Let’s journey together
Meghann Cheney, LMFT
providing in-person and “walk & talk” therapy
in Bonney Lake, WA & online therapy
for clients in Idaho & Washington state
My Specialties
ADHD Therapy
Take charge of your ADHD.
Build skills to increase your mental flexibility & motivation to sharpen your attentiveness. Learning mindfulness helps reduce stress. It can also reduce negative emotions and harsh self-criticism. This keeps us stuck in patterns which waste time and make us feel drained. Learning how to communicate your needs and boundaries helps you advocate for yourself, resulting in less distress.
Faith Transitions & Religious Harm
If you have experiences in religious communities which may have caused you strife, I’d love to work with you. Regardless of what stage you are at. Are you having doubts? Curious about a faith transition? Have you left the faith in your heart but aren’t “out” in your family? Or maybe you’ve experienced being shunned, silenced, or excommunicated. Therapy is a safe space to heal from the pains and heartbreak of this particular type of wounding. You really want to talk to someone who understands the culture so you don’t have to explain things and waste time in your therapy. Populations I’ve worked with include: the spectrum of belief of Latter Day Saints– orthodox, progressive, and ex-Mormon; Jehovah’s Witnesses, Pentecostal, and Seventh Day Adventist, Church of Baltimore, Institution in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), as well as other evangelical/high demand religions and high control groups.
Individual Therapy
I also work with individuals on a variety of different issues!
In the midst of suffering, meeting the challenges of life, and processing our emotions… life can feel overwhelming and daunting. Caught between feeling paralyzed, lost, and searching for a way forward, it can be hard to take the next step when there are so many moving parts to consider.
I am a firm believer that the only way out is through. I am here to help you grow healthy relationships with self and others as you journey forward.
- Anxiety & Depression
– Emotional Literacy and Emotional Regulation
– Family of Origin Issues
– Attachment Issues
– Life Transitions
– The Perinatal Period
– Differentiation of Self
– Taking Values Guided Action in Your Life
– Faith Crisis and Religious Harm
– Communication Skill Building
– Feminism
– Self Acceptance, Self Esteem, and Self Identity
– Decision Making and Problem Solving
– Boundaries
Perinatal Mental Health
Becoming a parent can be scary and confusing! I provide compassionate support and guidance for navigating the time during pregnancy or within the first year after giving birth.
Get empowered as you embark on the journey of a lifetime. Mental health for expectant & new parents is vital to the wellness of your new family. I encourage you to foster your own emotional well-being during pregnancy and postpartum, pay attention to your relationships, and reassure you.
Relationship Therapy
Relationship therapy, also known as couples counseling or couples therapy, is a type of psychotherapy that helps people improve their relationships. It can help people resolve interpersonal issues, improve communication, and modify unhealthy interaction patterns. Relationship therapy can be beneficial for any type of relationship, including romantic, family, and other types of relationships.
Conquer Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Do you suspect you have ADHD or have you been formally diagnosed? Now you may be wondering what to do about it. Have the tools and therapies you’ve tried not worked out so well? Having a therapist who understands can make the difference. Meghann specializes in working with people with ADHD.
What you can expect:
Build Strong Skills: strengthen mental flexibility, develop problem solving skills and motivation strategies, learn organizational and planning skills, sharpen attention, increase time management
Reduce Stress & Manage Emotions: enhance emotional regulation, grow mindfulness skills, increase distress tolerance, improve impulse control
Increase Self Understanding: nurture self esteem and self acceptance, reduce negative self talk, cultivate an empowered understanding of ADHD, embrace your unique self
Grow Healthy Communication Skills: lean into boundary setting, learn self advocacy, skill up in addressing conflict, grow in perspective taking, work on building shared understanding
Religious Trauma
Having a crisis of faith? Are you not sure what you believe anymore but can’t talk to anyone? Therapy can help.
I don’t have advice or an opinion of what your outcome should look like. Instead, I will travel the journey of discovery alongside you. Recovery includes recognizing dissonance and the pain of doubt, deconstructing your old ideas, and understanding what happened to you.
Sometimes people experience religious harm in their faith communities, or between individual members and authority figures. You may feel your religious beliefs negate who you are as an individual. This may happen suddenly or over time. These harms are difficult to talk about to people who don’t understand.
Whether you have left an orthodox or evangelical religion, are questioning your faith, or have experienced religious trauma or spiritual abuse, you have likely endured some of the most confusing and painful emotions of your life.
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From Religious Trauma Institute:
Religious Trauma: The physical, emotional, or psychological response to religious beliefs, practices, or structures that overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope and return to a sense of safety.
Adverse Religious Experiences: Any experience of a religious belief, practice, or structure that undermines an individual’s sense of safety or autonomy and/or negatively impacts their physical, social, emotional, relational, or psychological well-being. -
Many people experience shifts in their relationship to spirituality and religion in their lifetime, often more than once. These shifts may vary in intensity depending on (this list is not exhaustive):
Level of indoctrination, orthodoxy, or fundamentalism
Personalization/differentiation/flexibility within their faith
Community factors, including local and overarching rhetoric on those who doubt, what truth is, life outside of religion, etc.
Relationships (if these are enmeshed, can tolerate difference, etc.)
Presence of spiritual abuse or trauma
Personal Development and life experiences
Being part of a marginalized population within the faith
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From ICSA:
Spiritual abuse, sometimes called religious abuse, results when individuals are deceived and or otherwise manipulated in ways that cause detrimental changes to core elements of the self, including one’s relationship to God, religious/philosophical beliefs, self-determination, and the capacity to think independently. Though often associated with cultic groups, spiritual abuse may also occur in mainstream denominations when pastors or others misuse their authority or when individuals violate the ethical boundaries of proselytizing or other kinds of influence situations. -
We may focus on:
Processing your Journey
Increasing Differentiation of Self
Emotional Literacy & Resilience
Building Self Trust
Increasing Sense of Agency in Decision Making
Reclaiming Purpose and Life Meaning
Critical Thinking Skill Building
Personalizing your Values
Navigating “groundlessness”
Boundary Setting and Communication Skill Training
The Grieving Process
Narrative Building
Healing from any Religious Trauma or Spiritual Abuse
Strengthening Relationships & Building Community
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I approach your experience with cultural sensitivity and humility, respect for your personal values and religious/spiritual stances, and a gentle and compassionate atmosphere. My work is not anti-religious, but rather anti-abuse, anti-power/control, and anti-harm. I echo the values of Reclamation Collective as you seek for alignment with personal integrity and meaningful engagement with what is important to you.
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Beyond clinical training as a marriage & family therapist, I have additional training from The Religious Trauma Institute and Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. I like to integrate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (particularly Moral Injury where relevant), Narrative therapy, and Cognitive Processing Therapy.
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I have experience in working with folks anywhere along the LDS spectrum (including Ex Mormons/LDS), Jehovah’s Witness, Pentecostal, and Seventh Day Adventist, as well as other evangelical/high demand religions and high control groups.
Perinatal & Postpartum Therapy
The perinatal period (the time spanning from pre-conception to one year after the child’s birth, including postnatal & postpartum,) is a unique time in life that can be full of joy as well as challenges. Therapy during this time period can support clients who are navigating challenges such as:
Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders: prenatal/postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD
Traumatic birth experiences
Infertility
Postpartum adjustment
Perinatal loss & grief
Maternal self-identity and self-care
Building support systems
Coping skills and emotional resiliency
Body positivity
Parent guilt & shame
Communication skill building & handling Interpersonal Disputes
Lifespan Integration & Birth Timeline
Couple counseling during the perinatal period
Collaborative work with providers
Couples Counseling
Intimate connections & marriage can give us purpose and fulfillment while also challenging us like nothing else does.
Do you and your partner struggle because of emotional distancing/avoidance, feeling labor is unequal, or difficulty communicating? Are you looking to prepare for a new phase of your lives together such as moving in or getting married?
Couples therapy could help you with these difficulties or be preventative! Starting sooner than later can increase your chances of success.
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Improving communication
Balancing connectedness & autonomy
Value differences
Adjusting to life transitions
Premarital counseling
Perinatal/Postpartum
Attachment & Emotional Intimacy
Sex
Establishing an equal partnership
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Session 1: The Couple Intake Session. 60 or 90 minutes (client choice). Homework: Gottman Relationship Assessment
Session 2 & 3: Individual Sessions (60 min each) to discuss individual history, perspectives, and build rapport
Session 4: Assessment Review and Goal Setting Couple Session, 60-90 minutes
Session 5 and beyond: Couple therapy sessions, with individual sessions as needed -
Check out this short video from the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy A
Marathon Couples Sessions
Are you seeking to make a big impact in a short amount of time? Marathon Couple Therapy can be a great alternative to traditional weekly couples therapy, which works slowly- one hour a week. I offer evidence based interventions delivered over 1-3 six hour days (with breaks!).
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20-Minute Consultation
We discuss if Marathon Couple Therapy is right for you. We will also discuss the intake process, answer any questions you may have, and book our session dates if you are ready to move forward. This consultation is free of charge.Assessments
Prior to beginning therapy, you and your partner will each individually fill out a series of relationship assessments
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Assessment, Feedback, &Foundations
Couple Intake Session: 1 hour
Individual Sessions: 1 hour each
Couple Feedback Session: 1 hour
Relationship Foundations: 2 hours
Some couples like to just do one Marathon Day to “jumpstart” couple therapy, and then head into traditional weekly sessions.
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Intensive Treatment
6 hours/day
2 Hour Segments of therapy with breaks, lunch, & somatic movement in between.
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We usually schedule several sessions about 3-4 weeks after Marathon Therapy.
These are to help integrate & process the work we have done. They also help you build on and practice new skills. They can aid in preventing relapse of old behaviors.
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If you're considering marathon therapy, you both should be invested in doing some challenging work.
Interventions will be tailored to the couple’s needs, and often include communication skill work, building friendship and intimacy, working through conflict and gridlock, and creating a balance between self-belonging and connection.
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Marathon Therapy is priced at the rate of $250 per 60 minute increment. Each day of Marathon therapy typically consists of 6 hours of therapy.
A deposit of 50% is required at the point of reservation in order to confirm and secure your booking for the agreed upon dates. The remaining payment is due at the start of your first session and is non-refundable.
Cancellations can be made up to 30 days prior to your scheduled appointment. Deposits are non-refundable within 30 days. Re-scheduled sessions will be subject to a full charge if not received at least 30 days in advance.
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Marathon therapy may be unsuitable:
If there is active alcohol and/or drug addiction on the part of either or both partners, from either partner’s perspective.
If there is serious violence in your relationship, threats by one or both partners that serious violence might occur, or fear of such serious violence on the part of one or both partners.
If either partner currently has an untreated major mental illness (schizophrenia, recurrent psychotic depression, or bipolar/manic-depressive illness.) Note: This does not include past, successfully treated psychotic episodes (e.g. post-partum depression with psychosis).
If there is an undisclosed, current affair that you are not willing to disclose (such secrets predict marital therapy failure).
If there is an ongoing affair and the partner having the affair is not willing to end it.
If either partner is currently experiencing suicidal or homicidal thoughts, or has a history of serious harm inflicted on him/herself or another person
Consultations with Mental Health Professionals
Consultations are offered for professionals for the following topics from a "peer to peer" stance. I have experience to share and a passion for working with these populations:
Perinatal Mental Health
Religious Trauma
Couple Therapy
ADHD
Rates
Individual Therapy
Online or in-person (including walk & talk sessions). Typically, meetings are weekly.
50 mins | $175
90 mins | $250
Couples Therapy
Online or in-person. Typically, meetings are weekly or bi-weekly.
50 mins | $175
90 mins | $250
Marathon Couples Sessions:
Marathon therapy is priced at the rate of $250 per 60 minute increment
Each day of Marathon therapy typically consists of 6 hours of therapy ($1,500 total).
A deposit of 50% is required at the point of reservation in order to confirm and secure your booking for the agreed upon dates. The remaining payment is due at the start of your first session and is non-refundable.
Cancellations can be made up to 30 days prior to your scheduled appointment. Deposits are non-refundable within 30 days. Re-scheduled sessions will be subject to a full charge if not received at least 30 days in advance.
Consultation for Therapists
These are online sessions designed for therapists who want to know more about my specialties
20 mins | $45
I’m now working with Lyra EAP
Employee Assistance Programs allow people with this benefit, usially provided by workplaces, to see a therapist short term for a variety of different issues.
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I don’t bill insurance directly at this time. I am considered an out-of-network provider for all insurance companies.
I am able to provide “Superbills” for all services. These are receipts which you can submit to your insurance as claims for potential reimbursement.
Please contact your insurance by calling the number on the back of your card. Here are some helpful questions to ask them:
Do I have “out of network benefits”?
If yes: “What is my deductible?”
What part of that deductible have I met so far (if any)?
What is my copay on out of network “behavioral health” visits?
How do I submit “Superbills” for reimbursement?
Do I have benefits for family therapy? (If applicable)
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If you have Lyra, feel free to reach out to me. To find out if you have an employee assistance plan, you can contact your employer.
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You will be asked to place a debit or credit card on file for your appointments. You can pay for your therapy with Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
You technically are not supposed to used these cards for missed appointments, however.
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Reduced Fee Therapy:
If the cost of therapy is a barrier to your receiving services, I have a limited number of slots available for a reduced fee. Please inquire to find out more about the rate, and current availability of these slots.
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I take debit, & credit cards.
Payment is due at the time of service unless special arrangements have been made.
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Our Cancellation Policy:
You must cancel your appointment 48 hours in advance of the scheduled appointment.
You will be charged the full amount of the session for missed appointments or failing to cancel 48 hours prior to your appointment.
“No shows” will be charged the full session fee.
Missed session fees cannot be reimbursed by insurance.
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Overview:
The No Surprises act which is a part of the consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, is designed to protect clients from receiving unexpected medical bills.
The "Good Faith Estimate” is to give an idea of what you'll be charged with, prior to begin services.
As I do not bill to insurance, this eliminates any surprise fees as you are aware of the rate you are paying for therapy as well as the rate of late cancellations or no shows.
The Good Faith Estimate will tell you the $ rate of session x 1x/week) x 50 weeks in the year = the approximate total you will end up spending on therapy per year if you attend every week.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith
Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises
Payment & Insurance
Here’s some information on paying for therapy. If you have more questions, shoot me an email!
About Me
I am an avid outdoor adventurer, traveler, book reader, trier of new things. I’m a wife and mother of 4 amazing little humans.
Through my own experiences in life and personal therapy journey, I have learned that the only way out is through. Healing comes as we become equipped to meet ourselves fully.
I have been working as a therapist for 4 years. I also enjoy giving presenting workshops, doing advocacy, and offering psychoeducation services to individuals and organizations.
My clients are those who are ready and willing to take ownership of their story in a way that feels authentic and empowering.
My Education
License # LF 61538995
Affiliations:
Member of American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT)
Member of Washington Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (WAMFT)
Member of Postpartum Support International
Member of Perinatal Support Washington
MA, Marriage and Family Therapy, North Central University
Training:
Certified Perinatal Mental Health Counselor, Postpartum Support International
ADHD Clinical Services Provider Certified
Gottman Method Couples Therapy - Level 1 & 2 Training, Treatment of Trauma & Affairs Training
Lifespan Integration - Level 1 Certified
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Certified
Perinatal Mental Health Certified
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Certified Clinical Trauma ProfessionalEmotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) externship
My Approaches
I use systemic thinking as a marriage & family therapist. This means considering your whole self in context using a variety of interventions.
My approach is integrated. I tailor it to your specific needs, preferences, & processing style. I am trained in the following theories & modalities.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Lifespan Integration
Family Systems
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Perinatal Mental Health
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Trauma-focused CBT
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Narrative
Mindfulness
Feminist Theory
Interpersonal Therapy
Attachment
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Get started today.
Getting here
We’re located just off 410
on the second floor of the
Lark Dermatology Building:
21137- SR 410 East
Suite F
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
Parking
Park in the front, side, or behind the building
Now offering
Walk & Talk therapy
Walking while talking is a totally new way to get therapy.
If you want to move your body while getting things out, or
if you prefer not to stare at each other in an office or
if you have Zoom fatigue,
let’s get outside and take charge together on your Empowered Pathway.
