License #LW61539124

About Me – Svetlana Shjerven, LICSW

Hi! My name is Lana (she/her), and I approach therapy through an existential framework, prioritizing empathy, compassion, and building a strong rapport and therapeutic relationship to facilitate change. I endeavor to explore with you your unique experiences, contexts, connections with others and the world around us to foster healing, build upon strengths, and to generally try to improve your situation. I believe strongly in the importance of feeling connected in relationships, to our environment, and to ourselves. Addressing the “here and now” that arises during therapy allows our sessions to adapt and work with the difficult emotions or thoughts that come up, in a safe environment that is confidential, nonjudgmental and humanistic. As well, I can bring more structure and challenge into sessions if that is what you are seeking.

I utilize an eclectic approach, combining multiple areas of practice to suit your needs. In particular, I often draw from CBT, ACT, Narrative, humanistic psychology, strengths-based work, systems theory, and existentialism in the exploration of self-actualization and addressing barriers. I offer evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches. Clients have described me as warm, inquisitive, curious, silly, and nonjudgmental. I also offer “walk and talk” style outdoor therapy too, which could be part of our approach in addressing agoraphobia or anxiety when appropriate (from Seattle to Olympia area).

I have worked with and am drawn to working with those who have experienced anxiety, depression, agoraphobia, trauma, life transitions, self-esteem/confidence issues, grief and chronic pain. I am LGBTQIA+, gender- and poly-affirming and enjoy working with clients along the spectrum of neurodiversity, disability, and giftedness. In this space to heal, we can foster resiliency and explore being.

I became a therapist because I found therapy immensely helpful myself as a teen/young adult struggling with social anxiety, agoraphobia, and identity issues. Between my lived experience and wanting to help people in general, I decided to pursue the field of behavioral health after making the changes in my life that I needed to. I find it an honor and privilege to be in this role.

In my free time, I find joy (and silliness) in reading, doing archery, writing on my typewriters, and spending time with my partner, cats and dog.