Andrew Engstrom

Biography

Qualifications & Experience

I received my BA in Psychology from Seattle Pacific University, and later returned to SPU to earn my Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy. I also became certified through SPU to practice MDFT (a holistic approach to counseling treatment), and I am fully qualified to use the PREPARE/ENRICH tools in pre-marital and marital counseling. During my Masters training, I worked as Residence Life Advisor for one of the four residence halls at SPU; in this position, I acted as informal counselor and mentor to many students. In my therapeutic experience, I have worked as a mental health counselor to addicts and alcoholics; worked as a therapeutic team leader; and counseled children, teens and their families in a variety of contexts.

My Development as a Christian Marriage Counselor

I have been drawn to counseling all my life. At age ten, I discovered that some people make a career out of working with marriages—and at that moment, something in me clicked. When I read the phrase “Marriage and Family Therapy” in a course during my first year at SPU, I knew that I had found my calling. At the same time, I felt the strong desire to serve in a specifically Christian context. My current position at Seattle Christian Counseling, PLLC suits my personality and calling so closely that I sometimes feel as though I am “getting away with something” by practicing therapy for a living.

More About Me

I spent the first years of my life in rural Montana before moving to a small town in Oregon with my two sisters and both parents. My family on both sides has a history in the ministry, as well as a love for family. I met my wife while I was at graduate school, and we have been married for almost four years now. We are looking forward to raising a family together in the future. I love storytelling, listening to music, taking on home improvement projects, and spending time in nature.

Services and Specialities

Individual Counseling

I work with clients on a one-to-one basis to increase self-awareness, encourage personal growth, set goals, and adopt a holistic approach to life. Increasing your awareness allows you to increase your options: when you know who you are and what you do, you can decide if that’s who you want to be. My goal as a Christian counselor is to empower you to overcome obstacles and equip you to better navigate your future. By working together to understand who you are and what you want to be, we can begin to discern God’s purposes for your life.

Other Areas

In addition to these areas, I offer specialized treatment for:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Youth Counseling
• Video Game Addiction
• Addiction and Alcoholism

Marriage & Premarital Counseling

As Christians, we know that being called into relationship with one another is not necessarily easy. In marriage, we are called to love God and each other more than we love ourselves, which is truly an enormous challenge! Being married myself, my work as a marriage and premarital counselor draws from my personal experience of the challenges and joys found in Christian marriage. How can you build a vitalized and vitalizing relationship in your marriage—a relationship that fuels both you and your spouse in your love for one another and for God? Whether you are just beginning to plan your wedding or you have just celebrated your 40th anniversary, if you are looking to foster a healthier relationship with your spouse, I am here to help.

Family Therapy

Families can be a source of enormous joy and support, but they also can be the cause of much anxiety. It can be especially difficult to be understand all the layers of family-related issues—stories and rules, hurts and strengths, etc.—that are often stored deep inside you. Many families believe it is easier to ignore or suppress these issues rather than face them. However, it is important that families develop trust, openness, and empathy in order to grow together as a unit.

In family therapy, individuals come together in an intimate, safe setting to openly and sensitively address the issues that prevent relationships from developing in a healthy, Godly way. As an objective mediator for this therapy, I will foster a safe and positive atmosphere, facilitating conversation according to your family needs. With my expertise as a family therapist, I feel confident that I can help your family to nurture positive, fruitful relationships.

Payment and Forms

Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.

Availability (by office location):

• Downtown Seattle – Wednesday
• Bothell – Tuesday and Thursdays
• Online (WA only) – Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for Individuals, Couples and Families looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment the full fee per session is required at the time of service.

Insurance: As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) a majority of insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover individuals, couples and families.

Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 3.7% plus $0.15 per transaction will be added for credit card payments.