MICHAEL YU, MS LMHC CMHS EMMHS
About
With over 13 years of experience working with complex issues, l have successfully helped many children, teens, adults, couples and families overcome the challenges they face. My clients include foster and adoptive children and their families, couples in marital crisis, at-risk youths with substance abuse, survivors of sexual abuse and trauma. He is also a Washington State recognized Child Mental Health Specialist, Ethnic Minority Mental Health Specialist and Washington State Approved Clinical Supervisor. Additionally, I am able to provide Christian counseling and therapy in Mandarin Chinese.
Seeing my clients' change and transform throughout the healing process and become empowered to live life with less fear and anxiety.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
The therapist client relationship is one of the most, if not the most, important pieces to determining if therapy is going to be effective. With that in mind, I always start with a free 30 minute telephone consultation, so the client has an opportunity to assess and decide if they feel good about working with me. Then we progress to an in-depth and thorough, but casual assessment of why they are seeking help. At the end, of the assessment I will provide a summary of our assessment along with my recommendations.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
EDUCATION
Fuller Theological Seminary, Master of Science in Marital and Family Therapy, 2006
University of Washington, Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, 1994
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
WA State Approved Clinical Supervisor, 2013
Ethnic Minority Mental Health Specialist, 2012
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, 2011
Child Mental Health Specialist, 2010
Mental Health Professional, 2010
Children’s Functional Assessment Rating Scale (CFARS), 2010
PREPARE/ENRICH Facilitator, 2008
ADDITIONAL CLINICAL TRAINING
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) 2017
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) 2017
Intensive Introduction to Solution Focused Brief Therapy 2014
Solution Focused Brief Therapy for Addiction 2014
Clinical Supervision I, II, III, Cascadia Training for Professional Development, 2013
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, 2013
Achieving Whole Health: Balancing Mind, Body, and Spirit, NNEDLearn 2013 Conference, OBHE SAMHSA
Certificate Program in Primary Care and Behavioral Health, UMass Medical School, 2012
Attachment Disorders, Attachment Challenges in Foster Care, 2012
Wraparound Initiative BRSTP, 2011
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Processing Therapy (TF-CPT), 2010
Recovery Model Training, 2009
Cross System Training for Child and Youth Serving Systems, 2009
Child/Youth Adult Abuse Prevention, 2009
Completed 36-Hour Externship in Emotion Focused Therapy, 2006
Do you have a standard pricing system for your services? If so, please share the details here.
$150-$180 per 50 minute session.
How did you get started in this business?
It has always been my passion to serve others and help people. From my volunteer work in high school as a Mandarin Chinese translator assisting families who did not speak English to volunteering to counsel young couples in a pregnancy resource center to working with clients in the financial services industry. My goal was always to serve and to help. Finally in 2004, I decided to pursue my Master's in Marital and Family Therapy which started me down this path of becoming a therapist as my profession.
What types of customers have you worked with?
Children, youth and families in crisis including children who were suicidal, attempted suicide and were hospitalized.
Foster and adoptive youth and families, including children who have been in group homes.
At-risk youth, children and teens, including ones who have been in inpatient and outpatient drug and alcohol recovery programs.
Children, teens and adults who have been sexually abused and are survivors of sexual abuse.
Pre-marital, married and divorce couples and families.
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a pro in your area of expertise?
Talk with the therapist by phone first and check him/her out to see if they are a good fit for what you need. While many therapists may have the training, experience and expertise you are looking for they may not be the best fit for you.
What questions should customers think through before talking to pros about their needs?
What is the problem?
What am I trying to accomplish through therapy?
How will I know when I have reached my goal(s)?
How well is this therapist able to understand my problems, needs and help me achieve my goal(s)?
Is s/he able to articulate what they hear my saying?