists. The therapists on the Inside Passage team boast a wide variety of training in evidence-based therapies such as Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and trauma therapies such as EMDR and Pain Reprocessing Therapy.
Our therapists are hand-selected by our founder Heather Varnau, LMHC for their quality of character and dedication to mindfulness-based, attachment-oriented, trauma-informed approaches to working with individuals, couples, and families.
Karen Anderson, MS, LMHC
(She/Her)
Karen is an AAMFT-approved clinical supervisor, drug and alcohol counselor, and Certified EMDR Trauma Therapist with over 14 years of professional experience. She is a Brene Brown Certified Daring Way workshop facilitator and trained in multiple couples therapy modalities, including Imago Relationship Therapy, Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). With a compassionate and direct style, Karen builds a safe and solid relationship with her clients that supports them in implementing the changes they desire in their lives.
Available by telehealth only.
Stephanie Bracamonte, LMFT
(She/Her)
Stephanie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of professional, clinical experience. Taking a systemic approach to improving family dynamics and communication, reducing conflict and building connection, Stephanie works with couples, families and individuals to promote self-awareness and personal growth. With a kind, non-judgmental, and direct style, Stephanie has advanced training in a variety of models including Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) and Gottman Method Therapy.
Merry Capozzolo, MS, LMHC
(She/Her)
As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington state, Merry has advanced training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and Lifespan Integration Therapy. Merry specializes in guiding couples, families and individuals through the challenges that come with transitions, loss and trauma. Using attachment-based, trauma-informed approaches, she will walk alongside you, helping you to regulate strong emotions, strengthen your most important relationships, and grow your personal confidence.
Laura Gambrel, PhD, LMHC
(She/Her)
Laura has over 16 years of professional experience as an advanced clinician, AAMFT Approved Supervisor, researcher, and scholar. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Laura brings a holistic and systemic approach to working with clients, and specializes in helping couples transform communication patterns and strengthen their connection. With a warm, grounded, and direct style, Laura has advanced training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method Couples Therapy, PREPARE/ENRICH, and Mindfulness Instruction.
Available by telehealth only.
Carla Mullins, MA, LMHC
(She/Her)
Carla has 25 combined years’ experience in the human services, counseling, and education sectors. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State and trained in a number of different methods, including DBT, Trauma-Focused CBT, Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). Carla draws from her experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and specializes in trauma, attachment, and life transitions. With a mindful, attentive style, Carla also has an extensive understanding of topics related to addiction recovery, codependency, relationship issues, and parenting.
Emily Patterson, LICSW, LMSW
(She/Her)
Emily is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker dedicated to supporting her clients in their desire to find more wholeness, aliveness, acceptance, and peace within themselves. Utilizing multiple modalities including CBT, Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy, EMDR, AEDP, and mindfulness techniques, Emily works with individual adult clients recovering from trauma and PTSD, life transitions, doubt, grief, anxiety, overwhelm, and fear. With a grounded, non-judgmental, and skillful style, Emily successfully collaborates with her clients to heal and recover from painful life events and meet their personal goals.
Jeni Quigg, MA, MHCA
(She/Her)
Jeni graduated with a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy 20 years ago and has has worked in a variety of settings. Jeni now works in private practice with individual adults and families, providing self-soothing techniques, deep trauma release work, mind-body collaboration in healing for autoimmune disease, and mindfulness instruction. With a warm, flexible, and welcoming style, Jeni has advanced training in Pain Reprocessing Therapy for chronic pain, Hand in Hand Parenting, and Trauma Release Therapy. Her passion is helping clients learn how to connect to their most wise and compassionate self.
Megan Rhea, MS, LMHC
(She/Her)
Coming from a background in education, Megan is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a Master’s degree in Marital and Family therapy. Using attachment informed methods, Megan is passionate about helping individuals and couples reach their full potential, both within themselves and within their most important relationships. With a warm, safe, and comforting style, Megan has advanced training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), and Gottman Method Couples Therapy.
Keri Wallace, MA, LMHC
(She/Her)
Keri is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 20 years of experience in a variety of settings. Keri specializes in working with couples, teens, individual adults, and families. She treats complex trauma and PTSD, relationship issues, and challenges around divorce, co-parenting, and blended families. Trained in a number of different methods including Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) and EMDR, Keri provides her clients with a safe, stable, supportive environment and guides them toward new perspectives, stimulating a greater sense of self-worth and connection.
Combined Education and Training
Diversity and Inclusion
We strive to have an anti-racist and LBGTIQ+ inclusive practice. We welcome couples, relationships, families, and individuals with a variety of sexual orientations, gender identities, love styles, and relationship configurations.
Getting Started
We want to make it as easy as possible for you to get the assistance you need.
Here is a step-by-step process to guide you in knowing what to expect.
Professional Endorsements
Rates and Insurance
The fees for 50-minute sessions range from $160-$225, depending on the service type and therapist. We are not contracted with health insurance companies and do not bill health insurance directly. We provide insurance receipts for individual counseling, only. We’re sorry but we do not provide insurance receipts for couples therapy.