About Me

What I Believe

I believe that people possess an amazing capacity for resilience, creativity, courage, and caring and that sometimes we become disconnected from these qualities and the truth about who we are. Families and couples often have extensive, untapped resources to resolve their challenges. I believe that therapy can help restore these connections and tap these resources and that the process doesn’t have to take a long time.

My Approach To Therapy

My focus is on how critical events in life impact a person’s relationship with self, with the world around them, and other people. I look to you to define how life would look at its most optimum and focus on specific goals that will bring that vision into being.

In general, I work within a therapeutic tradition known as existential therapy that focuses on how we interpret the events and relationships of our lives and how that system of interpretations influences our capacity for action.

I use various approaches to help you achieve your goals based on your preferences for therapy, your cultural preferences, and your preferred learning style. These approaches may include looking at how you tell the story of your life and reframing beliefs that you believe do not serve you; using cognitive-behavioral strategies to mitigate problematic thoughts and/or behaviors; using Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), somatic approaches such as the Trauma Resource Model® or Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) to reduce the impact of trauma, chronic illness and post-traumatic stress; using clinical hypnotherapy to reinforce your commitment to the goals you have identified and strengthen your connection to empowering beliefs; and using more creative strategies depending on your preferences such as artwork, writing or music. I may refer you to a medical provider or additional sources of social support if I feel these collateral resources will assist you in achieving your stated goals.

I am interested in how you experience therapy and will ask you to tell me what works best for you. If I am not familiar with some aspect of your cultural background, I will acknowledge this and ask you to help me understand the meaning and importance of this cultural element in your life.

My Qualifications

Over 20 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families.

Licensed in the state of California as both a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Licensed in the state of Washington as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.

Two national board certifications: Nationally Certified Counselor and Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (National Board of Certified Counselors)

Master of Science degree in Counseling--Marriage and Family Therapy, California State University, Northridge, with distinction. Bachelor of Arts degree, Occidental College, cum laude.

Certified in a variety of evidence-based approaches to trauma including Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), the Trauma Resiliency Model ® (TRM), and the Community Resiliency Model®

Certified in Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy, an evidence-based approach for couples.

Certified Window Between Worlds Art Expression workshop facilitator.

Advanced training in Clinical Hypnosis

Privileged to serve our nation’s Veterans and active duty Service Members for 13 years as a clinician in the Readjustment Counseling Services division of the Department of Veterans Affairs (the “Vet Centers”), specializing in treating the impact of combat trauma and military sexual trauma as well as the impact of loss on surviving family members. As many Veterans continue careers of public service, I also gained valuable experience working with those in law enforcement, search and rescue and fire services.

Former California state-certified Rape Crisis Advocate; knowledgeable about the law enforcement and trial protocols that victims of crime often face.

Certified as a Clinical Supervisor by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and qualified to supervise pre-licensed associates in the states of California and Washington.

Selected Professional Memberships

American Counseling Association

California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

Washington Mental Health Counselors Association

EMDR International Association

American Society of Clinical Hypnosis

Nancy Adamson, LMFT, LPCC, LMHC
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, CA LMFT47237
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, CA LPC97
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, WA LH61464800
Registered Hypnotherapist, WA HYPN.HP.70025815