My Background

I have been a Clinical Social Worker for nearly twenty years. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a Master of Science in Social Work in the Spring of 1986. My professional work has included working in various outpatient mental health clinics, Hospice Home Care, and Hospital Based Social Services with particular emphasis on Cancer Care, Emegency Services, and critical circumstances on the Family Childbirth Center. My work with individuals and families throughout my career has been very meaningful to me personally and professionally--many lessons learned and much wisdom acquired as I have counseled and supported people through very stressful and overwhelming life experiences. I am on the Board of RESOLVE of Washington State and provide a multitude of services for them and their members. I am also a volunteer for Sidelines, an organization that provides one-on-one support to woman who are experiencing a high risk pregnancy and related bedrest.

Personally, I have acquired my own share of life experiences and resulting wisdom. Amongst them, and probably the most profound, was my three year struggle with my own infertility. My experience was one of balancing hope and despair, and coping with cyclical grief and loss in the midst of maintaining hope and courage throughout. I was very fortunate in that I was able to conceive, with the assistance of high tech treatment options, an amazing and wonderful daughter, who was born in the Fall of 1999. My pregnancy was high risk in that I suffered several complications which resulted in what was to be a twelve week bedrest--cut short by my daughter arriving six weeks prematurally.

I established my practice so that I can provide sound therapy to those who are seeking to grow, heal, transition--to learn new skills and shift from established ways of coping that are nolonger helpful. I believe my approach is very practical and helps people manage and experience their life in a more stable and positive way. While I have specific areas of professional and personally related expertise, I am very flexible and able to help those with a myriad of life's stresses and complex emotions. I am compassionate, patient, and sincere in my work with my clients. I honor confidentiality and trust as paramount. I am nonjudgmental and appreciate working with those who come from more alternative backgrounds and lifestyles, supporting you in your choices, and not pathologizing as others might do. I see my role as clinician and educator as I like to blend therapy with providing practical skills and community based resources. I share personal aspects of my own life journey as appropriate so that you know that I am genuine in my work with you, and that I base our work together not only from theory and professional practice expertise, but also within my personal history of challenges and resulting growth and healing.

Eileen Stein, MSSW, LICSW

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