ABOUT

Hi, I’m River Enselman (they/she)

I am a queer, fat-bodied, neurodiverse, mental health therapist (LMHCA) that enjoys life in Western Washington. I have faced various challenges throughout my life that eventually led me to seek out counseling. That is when I decided to begin the path of my schooling to become a health care provider. Starting out, I focused on nutrition and received my undergraduate degree in Nutrition Science from Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA in 2019. Once I learned that nutrition and mental health intertwine with one another, I went on to receive my masters degrees in Nutrition Science and Counseling Psychology from Bastyr University in 2022.

During my graduate program, I had the opportunity to intern in a community mental health organization focused on the LGBTQ+ community. After graduation, I had another opportunity to continue to work in community mental health with an organization focused on working with BIPOC communities.

My passion is working with eating disorders, body image, health advocacy, LGBTQ+ identities, neurodiversity, and life transitions. Within all of those concerns, I have also worked with anxiety, depression, and trauma.

I also enjoy kayaking, hiking, video games, and D&D

My Approach

My therapeutic style is person-centered and humanistic as a foundation. I provide space that focuses on unconditional positive regard and non-judgmental exploration, in which the client drives. I also use behavioral therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and mindfulness.

CBT allows us to identify and challenge negative thought patterns through reframing. DBT allows us to learn and practice skills that support emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal communication. Mindfulness allows us to observe thoughts and feelings in a non-judgmental way and practice grounding skills using sensory focus.

With all of these, I find it important to use an anti-oppressive and harm-reduction lens that acknowledges the systems which impact people’s lives and their overall well being.