Terri Haaga received her Master’s in Social Work in 1985 from Eastern Washington University. Terri is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Washington. In addition, she is a Washington State qualified Geriatric Mental Health Specialist.
Terri specializes in working with adults over 60 and their families.
She sees her clients through telehealth and at the Main office.
THERAPUETIC APPROACH
My therapeutic approach is holistic and integrative in nature, drawing on Systems Theory (focusing on all aspects of a person’s life, e.g. family and other support systems, health, life history) while also looking into the self-limiting beliefs, behavior patterns or other common obstacles that interfere with people living the kind of life they wish for themselves.
I believe we all have the capacity to grow and change. My goal is to offer you a safe and supportive environment where, together, we can explore the concerns that brought you to counseling. I specialize in helping clients navigate life changes or challenges which may include: job loss, stress and burnout, coping with relationship issues, addiction issues and recovery, adjusting to medical/physical changes, the loss of loved ones, or caring for aging family members. I can help to explore, understand and manage the range of emotions that often accompany these challenges such as loss, grief, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. We then will collaborate to develop skills and strategies to increase healthy coping and, ultimately, improve your quality of life.
As a Geriatric Mental Health Specialist (GMHS), I bring 20 years’ experience to the complexities of working with older adults and their families. To quote Bette Davis, “getting old is not for sissies.” Our middle and later years can bring questions, concerns and fears about many things, including: changes and the loss of what was or would be, awareness that past ways of coping no longer work to our benefit, increased anxiety, loneliness, and isolation, unexpected medical, mental, emotional or physical changes, and having to adjust to the mysterious process of aging.
I look forward to connecting and exploring a fit between your needs and what I have to offer as a therapist.
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
20 years of specialized training in Geriatric Mental Health and Crisis Intervention with Older Adults. I also have specialized training in Addiction and Recovery Issues, Systems Theory and The Lifeline Technique.
2005 Geriatric Mental Health Specialist designation, Washington State.
1985 MSW Masters in Social Work, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA.
1982 BA in Social Work, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA.
Terri has been an instructor in Social Work at Washington State University in Pullman, WA and the Alcohol/Drug Studies at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA. She continues to offer courses specializing in geriatric mental health throughout the Puget Sound area.