Meet Dr. Annie Mueller, licensed clinical psychologist
As featured on Psychology Today
YOU DON’T HAVE TO CARRY THIS alone.
I’m a Tacoma-based clinical psychologist (she/her pronouns) with well over a decade of licensed professional experience. I am passionate about supporting people in midlife as they navigate life changes so they can regain a sense of empowerment, purpose, and direction. I provide individual therapy online to adults in WA and 40+ PSYPACT participating states (click link for state listing).
BEING HERE DOESN’T MEAN YOU’RE WEAK—IT MEANS YOU’RE courageous.
Many of my clients are high achievers who are used to being the “strong one” in their social circles. I know how hard it can be to take the first steps towards change. You may have been considering this for weeks, months, or even years before getting to part where you look up therapists. You might be feeling ashamed, embarrassed, or guilty to be seeking out professional support.
Please know that you are not alone— many people feel this way at the beginning of their change journey. I get it, and I’m here to partner with you to feel back on track in your life again.
It takes guts to acknowledge that something isn’t working. You’ve already taken a brave first step… so let’s get to work.
I’m so glad you’re here.
Here’s a brief video introduction from me. This is the view you’ll have during sessions of my home office. (I need more plants, don’t you think?).
I CAN HELP YOU WITH:
RELATIONSHIP ISSUES
LIFE TRANSITIONS
sleep troubles
GRIEF & LOSS
caregiver burnout
TRAUMA
STRESS MANAGEMENT
How I work
I BELIEVE GROWTH CAN HAPPEN AT ANY age, stage, or phase of life. IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO CHANGE.
No matter where you’re at in life, growth is always possible. Life is full of opportunities to transform, shift, heal, and reshape. It doesn’t matter if you’ve always done things a certain way, or if everyone in your life knows you as the “person who does XYX.” Therapy can help you explore new possibilities, even when the path forward feels uncertain.
I value diversity and use a culturally-sensitive approach to therapy.
I consider all aspects of your background and identity in my work with you. I recognize that systemic racism and other forms of discrimination can not only deeply affect mental health, but also how safe and supported someone feels in seeking help.
I am an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist and am skilled at working with individuals with a wide range of identities.
THERAPY WITH ME is…
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We will actively identify goals together and break things down into small steps. You’ll come away from sessions with new insights, ideas, and skills to implement in your daily life.
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Everything discussed in session stays between us, unless I have your written expressed consent to share with others. There are some legal exceptions to this (i.e., if someone is at imminent risk of harm to self or others) which are explicitly reviewed before we begin treatment.
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I actively solicit, welcome, and encourage feedback on how treatment is going for you. If something isn’t working in therapy, it’s important we do something about it!
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We will work together to get you back in the driver’s seat in your life again.
THERAPY WITH ME is not…
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We’ll focus on what matters most to you and keep things moving towards your goals in each session.
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We’ll take things at a pace that feels right, and focus on one thing at a time.
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I adapt my approach based on your needs, goals, and readiness.
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We will of course explore and discuss difficult topics… but we’ll also have moments of levity and humor together, too.
Here’s what I believe about therapy:
You don’t have to wait until things hit “rock bottom” to benefit from professional support.
It can be hard to feel deserving of support when things feel mostly fine on a day-to-day basis. Please know that you are deserving of a life that feels better than “mostly fine.” If you’ve made it this far on your search, odds are there is at least a quiet whisper of wanting to change. Pay attention to that whisper, and nurture it before it becomes a roar.
Investing in yourself allows you to invest in others.
You have to put your oxygen mask on before you can assist others. By investing the time and effort into your own healing process, you will be better able to show up for those that matter most to you.
Therapy doesn’t have to last forever and ever.
While some individuals benefit from longer-term support, many people get what they need from therapy within a few months. I take a solution-focused approach to therapy, which means we actively identify and work on goals— getting you back on track and into your life again.
My Background
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I attended graduate school at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, attaining a PhD in Clinical Psychology. I completed my pre-doctoral internship at the American Lake VA in Tacoma WA. I also completed my post-doctoral fellowship at the American Lake VA, specializing in geropsychology.
I am licensed in WA state, PY60541901.
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PSYPACT Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) in PSYPACT participating states - APIT #22467
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Following my pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship, I worked for nearly 10 years in public service at the American Lake VA hospital. I worked in the outpatient Mental Health Clinic for over 5 years and the remainder in Primary Care Mental Health Integration. I had the opportunity to work with Veterans and family members with a range of mental health concerns.
I also was heavily involved in the psychology training program, serving in various leadership roles and providing supervision to interns, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate psychologists.
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Here is a list of evidence-based therapy approaches that I utilize in my clinical practice:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD
Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD
Motivational Interviewing
Solution-Focused Therapy
Behavioral Activation
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I’m of the mindset that we should “work to live, not live to work.” Originally from the Midwest, I have made the Pacific Northwest my home for the past 12 years and never plan to leave. I’m a proud aging millennial.
I am an avid outdoorswoman and enjoy trail running, hiking, backpacking, cycling, and scuba diving as much as time allows. My greatest adventure to date has been a solo double-crossing of the Grand Canyon in one day (Rim to Rim to Rim) – about 46 miles with over 11,000 feet of climbing (and descending!). I also recently completed the 38 mile Zion Traverse, which made for some good stories. I would be happy to tell you more about it sometime.
Ready to get started?