Cary Terra, LMFT

Cary Terra has experience with family therapy for non-traditional families, including single parent families, blended families and gay parent families. 
In a world that often lacks language or systems in place to provide support and encouragement to gay and lesbian individuals, or couples striving to achieve a lifelong committed and loving relationship, finding a therapist who understands and supports your life, who speaks your language, and who can provide resources within the Seattle community to foster your continued growth can be especially valuable.   Working with an empathic therapist can make a world of difference.
I understand the unique needs of gay and lesbian couples at various life stages, and offer both couples therapy for same sex couples as well as family therapy. If you are a young couple just starting out, you want to make sure that you do everything in your power to move beyond infatuation and into a deeper, more complex way of relating to one another.  Without a template for these transitions, Seattle gay and lesbian individuals can be at risk for developing depression and anxiety.  What can help?  Both partners can explore the patterns in their families of origin, as well as any baggage from previous relationships on both sides. Without that effort, any new couple is almost certainly at risk for repeating history. Another important variable is the degree of "out-ness" embraced by both parties in the relationship, as well as their families' acceptance or non-acceptance of them as a gay man or lesbian. These variables are in addition to the usual issues faced by a couple beginning a serious relationship, and must be explored along with them. Cary Terra, LMFT offers Bainbridge Island therapy services for new relationships and married couples.

Parenting

Gay and lesbian parents face a host of challenges in our society.  For instance, often an individual discovers or acknowledges his or her true sexual identity after a period of heterosexual marriage, and may or may not already have children from that relationship. Issues related to coming out, communicating effectively with a former spouse or with their children can be very difficult. Learning to forge a new relationship eventually in a non-heterosexual environment can be confusing, as the person seeks to re-define his or her role in relationship and even in relation to society. If the new partner has been "out" all along, additional issues can trouble them as they seek to resolve their differing approaches to the world.
Even maturing couples who are facing challenges related to your individual changes and years together, can benefit from therapeutic help as you move forward in life.  Therapy can you’re your family’s adjustment to situations such as career changes, death and dying, or dealing with aging parents.
Couples often experience challenges from the children one or both partners had previous to their joint lifestyle. Others meet disapproval from their parents or extended families, their spiritual traditions, or the community at large. These stressors can add to the challenges faced by any couple who experiences life's constant changes.
Remember, finding a safe place to explore your concerns can make all the difference in the world in helping you stay together and grow together.  Structural family therapy, strategic family therapy, solution focused family therapy and psychodynamic family therapy are all major family therapy approaches which can clarify your family’s issues, goals and path to health.  In therapy, you will always be supported in your love for one another and your desire to grow as individuals and a couple. Cary Terra, LMFT can help you navigate whatever relationship and family structure you are aspiring to.  Please contact Terra Therapy for a consultation today by visiting the Contact Page.

If you are concerned about your family, please call for a free phone consultation.

Where are services provided?

Terra Therapy provides services in two convenient locations on Bainbridge Island and in Seattle.
Family Therapy Bainbridge Island
Family therapy Kirkland
Family therapy greater Seattle
Family therapy west Seattle
Family therapy Bellevue
Family Therapy Poulsbo
Family Therapy Redmond
Family Therapy Kitsap County
Family Therapy King County