Taryn Pemberton

Biography

Qualifications & Experience

I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Eastern Washington University and I completed my Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Antioch University with an emphasis in trauma studies. I also hold a certificate in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Lifespan Integration Level 1.

During my undergraduate internship, I interned at a refugee resettlement agency where I used counseling skills to assist incoming refugees with a variety of needs. My graduate internship was at a community mental health agency in Spokane where I primarily worked with preteen and teenage clients in both intensive outpatient and outpatient settings with behavioral and mental health needs.

My Call to Christian Counseling

I decided to pursue a career in counseling for several reasons. Since high school, I have been fascinated with psychology and sociology. I also really enjoy helping people on their journey to wellness. During my undergraduate degree, I chose a Social Work major which equipped me to understand in greater depth how our social environment affects us as humans. It also built networking skills which enabled me to help clients access different services within the community.

The downfall to the Social Work degree is that I really wanted to work with people in a clinical counseling setting, which is what drove me to pursue my Master’s degree in counseling. There I learned strategies to work with people on an individual level as they journey toward wellness. Lastly, I chose counseling because I have personally seen the tremendous benefits that counseling can provide. This led me to want to help others find and use these benefits as well.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

I have been married for over 13 years to my wonderful husband. We have two elementary-aged children—a daughter and a son. We also have two dogs. I have my private pilot’s license and enjoy flying a Piper Cub as a hobby. I also really enjoy music—specifically playing the piano and singing—and reading books from several different genres.

Services and Specialities

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

• Abandonment and Neglect
• Anxiety
• Counseling for Teens
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Grief and Loss
• Group Counseling
• Lifespan Integration
• Individual Counseling
• Online Counseling
• Personal Development
• Premarital Counseling
• Professional Development
• Relationship Issues
• Spiritual Development
• Trauma
• Weight Loss
• Women’s Issues

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are a prevalent issue in the United States and abroad. They have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. Eating disorders do not discriminate. They can affect men and women, old and young, and people from any race/ethnicity/culture. I have spent a significant amount of time studying eating disorders and learning about different treatment methods. While eating disorder recovery might feel like an unclimbable mountain, the summit is possible! I would be honored to climb the mountain of recovery with you.

Depression and Anxiety

Depression and anxiety can rob so much each day from a person’s wellbeing. I have worked with multiple clients who feel the weight of depression and feel like they lack purpose and direction. I have also worked with clients who are suicidal or have struggled with suicidal ideation.

Anxiety can fill a person with such worry and fear about everyday situations that it can reduce your ability to function in the way that you would like. Anxiety and depression can often work hand in hand, feeding each other. It would be my privilege to help you navigate through anxiety and/or depression and find healing on the other side.

Relationship Issues

Humans are designed to live in relationship with others by God’s design. What happens, though, when relationships become tumultuous? Navigating relationship issues can be difficult especially when you’re so close to the issues. Having somebody who can be objective yet empathic can be really helpful in navigating these issues. Using a person-centered approach, we can walk through these relationship issues together to find healing and restoration.

Professional Development

Are you at a crossroads professionally? Do you simply want to change course? Are you trying to figure out which career might fit you best? These questions can be really overwhelming and may lead you to wonder how in the world you are going to figure it out. Academically I have studied career counseling and have experience in utilizing multiple assessment tools to help put the puzzle pieces together. Through our sessions together, we can find a trajectory that works best for you.

Grief and Loss

Loss is a human experience but one that can leave us reeling. It can take on many forms as well. We often think of grief and loss as grieving the loss of a loved one. While this is certainly true, loss can also encompass losing a close relationship or losing a career or a lifestyle to which you’ve grown accustomed, among many others. Grieving these losses can be complicated and difficult to navigate. Having received training on trauma, grief, and loss as well as working with clients who have suffered loss in their own lives, I am able to walk alongside you as you navigate the grieving process and find hope and healing.

Payment and Forms

Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.

Availability (by office location):

• Spokane Valley – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for Individuals and Couples looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived.

Receipts/Statements: In the event, you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 3.% plus $0.15 per transaction will be added for credit card payments.