Welcome! 

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

About me

Hello and welcome to Courageous Healing, PLLC! My name is Lizzie Mendus (she/her/hers). I am originally from New England and moved to the Seattle area in fall 2018 to obtain my Masters in Social Work. Currently, I have my associate clinical independent social work license (LSWAIC) and am working towards my full licensure (LICSW) which I'm on track to obtain in October 2023. I receive clinical supervision from a licensed independent clinical social worker through Mindful Therapy Group. 

I received my Bachelor's of Arts degree from Smith College in 2015 with a major and minor in Psychology and Dance. I returned back to Smith for graduate school and obtained my MSW in fall 2020. During my graduate education, I completed two 9-month field placements including at the Bellevue Fire Department and with a specialized, trauma-informed, behaviorally-focused Seattle Public School in White Center. 

After obtaining my LSWAIC, I worked as an in-home family therapist through an organization called Institute for Family Development (IFD) during which I worked with families in crisis and children who were at risk of being removed from the home by Child Protective Services (CPS). My goal was to provide support and resources to families to increase safety and ultimately decreasing risk of removal which also included being on 24/7 crisis call during my work with clients. 

Most recently, I worked as a school- and agency-based therapist at Northshore Youth and Family Services, during which I provided evidenced-based therapy interventions to students, kids, teens, families, couples, and individuals to decrease symptoms of distressing feelings, increase effective coping skills, and process difficult experiences in a safe, confidential space. 

Services and Approaches

I provide remote and in-person therapy services for kids, teens, and adults of all ages. I focus on evidence-based interventions including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), trauma-focused approaches, positive parenting skills, and body-based soothing strategies including mindfulness. I use a person-centered approach and always try to meet the client where they're at. I use a lot of active listening, validation, and empathy throughout sessions. I support and empower my clients to explore various parts of their identities in order to increase insight and awareness of themselves and others. 

I consider my identities in my work as a therapist. My privileged identities include being white, cis-female, U.S. citizen, speaking English as my first language, middle class, assumed able-bodied, straight-passing, and college-educated. My marginalized identities include my identity as a woman, suffering from invisible chronic illness, and identifying as pansexual. If it feels safe to do so, please share your identities with me during sessions! 

I use cultural humility in my professional and personal life. I strive to slow down before making assumptions based on race, class, gender, sexuality, religion, ability, and all identities. I make mistakes and yearn to learn from them. Cultural humility is not something I will "achieve" but rather, constantly be working on, processing, and learning as the world changes. I strive to learn, change, and grow while not leaning on marginalized groups to correct, teach, and assist me so as not to exploit marginalized groups from doing unpaid emotional, mental, and physical labor.

Scheduling

I'm available for in-person and telehealth sessions Monday-Friday. General availability includes early afternoon, late afternoon, and evenings. The first session will be an intake and every session thereafter will be a recurring appointment. Evidence-based research shows that the most effective therapy interventions and changes will take place weekly; however, if you can only do every other week sessions, please contact me and we can discuss more.

I have partnered with Mindful Therapy Group for administrative services. If you have questions on scheduling, billing, or technology issues, please contact: frontdesk@mindfultherapygroup.com  or call 425-640-7009 on Monday-Friday 7am-7pm and Saturday-Sunday 8am-4pm. 

Billing

My private pay rate is $140 per session. 

I am in-network with and accept the following insurance: 

My adjusted cash-rate is $100/session.

Contact and Location

It takes a lot of bravery, courage, and strength to begin your therapeutic journey. 

When you're ready, please reach out to me at lizziemendus@mindfultherapygroup.com or leave a confidential message at 425-640-7009 ext. 9208. 

For all new clients, please call 425-640-7009 to schedule your intake appointment.  

Office location:

101 Elliot Ave. W, Suite 500, Seattle, WA, 98119

 Looking forward to working with you on your healing journey!