MEET CHRIS DESSERT, LMFT
You’re already stronger than you think you are.
I’m Chris Dessert, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Washington State. I work with couples, individuals, and parents - entirely online.
It’s important to know who you will be working with. For nearly 15 years, I've worked in the mental health field — starting as a trauma advocate in the nonprofit world, sitting with survivors of child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault. That work shaped everything about how I practice: I don't rush past pain, and I don't pretend change is simple.
I'm also a parent, a veteran, and a trauma survivor myself — and I've sat on the other side of the therapy room for over a decade. I know what it's like to be the client. That's the foundation of how I work: with honesty, without judgment, and at a pace that actually fits your life.
These days my practice is entirely online, serving clients across Washington State. I work with couples caught in painful patterns, individuals carrying anxiety, depression, or old stories that won't loosen their grip, and parents who want a steadier connection with their kids.
I am a fully licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Washington. I received my Bachelors of Science in Psychology at the University of Washington. I attained a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Antioch University. I am trained in Level 2 Gottman Therapy. I have attended Externship and Core Skills training in Emotionally-Focused Therapy. I am a facilitator in Circle of Security method for parents.
I offer a free online consultation to answer any questions you have and to see if we’re a good fit.
YOU’RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
It can be challenging to take that first step. For yourself. For your relationship.
There was a time when I was in over my head. I tried everything I knew to try to bring my relationship back from the brink. I was patient. I tried to ‘fix’ things for her and us. We were both putting so much effort in and seeing no hope, no connection. Going to therapy meant I had to admit I needed help and, for those that pride themselves in figuring out things themselves, that is the greatest failure. That was the turning point for my story. For the story of my partnership.
I understand how hard it is to take that first step, but there is so much waiting for you if you take it. We work with the strengths and challenges you bring at this moment in time. We meet you where you are at. No experience required.
MY STYLE
I lead with warmth, playfulness, curiosity, and respect. This is serious work and my job is to sit alongside you and offer my skills to your life experience and existing strengths to create substantial change for the better.
My style is rooted in collaboration, not authority. You're the expert on your own life — my job is to help you notice what's been hard to see, understand the patterns keeping you stuck, and practice something different.
With couples, I draw from the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Attachment Theory. With individuals, I use Internal Family Systems, Narrative Therapy, and CBT. With parents, I'm a licensed Circle of Security Parenting facilitator. But models are tools, not scripts. The work is always shaped around you.
My Guiding Principles
You Are An Expert
I have deep respect for how you've made it through the hard parts of your life. I bring clinical training; you bring the lived wisdom no degree can teach.
Trust
Trust isn't assumed — it's built. I build it through honesty, transparency, regular check-ins, and a pace that challenges you without overwhelming you.
You Belong
We all have the right to belong and feel accepted, without condition. No performing, no pleasing — just room to be yourself, flaws and failures included.
Safety
Nothing changes until it feels safe enough to change. That safety — in the room and in the relationship — comes first.
COUPLES THERAPY
Recurring conflict, emotional distance, trust injuries, the slow drift into feeling like roommates. We'll find the pattern underneath the fights and build a steadier way back to each other.
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
Anxiety, depression, and the old experiences that keep showing up in the present. We'll make sense of the patterns and open up room for something steadier and more honest.
THERAPY FOR MEN
The pressure to be "the rock," feelings handled alone, friendships that faded years ago, the fear of repeating your parents' mistakes. We'll build a steadier, more connected way of showing up — as a partner, a father, and a man.
Training & Education
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, State of Washington (LF61574927)
BS, Psychology, University of Washington
MA, Marriage and Family Therapy, Antioch University
Externship & Core Skills, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Level 2, Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Circle of Security Facilitator, Circle of Security Parenting (COSP)
Being A Neurodivergent Affirming Clinician, Cascadia Training
Practical Stuff
All sessions are online, for clients located in Washington state — no in-person option. I'm a private-pay, out-of-network provider. I don't bill insurance directly, but I provide superbills if your plan reimburses out-of-network care. Every new client starts with a free 20-minute consultation, so we can talk about fit before either of us commits.
Rates
Individual Therapy
50 mins | $180 | Get started
Couples Therapy
50 mins | $180 | Get started
Attachment Interview
80 mins | $235 | Get started