Hi, I’m Missy Lichau, LMHC. If life feels heavy or noisy, you don’t have to carry it—or organize it—alone. I’m an experienced mental health therapist serving Washington and Florida via telehealth (and Walking & Movement Therapy near Gig Harbor, WA). My style is warm, collaborative, and compassionate, with a steady focus on clear goals and practical steps. We’ll laugh when it helps, make space when it matters, and keep moving toward changes you can feel in daily life.

I was born, raised, and educated in California, then moved to Washington eighteen years ago—and stayed for the mountains, the water, and the people. I’ve been married to my favorite human for over twenty-five years; we have two adult sons, a daughter-in-law-to-be, and two very spoiled dogs who are convinced they run the house (they might be right).

How I Work
(Compassion + Goals + Humor)

Mental wellness is a mind–body collaboration. I integrate CBT, DBT, mindfulness, executive-function coaching, nutritional psychiatry, and integrative/functional care. Together we’ll set specific, realistic goals, choose skills that fit your life, and track progress so you know it’s working. Expect sessions that are kind, focused, sometimes humorous, and always oriented toward what you need next.

Who I love to help: anxiety, depression, adult ADHD, sleep/insomnia, parenting, stress & burnout, work–life balance, and mind–body wellness. Whether you’re looking for a thoughtful mental health therapist in Gig Harbor or an online mental health counselor in Washington or Florida, you’re in the right place.

Credentials (Condensed)

Degrees & Licensure

• BA, Psychology & Human Development — University of California, Davis (1998)

• MA, Counseling Psychology — National University (2001)

• Post-graduate study in Educational & Developmental Psychology (2008–2010)

• ESA, Washington State School Counselor (2012)

• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

Certifications

• Executive Functioning & ADHD Certification

• Certified in Nutritional Psychiatry — UMass Hospital & Harvard University

• Certified Integrative Medicine for Mental Health (IMMH) Practitioner

• Certified Walking Therapist

• Precision One Nutrition Coach

Specialized Training

• CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia)

• DBT (mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness)

• Eating Disorders (assessment, treatment planning, recovery supports)

• CBT for Personality Disorders (skills-based, schema and behavior change)

• Nutritional Psychiatry & Integrative/Functional Mental Health (food–mood science, lifestyle medicine, nervous-system regulation)

Professional Background

• CPS Social Worker, Sacramento County (2000–2002)

• Adoptions Supervising Social Worker (2002)

• Mom (2002–∞) — my favorite leadership role

• Adjunct Human Services Professor, University of Phoenix (2007–2013)

• 15+ years in schools as counselor, mentor, and behavior specialist—communication systems, behavior plans, and IEP/504 advocacy

When I’m Off the Clock

I’m a proud bibliophile (especially on neuroscience and biochemistry), an experimental cook and recipe developer, a dedicated gym rat, and I love running and hiking the PNW’s trails. It’s green tea in hand these days. I can’t walk my dogs, so they supervise from the window and collect extra cuddles as payment.