Lydia Walker-Thoennes, LPC, LPCC, MA Art Therapy

Founder

I believe healing happens when people feel truly seen, heard, and accepted. My passion is empowering individuals to discover the tools, insight, and confidence they need to create meaningful, lasting change. Whether you're navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, chronic illness, grief, relationship challenges, identity exploration, or a major life transition, I strive to create a space where you can show up exactly as you are—without judgment—and begin reconnecting with the healthiest version of yourself.

I am a licensed mental health therapist with a Master's degree in Clinical Counseling and Art Therapy and have dedicated more than 25 years to the health, wellness, and advocacy fields, including over 16 years specializing in mental health. Throughout my career, I have worked in integrated healthcare settings, private practice, schools, community medical clinics, community organizations, and as a legal advocate for survivors of domestic violence. These experiences have given me a deep appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit and the many factors that influence our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

My therapeutic approach is holistic, trauma-informed, and rooted in the understanding that healing involves the mind, body, nervous system, and relationships. In addition to traditional talk therapy, I incorporate evidence-based approaches including EMDR, Brainspotting, Art Therapy, IFS, Play Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Informed Yoga, polyvagal theory, attachment, and developmental psychology principles. Together, we'll identify what's keeping you stuck, gently process painful experiences, and build practical tools that help you feel more grounded, resilient, and connected.

While I specialize in working with individuals recovering from trauma and those living with chronic illness, I enjoy supporting people through all of life's challenges. I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, and older adults across the lifespan. As someone who is neurodivergent, my practice is queer-affirming, neurodiversity-affirming, identity-affirming, and culturally responsive, with particular attunement to adult children of immigrants and individuals whose life experiences have shaped the way they move through the world. I believe every person deserves compassionate, respectful care that honors their unique story and identity.

Many of my clients are highly sensitive people, caregivers, creatives, professionals, and deep thinkers who have spent years holding everything together for everyone else while quietly carrying overwhelming stress, anxiety, self-doubt, or unresolved trauma. Sometimes the wounds are obvious; other times they're harder to name but deeply felt. Together, we create space to slow down, understand what your nervous system has been trying to communicate, and move toward greater ease, self-compassion, and balance.

As both a therapist and an artist, I believe creativity and play are powerful pathways to healing. Play stimulates the brain in ways that reduce stress, increase curiosity, and open us to new ways of thinking and being. When appropriate, I invite creativity, imagination, movement, and each client's personal interests into the therapeutic process because healing doesn't happen through words alone. My work is also deeply informed by my lifelong fascination with nature, biology, and neurology, recognizing that humans thrive when they are connected—to themselves, to others, and to the natural world.

Clients often describe my style as warm, gentle, grounded, authentic, and approachable, with a healthy dose of humor. I believe therapy should feel collaborative rather than prescriptive. My role isn't to "fix" you—it's to walk beside you, helping make life's painful moments more manageable while supporting you in building the skills, insight, and confidence to create the life you want. Together, we'll work to lighten the weight you've been carrying, strengthen your inner resources, and help you build a life that feels good for your nervous system.

Outside of therapy, I recharge by spending time outdoors hiking, biking, swimming, skiing, and paddling. As an artist inspired by the natural world, I find constant reminders that growth is rarely linear and healing often unfolds in seasons. My husband and I recently relocated from Duluth, Minnesota, to the Columbia River Gorge, where we're restoring family property and building a tiny home while embracing this exciting new chapter of life.

I know reaching out for help can be one of the hardest steps. You don't have to navigate life's challenges alone. It would be an honor to walk alongside you as you heal, grow, and rediscover your strengths.