Join the team
is looking to expand our team.
Are you a dedicated counselor or therapist who feels isolated in private practice?
Are you worried that working in an agency setting is leading to burnout?
Would you like the comfort of working in your own private practice, among a community of therapists who support you, with full administrative support?
Would you like the ability to earn your desired income and strike your desired work-life balance?
Inside Passage Relationship Counseling in Bellingham, Washington is looking to add to our collective of independent therapists.
Are you:
- Fully licensed or associate licensed to practice counseling in WA state?
- Interested in being part of a supportive therapist community?
- Looking to avoid burnout by working with motivated clients?
- Stressed by the thought of having navigate the legal and financial parts of a private practice?
- Inspired by the thought of gaining an income, work-life balance?
- In search of supervision toward certification in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), the most effective form of couples therapy?
- Driven to fulfill your vision for delivering high-quality, connected, mental health care in our community?
By joining our collective you can focus on what you love: providing rewarding, effective therapy for individuals, couples, or families without the legal and administrative stress of scheduling, paperwork, marketing and billing.
We support our team through:
Scheduling
We take care of all scheduling and rescheduling of clients so that you can have your ideal schedule.
Billing
We take care of billing and collecting fees so that you don't have to worry about invoices and accounts payable.
Marketing
Whether it's a part-time or full-time case load you desire, we take care of marketing and promoting your services.
Intake & Documentation
We will send out and collect all of your intake forms so that you have what you need prior to meeting with clients. All you have to do is document your sessions in an easy to use electronic platform.
HIPAA Compliance
We provide a fully HIPAA compliant telehealth platform, phone number, and email.
Administrative Support
We'll make sure your clients have excellent customer service by handling all non-clinical client communication throughout the entire client journey, from start to finish.
Excellent Reputation
94% of our clients state that they would recommend our therapy services.
Optional Clinical Consultation
We offer opportunities for clinical consultation in a number of modalities, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and mindfulness-based psychotherapy.
Ongoing Trainings
We believe in supporting our therapists in their ongoing educational journey.
At Inside Passage Relationship Counseling, we believe that the quality of our lives is only as good as the strength of our relationships.
Inside Passage Counseling was founded in 2006 by Heather Varnau, LMHC, Certified EFT Couples Therapist and Supervisor-in-Training, Certified IFS Therapist and IFS Institute Approved IFS Clinical Consultant, and Gottman Method Therapist. We specialize in relationship counseling for individuals, couples, and families using evidence-based and empirically validated therapy methods.
We currently have nine licensed therapists/supervisors in our collective and a full-time administrative assistant. Inside Passage Relationship Counseling is looking to expand the scope of our practice by working with additional therapists who gravitate toward attachment-oriented, trauma-informed, mindfulness-based, and relational modalities of therapy for individuals, couples, and families.
Minimum Requirements
- Fully licensed or associate licensed therapists in WA State.
- License is in good standing with no complaints filed.
- Excellent references
- Able to see clients by telehealth and in-person at our beautiful Bellingham offices. Fully remote therapists will also be considered.
- Willing to see 20 clients per week.
- Embody the therapeutic relationship skills that foster a strong working alliance between therapist and client, such as warmth, connectivity, consistency, appropriate boundaries, and congruent communication.
Desired Qualifications
- Training and experience practicing evidence-based therapy models.
- Couples therapy interest, training, and experience is desired.
- Desire to see 20+ clients per week.
- Availability in the evenings is helpful, but not required.
Our Mission
At Inside Passage Counseling, we believe in the power of compassion, curiosity, connection, clarity and courage to heal the internal relationship to oneself and the primary relationships in one’s life. It is our mission to help clients build secure bonds through empirically and clinically validated therapy methods so that they can experience the warmth and well-being that comes with deep, authentic connection.
Meet our Service Providers
Therapists listed in alphabetical order.
Inside Passage is a collective of independent clinicians who are are well-trained in evidence-based therapies and empirically validated methods. Therapists are carefully chosen by our founder, Heather Varnau, MA, LMHC for their passion, quality of character, and advanced training and skill in highly effective therapy methods.
Larke Blanton, M.Div, MA
(She/Her)
Larke will be joining us as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate in WA State. With a Master’s of Divinity degree, as well as a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Larke helps couples improve communication, navigate conflict, and strengthen their connection to each other. Trained in The Gottman Method, Integrative Experiential Couples Therapy, and Narrative Therapy, Larke specializes in working with couples in pre-marital counseling, supporting couples with PTSD and grief, and can incorporate faith and spirituality where it fits for her clients as a strength and foundation for their therapy. Larke strives to create a space where couples feel seen, heard, accepted, empowered, brave, and affirmed.
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.
Bridget Burns, MA, LMHCA
(She/Her)
Bridget is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate in WA State. Coming from a 20-year background in working with children, parents, and families in an educational setting and a Master’s degree in Counseling, Bridget specializes in helping couples with parenting concerns and non-traditional relationship structures. Trained in The Gottman Method, Integrative Experiential Couples Therapy, IFS, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Bridget strives to create a space where couples feel safe and comfortable enough to receive support with the challenges they face and are guided to deepen their connection to themselves and each other.
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.
Kelley Flynn, MA,
(She/Her)
Kelley will be joining us as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate in WA State. Kelley is passionate about working with couples from all backgrounds and brings with her the life experience of being married for 25 years and raising a family. With a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, she has knowledge and experience with couple concerns such as infertility, infidelity, aging parents and the transition to parenthood and what it takes to move through those struggles in a way that can bring a couple closer together. Trained in The Gottman Method and Integrative Experiential Couples Therapy, Kelley brings a calming presence to the room and strives to remain present, fair, and empathic in her work with clients.
Available by telehealth only
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.
Gretchen Miller, MA
(she/they)
Gretchen will be joining us as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate in WA State. With a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Gretchen helps couples improve communication, navigate conflict, and strengthen emotional and sexual connection. Trained in The Gottman Method and Integrative Experiential Couples Therapy, Gretchen is skilled at relationship-building with her clients. She uses a combination of intuition, art, and evidence-based approaches to develop a tailored treatment for each couple. Gretchen draws from her experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and specializes in working with marginalized sexual and gender identities and diverse partnerships like non-monogamous couple configurations.
Available by telehealth only.
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, LMHC
(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. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, 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.
Kate Smith, MA
(She/Her)
Kate will be joining us as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate in WA State. Coming from a background in working with adults, Kate helps individuals with depression, anxiety, and self-esteem issues improve their relationship to themselves and others. She specializes in helping clients heal complex trauma, childhood sexual abuse, and recover from unhealthy relationships. She also works with young adults who may feel a lack of direction in their lives. Trained in EMDR, IFS, and Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Kate’s energy puts clients immediately at ease.
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.
Compensation & Benefits
Therapists who join Inside Passage are able to earn a six figure gross income by seeing 20 + clients per week.
Supportive therapist community
Free consultation groups for Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)
Pay increases, based on gaining additional training, experience, and client load
Monthly peer consultation
Training opportunities provided
Investment in therapist
self-care
To Apply:
Please send your CV and letter of interest to Heather Varnau, LMHC at heather@insidepassagecounseling.com . In your letter, please tell us why you want to join our team, your education, trainings you have attended, ideal client population and your client focus. Please include a statement about your commitment to equity and inclusion.
We look forward to hearing from you!