My Background

I have been a Clinical Social Worker for over twenty three 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, Emergency 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 bed rest.

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 bed rest--cut short by my daughter arriving six weeks premature.

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 no longer 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

Michael The Therapy Dog

Michael is my Australian Shepard/Mix Dog. He was rescued about 6 years ago. Ironically, he suffered from pretty severe anxiety and was abused by his previous owner.. You would never know he had anxiety given how relaxed he is doing his job at my practice office. He loves to come to work with me whenever possible. While some of my clients are dog lovers, I appreciate that not all people are into dogs, some are deathly afraid of them, others are allergic to them. I respect this and ask that you let me know if you have any dog fears or allergies so I can make arrangements on days when you attend therapy to leave him at home. For those of you who genuinely like dogs, Michael seems to serve as a very calming effect for many people who come into therapy stressed by their day or life circumstances. He loves to greet clients, bring them to their seat.. He usually sleeps the rest of the session.

A word on fear of dogs. I have worked with a number of clients who have fear of dogs using Michael in a therapeutic way with what is known as exposure therapy. If you have an interest in this please let me know.

~Eileen and Michael

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