Therapists answer…

For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?

R
Ragnar Scott
Ragnar Scott, PMHNP-BC
Online & In-PersonAccepting New Clients
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?
I know therapy can feel intimidating—it’s not easy to open up to someone you don’t know. But I’m here to make it a little less daunting. My goal is to keep it real and simple—no therapy jargon or complicated stuff. Just honest conversations about what’s going on and how we can work through it together. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own—I’m here to support you, wherever you’re at.
Hey there! I’m Ragnar Scott, a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specializing in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and holistic mental health care. As the Associate Medical Director at Rose City Detox and the owner of LiveWell, LLC in Ridgefield, WA, I’m committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care that meets you where you are. My experience spans psychiatric, neurological, and substance use disorders, with a career path that has taken me to hospitals and healthcare settings across Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Georgia, Alabama, and Massachusetts. I’ve had the privilege of leading and educating healthcare teams in diverse environments, building a foundation of collaboration and support. If you're between 15 and 55 and facing challenges like ADHD, anxiety, depression, or life transitions, I’m here to help. I understand how overwhelming it can feel when you're balancing work, school, or relationships. My goal is to offer practical, no-nonsense strategies that make life feel more manageable, while helping you regain control of your well-being. My approach is straightforward, transparent, and supportive. I believe in fostering a welcoming environment where you feel safe to express your thoughts and concerns without the pressure of medical jargon. With telehealth as a core part of my practice, I make it convenient to connect when you need it most. Outside of work, you might find me enjoying the great outdoors with my loyal (and occasionally grumpy) German Shorthair, Buddy. I’m passionate about creating a balance between professional dedication and personal fulfillment, and I bring that philosophy into my practice. If you're looking for a down-to-earth approach to mental health and recovery, let's chat. Treatment Philosophy: I believe in providing compassionate, patient-centered care tailored to each individual. At LiveWell, I focus on holistic wellness, addressing mental health and substance use disorders with empathy and understanding. My approach emphasizes open communication and collaboration, fostering a trusting environment where you feel supported. Whether it’s recovery or maintaining well-being, I strive to empower you with practical, effective strategies for lasting wellness. Specialties & Conditions: • Mental Health • Psychiatry • Child Psychiatry • Psychotherapy • Addiction Medicine • Depression • Anxiety • Bipolar Disorders • ADHD • Addiction • PTSD • Insomnia • Relationship Issues • Mood Disorders • Panic Attacks • Substance Abuse • Pediatric Psychiatry • Substance Use Disorder • Grief and Loss • Counseling • Anxiety Disorders • Behavioral Issues • Substance Abuse Evaluation • Opioid Addiction • Alcohol Dependency • Detoxification Management • Behavioral Therapy • Prescription Drug Misuse • Relapse Prevention • Addiction Counseling • Withdrawal Symptoms • Co-occurring Disorders Treatment approach: • Existential • Substance Use Disorder Treatment • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy • Mindfulness-Based Techniques • Patient-Centered Care • Integrative Health Approaches In-network Insurance company: • Anthem • Aetna • Cigna • Blue Cross Blue Shield • Quest • Carelon
D
Dr. Tania Alaby-Varma, PsyD, HSP
Licensed Clinical Psychologist | Serving 43 States
Online TherapyAccepting New Clients
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?
If you’re hesitant to start therapy, here’s what I wish you knew: it’s a collaborative space to gently trace the patterns that repeat in your life—ways you’ve learned to protect yourself, feelings that stay just below the surface, and how early experiences and relationships still whisper into today’s choices—so you can understand yourself more deeply and live with greater freedom. We move at your pace, with curiosity rather than judgment, using the therapy relationship itself as a safe place to notice what shows up and to try new ways of being. Alongside this insight work, you’ll also learn practical skills—tuning your nervous system, naming and regulating emotions, setting and keeping boundaries, communicating clearly, organizing attention and habits—so the “why” beneath your struggles is matched with tools that help you do something different. You don’t need to be “bad enough” to deserve support; you’re allowed to come simply to know yourself better and to feel more in charge of your life.
Welcome! I’m Dr. Tania, a passionate and skilled licensed clinical psychologist who provides personalized, knowledgeable, and compassionate mental health services. I weave together my strong clinical experience and my authentic presence with my patient’s desire to make a change, enabling lasting growth and healing to occur. I am an experienced clinician with a strong educational and training background. I have practiced in various settings, treating a broad spectrum of symptoms, concerns, and presentations. My experience and knowledge are well integrated with connection, relationships, and my genuine caring presence.  I am an independently practicing licensed clinical psychologist in Florida (license #PY12013), New York (license # 026156-01), Maryland (license #06995), and Texas (license #40010 ). In addition, I hold a PSYPACT license (APIT #15089), which is an interstate compact designed to facilitate the practice of telepsychology & telehealth across state boundaries, allowing me to work with individuals who reside in 42+ states across the United States. I offer telehealth services for individuals in the following states: AL, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY. I see all patients exclusively via telehealth at this time.  I am dedicated to helping my patients develop a deeper understanding of themselves, their relationships, and their strengths and helping them understand and discover what drives their actions and behaviors. I take pride in providing high-quality, compassionate, empirically-based care rooted in my extensive doctoral education and extensive ongoing professional development.  Services Offered My experience has equipped me to provide an array of mental health services tailored to meet each individual’s unique needs. These services include individual therapy, couples therapy, psychological assessments—specializing in ADHD—vocational and career assessments, as well as sports psychology and performance enhancement for high-performers, including C-Suite executives, athletes, artists, and medical professionals.   Individual Therapy: I work with adults and adolescents experiencing various challenges, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, phobias, eating disorders, body image issues, internet and social media addictions, relationship and interpersonal difficulties, obsessions, compulsions, perfectionism, burnout, insomnia, and other psychological presentations within the human experience. I also support individuals navigating life transitions, communication challenges, attachment difficulties, relational concerns, and complex family dynamics. Services are rooted in evidence-based approaches and treatment is infused with compassion and care. Couples Therapy: As a therapist trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy Levels 1 and 2, I offer couples therapy grounded in the most comprehensive, evidence-based approach available today. Psychological Assessments: I provide a wide range of psychological testing and assessments, including comprehensive ADHD/ADD evaluations, documentation for LSAT/MCAT/GRE/SAT accommodations, diagnosis clarification, ESA letters, giftedness/IQ testing, assessments for academic concerns, and career/vocational evaluations. Please note that my practice does not prescribe psychotropic medications. However, I collaborate closely with psychiatrists and can provide referrals if needed.  My Theoretical Orientation I provide high-quality mental health services that are both scientifically grounded and deeply compassionate, fostering a friendly, accepting, and inclusive environment for all patients. My extensive training spans various therapeutic approaches, including psychodynamic and psychoanalytic psychotherapy, as well as cognitive-behavioral treatments like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based CBT (MB-CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), and manualized treatments for insomnia, phobias, and PTSD. I also enjoy incorporating Positive Psychology, Interpersonal/Relational Therapy, Existential-Humanistic Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to support meaningful change. I approach mental health from a holistic perspective, recognizing the interconnectedness of mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual facets. I am committed to providing a compassionate listening space where you are invited to reflect and explore yourself, understanding your deepest challenges and strengths. Through patient listening, reflecting, shared inquiry, and various evidence based interventions, I strive to help you become more aware of your patterns and thoughts, fostering greater self-understanding and clarity. My goal is to support you in making meaningful and skillful choices that align with your true self.  My Therapeutic Style My approach to mental health, in general, is characterized by an accepting and caring environment that is collaborative in nature. I am authentic, down-to-earth, intentional, and spontaneous in session, which lends itself to a truly collaborative and growth-promoting experience. Therapy with me is a collaborative, action-oriented process providing you the opportunity to foster new perspectives, discover your inherent worth, tap into your inner resources, and develop your capacity for resilience and new skills. I enjoy working from a holistic yet evidence-based approach.  I show up authentically for each patient, and I value transparency and provide my full presence. Patients who work with me can expect to explore feelings, beliefs, and behaviors, understand memories, process destructive relationships, and identify dysfunction, which will lead to a better understanding of themselves and others. During therapy, there is an ongoing effort to develop effective coping skills, decrease emotional distress, improve functioning, and resolve symptoms and problems. Each therapy session is a balance of meeting your present needs and long-term goals. Collaboratively, we will deepen your understanding of yourself your reactions to various emotions and, increase your psychological flexibility and create new perspectives.  My Wishes for You I wish you a life full of love, happiness, fulfillment and health. I am committed to helping you build and find it! It is my greatest honor to accompany my patients on their journey toward deeper self-awareness, growth, the emergence from suffering while becoming a meaningful part of my patient’s lives. Warmly, Dr. Tania
K
Kaileen Russell
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Online TherapyAccepting New Clients
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?
I whole heartedly believe everyone should try therapy at least once in their life. There is something truly wonderful about being able to completely open up to a supportive, empathetic, and unbiased individual. There is opportunity for new perspective, insight, and growth in ways we often don’t imagine.
There is a sentiment that was brought to popularity over the last two years: We are all weathering this storm but are not in the same boat. I have spent a lot of time contemplating this concept. One of the interpretations that sticks with me is that we are all human learning to navigate this life but often impacted by different things in different ways. Some people have yachts while others have canoes, some find themselves being tussled in the ocean while others are blessed to gleam across a lake, and some are fortunate to have life jackets while others have felt they had to learn to float alone. No matter each person’s, couple’s, or family’s circumstances we are all trying to navigate through life. Therapy is a safe and private space that I can hold for you where I may aid you in locating a life jacket, developing a crew, patch your boat, and learn to navigate the waters. Whether you find yourself in tousled waters or navigating a new path I would be pleased to work with you. I have enjoyed working with individuals, couples, and families of all different needs for years.
Main
Find a Therapist
For Providers
Login
Self Tests
Anxiety Test
Depression Test
Ask Therapists
What is Therapy Like?
Advice for Starting Therapy
How can Teletherapy Work?
Company
Our Blog
Contact Us
Privacy | Terms
Copyright Birch LLC, 2026